ZZ Top and Cheap Trick Team Up at Ascend Amphitheater
A pairing like ZZ Top and Cheap Trick does not need a long sales pitch. On October 8 the two rock institutions share the stage at Ascend Amphitheater on Nashville's riverfront, and the result should be a night of riffs, hooks and plenty of singalongs.
Who You're Seeing
ZZ Top built its reputation on blues-soaked Texas rock, big guitar tone and a sense of humor. Cheap Trick brings a catalog of power-pop and rock anthems that have lasted for decades. Together they make a bill that appeals to anyone who loves loud, melodic guitar rock.
Seeing both in one night is the draw. Two bands with long careers and deep catalogs means a lot of songs you already know.
Why This Show Is Worth It
With the Cumberland River and the downtown skyline behind the stage, this is a good setting for a rock night in Nashville.
The date to remember is Thursday, October 8, at Ascend Amphitheater. For Nashville fans, a night like this is one of the reasons Music City stays at the center of live entertainment: you can find a major touring show almost any week of the year, and the city's venues are as much a part of the draw as the headliner.
Two bands with this much history on one bill also means a long night of music. If you are heading out after work, plan for a full evening, and consider eating a little earlier so you can settle in for both sets. Rock fans will have plenty to talk about on the way out.
It also helps that the timing is good. Fall is one of the best seasons for live music in Middle Tennessee, with comfortable evenings, a packed calendar and a city that treats concert nights as a weekly ritual. Whether you are coming from Brentwood, East Nashville, Franklin, Murfreesboro or farther out, plan the night as an outing: dinner beforehand, a little time to find your seat and a relaxed ride home.
The Venue: Ascend Amphitheater
Ascend Amphitheater is Nashville's riverfront outdoor venue, right on the Cumberland with the downtown skyline as a backdrop. Its mix of reserved seats and a big lawn makes for an easy, social concert night.
Practical Info
Doors and set times vary by show, so check your ticket. Parking is in the surrounding downtown lots and garages, and walking from the Gulch, SoBro or Lower Broadway is a popular move. Bring layers for the evening air off the river, and plan dinner on the east or west side of the Cumberland before you head in.
Check the venue's policy on bags, blankets and chairs before you go, since lawn rules vary by show. Water views and riverside walking paths make arriving early a nice part of the evening.
A few practical reminders apply to any big Nashville show. Buy tickets only through official sellers, since resale scams are common around popular dates. Check the weather forecast and the venue's website for any day-of updates. Give yourself more travel time than you think you need, especially on a weeknight, and have a plan for getting home. A little preparation means you spend the evening enjoying the music instead of the traffic.
Both ZZ Top and Cheap Trick have long histories on the road, and a riverfront night with two veteran rock bands is an easy way to see why. If you have caught either act before, expect a set that leans on the songs the crowd knows best. If you have not, this is a friendly introduction. Decide early whether you want reserved seats or the lawn, because the two give you very different views and very different evenings, and arrive in time to settle in before the first band takes the stage.
Planning a bigger night out? Check our previews of Weezer at Bridgestone Arena and Journey at Bridgestone Arena, and browse more in Music on nashvegas.com.
Get Tickets
Shows like this tend to sell through, and the best seats go first. Check tickets for ZZ Top at Ascend Amphitheater to see what is available for Thursday, October 8, and confirm doors and set times on your ticket before you head out. See you in line.
