Earth Libraries Showcases Major Talent
Nashville, Tennessee - February 20, 2026
Few things feel more Nashville than the Blue Room at Third Man Records – a small venue located right on the outskirts of downtown, owned by the frontman of The White Stripes, Jack White. Even fewer things feel more true to the spirit of Music City than an indie music showcase located at the Blue Room, exactly what the venue had in store this past Friday night.
Earth Libraries, an independent music label based in Birmingham, put together a diverse lineup of musicians with one goal in mind: give small artists a stage to showcase their talent in a big way. It’s a crowded room, filled with friendly chatter, and as people file in, it is clear this is a crowd of people who love music. Throughout the room, people are sharing which bands they know, which they don’t, and which they are looking forward to seeing – everyone is excited to hear something new.
First up, signed to Earth Libraries, and Nashville-based, Belt. Fronted by songwriter Tommy Creighton, Belt took to the stage with an infectious energy. He starts the show on the trumpet, playing the first few notes of Taps before taking to the mic to get down to business. For the next thirty minutes, Creighton jumps around the stage, cycling through shakers, a guitar, the famed trumpet, and a synthesizer. It’s clear he’s playing music that he loves, and the crowd loves him for it. The set ends all too soon, but not before he gets the crowd to sing the words to his own song back to him, “Hell yeah. Fuck yeah.” are the words he leaves the room with, and the room meets him with a resounding “Hell yeah. Fuck yeah.” before he exits the stage.
Second in the lineup is One Wheel Fireworks Show, led by Will Cole, another Nashville-based artist. The band just released their second album, Jason, eternal, and the room is primed to enjoy some new music. They don’t just stick to songs off the new album, instead choosing to dip into their discography, released and unreleased. As Will tunes his guitar, he engages with the crowd with ease. It’s light banter until he introduces the title track off of Jason, eternal. He gets serious, citing his philosophy behind making art, “fast, imperfect, and a lot of it,” inspired by Jason Polan, the late New York Times illustrator, and the inspiration behind the entire album. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful, and the crowd listens intently as he weaves the tapestry behind his inspiration.
Next up is Babywave, another band that spends the majority of its time in Nashville. With a stuffed animal lamb hanging from one of the many stands on stage, Babywave brings the house down. The band doesn’t play a single released song the entire set, and the crowd loves them for it. Some songs aren’t even off their upcoming album, Hurts A Whole Lot. It’s a change of pace from the first two sets, experimental and a little bit heavier, but within the four walls of the famed Blue Room, it’s perfect.
The final act for the night is Birmingham’s very own, Will Stewart. It’s his first time playing the Blue Room but he brings a self assuredness that cannot be overlooked. The sound is soft and mature, and Stewart sings with a melodic voice that feels easy to trust. It’s the kind of music people expect to hear in Nashville but never seem to be able to find, playing music off his most recent EP, Memory Man. He ends the night with clean, powerful guitars and strong, soft singing, the kind that makes you think about the lyrics to his songs and the drive back home from the venue.
The Earth Libraries Showcase was a one-night-only event, but there is no doubt we will be hearing from all of these artists very soon. Between recent and upcoming releases, it’s apparent these four bands are joyfully committed to their art, no small task in the city where songwriters and musicians are a dime a dozen.
