Category: Music This Week

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.

Local music news & events

• Cowgirl jazz: Come for a light supper as the weekend approaches and enjoy Hot Skillet Club playing western-infused swing jazz. The acoustic trio of friends includes Val Blachly on upright bass and vocals, guitarist Liza Constable, who also plays with Blachly in Swing a Cat, and Ellen Carlson, a fiddler Blachly began working with in Sweet, Hot & Sassy, which had a 12-year run starting in the early 1990s. Thursday, Feb. 8, 6 p.m., Daniel’s Restaurant and Pub, 48 Main St., Henniker. See hotskilletclub.com.
• • Laugh along: An evening of standup comedy has Boston favorite Al Park along with a few special guests. Friday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $25 at palacetheatre.org.
• • Valentine swing: Start with a dance lesson, then get on the floor with the 18-piece New Legacy Swing Band for an event dubbed Tunnel of Love. It promises moody lighting, a light food menu that starts with a glass of complimentary bubbly, and lots of chocolate and flowers paired with music ranging from Blood, Sweat & Tears, Brian Setzer and Chicago to Sinatra and Ella. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7 pm., Rockingham Ballroom, 22 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket, $30 at rockinballroom.club.
• • Sixties vibe: Conceived by New England native Brian Chartrand, Live from Laurel Canyon is a multimedia concert featuring the soundtrack of a generation, from the Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield and Mamas & the Papas to later standard-bearers like Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and The Eagles. Sunday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $53.75 at ccanh.com.
• • Carrying on: Closing in on four decades as a band, Big Head Todd & the Monsters is still the core trio that formed in 1986: Todd Park Mohr on guitar, keyboard, sax and harmonica, drummer Brian Nevin and Rob Squires on bass; second guitarist Jeremy Lawton joined 20 years ago. They recently dropped “Her Way Out,” from Thunderbird, their 12th album. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $55 and up at tupelohall.com.

Local music news & events

• Get together: For anyone itching to play an original song for a sympathetic crowd, Acoustic Open Mic Night is a good place to land. Hosted by local singer-songwriter Mike Birch, the rules are pretty loose — no comedy or karaoke, and it’s a good idea to bring a personal microphone. Duos and trios are allowed, but not amplifiers or drums; for the latter, a little bit of thigh-slapping will suffice. Thursday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m., Casey Magee’s, 8 Temple St., Nashua. See facebook.com/mikebirchmusic.
• Beaching time: Taking its name from a classic Beach Boys song, All Summer Long is an annual long weekend tradition at a Londonderry craft brewery. With indoor sand and a bevy of local music, it’s a great way to forget about the cold. Nightshade kicks things off Friday, Supernothing and DJ Ache helm an all-day party Saturday and Slack Tide wraps it up Sunday afternoon. Starts Friday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m., Pipe Dream Brewing, 49 Harvey Road, Londonderry, pipedreambrewingnh.com.
• Heavy hearts: A multi-band show with a metal focus and an alt edge, Valentine’s Day Massacre gets the holiday off to an early start. Late 9 is a Boston quintet whose latest single, “Obsessed,” nicely balances melodic with metal. The Doldrums have a Green Day/Fall Out Boy vibe, while Cytokine and Creation from Crisis keep things hard and heavy; punk rockabilly band Ragz to Stitchez rounds things out. Saturday, Feb. 3, 7 pm., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $10 at the door, 21+.
• Lounge around: Ahead of a pair of Mardi Gras concerts, one of which will be streamed, Heather Pierson plays a late afternoon set in a duo format. The piano player launched a new group, The Potboilers, in 2022.The show happens in the venue’s upstairs bar. Sunday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m., Cantin Room at Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $18 at ccanh.com.
• Classic covers: From its start as a bunch of high school pals making original music, Fortune became a mainstay on the regional club scene, making a pair of albums in the mid-’90s and opening for bands like the Guess Who and Cheap Trick. Their staying power has more to do with channeling classic rock energy, however. One band superfan dubbed them “the greatest cover band in the world,” and it’s deserved praise. Sunday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $30 at tupelohall.com.

Local music news & events

• Rising sounds: Celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, taiko drum group Drum Tao continues a world tour with an area stop. The show features traditional Japanese instruments, including the large o-daiko and other drums, shinobue flutes and koto harps, woven with elements of rock, pop and classical music, along with exciting sword fighting performances. Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $44 and up at ccah.com.
• Sibling tribute: A multimedia look at Matthew and Gunnar Nelson’s father is the focus of Ricky Nelson Remembered, including hits like “Hello Mary Lou” and “Garden Party.” Friday, Jan. 26, 7:30 pm., Rex Theatre, 21 Amherst St., Manchester, $45 and $55 at palacetheatre.org.
• Local showcase: Five regional bands gather under the moniker Jamuary for an evening of classic rock and original songs. The bill has Eljer P. Sloan playing a brand of music called Super Groovy Werewolf Rock, the new-ish band Burn Permit, SumWat Lucky, Corduroy and Diamond Edge. Saturday, Jan. 24, 6 pm., American Legion Post 51, Route 125, Epping. See eljerpsloan.com.
• Good laughs: A night of standup features comic triathlete Dave Rattigan, who tells jokes, runs the shows and once taught comedy as a college course. Hometown favorite Jay Chanoine offers his humorous brand of cranky consternation, and Kathy Gilmour, who claims she conquered her weight problem with the magic words “I now identify as skinny,” rounds out the evening. Saturday, Jan. 27, 8:30 p.m., Murphy’s Taproom, 494 Elm St., Manchester, $20 at eventbrite.com.\
• Rock show: Before their hit “Cult of Personality” broke on MTV in 1988, Living Colour got help from Mick Jagger to get a deal with CBS Records. “It literally took the intervention of the most famous rock star,” Vernon Reid, the band’s co-founder and guitarist, said a few years ago. Sunday, Jan. 28, 7 p.m., Angel City Music Hall, 179 Elm St., Manchester, $30 ($40 day of show) at ticketweb.com.

