Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Scotsman: Punk rock fans will delight in a multi-act downtown show headlined by Billy Liar. The Scotland native’s latest album, Crisis Actor, is a post-pandemic gem, with a guest appearance from Frank Turner and a batch of songs that rage, scream and snarl. Rounding out the bill are Oh The Humanity, regional favorites Jonee Earthquake Band and The Doldrums. Thursday, May 16, 7:30 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $5 at the door, 21+. See billyliarmusic.com.

• Guitar man: Three decades after breaking through with his surf-shredding Endless Summer, Gary Hoey has been in a blues mood for the past few albums; his most recent is 2019’s Neon Highway Blues. More than a few polls list him among the top 100 guitarists in the world, and Hoey has performed with everyone from Johnny Winter to Jeff Beck and Queen’s Brian May. Friday, May 17, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 at tupelohall.com.

• Crowd work: When veteran standup comic Cory Gee bounds onstage, he’s almost immediately mixing with the crowd; learning who’s married, which couples are dating for the first time, and who might be celebrating a birthday. The rapid-fire back and forth helps him size up the audience, but it’s not a call for a longer conversation. He’s setting up jokes. Saturday, May 18, 8:30 pm., Headliners Comedy Club, 700 Elm St., Manchester, $23 at headlinersnh.com.

• Blues contest: The road to Memphis 2025 begins at the Granite State Blues Challenge, where bands, solo and duo performers and youth acts compete for tops in the state. The event is presented by Granite State Blues Society, which is dedicated to preserving the blues while raising money for children’s charities. Winners will perform at the International Blues Competition next year. Sunday, May 19, 1 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $15 at ccanh.com.

• Trumpeter: Legendary horn player, composer and producer Herb Albert and singer Lani Hall perform. With Tijuana Brass, the album cover of his Whipped Cream & Other Delights was the ’60s version of clickbait; interestingly Alpert was also the co-owner of the label that released it, A&M Records. A decade later, Alpert hit with the dance floor classic Rise. Monday, May 20, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 33 Main St., Nashua, $49 at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

Local music news & events

• Musical meetup: This week’s Blues Therapy gathering has Willie J. Laws, a Texas guitar slinger who’s been in New Hampshire long enough to win a New England Music Award twice. Hosted by local maven Mickey Maguire, currently bass player for Frankie Boy & The Blues Express, the regular event always has a headliner and is a hub for the regional blues scene. Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m., Stonecutters Pub, Downstairs, 63 Union Square, Milford. See williejlawsband.com.

• Classic brand: With drummer Phil Ehart sidelined by a heart attack, Kansas has one remaining original member, lead guitarist Rich Williams. Beginning as a progressive rock band, and one of the first to feature violin as a lead instrument, the group streamlined its sound and had a series of AOR and Top 40 hits starting with 1977’s “Carry On My Wayward Son.” Friday, May 10, 8 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $67.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Funny women: Celebrate the maternal side of life at Mother of a Comedy Show, with Kerri Louise, Christine Hurley and Kelly MacFarland providing the laughs. For those who prefer their entertainment before dinner, there’s a late afternoon matinee along with an evening set. Saturday, May 11, 5 and 8 pm., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $30 at palacetheatre.org.

• Treasured songs: A reunion with producer Russ Titelman helped Rickie Lee Jones earn a Grammy nomination for her 2023 album Pieces of Treasure, her first foray into the Great American Songbook. Titelman helmed Jones’ eponymous debut, with the hit “Chuck E’s In Love,” and her follow-up, Pirates. Jones is a celebrated writer; her memoir Last Chance Texaco won several awards. Sunday, May 12, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $45 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Country kid: Up and coming singer-songwriter Taylor Hughes plays an intimate midweek set at a favorite restaurant and bar. Hughes offers up aching originals like “Dear Today” and “Deadman” along with covers of Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers, and the buzz on him is so strong that his upcoming showcase at Bank of NH Stage in Concord is close to sold out. Wednesday, May 15, 7 p.m., The Forum Pub, 15 Village St., Concord. See facebook.com/tayhughesmusic.

Local music news & events

• Affirming: New England acoustic roots supergroup Barnstar marks its first album in nearly a decade. Furious Kindness is brimming with positivity, “a beacon of joy in a world that could use a bit more kindness” according to a band statement. One listen to de facto title song “Anybody Got a Light?” is enough to stir a cold soul to action, a welcome chord of hope against dissonance. Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $16 to $35 at thewordbarn.com.

• Coming back: Texas-born singer-songwriter Chase Bryant laid bare his mental health struggles on 2021’s Upbringing. His latest EP, Ashland City, includes a co-write with Lone Star State legend Ray Wylie Hubbard. Music is in Bryant’s lineage: His grandfather performed with Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings, and his uncle co-founded the band Ricochet. Friday, May 3, 7 p.m., Sullivan Arena (Saint Anselm College), 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, $50 and up at anselm.edu.

• On the daily: When Jon Stewart isn’t hosting The Daily Show, Jordan Klepper often sits in the anchor chair, one of many satellite stars to emerge from the long-running Comedy Central program. Add to that Klepper’s standup talents, which are on display in an area show, and his Fingers The Pulse man-in-the-street interviews, which have garnered two Emmy nods. Saturday, May 4, 8 pm., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $35 and up at ccanh.com.

• Multiplicity: Even when they’re playing acoustic, as they mostly do, Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela offer up electrifying music. The pair, whose latest album is the Advaita Vedanta-inspired In Between Thoughts … A New World, blend Spanish flamenco-nuevo fretwork with rock ’n’ roll panache for a dazzling sound that really should be witnessed live to be appreciated. Sunday, May 5, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $49 and up at etix.com.

• All-consuming: While Against Me! is on hiatus, Laura Jane Grace is busy with solo projects like the recently released Hole in My Head, of which Rolling Stone wrote, “There’s a bone-weary feeling to the record that befits a punk in their forties stepping back to take a look at the life they’ve built thus far.” She performs with her band The Devouring Mothers; The Devil’s Twins open. Monday, May 6, 8 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $35 at seetickets.us.

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.