Author: Michael Witthaus

Defending the indefensible

The Wrong Hill to Die On is right for laughs

On an upcoming evening at Shaskeen Pub in Manchester, The Wrong Hill To Die On will feature a group of local comedians engaging in a kind of extreme debate, as they defend ridiculous premises, such as “traffic lights are a form of communist mind control.”

The event is hosted by self-described “open mic level comics” Nick Sands and Alex LaChance, with a panel of contestants that includes comics Matt Barry, Mona Forgione, Zach Remi and Tristen Hoffler. Derek Zeiba will open the show with a set, and comedian Ken Murphy will serve as a guest host.

Sands and LaChance are both fans of Story Warz, a weekly game show-themed event in New York City hosted by Luis J. Gomez and Big Jay Oakerson. They wanted to do something similar, but different from that show’s “guess who’s telling this tale” format.

“If you go back to the ’80s, when I was growing up, there were a hundred game shows on TV and half of them were rip-offs of other game shows,” LaChance said by phone recently. “So Wrong Hill To Die On is a kind of homage to that era, but also influenced by current comedy.”

Though LaChance and Sands are relatively new to standup, they’re both comfortable in front of audiences. Sands has a background in theater, LaChance spent two decades fronting rock bands, a few of which appeared at the Shaskeen, and both host podcasts. It’s new territory, but the two believe they have the tools to make it work.

Choosing topics, though, was a tricky proposition.“We didn’t want to put any comic in a position where they were defending something truly reprehensible, especially where we’re going to record it and put it out as a podcast, [so] what topics can we approach?” LaChance said.

In his final podcast of 2025, Nick Sands offered one position, that a McDonald’s burger tops anything on a holiday table. LaChance suggested another two: the casino age should be lowered to 10, and ducks should be allowed to go to school. “They range from silly to sexual in nature,” LaChance said. “I just don’t want to give them away.”

None of those will be used in the game, which will start with solo rants from each of the four competing comics, Barry, Forgione, Remi and Hoffler, with the panel — LaChance, Sands and Murphy — arguing back after each. Audience cheers decide who did the best job of defending the indefensible, and one comic will be eliminated at the end.

Round 2 is Audience Firestorm, where audience submissions are pulled at random; each comic has 30 to 45 seconds to defend them, culminating with another comic eliminated by applause. Finally, in Round 3, the remaining two comics are paired with two crowd members for tag team arguing, punctuated by occasional panelist interruptions.

A Lightning Inferno final round happens after the top comic is crowned. The winner will receive five to six “hot takes” to defend for 20 to 30 seconds each. The night ends with the winner receiving what’s promised as “a super-secret but very enticing prize.”

LaChance and Sands hope for continued success with the format; that’s one of the reasons they chose Shaskeen Pub as a venue, even though they make the rounds at several area comedy spots. In fact, LaChance announced a few days ago that he’s launching a Tuesday night open mic at The Moka Pot Café in Manchester, beginning Feb. 3.

“Nick was just at my house, and we were talking about it, and he said, ‘Do we want to keep doing it every year?’ and ‘I’m like, ‘If it works, I say we keep doing it,’” LaChance said. “I think being able to just have the same environment, just keep dialing it in, is going to make it better and better.”

The Wrong Hill to Die On
When: Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 8 p.m.
Where: Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester
Tickets: $7.18 at eventbrite.com

Featured photo: Matt Barry. Courtesy photo.

The Music Roundup 26/01/15

• Fare thee well: With the passing of Bob Weir, the Grateful Dead is truly no longer. Dave Gerard and his band Truffle were longtime acolytes of the Dead.Gerard’s solo set should include songs from the San Francisco standard-bearers to help absorb the loss. Thursday, Jan. 15, at 5 p.m., Railpenny Tavern, 8 Exeter Road, Epping, gerardtruffle.com.

• Comic ability: Tyler Hittner tops a bill that includes veteran funny man Greg Boggis, Kathy Lynch and a three-comic lightning round showdown. Rick Gauthier, who produced the show, hosts. Friday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m., Alan’s of Boscawen, 133 N. Main St., Boscawen, alansofboscawen.com.

• Youth force: Showcasing the region’s young talent, The Kids Are Alright offers nearly a dozen under-25 performers including 16-year-old country singer Olivia Conway, Danielle Azevedo, daughter of PCL owner Rob, Wolfgang Burger, Mason Cummings, Noah Cummings, Oliver Hannon with Florence, Alex Koletar, Tucker Reinhart, Jaelyn Rix, and Cameron Vose. Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, pembrokecitylimits.com.

• Pop music: Enjoy a solo afternoon set mixing originals and covers from Brian Walker. Later in the evening, at 8 p.m., it’s Hell On Heels, a rocking five-piece band fronted by vocalists Isabelle Howe and Amanda Colburn. Saturday, Jan. 17, at 1 and 8 p.m., Stumble Inn, 20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, stumbleinnnh.com.