Local music news & events

• Blues man: While growing up, Guy Davis said the only cotton he picked was his underwear off the floor. He told a journalist that the first time he heard the blues was in college, played by pale Vermont boys. Still, Davis embodies the genre, channeling masters like Howlin’ Wolf and Blind Willie McTell while possessing a unique style of his own. Thursday, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m., The Flying Goose, 40 Andover Road, New London, $30; call 526-6899 to reserve.

• Guitar master: Best-known for his work with Dave Matthews, guitarist Tim Reynolds leads TR3. Over a 40-year-plus career, Reynolds has ranged across the musical spectrum, from rock to jazz, classical, blues and reggae, on acoustic and electric instruments. Mick Vaughn and Dan Martier round out the trio, which will soon release a new album, Watch It. Friday, Jan. 19, 9 pm., Rex Theatre, 21 Amherst St., Manchester, $39 and $49 at palacetheatre.org.

• Cowboy rock: The twang-fueled alter ego of prog rock band Mindset X, Horsefly Gulch appears in a double bill with relentless rockers The Negans. After dropping a pair of excellent singles last year, “Snake Dance” and “One That Got Away,” the trio is readying its debut LP, A Western Love Story. Last October they were painted by local concert artist Steve Paquin on live TV. Friday, Jan. 19, 9 pm., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St, Manchester, $10 suggested cover (21+).

• Weird return: Strange and endearing Zanois is back from a long absence as King Imp, with support from Hometown Eulogy and Drug Deal Gone Rad. Kyle, the brother band’s cave-eyed, grimacing mascot who was for a time the Forrest Gump of indie rock, now has a crown and a cape, and their feedback-y, ethereal noise rock is still plenty of fun. Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord. See facebook.com/KingImpBand (21+).

• Musical stretch: A unique late afternoon session of yoga and live music features Wyn Doran, who will pair her songs with poses and actions, each section including time for reflection and connection. The yoga studio and its offerings are very special to Doran, who’s dealt with chronic pain in recent years and has found their fitness regimen beneficial in addressing it. Sunday, Jan. 21, 4:30 p.m., Vibe Yoga, 182 Main St., Nashua, $40 at vibeyoga603.com.

Local music news & events

• Crooner cuisine: Enjoy supper and song as Steve Blackwood performs with his trio. The Detroit-born singer has a long blues resume, including a 2017 album of originals with guest guitarist Robben Ford; this time he’ll stick to the Great American Songbook. Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m., Portsmouth Book & Bar, 40 Pleasant St., Portsmouth, $12 at bookandbar.com.

• Mood music: Boston-based rock quintet Long Autumn plays a no-cover downtown show. Fans of both New Order and Pearl Jam will enjoy the group’s layered, ethereal sound, which they bill as nu alternative dark pop. Songs like “A Million Reasons” and the Cure-adjacent “Surf Munk” pulse and quiver as the band does a stellar job of reproducing their studio sound on stage. Friday, Jan. 12, 9 pm., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St, Manchester. See longautumnmusic.com (21+).

• Light it up: The official goodbye to Christmas is the 29^th Annual Tree Burning at a roadhouse restaurant located a stone’s throw from Route 101. Returning to provide music at the holiday bonfire are Mixtape Heroez. Formerly Tapedeck Heroez, the rock covers band recently welcomed new singer Sinclaire Bennett and bass player James Ramsey, along with changing their name. Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Auburn Pitts, 167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, auburnpitts.com.

• Reigning champs: Two-time Granite State Blues Challenge winners Frankie Boy & Blues Express perform in the Lakes Region. Once mentored by the legendary Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson — the band uses his amplifier on stage — the four-piece band made it to the semifinals in last year’s World Challenge in Memphis, offering a full-throated brand of the genre. Saturday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Tower Hill Tavern, 264 Lakeside Ave., Laconia. See facebook.com/FrankieBoyBlues.

• Tom time: For parents looking to get their kids rocking early, Rock & Roll Playhouse Plays Tom Petty is a good place to start. The national touring family concert series promises to let the young’ns “move, play and sing while listening to works from the classic-rock canon” like “American Girl” and “Don’t Do Me Like That,” and uses games, movement and stories to get them involved. Sunday, Jan. 14, noon, Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $15 at ccanh.com.