Concert Review: Songs, Storms, and Solidarity: The Wilburys Spirit Lives On in East Nashville

The 5th Annual East Nashville Tribute to The Traveling Wilburys filled The Basement East on January 23 with something that felt increasingly rare. Not just great music, but shared purpose.

Benefiting East C.A.N. (Community Action Network), the long-standing East Nashville nonprofit focuses on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. The evening once again proved that this tribute has grown into more than a concert. It's a gathering point for musicians, fans, and community members who understand that music works best when it serves something larger than itself.

The lineup alone spoke to that idea. A deep and varied roster of artists spanning rock, folk, Americana, and roots music rotated through the stage throughout the night. The setlist honored The Traveling Wilburys catalog while also pulling from the iconic solo careers of its members. 

Songs associated with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne lived comfortably alongside Wilburys classics, reinforcing the idea that this project was never about a single sound. It was about collaboration, curiosity, and mutual respect.

Weathers threat loomed over the evening. A significant snow and ice storm moving into the region the following day made travel difficult and forced a few artists to cancel. Those absences were understandable and largely acknowledged. One notable absence, Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm, went unaddressed, but they did post on the bands Instagram story that they were unable to attend.

Still, whatever unanswered questions lingered didn't derail the night. The energy inside The Basement East remained focused, positive, and fully engaged with the music unfolding onstage.

At the center of the evening was Andrew Leahey and The Homestead, serving as hosts, bandleader, and the musical backbone of the entire evening. Acting as the house band, they shared the stage generously with every guest, adapting effortlessly to different styles and personalities. 

Leahey guided the night with confidence and warmth, balancing leadership with an obvious respect for collaboration. The Homestead’s musicianship both curated and anchored the evening, allowing the constant rotation of performers to feel cohesive rather than chaotic.

One of the defining strengths of the night was its refusal to feel rushed or performative. Even with a packed lineup, each artist seemed given the space to be themselves. 

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, John Oates brought an unmistakable presence that sent a visible jolt through the room. Rather than overpowering the evening, his performance blended naturally into the communal spirit of the show, reminding everyone that legacy carries the most weight when it is worn lightly.

Langhorne Slim delivered exactly what his reputation promises. Swagger, conviction, and a commanding presence that pulls a room inward. His performance felt lived in and fearless, the kind that reminds you why songs endure when they are delivered with belief rather than polish. 

Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show added another dimension, bringing high energy folk revival sensibilities into the mix. As one of the architects behind “Wagon Wheel,” his connection to American song tradition felt especially at home in Nashville at a Wilburys tribute.

Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson’s longtime harmonica player, added texture and history to several moments throughout the night. His harmonica work carried the quiet authority of someone who has spent decades inside great songs. While Grimey, owner of The Basement East, also stepped onstage for a couple of tunes, reinforcing that this event belongs as much to the venue and the neighborhood as it does to the artists themselves.

As the night drew to a close, Striking Matches joined Andrew Leahey for a cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that stopped the room cold. It was not simply faithful or flashy. It was powerful, intentional, and emotionally precise. Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis delivered a performance that felt like a fist to the jaw on guitar, controlled and explosive at the same time. For many in attendance, it stood among the best live covers of the song ever witnessed.

What ultimately set this tribute apart was not just the caliber of talent onstage, though it was exceptional. It was the spirit of generosity that ran through every moment. Musicians supporting musicians. Artists showing up for a cause that matters.

With a major winter storm bearing down on Nashville and much of the country the following day, the fact that so many artists and fans still came out made the night feel even more meaningful. People showed up to honor The Traveling Wilburys, to support East C.A.N., and to support one another.

The Traveling Wilburys were never about ego or hierarchy. They were about friendship, curiosity, and the joy of making music together. On this night at The Basement East, in the face of weather and uncertainty, that philosophy was not only remembered, but it was also fully alive.