We at Tuned Up like throwing shows to highlight the kinds of music we talk about on the blog.

This is the first event we are a part of in 2016 – Jan 3rd (6PM). It’s sure to be an eclectic evening in a place that not everyone thinks as eclectic. But hey! Pizza! And friends! And there’s no cover. Here are our thoughts on the bands playing:

1001: This is the first I’ve heard of a band combining minimalist folk with spoken word poetry. Evan Carr is also the drummer for The Original Soundtrack, who have seen their share of notoriety around Columbus this past year. 1001 has done some regional touring and has shared the stage with bands like Comrades and Graceful Closure. Get ready for your mind to be provoked and to be hypnotized by some cool djembe playing.

Bear Your Cross: Is it too early to start calling this the “little band that could”? In a short period of time they’ve opened for Church Tongue and To the Wind. The metalcore-ish band got their start at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and didn’t let the lack of a heavy scene in the sleepy university town from hopping on shows anyway. They love multigenre shows, so here they are.

The Giant and the Tailor: This Nashville trio I got connected to via a MUTEMATH fan group. I was immediately hooked by their brand of spoken word meets emotive indie rock. I immediately thought of Least of These, a band from Texas we have booked before. Just from watching the video for “Jersey,” I sense a very deliberate intellect behind frontman Britain Meithe’s prose.

Covington Bates and the Stoph: This isn’t actually the name of the band (they haven’t picked one yet) and I have no music or social media to link you to. I know this though: my bud Lucas Schultzie from this group hangs around good company in the music scene and his crew knows how to party. If you’re too pensive from hearing the first few bands, these guys will lift you up.

LOCATION: Donato’s Pizza and Pub – 2084 N High Street, Columbus OH