Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

Country: Boston-based singer-songwriter Louie Bello celebrates his new single at an area show. Bello’s upbeat modern country song “Yippy Ki Yay” was well-received on streaming services, receiving more than a million views. His latest release, “Grown Man Cry,” is a tender ballad about love and loss. Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m., The Goat, 50 Old Granite St., Manchester. See louiebello.com.

• Rustic: Singer-guitarist Michael Glabicki pairs with instrumentalist Dirk Miller for a show dubbed Uprooted. In a game of musical word association, Glabicki’s band Rusted Root invariably leads to “Send Me On My Way.” From TV ads to kids’ movies, the mid-’90s hit became ubiquitous, and through multiple decades of constant touring and several albums, the percolating left field smash continues to permeate. Friday, April 26, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $38.75 at ccanh.com.

• Underground: No-nonsense Manchester rock trio The Graniteers are joined by Boston bands the Lipstick Boys and Already Dead at a new venue in Nashua. The 21+ BYOB event is among many efforts offered by the Midnight Creatives Collective, a new group that aims to help independent musicians gather and provide resources to assist in navigating the vagaries of the music business. Saturday, April 27, 9 p.m., Terminus, 134 Haines St. (2nd floor), Nashua, $15/door, see facebook.com/midnightcreativescollective.

• Eclectic: Drawing from a wide-ranging palette, the music of Dirty Cello is, in the words of one critic, “funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic and textured.” Band leader Rebecca Roudman is a classically trained cellist who ditched the straight-laced world to rock out. They play everything from “These Boots Are Made For Walking” to “Wayfaring Stranger,” and originals. Sunday, April 28, 6 p.m., Andres Institute of Art, 106 Route 13, Brookline, $25 at andresinstitute.org.

• Brassy: A fundraiser for the Central and Hillside jazz programs is hosted by Freese Brothers Big Band, giving young musicians an opportunity to shine in the spotlight. Since 1986, the big band has awarded scholarships worth nearly $100K to youth music programs in communities across New Hampshire,. Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester; tickets are $20 at palacetheatre.org.

Local music news & events

• Double: Fully recovered from a career- and life-threatening spinal cord injury, Patty Larkin shares the stage with Robbie Fulks for an evening of singer-songwriter music. Larkin was triumphant in last year’s On A Winter’s Night tour, and her guitar-playing is strong as ever. Fulks is also a gem; his song “That’s Where I’m From” is one of the finest summations of country living extant. Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $29 at palacetheatre.org.

• Rhythm: A trio of regional shows and Senie Hunt will head back to Nashville, though the percussive guitarist will be returning in June for another listening-room show in downtown Concord. . Friday, April 19, 9 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, Bicentennial Square, Concord; see seniehunt.com.

• Tribute: Gen X is feeling its age with the advent of tribute acts like Crush, a Boston-based combo that channels the Dave Matthews Band. The group primarily sticks to DMB’s first three CDs, Under the Table and Dreaming, Crash and Before These Crowded Streets, though some post-millennium hits do show up in their set. Yeah, H.O.R.D.E really is 30 years old; sorry if you’re buggin’. Saturday, April 20, 8 p.m., LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111, Derry, $40 at labellewinery.com.

• Reggae: Following a quick Southern tour sharing the stage with Mighty Mystic, Adriya Joy plays a downtown watering hole. Joy and Mystic paired for last year’s happy single “Hazel-Eyed Sunflower” and she frequently hits the road with the reggae performer; this show, however, will be with her nine-piece band. She cites influences from Rebelution and H.E.R. to Amy Winehouse and SOJA. Sunday, April 21, 7 p.m., The Goat, 50 Old Granite St., Manchester. See adriyajoy.com.

• Planet: Celebrate Earth Day in a bucolic setting with gospel-limned folk from MaMuse, the duo of Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker. The two multi-instrumentalists offer rich harmonies and inspired lyricism. Opening acts are singer and activist Nate Jones and HannaH’s Field, whose music is labeled “acoustic reggae wrapped in Mother Earth roots,” fitting given the occasion. Monday, April 22, 4:30 p.m., The Hive Farm, 62 Patten Hill Road, Candia, $44 at thehivefarm.org.

