BIG STAR QUINTET PLAYS NEUHOFF DISTRICT’S RIVER STEPS CONCERT SERIES!

September 16, 2026 Jason Shrum

On Thursday, September 10th, there was a special show happening in Nashville. It was a late announcement (actually the day of). A huge band was playing at a small venue and tickets would be available at the venue’s box office only. Droves of people rushed to The Basement East to procure these limited offerings, that were limited to two per person, as the happening was mentioned on local radio station WNXP 91.1 FM. Tickets were to be sold for just $30 each, at 6pm, for an 9pm event. drove by the spot at around 2pm and there must have been 300 people already in line to get their hands on this golden opportunity. The band playing this 500 capacity club was Kings of Leon. Folks were losing their minds. I am not here to talk about that event.

My prize was going to be in the Neuhoff District at the River Steps, along the Cumberland River, for a FREE show that flew under the radar somehow. This curation was also put on by a radio station but had limited advertising and was in the realm of IYKYK. Lightning 100.1 FM kept their promotion fairly low key, but if you were following along on The Gram you knew. The semi-secret show was one that severely caught my eye with Big Star on the bill. More specifically, Big Star Quintet, which is an amalgamation of legendary musicians who have recently joined forces to bring you the timeless music of the 1970’s indie power-pop band from Memphis, Tennessee. In fact, they were playing the bill alone with a gorgeously managed 7pm start time. The beauty of seeing older bands is those early start times that lead to early end times.

I got to my destination promptly at 5:30pm for the gates to open at 6pm. I immediately got lost, as I had never been there before. I eventually made my way to the steps which lay in the middle of an old packing plant now repurposed with shopping, dining and office space. The elderly brick and concrete facade now engulfs modern amenities and is a perfect spot for walks and sunset views. Where I was however, was not where everyone else was. There was just one other dude initially waiting with me, as we were on the second story looking down on the set-up. A single security guard told us we were cool to wait where we stood until the 6pm event time. I took a few steps forward to gaze upon the gear that was to be taken up by the band in just a short time and our hero told me I needed to step back. “You can stand here (pointing to where I had been), but not here (pointing to where I was now – which was about 2 feet difference).” I laughed and then realized that he was serious.

If you don’t know Big Star we can still be friends, I suppose. Big Star was formed in 1971 by Alex Chilton (vocals, guitar), Chris Bell (vocals, guitar), Jody Stephens (drums), and Andy Hummel (bass). The band, in some opinions, only had two studio albums that they produced in 1971 (#1 Record) and 1974 (Radio City). A third album (Third/Sister Lovers) did come out in 1978, about four years after the group’s breakup. So ya, these guys were a little before my time but their music caught my ear in college. I heard a song at a party called ‘Thirteen’ and it captured my heart. I didn’t hear it on the radio or on a CD (which was a newer thing). I heard a guy play it on his acoustic guitar. I found the dude later on and asked about the song. He said something to the effect of, “That’s Alex Chilton and Big Star. Go find it”. The rabbit hole was formed.

So now it was 6pm and the gates were swung open and I moved forward those two magical steps forward to step through and to my astonishment I was the first one in. The masses came pouring in from well behind me, entering from another location. I could have sat very front and center, but those seat were tables with multiple chairs and as a party of just one I did not want to disrupt the seating. I took solace, dead middle, a few “rows” back upon some tiered seating that was built into the rock foundation. A perfect seat to witness Big Star Quintet. Unfortunately, only Jody Stephens remains of this earth from the debut formation. In 2024 he got together with some amazing musicians to create this brilliant and star studded super group. The band now includes Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Jon Auer (The Posies), Pat Sansone (Wilco), Chris Stamey (The dB’s) and Jody (Drums) playing the music that the original four created so many years before.

The crowd ranged in ages which warmed my soul because it means that not only has the music endured but it has also been passed on by some really cool parents and possibly grandparents. They stay faithful to the original sonic sound, but let it rip a tad, too. “We’re injecting a bit of rock ‘n’ roll energy with this five-piece,” Auer once told Spin. “We’re making it more high-octane by virtue of our enthusiasm and our love for the songs.” And rip it did. The all-star lineup played tribute to those first two records with a set that was a perfect 1 hour and 25 mins long.

The most amazing part (besides seeing a who’s who of Hall of Famers) was seeing them take turns at various instruments and vocals. Everyone played a part singing, but added an element by moving around the stage to different spots. Mike Mills went from bass to keys and with that, Stamey moved from his seat behind the Nord to pluck bass. Sansone even moved from lead guitar and lead vocals to tickle the ivories for a bit. Jody Stephens even came out from behind his setup to click his sticks together out front and sing lead on, yep, ‘Thirteen’. Ooh, and let us not fail to mention Mills on the cowbell during ‘In the Street’. I am sure that many of you will now recognize Big Star because of that song which became popular as the theme song from the television show That 70’s Show (although they switched out Big Star’s version for a cover by Cheap Trick).

Earlier in the week rain and lightning were predicted for this evening but even Mother Nature did not want to get in the way of a real force. It was still hot and humid, but every once in awhile a gust kicked off that mighty river resting behind the band and cooled us down. I’d like to think that maybe Alex and the original tandem of players had something to do with that. Jody had some heartfelt words about Alex, the band, and his mates as he spoke to the crowd during his time as the frontman. I heard some unfinished business looming in his voice as maybe the band didn’t quite accomplish all they sought after, but there was also forgiveness and gratitude about what they did get to do together. There was certainly joy in his face as he peered into our eyes and reflected about what he was still able to do with friends that he loves. They sounded masterful.

The Neuhoff District river steps provided a unique post-industrial open-air amphitheater vibe with unbelievable acoustics. The music silhouetted amongst the craggy walls and billowed up into the onlooking levels of audience members. We stared in amazement and mouthed the words like a happy assignment. It was an amazing community atmosphere that pushed us all together under the eventual stars. The stars above us and the stars in front of us that carried on the traditions of their gifts. AND AS I WRITE THIS – I have now heard that Big Star will be playing Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN which is April 1-4th. Roadtrip anyone?! Like that dude told me in 1994, “That’s Alex Chilton and Big Star. Go find it!” You should.