New Year's in Nashville will look different this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to send waves across the community. No public concerts will be held, nor will the city drop its famous Music Note when the clock strikes midnight. Instead, the Jack Daniel's Music City Midnight: New Year's Eve in Nashville will air on television, featuring performances by Moon Taxi and The Shindellas.
The Nashville New Year's celebration typically draws in thousands of attendees, and even saw a record number last year of more than 200,000. This year will be the first time in 12 years, since the event began, that the public will not be able to attend. Thankfully, people can still tune in to News Channel 5 and watch a livestream of the show.
"Music City has consistently hosted hundreds of thousands of spectators to ring in the New Year, and while we are sad to ask the crowds to stay home, we are ecstatic about the opportunity to say goodbye to 2020," said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. "We hope everyone will tune in to enjoy the live music and the start of 2021."
The televised show will feature indie rock band Moon Taxi, who will take the stage for 40 minutes prior to midnight. The Shindellas, a soulful and jazzy trio, will perform for 20 minutes earlier in the show.
Though this year's celebrations will be different, Spyridon offered some hope for the end of 2021.
"You can expect us to be back next year with the biggest show ever," he said. "We have some making up to do."
Photo: Getty Images