Local music news & events

• Victory lap: In a show rescheduled from last October for health reasons, Buddy Guy performs, part of his Damn Right Farewell tour. The blues legend’s contribution to rock ’n’ roll is incalculable; guitarists from Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan have cited him as an influence. Joining Guy is Bobby Rush, a blues singer who turned 90 last November and shows no signs of slowing down. Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $85.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Local soul: An outgrowth of a monthly hip-hop gathering, Sound Off – Funk & Soul Night has The Evolutionists fusing classic soul samples with hip-hop and R&B. They’re led by married couple Ruby Shabazz and Fee the Evolutionist, with a rhythm section of Zeke Martin and Dom Davis on drums and bass, along with Joe Mazzarella on keyboards. Shawn Caliber hosts, with DJ Myth performing on turntables. Friday, April 12, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester; the 21+ show is $5 at the door

• Favorite son: Starting in 1996 with the multi-platinum Bringing Down the Horse, The Wallflowers has been a band in name only, its singular vision guided by front man Jakob Dylan, who once said, “no one lineup … ever made two records [and] one person is actually putting the ideas together … that’s always been me.” Saturday, April 13, 8 pm., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, $49 and up at etix.com.

• Shape-shifters: Enjoy an afternoon folk concert from Eloise & Co. The duo of accordion player Rachel Bell and fiddler Becky Tracy often expands to a trio that includes a guitar or piano player, along with backing vocals. The group delves into everything from French folk ballads to Celtic reels, waltzes and traditional Quebecois tunes, and is a favorite in the regional contra dance scene. Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m., Monadnock Folklore Society, 7 Nelson Common Road, Nelson, $20 at monadnockfolk.org.

• New country: The Southern rapper Struggle Jennings hits the beach for a 21+ show. The grandson of Outlaw Country pioneer Waylon Jennings, he was in the lineup when Jelly Roll stopped by Meadowbrook last summer for a sold-out show. His music pulls from a variety of genres. Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m., Wally’s Pub, 144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, $25 at ticketmaster.com.

Local music news & events

• Blues Italiano: Beginning with the formation of his group Morblus in 1991, guitarist Roberto Morbioli made a name for himself in the blues world. One critic likened him to “Eric Clapton and a young Stevie Ray Vaughan.” Another called his mix of “funk, soul, shuffle, swamp, second line and everything else” a “relentless feast for the ears.” Lately, Morbioli is readying a new album for release. Thursday, April 4, 8 p.m., Stumble Inn, 20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry. See robertomorbioli.com.

• Local laughs: Headlining Nashua’s Center for the Arts was a career milestone for Drew Dunn, a Nashua South High grad. Though now based in New York, he’ll always be a hometown boy. He headlines a show with support from pal Paul Landwehr, Liam McGuirk and Danya Trommer, part of a regular Friday comedy series. After a few more New England dates, Dunn is off to Canada, Key West and Arizona. Friday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $26 at palacetheatre.org.

• Fiddle finesse: A Scottish expat who cut her teeth in Glasgow’s rich session scene, fiddler Louise Bichan came to the States via a Berklee Music College scholarship. Bichan now lives in Cornish, Maine, but says Scotland will always be her home. Her latest single, the lilting instrumental “Coldstream,” dropped last month, and her area show coincides with the release of her new album The Lost Summer. Saturday, April 6, 7 pm., Blasty Bough Brewing Co., 3 Griffin Road, Epsom, $30 at blastybough.com.

• Groove rock: Raw, raucous and relentless, Catwolf is an all-female trio making waves in the North Country. In June they’ll host Underground Sunshine, a women-forward showcase. Their Lakes Region winery show starts with wine tasting; food is available for purchase. Sunday, April 7, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $15 and up at eventbrite.com.

• Country girls: Though Emily Mann and Wila Frank, the duo known as Paper Wings, have rural West Coast roots, their banjo and guitar sound convincingly evokes Appalachian bluegrass. Songs like “Is It True” have a stomp and holler vibe, with forceful yet sweet harmonies. Now Nashville-based, they’ve released three albums, the self-titled 2017 debut, 2019’s Clementine and the new Listen to the World Spin. Tuesday, April 9, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $16 at thewordbarn.com.

