Category: Music This Week

By Michael Witthaus

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• Get laughing: A solid lineup of standup talent is on hand at the monthly Comedy On Purpose showcase. Musical comedian Dave Andrews mixes self-deprecating humor with seasoned guitar skills to crowd-pleasing effect. Other comics include Ren Marquis, Jeremy Cangiano, Anthony Eugenio and host Alana Foden, who also books the show and has a fun side hustle. Thursday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m., Soho Asian Restaurant, 49 Lowell Road, Hudson, $18 in advance (320-5393), $20 at the door.

• Have yachts: Though Steely Dan is considered a significant yacht rocker band by Boat House Row, a subgenre tribute act making an upcoming area appearance, Donald Fagen had a curt, unprintable response to the notion when interviewed for a documentary. Whatever, it’s still entertaining, and this group’s sax player sparks a yearning for “Caribbean Queen” and “Baker Street.” Friday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $29 and up at etix.com.

• Fab three: Taking an inventive turn off the well-trod path of Beatles tributes, While My Guitar Gently Weeps is a trio, reimagining the harder-rocking side of the legendary band. Fans of Abbey Road’s second side (if you know, you know) will delight in versions of “The End,” along with Yellow Submarine’s oft-neglected gem “Hey Bulldog,” while marveling at their economy. Saturday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester; whilemyguitargentlyweeps.band.

• Well-rounded: Few New England musicians are as beloved as Dan Blakeslee, who performs an afternoon set at an area barbecue joint. The seemingly always smiling singer, songwriter and guitarist honed his craft busking in MBTA stations. His charming folk songs like “Wizard Nor a King” have led to bigger stages like the Newport Folk Festival (he also drew the event’s poster). Sunday, Jan. 19, 3 p.m., MrSippy BBQ, 184 S. Main St., Rochester. See danblakeslee.com.

• Scene support: Celebrating a year since forming, New Hampshire Underground hosts a grand re-opening party with live acoustic rock from Jesse Rutstein and Quincy Lord, along with art from cofounder Andre Dumont (Dead Harrison), fashion illustrator and painter Brenda Drew and artistic polymath MyArtbyKF, all in support of the Nashua underground scene. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 4 p.m., Terminus Underground, 134 Haines St., Nashua. See newhampshireunderground.org.

By Michael Witthaus

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• Glowing music: Enjoy classical music in an ethereal setting as Candlelight offers Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Concerto in G Minor, along with selections from a few more composers. A string quartet provides the music on a stage filled with gently glowing candles. Thursday, Jan. 9, 6 p.m., Rex Theatre, 21 Amherst St., Manchester, $43 and up at palacetheatre.org.

• American Zep: Amongst a crowded and still growing field, Philadelphia-based tribute act Get the Led Out is praised for its rendering of classic rock’s most bombastic group. Their shows go beyond Zep’s often shambolic live performances, with the group using studio overdubs that never made it into their concerts, including an acoustic set sure to please fans of their third album. Friday, Jan. 10, 8 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $44 and up at ccanh.com.

• Friendly gesture: A weekly afternoon gathering extends into the evening with Acoustic Dead Jam, a benefit for an area musician facing a wide range of medical challenges. According to his family, Andy Laliotis has spent the past 18 months in and out of hospital, and he continues to fight an uphill battle. The show is a way to celebrate his favorite band and help him out in a time of need. Saturday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m., Forum Pub, 15 Village St., Penacook, more at yourforumpub.com.

• Good folk: Singer, songwriter, guitarist and painter Tom Pirozzoli celebrates the release of his latest album, 21, with a house concert of sorts in a bucolic country inn. Recorded live in the studio, the new disc features Pirozzoli fingerpicking deftly, and lyrics ranging from the playful “Jesus on the Grille” to the poignant, compassionate “What Folks Called Poor.” Brad Myrick opens. Saturday, Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m., Follansbee Inn, 2 Keyser St., North Sutton, $25 at follansbeeinn.com.

• Guitar man: With football season mercifully over for regional fans, Sundays are free again. Scott Solsky is a talented guitarist who’s long been a fixture in the Concord music scene, both as a solo artist and with bands like Trade and J3ST, a trio including Hammond organist Tom Robinson and Jared Steer on drums. Solsky’s most recent disc is 2021’s Home, an instrumental gem. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Pembroke, pembrokecitylimits.com.

