11 can't-miss concerts in Nashville this January: Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, more

The new year in Nashville brings a fresh slate of events for all Music City concert-goers. This January, Nashville stages will see some of the best in the indie-alternative pop scene as well as some of country's most notable artists, performing at venues from the Ryman Auditorium to the Basement East.

This month, Nashvillians can celebrate late banjo player Earl Scruggs' 100th birthday, enjoy country boy band trio Restless Road's hearty ballads or catch crooner Franki Valli and The Four Seasons at The Grand Ole Opry.

And with the start of another jam-packed year of music in Music City, here are 11 must-see concerts this January.

Jan. 6: Earl Scruggs' 100th Birthday Celebration

The Ryman Auditorium will throw a 100th Birthday Celebration in honor of late iconic musician Earl Scruggs, a revered banjo player. A North-Carolina born Nashville transplant, Scruggs, who died in 2012, popularized his own banjo picking style, a three-finger technique called the "Scruggs style."

Proceeds from the Ryman's concert will benefit The Earl Scruggs Center, a Shelby, NC organization dedicated to telling Scruggs' story and engaging individuals with the history and cultural traditions of the region where Scruggs was raised.

The Ryman's evening concert will feature Jerry Douglas as musical director, The Earls of Leicester, The Del McCoury Band, Gena Britt, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan , Jimmie Fadden, Bela Fleck, Jeff Hanna, Sierra Hull, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Jim Mill, Justin Moses, Jerry Pentecost, Todd Phillips, Harry Stinson, Bryan Sutton, Tony Trischka and more.

For more information, fans can visit ryman.com.

Jan. 11: Magic City Hippies

The Magic City Hippies will hit the stage in Nashville at the Brooklyn Bowl on Jan. 11. The alternative-indie pop band, known for songs, "Queen," "Water Your Garden" and "Limestone," will be supported by alternative band The Palms and indie artist Josh Fudge.

The band released album "Water Your Garden" in 2022, receiving critical acclaim and widespread approval from fans. Now, the shimmery hypnotizing pop group are on an extensive American winter tour, performing from Florida to Oregon.

For more information about the band and their tour, readers can visit magiccityhippies.com.

Jan. 11/12: Allison Russell

Canadian musician Allison Russell will perform at The Basement East for two evenings as part of her Returner Tour. The folk pop artist will be supported by pop singer Kyshona.

The singer-songwriter, poet, activist and multi-instrumentalist released album "The Returner" in September 2023, which earned her four Grammy nominations for February's upcoming 66th Grammy Awards ceremony.

To learn more about Russell and her upcoming shows, head to allisonrussellmusic.com.

Jan. 12: Restless Road

Country trio Restless Road will perform at the Brooklyn Bowl, bringing their heart-throb ballads and boot-stomping country pop anthems to the stage. The trio, comprised of Zach Beeken, Garrett Nichols and Colton Pack, will be supported by opener Erin Kinsey.

The band, known for songs "Growing Old With You" and "Sundown Somewhere," released their debut album "Last Rodeo" in October and are now headed out on an American and European tour.

To learn more about Restless Road, fans can visit restlessroad.com.

Jan. 14: Opry at the Ryman, Emmylou Harris, Mark Wills, more...

The Opry is returning to the historic Ryman Auditorium in January, bringing a Grand Ole Opry styled show where a handful of artists hit the stage for short sets. The show will feature Emmylou Harris, Mark Wills and more unannounced performers.

Singer-songwriter Harris, known as an icon in the world of country rock and folk, released single "Love Wore a Halo" in August 2023. She'll be sharing the stage with Wills, a country artist known for songs "19 Somethin'" and "I Do (Cherish You)."

Fans can learn more at ryman.com.

Jan. 17: Mickey Darling

The self-proclaimed "sexiest boy band" Mickey Darling will take to the stage at The Basement East for a night of indie-pop. The duo, consisting of Skyler Molina and Austin Medrano, draw inspiration from others in the bedroom pop space, like Boy Pablo, Gus Dapperton and Rex Orange County.

The duo, known for tunes "Big Sad," "Vroom Vroom" and "Reverse Cowgirl" released single "I want I want I want" in November 2023. Hitting the stage alongside them will be pop singer and producer Nick Wagen.

Fans can learn more about Mickey Darling at sexiestboyband.com.

Jan. 19: Opry Goes Dolly, Lauren Alaina, Elle King, more...

The Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating Opry member Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium with a night of performances dedicated to the Tennessee country music icon.

Though Parton will not appear in person, the special show will celebrate her birthday with performances from Lauren Alaina, Terri Clark, Elle King, Tigirlily Gold, Ashley Monroe, Dailey & Vincent, and more performers to be announced.

The guests will perform some of Parton's hits, alongside an evening of Dolly-themed celebration, photo-ops and more. $5 from each ticket will go to to Opry Trust Fund in Parton's honor; the fund has assisted members of the music community in need for over 50 years.

Fans can learn more about the musical event at ryman.com.

Jan. 20/21: Kristin Chenoweth and the Nashville Symphony

The Tony-award winning Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth will perform alongside the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for two evenings. Chenoweth, a musical theatre actress, is known for her roles in "Wicked," "Glee," and "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

The nights will include dazzling orchestral arrangements led by conductor Rob Berman in addition to Chenoweth's soaring vocals and charismatic stage presence.

For more information, readers can head to nashvillesymphony.org.

Jan. 23: Tool

Rock band Tool will head to Bridgestone Arena as part of their extensive American and European tour. The band, hailing from Los Angeles, will be supported by the rock band Elder.

The progressive metal, alternative group is comprised of Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, Danny Carey and Justin Chancellor and known for songs "Schism," "Sober" and "The Pot." In 2019, Tool released album "Fear Inoculum," garnering a Grammy award for best metal performance.

To learn more about Tool and their tour, fans can visit toolband.com.

Jan. 28: Franki Valli and the Four Seasons

Original Jersey Boy Franki Valli will hit the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House with The Four Seasons. The pop, blue-eyed-soul singer will bring his well-known hits, which have been featured in movies "Dirty Dancing," "Mrs. Doubtfire," and more, to the stage of the Opry.

From his time with The Jersey Boys to The Four Seasons in addition to his solo success, Valli's icon crooner status cemented tunes like "Sherry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You" and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” as revered classics.

To learn more, visit opry.com.

Jan. 29: Elvis Costello and The Imposters, Charlie Sexton

English singer-songwriter Elvis Costello is headed to the Ryman Auditorium alongside his band The Imposters and guitarist and singer-songwriter Charlie Sexton.

Costello, a staple in the British singer-songwriter, new wave, and punk rock scenes, released an album with The Imposters in 2022, "The Boy Named If," adding to his catalogue of more than thirty albums. He's best known for songs "She," "Alison, "Watching the Detectives" and "Pump It Up."

To learn more about the night of pop, rock and more, visit ryman.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville January concerts: Tool, Kristen Chenoweth take the stage