Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Guitar hero: Along with playing and writing with Godsmack singer Sully Erna, Chris Lester is a fixture on the regional music scene. He’s remembered for his time in Mama Kicks and for the past several years as Joe Walsh’s doppelgänger in the tribute band Dark Desert Eagles. Earlier this year, Lester contributed to a track on Ace Frehley’s latest album, Cosmic Heart. He performs an early evening set. Thursday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m., The Local, 15 E. Main St., Warner. Visit chrislester.live.

• Local lights: A new record and a trip down memory lane combine when Addison Chase headlines a show in downtown Concord. Selections from Chase’s meditation on parenthood, love and personal growth Better Soon will be followed by a reunion performance of his old band Dressed for the Occasion. The evening kicks off with fellow local luminaries Lucas Gallo & the Guise doing an original set. Friday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $15 at ccanh.com.

• Petty theft: A tribute act that strives to capture look, feel and sound, Damn the Torpedoes began covering Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers a decade before Petty passed. Their headband-wearing, Rickenbacker-playing front man Rich Kubicz is quite convincing on songs like “Jammin’ Me” and “I Need to Know” while his cohorts deliver the chops needed to convey the legendary rockers. Saturday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $35 at palacetheatre.org.

• Dead blue: Fresh off a run of festival appearances, Fireside Collective brings the Grateful Dead-themed Fireside on the Mountain show to a bucolic Granite State venue. Sunday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $25 at portsmouthticketsnh.com.

• Folk treasure: An evening of music and conversation spotlights Rachel Kilgour, who released the brilliant My Father Loved Me last year. The Rose Cousins-produced LP is a “journal of music” composed in the wake of a dementia diagnosis. “No one’s perfect but when you can find the spirit of a person through their deeds and words, that will make your peace,” one critic wrote of it. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $18 at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Scary folk: Few bring a genuine spirit to All Hallows’ Eve like Doctor Gasp & the Eeks, the seasonal band led by Dan Blakeslee. The masked singer/guitarist is a one-man Hitchcock movie, channeling his personal guiding light Bobby Boris Pickett and others through favorites like “Monster Mash” and wacky originals. Soul Church and DJ Clinton will open the show. Thursday, Oct. 31, 9 p.m., The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, $15 at eventbrite.com or $18 at the door, 21+.

• Tuneful duo: Enjoy an after-work set from musical romantics Rebecca Turmel and Brendan Gill, performing as B&B. Turmel has spent a lot of time in Nashville, making records like “The Road Song” with Val McCallum sitting in, while Gill recently released his first solo effort, the bluesy gem “R U Here.” Friday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m., Par28, 23 S. Broadway, Unit 10, Salem; more at rebeccaturmel.com.

• Among friends: The First Wednesday open mic celebrates a few favorites at RangerZone Showcase, bringing together past performers for what’s hoped to be an annual gathering. Joining Andrew North & the Rangers are Concord native Joe Messineo, the duo Morris Code, D James, a rapper from Boscawen, original rockers Stand Up Audio and Superbug, both with new albums. Saturday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $24 at ccanh.com.

• Mood dance: From its beginnings as a basement party in a Williamsburg bar, Emo Night Brooklyn has grown into a nationally touring pop-up mosh pit, approximating a good night at the Warped Tour. Two DJs lead a rocked up rave with occasional special guests showing up to spin or play the best emo and pop punk from the ’90s and beyond. Put on your best scowl and join in. Saturday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $21 and up at etix.com.

• Picking party: Now an end-of-daylight-saving-time tradition, the High Range Band takes the stage at the Nippo Lake Bluegrass Series’ weekly bash. Consisting of six outstanding musicians, the New Hampshire-based group formed in the late ’80s, doing covers and originals on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, upright bass and drums. They released four albums in the 2000s. Sunday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m., Nippo Lake Restaurant, 88 Stagecoach Road, Barrington, nippolake.com.

Local music news & events

• Lyrical flow: In a tour that’s a throwback to his roots, Chris Webby stops in town for a show that includes Grieves, Ryan Oakes and Suave Ski. On the Connecticut-based rapper’s latest effort “FSU” — the NSFW title is abbreviated — he samples CKY’s 1999 stoner rock hit “96 Quite Bitter Beings” with Ekoh, who called it “maybe my favorite song sample flip of all time.” Thursday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $27 at aftontickets.com.

• Femme power: An evening of tribute music, Muse – A Salute to Divas of Rock showcases female singers from Janis Joplin to Paramore’s Hayley Williams. A power trio backs Jacyn Tremblay and Lauren Rhoades on classic songs like “Me and Bobby McGee” and Heart’s “Barracuda,” along with a healthy helping of icons including Pat Benatar, Joan Jett and Alanis Morrisette. Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $39 at palacetheatre.org.

