American Aquarium and River Shook Ignite the Bijou Theatre
- caseynicholson
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
Story and Photos By Casey Nicholson
The Bijou Theatre welcomed a fantastic night of live music this week as American Aquarium took the stage at the historic venue in Knoxville, Tennessee. The evening opened with an intimate acoustic set by River Shook, former lead artist for Sarah Shook and the Disarmers. Together, the two acts delivered a powerful showcase of Americana music and stories, making this show a great addition to a year that is primed with good music in the Marble City.
River Shook’s Acoustic Opening Set
River Shook set the bar for the night with a stripped-down acoustic performance that highlighted their songwriting and guitar skills. Known for their work with Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, who played WDVX's Tennessee Shines radio show at the Bijou in 2024, Shook brought a fresh yet familiar voice to begin the evening. Their set featured a mix of familiar songs from the Disarmers' catalog, like "Good as Gold" and "Dwight Yoakam", alongside several new songs from River's post-Disarmers period, all of which are soon to be released.
The intimate set contrasted with the full band energy to come. Shook’s stripped down, folksy vibe was complimented by guitarist Blake Tallent, who played a Gibson SJ-200 jumbo acoustic. Tallent's strong finger work rounded out the sound on a set that would normally feature bass, drums, and both electric and steel guitars. Together the two left us hungry for new music from River later this year.
American Aquarium’s Powerful Americana Music Experience
American Aquarium took the stage with a commanding presence, delivering a set infused with strong country influences. The Raleigh, North Carolina band of six is led by BJ Barham, the group's longtime front man and primary songwriter.
The group played several of their most popular songs, including “Burn. Flicker. Die.”, “Crier”, and “I Hope He Breaks Your Heart”. Each song carried emotional weight, with themes ranging from personal heartbreak to social commentary. American Aquarium is known not only for their musical talent but also for their progressive stance on politics, which came through in 2018's "The World Is on Fire", with Barham announcing to the enthusiastic crowd,
"This ain't the country my grandfather fought for
But I still see the hate he fought against."
Whether you agree with their political stance or not, it's hard to deny the group's talent. The band is perhaps best described as Americana, but the infusion of steel guitar in much of the set makes the sound more country than folk. In 2021, the group released Slappers, Bangers & Certified Twangers, Vol.1, an album of 90's country music featuring covers of songs like Sammy Kershaw's "Queen of My Double Wide Trailer", and Sawyer Brown's "Some Girls Do".
The strong country influence can be heard on the group's own 2010 song, "Nothing to Lose":
She had on her mama's dress
It was quilted, white, and freshly pressed
She looked like the Queen of Appalachia
We threw everything we had
In the back of my daddy’s Cadillac
And dared the whole world to catch us
The energy on the Bijou stage was electric as the band tore through their set, blending storytelling with powerful instrumentation. Their ability to connect with the audience through both music and message made for a memorable night.
The Bijou Theatre: A Historic Knoxville Venue
The Bijou Theatre, built in 1909, stands as one of Knoxville’s most cherished cultural landmarks. Located a block from the more widely-known Tennssee Theatre, the Bijou's historic charm, fantastic acoustics, and more intimate setting make it an ideal venue. The theatre’s architecture features classic early 20th-century design elements, with ornate details that create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Over the years, the Bijou has hosted a wide range of performances, from theatrical productions to live music shows. Its acoustics and layout allow for close interaction between artists and audiences, enhancing the live music experience. In its early days, the Bijou once hosted famed comedy duo The Marx Brothers and Dizzy Gillespie, with artists as diverse as Dolly Parton and Mel Tormé playing the venue of the years. More recently, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit chose the Bijou for their live concert recording celebrating the tenth anniversary of the band's Southseastern, a seminal album in the Americana genre. For folks traveling to Knoxville or locals seeking authentic Appalachian sounds, the Bijou Theatre remains a top destination.
The night left us with a renewed appreciation for the power of music to tell stories, inspire change, and bring communities together. Those who missed this event should keep an eye on upcoming shows at the Bijou Theatre, where the spirit of Americana music continues to thrive.
You can catch American Aquarium and River Shook on their stop at The Orange Peel in Asheville on February 13, 2026.
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