Local music news & events

• Island groove: AER singer-songwriter and producer Carter Reeves created Surfer Girl while hunkered down in Maine during the early days of the pandemic, summoning his inner Brian Wilson; yes, the name was inspired by the Beach Boys song. Their new CD Noon features Carmody, Jared Watson of Dirty Heads and Tessellated. They play a free 21+ local show with Sitting On Stacy and Ryan Wright. Thursday, March 28, 7 p.m., The Goat, 50 Old Granite St., Manchester. See surfergirlmusic.com.

• Lake laughter: Monthly standup comedy in an idyllic setting continues as Amy Tee and Mark Scalia bring the funny. Tee’s act is honest and revealing and hilarious. Friday, March 29, 7 p.m., Newfound Lake Inn, 1030 Mayhew Turnpike, Bridgewater, $25 and up at eventbrite.com.

• It’s covered: An area favorite for over two decades, Souled Out Show Band now has visuals in their high-energy show, which draws from the best of classic rock and soul. Sets include hits from Chicago, Journey, Tina Turner, Doobie Brothers and newer acts like Bruno Mars. For an upcoming Manchester show, fans can submit their seat number for a drawing to win dinner at Hanover Street Chophouse. Saturday, March 30, 7:30 pm., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $29 at palacetheatre.org.

• Electronic day: Get some hands-on time with a Moog and other gear at Synthfest, along with short performances from event host Bosey Joe and Delusive Relics. The afternoon meet-up offers a chance to connect with other synth-curious and other electronic music minded folks, chat with some musicians, and attend a master class-style introduction to analog synthesis. Saturday, March 30, 1 p.m., Concord Rec Department, 14 Canterbury Road, Concord, donations requested; see boseyjoe.com.

• Nineties redux: After leaving Queensrÿche, the band he fronted for years, Geoff Tate went on the road celebrating their big albums Empire, Rage For Order and Operation: Mindcrime. However, he hasn’t made a solo disc in seven years. Tate did recently tell an interviewer he has about 40 new songs, though a new record may be a while, because, he said, “it’s so much work.” Monday, April 1, 8 p.m., Angel City Music Hall, 179 Elm St., Manchester, $30 and up at ticketweb.com.

Local music news & events

• Emerald Islanders: Keep basking in a green glow at an evening with Altan, a band considered one of Ireland’s finest musical exports. Their just-released album Donegal celebrates the county where they were formed. The new record is also their first with recently added fiddler and singer Claire Friel, who takes a lead vocal on “Faoiseamh a Gheobhadsa.” Thursday, March 21, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $35 and $45 at palacetheatre.org.

• Founding father: Richard Thompson has stayed a folk music force since he co-founded Fairpoint Convention in 1967. His memoir, Beeswing, was published in 2021, and he recently dropped “Singapore Sadie,” the first single from the forthcoming album Ship to Shore. Friday, March 22, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $60 and up at tupelomusichall.com.

• Helpful humor: Enjoy dinner followed by a free comedy show with Chris Tabb headlining. Presented by the charity-minded Comedy On Purpose, the night includes sets from Sara Poulin, Nick Gordon and Bill Douglas. Saturday, March 23, 7 pm., Stonebridge Country Club, 161 Gorham Pond Road, Goffstown, call 497-8633 for reservations.

• Bluegrass power: A regional roots supergroup, Little Wishbone is the combination of Green Heron — married duo Scott Heron and Betsy Green on banjo and fiddle — and Old Hat Bluegrass Band, which has Steve Roy on mandolin, guitarist Whitney Roy and Amanda Kowalski on upright bass. The band plays an afternoon show at a barbecue restaurant run by another member of the bluegrass community. Sunday, March 24, 3 p.m., MrSippy BBQ, 184 S. Main St., Rochester. More at littlewishbone.com.

• Empire statement: Extending the program begun 30 years ago by Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents is a touring initiative currently featuring Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III, the latter affectionately known as BB3. Both are trumpet players and singers, exploring the Great American Songbook. Wednesday, March 27, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $43.75 and up at ccanh.com.

