Knox to perform My Midwest Best in Nashville with Emi Grace

Knox to perform My Midwest Best in Nashville with Emi Grace

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Knox and Emi Grace Bring Pop-Punk Energy to Nashville

Music fans in Nashville have a high-energy night ahead on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, as Knox takes the stage to showcase a sound that blends the nostalgia of early 2000s emo with a modern, punchy production style. The event highlights the continued evolution of the city’s music scene beyond its traditional country roots, featuring a bill that includes the genre-bending guitarist Emi Grace.

For Knox, the Nashville show represents a return to the city that served as the launchpad for his solo career. After moving to Nashville in 2019 to work behind the scenes as a songwriter, he stepped into the spotlight in 2022 with his breakthrough single “Sneakers.” That track, which has surpassed 49 million streams on Spotify, set the stage for a rapid rise that has seen him move from local songwriter to a touring artist selling out venues like Webster Hall in New York.

The Trajectory of a Modern Pop-Punk Career

The momentum behind this performance is fueled by a string of successful releases, most notably “Not The 1975.” The song climbed into the Top 15 of the Adult Pop Airplay Chart and accumulated over 63 million streams. These figures provided the foundation for his 2025 debut LP, Going, Going, Gone, which earned praise from industry outlets for its lyrical volume and artistic focus. GRAMMY.com noted that the album captured the core of his musical identity, while Melodic Magazine highlighted the project’s impressive scope.

Knox’s sound is heavily influenced by the bands that defined the Warped Tour era, including Fall Out Boy, All-American Rejects, and Panic! At The Disco. His latest project, My Midwest Best, leans into this inspiration. The 12-track album is designed to capture the specific energy of a sundown festival set or a teen movie montage, reflecting the artist’s goal of creating music that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Emi Grace and the Evolution of Genreless Guitar Music

Sharing the bill is Emi Grace, a Los Angeles-based artist who has carved out a niche with her “Trashy Tone Thursday” series. Her approach to performance involves fusing rock, electronic elements, and complex guitar work. Influenced by artists like Tom Morello, No Doubt, and Van Halen, Grace has become a fixture in the LA scene, performing at venues like The Troubadour and School Night.

Her inclusion in the Nashville lineup underscores a broader shift in how touring acts are curating live shows. Rather than sticking to one specific sub-genre, artists like Grace and Knox are pulling from a wide array of influences to reach audiences that prioritize high-energy, guitar-driven performances. For fans, this means a show that moves between hard-hitting dance grooves and classic rock-inspired riffs.

The stakes for these artists remain high as they navigate the transition from digital streaming success to live performance dominance. With appearances at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Hangout Fest already under his belt, Knox is looking to solidify his standing as a performer capable of sustaining the “palpable electricity” he describes seeing in his sold-out crowds. As the Nashville music industry continues to diversify, events featuring artists who blend pop-punk roots with modern production are becoming a reliable barometer for the city’s changing sonic landscape.

The Making of My Midwest Best

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