By Michael Witthaus

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• Happy hour: It’s easy to imagine the Foo Fighters turning “Timeless,” a new song from Willy Chase, into a stadium anthem. A co-write with area singer-songwriter Ian Gallipeau, it could be on Chase’s debut EP, Thicker Than Water. He plays solo in a Lakes Region pub. Thursday, Jan. 2, 6 p.m., 405 Pub & Grill, 405 Union Ave., Laconia; more at willychasemusic.com.

• Can bangers: A run of shows to end one year and begin another is a Recycled Percussion tradition. The junk rockers, who rose to fame on America’s Got Talent, ruled the Las Vegas Strip for several years before returning home and building both a business and a venue. There’s one on Friday, three on Saturday and two Sunday matinees (as well as shows next weekend). Friday, Jan. 3, 7 p.m., Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $39 and up at palacetheatre.org.

• Class clowning: The idea of going back to the classroom takes on new meaning at High School Dropout, as a dozen Laugh Attic comics revisit great literature. The “end of semester book report” includes Derek Zeiba summarizing 1984, Owen Damon taking on Of Mice and Men, and Andrew McGuinness looking at Ginsburg’s Howl & Other Poems, which should be interesting. Friday, Jan. 3, 8 p.m., Strange Brew Tavern, 88 Market St., Manchester, $15 at eventbrite.com.

• Jazz adjacent: Enjoy an eclectic night of music with headliners Mono Means One. Led by five-string bass wizard John Ferrara, the psychedelic prog rock trio what might happen if Stanley Clarke joined Emerson, Lake & Palmer and played most of the leads. Rounding out the high-energy show is local favorites Dog 8 Dog, a female-fronted band with a heavy punk-infused sound. Saturday, Jan. 4, 8 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester; more at monomeansone.com.

• Song crafter: A rustic watering hole is the setting for late afternoon music from Temple Mountain. The well-traveled Long Island native blends deft finger picking guitar with atmospheric vocalizing that recalls moody singer-songwriter Elliot Smith, who he cites as an influence. Lyrically idiosyncratic, his songs charmingly probe the human experience. Sunday, Jan. 5, 4 p.m., Flannel Tavern, 345 Suncook Valley Road, Chichester; more at templemountainmusic.com.

Jason R. Flood Memorial Pizzastock
When: Sunday, Jan. 5, noon
Where: Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry
Tickets: $20 at pizzastock.org

Featured photo: Hand Me Downs. Courtesy photo.

By Michael Witthaus

[email protected]

• Jazzy time: Recover from the holidays with the Hall of Mirrors, an improvisational jazz quartet led by guitarist Randy Roos, who’s received Emmy nominations for his television scores. With piano player Steve Hunt, bassist Mike Rossi and Tim Gilmore on drums, their musical telepathy has been described as “spontaneous composition rather than free jazz.” Thursday, Dec. 26, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $15 and up at eventbrite.com.

• In harmony: Though it’s an ambitious if not impossible tribute task, Forever Simon & Garfunkel does an impressive job. Sean Altman (Rockapella) met Jack Skuller when he was a teenager; they sang “Mrs. Robinson” together and found an immediate chemistry. The show traces the history of the duo from their “Hey Schoolgirl” debut through “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Friday, Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $35 and up at palacetheatre.org.

• Tribute power: For a sense of how convincingly Rotten Apple: A Tribute to Alice In Chains does its job, listen to praise from people like Chad Olech, a front-of-house engineer who toured with AIC in the late 2000s. “Brings back the feeling of being at one of those amazing shows,” he said. The band performs on a double bill with Manchester rockers Chasing the Devil. Saturday, Dec. 28, 9 p.m., Angel City Music Hall, 179 Elm St., Manchester, $20 at eventbrite.com.

• Year ending: Three nights of music from Boston supergroup Neighbor includes a pair of brunches and culminates with a big New Year’s Eve bash. Sunday, Dec. 29, through Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Stone Church, 5 Granite St., Newmarket, $40 at portsmouthnhtickets.com.