Local music news & events

• Kilting it: Start the upcoming Green Weekend early at the 4th Annual Celtic Night. Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day food and drink specials along with music from Warren Smith, playing what some tongue-in-cheekily call one of the four instruments of the apocalypse, the bagpipes (the others are banjo, accordion and bongo drums). Anyone showing up in a kilt will receive a dinner discount. Thursday, March 14, 5 p.m., Flannel Tavern, 350 Suncook Valley Hwy., Chichester, facebook.com/flanneltavern.

• Gospel guys: With accolades including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Blind Boys of Alabama have cemented their place as legends in the gospel music world. Last year’s Echoes of the South album looks at facing hard times and echoes the band’s credo: “As long as everybody gives all that they have to give and we sing songs that touch the heart, we’ll live on forever.” Friday, March 15, 7:30 p.m., The Flying Monkey, 39 Main St., Plymouth, $45 and up at flyingmonkeynh.com.

• Dead set: With only five shows booked this year, Lichen doesn’t often perform these days, but the venerable band keeps the fire burning. Loosely formed in 1981 after friends John Zevos and Charlie Windhausen bonded over their first Grateful Dead concert, the group mixes tasty originals and classics from the Dead, Allmans, Springsteen and Little Feat, with an occasional guest joining in. Saturday, March 16, 6 pm., Makris Lobster & Steak House, 354 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, facebook.com/eatalobster.

• Blues power: As a kid in Texas with a concert promoter/radio DJ dad, Kenny Wayne Shepherd was inspired to play guitar by watching Stevie Ray Vaughan from backstage while sitting atop the blues legend’s amp; since, he’s carved a solid niche of his own. His latest, Dirt On My Diamonds, was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Fellow Lone Star Stater Ally Venable opens. Sunday, March 17, 7 p.m., Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $48.25 and up at ccanh.com.

• Local lights: The Tony Mack Band is known for a solid mix of deep tracks, classic rock and rhythm & blues. Among their set highlights are a raved-up version of “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” complete with horn refrain. Monday, March 18, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $15 at jimmysoncongress.com.

Local music news & events

• Broadway bash: Four actors who’ve all starred in Phantom of the Opera gather for The Four Phantoms In Concert. The show, soon to be a PBS special, has both solo and group numbers from Brent Barrett, John Cudia, Franc D’Ambrosio and Ciarán Sheehan. It includes an appearance by Kaley Ann Voorhees, who played Christine in Phantom’s Broadway production. Thursday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $48.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Hammer time: He’s popular enough to fill hockey rinks, but Tom Segura’s dark humor isn’t for everyone. He told mLive.com in October his current tour is “bigger and blacker than anything I’ve ever done, but that name has already been used; Come Together gets the point across. Let us all come together for a night. ” Friday, March 1, 8 p.m., SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester, $35.50 and up at snhuarena.com.

• Mixed media: Standup comedy preceded by jazz music is on tap at a show topped by Kenny Rogerson, billed as “the funniest man you’ve never heard of,” along with Steve Scarfo and Jayson Martin. Rogerson is well-known to regional fans; he’s appeared in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and has made appearances on Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Comics Come Home. Saturday, March 2, 7 pm., Rockingham Ballroom, 22 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket, $25 at eventbrite.com.

• New Englander: No soundtrack of 1970s Boston is complete without Jonathan Richman, who yearned to “drive past the Stop n’ Shop with the radio on at night” on “Roadrunner” and wrote a love song to Government Center. These days, he’s a crooner who eschews his oldies for an ever-changing setlist of music that “works well in quiet places,” backed by Tommy Larkins. Sunday, March 3, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $39 and up at etix.com.

• Rap deconstructed: For anyone interested in the songwriting process of hip-hop, Cody Pope and Brian G will break it down during an Inside the Music presentation. Sure to come up in the discussion is the duo’s work in progress, a follow-up to 2021’s Meet Me In Gate City, and thoughts on their creative influences, which include Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Gang Starr and Kool G Rap. Monday, March 4, 7 p.m., Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua, nashualibrary.org.