• Serving help: A Pancake Benefit presented by New Hampshire Underground helps victims of the Ash/Vine Street fire in Nashua in December. Gary’s Sunday Jazz Band performs, along with a DJ spinning tunes. Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m., The Spot, 217 Main St., Nashua, $10 at newhampshireunderground.org.

Grandma hobbies

Moth & Wren Handwork Studio now open in Manchester

A few months ago, a new yarn shop opened on Bridge Street in Manchester. But owner Shannon Welsh envisions Moth & Wren Handwork Studio as more than a store.To begin 2026, for example, she launched Dry January: Knitters Edition to encourage makers to pick up and finish their existing works-in-progress.

While it may cause less yarn-buying in the short term, Welsh believes it reflects the shop’s deeper mission, of community. Most crafters can empathize with a pile of half-finished projects, each carrying both potential and guilt. She aims to create a welcoming space for people to meet, stitch together, and complete them, among other things.

“What we’re trying to promote is not just selling stuff retail,” she said by phone recently. “That’s less than half of it.”

Science supports the idea that when people become immersed in a hobby they often find an escape from daily pressures, Florida psychologist Patricia Dixon told Good Housekeeping magazine last March. “Participating in a shared interest can lead to meaningful social interactions, enhancing feelings of belonging and connection,” she said.

The story cited a resurgence of “cozy pursuits” like knitting, bird-watching and gardening, with a shared name that Welsh heartily agrees with. “Grandma hobbies are in,” she said. “When we are having mental health issues, if we’re anxious or depressed, or feeling stuck, the worst thing to do is be alone with that.”

Moth & Wren’s soft opening last November was shaped by practical realities — permits, renovations, even waiting for the heat to be turned on. During this period the shop opened its doors mainly to friends and local stitching groups, creating an opportunity to listen and learn.

Key to this phase was understanding the kind of projects people were interested in doing.

“Are they knitters or crocheters, do they do embroidery or mending? That’s a big part of it when you’re making a space for a community,” she said. “It’s not just stocking it up, it’s stocking it up with things that people want.”

The shop plans to offer a range of classes focused on foundational skills and specific techniques, like how to knit, how to master certain stitches, and project-based workshops, with participants working on the same item over multiple sessions. A workshop to make Sailor Slippers happens Jan. 23. “People can buy kits at the shop,” Welsh said.

For now Moth & Wren is only open on weekends, but by the end of January the goal is to expand hours to include two evenings per week: one for a free stitch-along and another dedicated to a class or workshop. Welsh plans for the schedule to rotate depending on interest and demand.

Outreach is also important. Monthly Sip and Stitch events are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at To Share Brewing, creating a relaxed, social setting for makers. Every Saturday morning, a stitching group meets at Honey Cup Café and Tea Room next door — a natural partnership that blends tea, conversation and crafting.

Aware that fiber arts are expensive, Welsh also aims to be economically inclusive. She’s working on a “D-stash wall,” for makers to bring in yarn from skeins they no longer plan to use, and sell them on consignment. This allows other makers to purchase quality yarn at a lower price, while the original owner recoups some of their investment.

Another effort, inspired by traditional little free libraries, is The Fibrary. At it, people can swap drop off unwanted supplies and take others at no charge; Welsh developed it with her daughter. There are also plans to use it for charity knitters, “so if people have blankets or hats or something they want to distribute to the community they could drop that off.”

Of course, there’s plenty of yarn for sale, along with knitting needles, crochet hooks, books and gifts for makers.

The store’s name comes from Mary Oliver’s poem “Messenger,” a favorite of Welsh’s. “The last line [asks], ‘How do we live forever; how do we tell the world?’ The line about the moth and the wren is about being grateful — for having a body, being in this life, and giving gratitude for living.”

For her, it ties to the idea of people crafting for hundreds of generations.

“When we make something with our hands, we’re connected to them as well,” Welsh said. “We’re connected to our ancestors … that’s how they’ve lived forever through us, through teaching us their skills and passing those on to our children.”

Moth & Wren
When: Open Saturdays & Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: 154 Bridge St., Manchester
More: mothandwren.com

Featured photo: Shannon Welsh at Moth & Wren. Courtesy photo.

Season of Music

Your packed winter schedule of performances big and small

From now until the final full day of winter on March 19, there’s live music happening almost every day. A couple of days here and there are dark, but nearly 400 shows are in the calendar. Some places are changing up their game, like Pembroke City Limits, which is launching a new menu in February but still hosting lots of acts.

“Late last year, we started to book more out-of-town musicians who are out on the road doing mini-tours, traveling either from Texas, Nashville, New York, and that has worked out very well,” PCL owner Rob Azevedo said in early January. “It’s not without daily challenges, but we are trending in the right direction and we feel very positive.”

