Live from Ryman Auditorium’s PNC Plaza: Sidewalk Sessions

The free-to-attend pre-show concert series returns to the iconic venue for nine weeks this fall.

A view of an empty PNC Plaza with a Ryman tour sign in the right of the frame.

Free fall fun really strikes a chord with us. | Photo by NASHtoday

Whether you have tickets to jam at the Ryman this fall or not, the venue’s free-to-attend Sidewalk Sessions, a nine-week series on PNC Plaza, returns on Thursday, Sept. 5.

The pre-show experience showcases performances by up-and-coming artists + features drinks for purchase at the outdoor bar and giveaways from the Ryman Shop.

Shows begin ~two hours before the headliner performs inside, and here’s a sampling of the full lineup:

  • Manny Alexander & The Regulators for The Red Clay Strays | Sept. 5
  • Kennedy Taylor for The Beach Boys | Sept. 23
  • Brooks Huntley for Jason Isbell | Oct. 10
  • Sam Jones & the Wretched Pews for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | Nov. 7
More from NASHtoday
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Nashville’s patios — which we’ve broken down by area.
A new corporate office at Peabody Union is expected to boast 2,000 local jobs by 2027.
The “Summer Kickoff” series will fill the gap while MLS pauses for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Swipe through renderings of the four performance halls and more planned for TPAC’s relocation.
Explore Middle Tennessee’s bookstores on Saturday, April 25.
Use this list to plan your Tennessee foodie adventures this spring, summer, and fall.
Nashville record stores are celebrating the big day with special releases, live music, local eats, and more.
Explore group volunteer opportunities, from hands-on projects to custom experiences, that let your team give back to the Nashville community.
Hooky Entertainment opens April 29 at Nashville Yards with a dine-in movie theater, bowling lanes, and an arcade under one roof.
It seems like everyone’s playing pickleball these days. Find out more about the sport and how to get involved in Nashville.