Local music news & events

• Record party: The fourth Thursday of the month is Bring Your Own Vinyl Night at a downtown craft brewery whose name illustrates the evening’s spirit. Check out To Share’s extensive collection, which includes everything from Tupac to Bob Seger’s Night Moves along with nuggets like Sanford Townsend Band’s Smoke From a Distant Fire. Thursday, Feb. 22, 4 p.m., To Share Brewing, 720 Union St., Manchester, tosharebrewing.com.

• Folked up: Singer, songwriter and superb raconteur Vance Gilbert performs an “evening with” show. His latest album, 2023’s The Mother of Trouble, includes a song called “Simple Things” that Gilbert described as “what happens when a Black kid from Philadelphia who grew up listening to Earth, Wind & Fire, and didn’t know the Average White Band was white, tries to write a song like John Prine.” Friday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $25 at palacetheatre.org.

• Country girl: Happy career news continues for April Cushman, who will play a Saturday night apres-ski gig with her trio. There are events like a recent showcase in Cincinnati and a Plymouth, Mass., headlining show coming in May, and in June, Cushman will be on the side stage for Lainey Wilson’s Meadowbrook concert and later entertaining NASCAR fans ahead of Race Weekend. Saturday, Feb. 24, 6 pm., Pats Peak Ski Area, 686 Flanders Road, Henniker. See facebook.com/aprilcushmanmusic.

• Picking power: A fundraiser for an inventive sculpture garden has the New England Bluegrass Band, led by Cecil Abels, a Mississippi-born singer, guitarist and proprietor of Mr. Sippy’s BBQ, who came to the region via a career in the U.S. Navy. Converted from a ski resort in 1996, the beneficiary venue now welcomes a wide array of sculptors to create and place their work in its growing collection. Sunday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m., Andres Institute of Art, 106 Route 13, Brookline, $25 at andresinstitute.org.

• Song circle: This month’s Songwriter RoundUp at a Lakes Region winery has Brooks Young and Tim Winchester with host Katie Dobbins. Young had quite the year in 2023, opening for George Thorogood & the Destroyers on an East Coast tour, buoyed by the success of his Supply Chain Blues album. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $10 and up at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Dad tribute: The first song A.J. Croce recorded from his father’s catalog after doing Croce by Croce concerts for many years was “I Got A Name.” When Jim Croce died in a 1973 plane crash, his son was 2 years old. Later, one way he got to know him was by studying reels of tape for clues to his artistic process; this led him to realize that they both loved the same American Songbook artists. Thursday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $53.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Rock’s voice: When Deep Purple made the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Glenn Hughes, their co-vocalist and bassist in the mid-’70s, was among those accepting the honor. Hughes plays Deep Purple classics at a local show, with Enuff Z’Nuff opening. Friday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $50 and up tupelohall.com.

• Laugh time: Monthly comedy shows continue at a grand buffet Italian restaurant with Paul Nardizzi topping a lineup that also includes Dave Rattigan and Chris Cameron; arrive early for the food and stay for the hilarity. Former Boston Comedy Festival winner Nardizzi has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, NESN and Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show Period. Saturday, Feb. 17, 8 pm., Cello’s Farmhouse Italian, 143 Raymond Road, Candia, $30 at eventbrite.com.

• Duo show: A release show celebrates Call and Response, a new EP from Matt Pond PA & Alexa Rose, who decided to connect and make music together after Rose name-checked the band in her song “Wild Peppermint.” The disc includes a lovely take on the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” and the original “Side Eye Rolls,” a Tom Petty-esque rocker that nods to The Big Lebowski’s rug. Sunday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $16 and up at portsmouthtickets.com.

• Celtic connection: With less than a month until St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a good time to enjoy the weekly Irish Sessions at a venerable Concord pub, recently revived after a long hiatus. Settle into a six-dollar pint of Guinness or Smithwick’s, or a Black & Tan combo of the two, paired with fish and chips, beef stew or a Dublin burger, alongside a lively and frequently surprising evening of traditional music. Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m., The Barley House, 132 N. Main St., Concord, thebarleyhouse.com.