Riley’s Place in Milford began as a music-centric comfort food restaurant and upped the ante when the new year began with ticketed events. Ahead are tribute acts like The Young Americans, who do David Bowie on Feb. 28, and The Space Cowboys covering Steve Miller on March 21, along with local originals like Charlie Chronopoulos on Jan. 17. There’s more — so much more; it’s a busy time. Here’s a day-by-day guide (see page 11 for venue info).

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem
Harmony, rhythm and indelible songs are all hallmarks of Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, an Americana quartet that’s been together for 25 years. From Newport Folk Festival to Solid Sound and beyond, they have traveled the country offering up wit, camaraderie and pure musicality to renew the human spirit. They perform Friday, Jan. 23, at The Word Barn and Thursday, March 12, at Flying Goose. Photo courtesy the band by Joanna Chattman

Thursday, Jan. 15

  • Randy Roos & Urethane, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery
  • Dueling Pianos, 7 p.m., LaBelle Derry
  • Jody Robichaud, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • The Gravel Project w/ The Speed Of Sound, 7 p.m., Press Room
  • The Forest Forgets, Proelium, Kucktus, Agenbite Misery 8 p.m., Shaskeen
  • The Setlist, 8 p.m., Stone Church

Friday, Jan. 16

  • Tim O’Brien & Sam Grisman with Victor Furtado, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Scott Solsky, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Amulus, 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Joe Law Band, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Local Chaos with 3 Degrees (Tool tribute) and The Dirty Taps, 8 p.m., Jewel
  • Telula, 8 p.m., Press Room
  • Blues Brothers The Next Generation, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • DAAD Rocks, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Saturday, Jan. 17

  • Dakota Smart, 1 p.m., Contoocook Cider Co.
  • Kids Are Alright Showcase, 2 p.m.; Dusty Gray, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Artty Francoeur,4 p.m., Little Lies (Fleetwood Mac Tribute), 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Jack Ancora, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Slack Tide w/ Pardon The Spins, 6 p.m., Press Room
  • Slapnutz (Slipknot Tribute), 6 p.m., Bungalow
  • Gallery Nights: New Year, New Vibe, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Soggy Po’ Boys, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Ashes of the Priest/Sun and Steel/Pulsifier/Bag Lady 8 p.m., Jewel
  • Charlie Chronopoulos Unplugged, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Bad Habit, 9 p.m., Wally’s
  • The Monster Stage w/ Empty Halls 9 p.m., Shaskeen

Sunday, Jan. 18

  • Sunday Jazz Brunch – JR, 10 a.m., Bill Laurance, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Village Acoustic Community Jam, 4 p.m., Stone Church
  • Bruce in the USA, 7 p.m.. Nashua Center for the Arts
  • 1964 The Tribute, 7 p.m., Dana Center
man leaning against side of open barn door

Willy Chase
An ongoing local music series in Contoocook includes Willy Chase, a singer/songwriter currently finishing his debut record, Thicker Than Water. It’s easy to imagine the Foo Fighters turning Chase’s song “Timeless” into a stadium anthem, and he also does a lovely cover of Dylan’s “Forever Young.” Appearing at Four Front Cellars on Jan. 23 and Contoocook Cider Co. on March 29.

Monday, Jan. 19

  • Chris Klaxton 4tet, 6 p.m., Press Room
  • Local Artist Series: Emily’s Garage Band, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s

Wednesday, Jan. 21

  • Hank Osborne, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Jackson and the Janks w/ Cold Chocolate, 7 p.m., Press Room
  • Rebirth Brass Band, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

Thursday, Jan. 22

  • AM Gold Yacht Rock, 7 p.m., LaBelle Amherst
  • Andrew North & the Rangers, 7 p.m.. Pembroke City Limits
  • Diaspora Radio plays David Bowie’s Blackstar, 7 p.m., Press Room
  • Drum Tao, 7 p.m., Capitol Center
  • The Samples, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Beautiful Losers (Bob Seger Tribute), 8 p.m., LaBelle Derry
  • Reprise: Phish Tribute, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace
  • Tim Theriault, 8 p.m., Stone Church

Friday, Jan. 23

  • Fox & The Flamingos with Phoenix Syndicate, 8 p.m., BNH Stage
  • The Fab Four: HELP!, 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center
  • Garrett Smith, 5:30 p.m., Front Four Cellars
  • Artty Francouer, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Eliza Neals, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Back To The Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl, 8 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Deer Isle w/ Coyote Smoke & The Mountain, 8 p.m., Press Room
  • Rusty and the Rhythm, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Zeppelin Reimagined, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • 7 Day Weekend, 9 p.m., Wally’s
  • Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, 7 p.m., Word Barn