• Impractical laughs: Fittingly, comedian Joe Gatto called his first special Messing With People, since he rose to fame with the Candid Camera stepchild Impractical Jokers. Since leaving the show a few years ago, he’s hosted the Two Cool Moms podcast with fellow comic Steve Byrne and written a children’s book, Where’s Bearry? A local show caps a three-month tour. Monday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $30.75 and up at ccanh.com.

Local music news & events

• Celebration time: Time again for the annual Buzz Ball, with the one constant being Greg & the Morning Buzz offering laughs and pickup band The Velvet Elves providing the soundtrack. From that point on anything can happen, with special guest musicians, comedians and actors teaming up for holiday-themed entertainment benefiting the Lend a Helping Can charity. Thursday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $58.75 at ccanh.com.

• Country holiday: There are many seasonal events on tap this week, including Sara Evans; her 21 Days of Christmas is in town. The show includes reverent renditions of standards like a “Silent Night” that one critic recently enthused “could rattle the stained glass in just about any church.” ” Friday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $59 and up at etix.com.

• Brassy bash: Continuing the holiday mood is dinner and dancing with music from the NH Jazz Orchestra. Cocktails will be served at six, with dinner starting a half hour later. Then the Skip Poole-led big band takes over for an evening of Swingin’ Yuletide sounds played by musicians who’ve worked with stars like Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney and Johnny Mathis. Saturday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m., Murphy’s Taproom & Carriage House, 393 Route 101, Bedford, $30 at eventbrite.com.

• Funny guy: Enjoy standup comedy in a venue designed for it as Kyle Crawford holds forth. A fixture on the regional scene for over 15 years, Crawford has performed with national stars Jim Florentine, Jim Norton and Gary Gulman. He was a first runner-up in New Hampshire’s Last Comic Standing, and was also twice featured on Comcast’s Comedy Spotlight. Saturday, Dec. 21, 8 p.m., Headliners at The Doubletree, 700 Elm St., Manchester, $20 at headlinersnh.com.

• So good, so good: A Neil Diamond tribute act led by singer Michael Anthony, Tru Diamond performs an afternoon holiday concert at an area winery. The show will also include hits like “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue” and the Red Sox mid-inning anthem “Sweet Caroline.” The five-piece band is considered one of New England’s best at channeling the Diamond sound. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m., LaBelle Winery, 345 Route 101, Amherst, $15 and up at labellewinery.com.

Local music news & events

• Movement: When he’s not playing an eclectic mix of acoustic rock covers, Joel Begin is a physical therapist. He finds that music is a good way to help many patients, and he’s lectured on its intersectionality with movement and healing from stress and trauma. His set list draws a lot from the 1990s, . Thursday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m., The Local, 15 E. Main St., Warner; more at facebook.com/joel.begin.music.

• Vocalizing: Before Straight No Chaser, Pentatonix and the Pitch Perfect movies, Rockapella were primary purveyors of a cappella music. The New York vocal group had forebears, but as the house “band” on the PBS series Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? its unique human beat box harmonizing entered the mainstream. Their annual holiday show is a Derry favorite. Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., Stockbridge Theatre, 44 N. Main St., Derry, $20 and up at pinkertonacademy.org.

• Traditional: Few New England events approach the venerability of the Boston Pops Holiday Concert, led by maestro Keith Lockhart. What began in 1973 as A Pops Christmas Party evolved over the years into what Lockhart recently called “a balancing act [with] things people want to come back to [while] always adding new musical experiences from across cultures.” Saturday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m., SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester, $33.50 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Rockestral: From a Trans-Siberian Orchestra covers show intended as a one-off, Wizards of Winter has grown into a phenomenon all its own. The group melds Christmas music and grandeur while leaving out the smoke bombs, lasers and other gadgetry of arena shows. The effect is equally majestic, as they let musicality move front and center. These days, they’re a top concert draw. Sunday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $45 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Evergreen: Celebrate the holiday in an Irish way with Cherish the Ladies performing A Celtic Christmas. The show includes a six-piece band with three vocalists and four step dancers backing the influential female group — flute player Joanie Madden, guitarist Mary Coogan, accordion player Mirella Murray, pianist Kathleen Boyle, fiddle player Nollaig Casey and guitarist Kate Purcell. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m., BNH Stage, 16. S. Main St., Concord, $64 at ccanh.com.