Saturday, Jan. 24

  • PCL Winter Festival, 2 p.m., Blind Date, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Amorphous Trio, 4 p.m., Stone Church
  • Dave Clark, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Shapethrower w/ Martial Law, Quadro & Hard Target, 6 p.m., Bungalow
  • Tree 7 p.m., Shaskeen
  • The Magic of Motown, 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts
  • Jazz Parlor featuring Mike Frengel Trio, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Van Halen All Era Tribute with Cathedral, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Beatlejuice, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Lee Dewyze, 8 p.m. (also 1/25), Music Hall Lounge
  • Pink Talking Fish, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Murphy Clark Band, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • The Wedding Smashers, 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Winter Party with Wettybop, Artist Graves, Sokomodo, Spvnyvn, R3birth & Jephirsun Danger, 8 p.m., Jewel
  • Neon ’90s, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Sunday, Jan. 25

  • Jim Dozet Trio Jazz Brunch, 10 a.m., Jimmy’s
  • Jazz Sanctuary, 2 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
three men standing in snowy field at night, one man holding cello, one holding violin and one holding guitar

Jordan T-W
As a premier purveyor of Irish music, Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki is always busy in March, along with his trio. There’s a St. Patrick’s Day show from the master fiddler, backed by bass player Chris Noyes and guitarist Matt Jensen in downtown Concord. But he’ll also perform an evening of Celtic love songs on Valentine’s Day — green on red, if you will. Saturday, Feb. 14, The Word Barn, and Tuesday, March 17, BNH Stage.

Monday, Jan. 26

  • Local Artist Series: Corduroy, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s

Tuesday, Jan. 27

  • Wild Pink w/ Dead Gowns, 7 p.m., Press Room

Wednesday, Jan. 28

  • The Last Revel, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge
  • Night Kitchen, 7:30 p.m. (also 1/29), Flying Goose
  • Megan From Work w/ Sorry Safari & Fun City Fan Club, 8 p.m., Press Room
  • Thursday, Jan. 29
  • Palaver Chamber Series – Night Sky and the Number Pi, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge
  • Paul Driscoll Record Release Show, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Jacob Chung Quartet, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • 1 Wild Night, Bon Jovi Tribute, 8 p.m., LaBelle Amherst
  • Bennie & the Jets Elton John Tribute, 8 p.m., LaBelle Derry
  • Ramble On Rose, 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Rigometrics Night 1 w/ Saguaro, 8 p.m., Press Room
  • Londonderry Hockey Booster Club Dueling Pianos, 6:45 p.m., Tupelo

Friday, Jan. 30

  • Willy Chase, 5:30 p.m., Front Four Cellars
  • Gene Loves Jezebel / Black Season Witch / Gossip Collar / Silver Rein, 7 p.m., Jewel
  • Almost Queen, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Griffin William Sherry, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • No Static, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Experience, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Foo! Tribute to Foo Fighters with Nutshell, 8 p.m., BNH Stage
  • King Jonny Drag Show, 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Rigometrics Night 2 w/ Caylin Costello Band, 8 p.m., Press Room
  • Ritual Arcana, Scuzzy Yeti, Sundrifter, The Outlourdes 8 p.m., Jewel
  • Stoned Wasp, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • The Warped Tour Band, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Saturday, Jan. 31

  • Justin Cohn, 1 p.m., Contoocook Cider Co.
  • BEO String Quartet, 2 p.m., Concord Audi
  • Anthony Vito Fiandaca, 4 p.m., Ghosts of Jupiter feat. Nate Wilson of moe., 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Ben Clark, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Neighborhood Concert Series Kotoko Brass, 6 p.m., City Wide Community Center
  • Are You Ready for It? A Taylor Experience, 6:30 p.m., Flying Monkey
  • Scalawag, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Fortune, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • No Static, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Bat Magoon Band, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Boogie Wonder Band, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Crush: Dave Matthews Band Tribute, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace
  • Drown Your Boots, 8 p.m., Press Room
  • 100 Proof, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Sunday, Feb. 1

  • Ameranouche, 10 a.m. A Band of Brothers, 7:30 p.m.; Salsa Nights, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Hello Newman ’90s Night, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Monday, Feb. 2

  • Local Artist Series: Chris Fitz Band, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s

Wednesday, Feb. 4

  • CROWNED28: Tribute to Legendary Women in Music, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

Thursday, Feb. 5

  • Emanuel Casablanca, 7 p.m., Press Room
  • Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light w/ Kat Wallace, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Ellis Paul, 7:30 p.m., Flying Goose
  • Gabe Dixon, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Moondance: Van Morrison Tribute, 8 p.m., LaBelle Derry
  • Scenes: A Billy Joel Experience, 8 p.m., LaBelle Amherst

Friday, Feb. 6

  • Hickory Horned Devils, 7 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • North Country Hit-N-Run Party Band 7 p.m., Jewel
  • Roots of Creation: Grateful Dub, A Reggae Infused Tribute to The Grateful Dead, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey
  • Stanley Plays The Dead, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Another Tequila Sunrise, 8 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Dis n Dat Band, 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Hell Beach, Another One Down, Oh The Humanity, Breaking Up 8 p.m., Shaskeen
  • Lotus Land (Rush tribute), 8 p.m., Tupelo

Saturday, Feb. 7

  • Emo/Pop Punk Afternoon, 2 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Ryan Allen Meier, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Dr. Acula / Across Five Aprils / bela kiss. / Hard Target / Greyloch, 6 p.m., Bungalow
  • Jake Swamp & The Pine with Kali Stoddard Imari, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Northern Cross: CSNY Tribute, 7 p.m., BNH Stage
  • Stanley Plays Jimi, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • A Tribute Night to the Eagles, 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center
  • Joe Law Band, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Lotus Land (Rush tribute), 8 p.m. Tupelo
  • Grateful Dub Reggae Dead Tribute, 9 p.m., Wally’s
man dressed as John Denver with patterned shirt and shaggy hair, playing guitar in front of snowy, mountain background

Just like John Denver
With his wire-rim glasses and Colorado bangs, Rick Schuler is a convincing John Denver doppelgänger, and his Rocky Mountain High Experience offers an enjoyable mix of hits like “Country Roads,” “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” and “Leaving On A Jet Plane,” along with song stories for a nostalgic journey back to the soft rock ’70s. Friday, March 13, Nashua Center for the Arts, and Saturday, March. 14, Colonial Theatre.

Sunday, Feb. 8

  • Linda Pouiliot Trio, 10 a.m., Jimmy’s

Monday, Feb. 9

  • Local Artist Series: Dwayne Haggins Band, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s

Tuesday, Feb. 10

  • moe., 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center

Wednesday, Feb. 11

  • Emily King, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace
  • Jerry Bergonzi & Sean Pentland Quartet, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Juanito Pascual Trio, 7 p.m.. Music Hall Lounge
  • Frank Viele, 7 p.m., Press Room

Thursday, Feb. 12

  • Congregation X, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery
  • Crys Matthews, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge
  • Damn Tall Buildings, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Paul Hughes Songs for Lovers, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Story Songs of the ’70s, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Tusk, 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center
  • Vance Gilbert, 7:30 p.m., Flying Goose
  • Booty Vortex Valentine’s Disco Party, 8 p.m., LaBelle Derry

Friday, Feb. 13

  • Shake it Off! A (Taylor’s Version) Tribute, 7 p.m. (also 2/14 and 2/15), Palace
  • Vintage Vocal Quartet w/ Taylor O’Donnell, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge
  • Lizz Wright and Kenny Banks Sr., 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Young Dubliners, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Captain Fantastic, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Dub Apocalypse, 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • The Incidentals, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Something Wonderful Tonight (Harrison/Clapton Tribute),8 p.m., The Music Hall

Saturday, Feb. 14

  • Chris Lester, 1 p.m., Contoocook Cider Co.
  • Love Me Tender (Afternoon With Elvis), 2 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • Dakota Smart, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • The Big One: A Drag Affair, 7 p.m., Flying Monkey
  • Evening of Celtic Love Songs with the Jordan TW Trio, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Halley Neal and Sam Robbins, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge
  • Truffle, 7 p.m., Stone Church
  • Dirty Blond Band – The Pure Blondie Experience, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • The Sicilian Tenors, 7:30 p.m., Dana Center
  • Emo Night Brooklyn, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • The Glass Onion, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • JJ Grey & Mofro, 8 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Twen, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace
  • ’80s Night w/ Wildside, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Sunday, Feb. 15

  • Soggy Po’ Boys Mardi Gras, 2 p.m., Rex
  • Soggy Po’ Boys 7 p.m., Andres

Monday, Feb. 16

  • Local Artist Series: Jumbo Circus Peanuts (Fat Tuesday), 7 p.m., Jimmy’s

Wednesday, Feb. 18

  • Chrissi Poland Forever Muscle Shoals, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Stomp, 8 p.m., The Music Hall

Thursday, Feb. 19

  • Trade, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery
  • Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers, 7 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Zachariah Hickman’s Power Outage Party Nights, 7 p.m. (also 2/20 and 2/21), Word Barn
  • Jaleel Shaw, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Radio Flashback ’70s and ’80s classic rock, 8 p.m., LaBelle Amherst

Friday, Feb. 20

  • Larry Fleet, 7 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Joshua Tree Tribute to U2, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey
  • The Fabulous Thunderbirds, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, 7:30 p.m. (also 2/21 and 2/22), Palace
  • The Winehouse Project, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Hugo Journey Tribute, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Truffle , 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Whitesnake Experience Returns w/ Guns of Brighton, 8 p.m., Jewel
  • Country Girl Summer, 9 p.m., Wally’s
three men on stage in front of microphones, man playing guitar in background

CSNY tribute
Relive the halcyon Laurel Canyon days of rock’s first supergroup with Northern Cross, New England’s own tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Along with their legendary four-part harmonies, the band touches on all the many genres of music they performed, from country rock to heartfelt ballads, along with acoustic, electric and psychedelic rock. Saturday, Feb. 7, BNH Stage, and Thursday, April 2, Labelle Derry.

Saturday, Feb. 21

  • Taylorville, 4 p.m., Colonial Theatre
  • Mark Dionne, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Black Violin, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Mamma Mania! ABBA Tribute, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey
  • Walter Parks & The Unlawful Assembly, 7:30 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Damn The Torpedoes, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Fox and The Flamingos w/ Coyote Smoke, 8 p.m., Stone Church
  • Get the Led Out, 8 p.m., Capitol Center
  • Neon Wave, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Not Fade Away Band plays Dead-Zeppelin, 8 p.m., Press Room
  • Evil Empire, Rage Against The Machine & Stone Temple Pilots Tribute, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Sunday, Feb. 22

  • Bryan Killough Trio, 10 a.m., Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Jonatha Brooke, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge

Monday, Feb. 23

  • Local Artist Series: Northern Cross, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Tierney Sutton & Tamir Hendelman, 7:30 p.m., The Music Hall

Tuesday, Feb. 24

  • The Barr Brothers w/ Land of Talk, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace

Wednesday, Feb. 25

  • CJ Chenier, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

Thursday, Feb. 26

  • The Sons of Town Hall with Ben Cosgrove, 7 p.m., BNH Stage
  • Mallet Brothers Band, 7:30 p.m., Flying Goose
  • 16th Annual New England Blues Festival, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • DDXS Tribute to Duran Duran and INXS, 8 p.m., LaBelle Derry
  • Haggis X-1 (Craig Downie), 8 p.m., 3S Artspace
  • Sans Souci Jerry Garcia Band tribute, 8 p.m., Stone Church

Friday, Feb. 27

  • Garrett Smith, 5:30 p.m., Front Four Cellars
  • Le Vent Du Nord, 7:30 p.m., Dana Center
  • Pokey LaFarge, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • The Robert Cray Band, 7:30 p.m., Colonial
  • Sister Sadie, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Corinne Bailey Rae, 8 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Pointless Culture & Cosmic Triumph, 8 p.m., BNH Stage
  • The Smithereens w/John Cowsill, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Stone Hill Station, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place
  • Fast Times, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Saturday, Feb. 28

  • Alex Cohen, 1 p.m., Contoocook Cider Co.
  • Chris Lester, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Brad Dubay, 7 p.m., Andres
  • Recycled Percussion, 7 p.m. (also 3/1), Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Tano Jones Revelry, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Heartless: A Tribute to Ann Wilson of Heart, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Joel Ross, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt, 7:30 p.m., The Music Hall
  • Classic Stones Live, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • The Young Americans, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place

Sunday, March 1

  • Johanna Landis Trio, 10 a.m., Jimmy’s
  • Lynch Mob w/ All Sinners, 7 p.m., Tupelo

Monday, March 2

  • Another Tequila Sunrise, 7:30 p.m., Palace

Tuesday, March 3

  • Keb’ Mo’, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts

Wednesday, March 4

  • Highway to the Rangerzone Open Mic, 6:30 p.m., BNH Stage
  • Sons of Town Hall, 7 p.m., Music Hall Lounge
  • Mia Asano, 8 p.m., Tupelo

Thursday, March 5

  • D.K. Harrell, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s

Friday, March 6

  • Sarah Borges, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Mnozil Brass, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Téada 7:30 p.m., Dana Center
  • Glengarry Bhoys, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Thrash Party, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Saturday, March 7

  • Paul Driscoll, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Cherish The Ladies, 7 p.m., BNH Stage
  • Gnarly Darling The Mountain, 7 p.m., Word Barn
  • Junkstar w/ Matt Charette, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits
  • The Bakers Basement, 7:30 p.m., The Listening Room
  • Lindsay and Jason 7:30 p.m., Concord Audi
  • Steve Forbert, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Boat House Row Yacht Rock, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts

Sunday, March 8

  • Little Miss and the Boom Trio, 10 a.m., Jimmy’s
  • Bedford Big Band, 2 p.m., Rex
  • Andrew North Solo LP Release Show (Lounge), 4 p.m., BNH Stage
  • NE Bluegrass Band, 6 p.m., Andres
  • Amelia Day, 7 p.m., Press Room

Wednesday, March 11

  • Freese Brothers Big Band 7:30 p.m., Concord Audi
  • Some Velvet Sidewalk w/ Plant Fight & Dummy Ache, 8 p.m., Press Room

Thursday, March 12

  • Britt Connors Band, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery
  • Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, 7:30 p.m., Flying Goose
  • Scott Sharrard, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s
  • Solas 30th Anniversary Tour, 7:30 p.m., the Music Hall
  • Being Petty – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Tribute, 8 p.m., LaBelle Derry

Friday, March 13

  • Rocky Mountain High Experience John Denver Tribute, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Church Of Cash, 7:30 p.m., BNH Stage
  • ’70s Story Songs: Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey
  • The Iron Maidens, 9 p.m., Wally’s

Saturday, March 14

  • Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Tribute Starring Rick Schuler, 4 p.m., Colonial
  • Dave Clark, 5 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing
  • Swing Dance Night Featuring New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra, 7 p.m., BNH Stage
  • Tribute to R.E.M. with Dead Letter Office, 7:30 p.m., Rex
  • Hey Nineteen Steely Dan tribute, 8 p.m., Tupelo
  • Max Creek, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace

Sunday, March 15

  • An Afternoon with Dervish, 2 p.m., Rex
  • Randy Brecker, 5 and 7:45 p.m., Press Room
  • Everclear, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • Rick Wakeman and Son, 7 p.m., Tupelo
  • Gubbulidis w/ Jesse Bardwell, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace

Monday, March 16

  • Clock Out, Retract, Condition, & Satiate, 7:30 p.m., Press Room

Tuesday, March 17

  • Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio, 7 p.m., BNH Stage
  • Wednesday, March 18
  • Music of Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Rings of Power, 4 p.m., Music of Hans Zimmer & Others – A Celebration of Film Music, 7:30 p.m., Colonial

Thursday, March 19

  • W4RP, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery
  • Brendan James, 7:30 p.m. (also 3/20), Music Hall Lounge
  • Earthkit w/ Cursed On Earth, Kong Moon, & Creator DGM, 7:30 p.m., Press Room
  • Red Hot Chilli Pipers, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts
  • The Simon & Garfunkel Story, 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center
  • Infinity Song, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace
  • Len Price w/ Chelsea Curve and Stars Like Ours w/ DJ Sherman, 8 p.m., Stone Church

VENUE GUIDE
3S Artspace 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, 3sarts.org
Andres Institute of Art 106 Route 13, Brookline, andresinstitute.org
BNH Stage 16 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com
Bungalow Bar & Grill 333 Valley St., Manchester, 792-1110
Capitol Center for the Arts 44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com
City Wide Community Center 14 Canterbury Road, Concord, ccanh.com
Colonial Theatre 609 Main St., Laconia, coloniallaconia.com
Concord City Auditorium 2 Prince St., Concord, theaudi.org
Contoocook Cider Co. 656 Gould Hill Road, Contoocook, contoocookcider.com
Dana Center Saint Anselm College, Manchester, tickets.anselm.edu
Flying Goose 40 Andover Road, New London, flyinggoose.com
Flying Monkey Movie House 39 Main St., Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com
Front Four Cellars 13 Railroad Ave., Wolfeboro, frontfourcellars.com
Hermit Woods Winery 72 Main St., Meredith, hermitwoods.com
Jewel Music Venue 61 Canal St., Manchester, 836-1152
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, 603-5299, jimmysoncongress.com
LaBelle Amherst 345 Route 101, Amherst, labellewinery.com
LaBelle Derry 14 Route 111, Derry, labellewinery.com
The Listening Room Prayers of Nature Studio, 33 Howard St., Wilton, prayersofnature.com
Music Hall Lounge 131 Congress St.., Portsmouth, themusichall.org
Nashua Center for the Arts 201 Main St., Nashua, nashaucenterforthearts.com
Palace Theatre 80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org
Pembroke City Limits 134 Main St., Pembroke, pembrokecitylimits.com
Press Room 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, pressroomnh.com
Riley’s Place 29 Mont Vernon St., Milford, rileysplacellc.com
Shaskeen Pub 909 Elm St., Manchester, shaskeenirishpub.com
Stone Church 5 Granite St., Newmarket, stonechurchrocks.com
The Music Hall 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org
Music Hall Lounge, 131 Congress St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org
Tupelo Music Hall – 10 A St., Derry, tupelomusichall.com
Twin Barns Brewing 194 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, twinbarnsbrewing.com
Wally’s Pub 144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, wallysnh.com/
Word Barn 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, thewordbarn.com

Featured photo: Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, from the band’s website raniarbo.com; photo courtesy the band by Joanna Chattman

The Music Roundup 26/01/08

• Take a chance: Few tribute acts reach the level of success of Mania! Performing the music of ABBA, their show is a full-scale replication of a concert by the Swedish legends, with lasers, flourish and hits like “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.” Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m., Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $35.50 and up at ccanh.com.

• Cowboy session: Fans of Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan will enjoy the Nate Ramos Band, appearing at a music-friendly craft brewery where they recorded a live EP last year. Ramos is a fresh voice in the regional roots scene, winning for Best Americana Act at last year’s New England Music Awards and getting a Country Music Act of the Year nomination at the Boston Music Awards. Friday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m., Lost Cowboy Brewing, 546 Amherst St., Nashua, nateramosmusic.com.

• Vocal legend: Named after Linda Ronstadt’s breakthrough second solo album, Silk Purse does a solid job of covering the singer’s career, from her first band The Stone Poneys’ “Different Drum” to late ’70s hits such as “Blue Bayou,” and beyond. Saturday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m., Epping Playhouse, 38 Ladds Lane, Epping, $25 at tix.com.

• Mister moonlight: Though comedian Jimmy Cash had a career year in 2025, selling out the Wilbur Theatre in Boston and a double bill with Jimmy Dunn at Casino Ballroom, he’s still a janitor in the Worcester School District, just like his dad and grandfather. With jokes about cafeteria lunch ladies, teachers and cagey students, Cash built a 20-year career as one of the region’s best. Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $40 at palacetheatre.org.

Guitar man

Johnny A. brings Beck-Ola back to Tupelo

By Michael Witthaus
mwitthaus@hippopress.com

Growing up, Johnny A. had two favorite bands, The Beatles and The Yardbirds. In late 2024, he combined a love for both by reimagining John Lennon’s plaintive ballad “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” as a Jeff Beck instrumental. His is a soaring, ethereal version, with fluid fret-bending in place of Lennon’s voice.

He released it digitally, donating proceeds to the Boston Food Bank. In a recent phone interview the guitarist mentioned that one paid download meant two meals for those in need. He added that while studio work once was critical, beginning with his chart-topper “Oh Yeah” in 1999, he records mostly for his own pleasure these days.

“The music business is in the dumpster and you don’t make any money from it anymore,” he said. “I’m always writing, I’m always experimenting, but I don’t know if I necessarily have the interest in putting out recorded music in any kind of bulk form anymore. Because it’s just not financially feasible.”

Touring keeps him going, as a solo performer with looping pedals providing a backup band, or with the Johnny A. Trio — when he can. A New Year’s run on the West Coast offered that opportunity, as the other two musicians now live in the area, but the logistics sounded, well, arduous.

After flying to San Francisco on Jan. 3, he had four days of shows, with two Bay Area concerts bookending the mini-tour.

“It’s kind of a rough schedule,” he said. “Every day is a fly day … and I’m taking a red-eye home.” Fortunately he’ll have a day to catch his breath before heading to Tupelo Music Hall.

The Jan. 9 show in Derry is one of his favorites to perform, a Jeff Beck retrospective running from the Yardbirds to his jazz fusion years and beyond with a band named after Beck’s second solo album, Beck-Ola. The project is a near and dear one, not least because Johnny A. spent a few years playing Beck’s parts in a revived version of the Yardbirds.

It’s fair to say to Beck is his favorite guitarist, and definitely a role model.

“I’ve had the ability, the opportunity to see him probably a dozen times live,” he said. “He’s always excited me because he’s very unpredictable. He wears his emotions on his sleeve when he plays, he’s a take-no-prisoners, no-apologies type of player.”

Is that daunting for him as a guitarist?

“The fun part is the challenging part,” he said. “Beck is a guy that really can’t be reproduced, he’s really uncopiable. Aside from being fantastically talented, his playing was instinctual, and he’s the only player that I’ve ever experienced where his playing is really an extension of his personality.”

He loves Tupelo, a place he’s played for two decades, and its owner Scott Hayward.

“I’ve always said if there were 50 promoters around the country like that guy, musicians would be a lot better off. You get treated like an artist. You don’t have to run around and worry about if you’re going to get paid. It’s just a good experience.”

For Beck-Ola, he’s backed by an all-star band that includes Marty Richards on drums, bassist Dean Cassell, Steve Hunt on keyboards and singer Mike Gill. It’s an infrequent project, and Johnny’s not sure when it will be back to the area after the Derry show. He urges the curious to give it a look.

“I’d just welcome anybody that’s a fan of his music to come out; I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised,” he said. “We take you on a ride from the earliest stuff all the way through his whole career…. I call it a celebration of the music of Jeff Beck, because we’re trying to capture the spirits of different eras.”

Beck-Ola
When: Friday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m.
Where: Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry
Tickets: $50 at tupelohall.com

Featured photo: Johnny A. Courtesy photo.

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