• Lilith returns: Before her song “Angel” helped launch the pet rescue industry, Sarah McLachlan broke out big with Surfacing, an album that garnered a lot of AOR mindshare in the grunge-dominated ’90s and would help the Canadian singer-songwriter launch the all-woman Lilith Fair. At an upcoming show she’ll play the record from start to finish, along with other hits. Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester, $49 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Vocal sorcery: In a free show made possible by the William H. Gile Trust, Kitka performs a program of traditional singing. For over 40 years the nine-woman vocal group has traveled to Eastern Europe and the Caucasus to gather songs and learn about the traditions behind the centuries-old music, which resembles a more soulful version of Gregorian chant. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord; request free tickets at ccanh.com.

• Midweek mirth: A finalist at last year’s Boston Comedy Festival, Jessica Levin headlines a weekly shindig that began in 2008, and these days is booked and hosted by comic Sam Mangano. The fortysomething Levin is a North Jersey/Philly hybrid who works regularly in New York, where she’s now based. Her comedy is brash and unfiltered; a bit about trying to get Ozempic is hilarious. Wednesday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $5 at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Real Carrie: Hear from the source of Sex and the City as Candace Bushnell brings her one-woman show to town. The multimedia production blends clips from the television series with details of Bushnell’s life to tell a complete story on an apartment-like stage adorned with Manolo Blahnik shoes. Thursday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $40 and up at ccanh.com.

• Comic redemption: Based on the idea that the day after the Almighty rested He created humor, Robert Dubac performs Stand-Up Jesus, a one-man show that skewers false prophets, religious and political. Fans of Dubac’s Book of Moron will enjoy the intelligent satire on display, “intelligently designed to redeem sinners of all faiths … so let he who is without sin cast the first heckle.” Friday, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $39 at palacetheatre.org.

• Hurdy gurdy: Enjoy raucous Quebecois folk music as Le Vent Du Nord appears in the Lakes Region. The beloved band performs in French, but one doesn’t need to be fluent in the language to enjoy their mix of Celtic reels, lovely ballads and sweet close harmonies, marked by incredible musicianship, including Nicholas Boulerice’s otherworldly hurdy gurdy. Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m., Brewster Academy, 80 Academy Drive, Wolfeboro, $37.50 at wolfeborofriendsofmusic.org.

• Foundational folk: Early in his career, Tom Rush was the first to record songs by Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne. His own “No Regrets” became a standard, covered by Emmylou Harris and Midge Ure, among others. He’s been touring for more than 50 years and remains one of the funniest and most engaging performers around. His latest LP, Gardens Old, Flowers New, is among his best. Sunday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $50 at tupelomusichall.com.

• Guitar power: English-born guitarist and singer-songwriter John Smith has a lot of well-known fans. John Renbourn called him “the future of folk music” a while back, and he’s guested with everyone from Jackson Browne to David Gray and Joan Baez. His new album The Living Kind is acoustic with a rock spirit, a song cycle modeled after Joni Mitchell’s Hejira. Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $16 and up at portsmouthnhtickets.com.

Local music news & events

• Throwback girl: On her 1987 debut “Foolish Beat,” 16-year-old Debbie Gibson became the youngest artist to perform, produce and write a No. 1 single, a feat that likely will remain unmatched in today’s committee-run pop world. She marks the 35th anniversary of her chart-topping Electric Youth album by stripping it down for an acoustic tour stopping in Nashua. Thursday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $39 and up at etix.com.

• Nouveau chapeau: Few New England songwriters have the clever wordplay command of Jake McKelvie. Take two lines from “Eat Around the Pudding,” where he rhymes homeowner, combover and organ donor while still delivering a jaunty tune that’s either a breakup song or musical self-therapy. McKelvie performs at a favorite area venue to celebrate his latest record, A New Kind of Hat. Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m., Union Coffee House, 42 South St., Milford. Visit jakemckelvie.com.

• Hard rocking: With a new album just released, Texas Hippie Coalition — THC to their fans — are back on the road, with an upcoming Lakes Region date. Playing a hybrid of Southern rock they call “red dirt metal,” the quintet’s latest, Gunsmoke, owes a debt of gratitude to John Wayne, the band’s lead singer Big Dad Ritch said. Its lead single “Bones Jones” is a scorcher. Saturday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m., The Big House, 322 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, $25 at eventbrite.com.

• Dynamic duo: A pair of formidable folksingers share the stage. Patty Larkin and Lucy Kaplansky have recently been part of the On A Winter’s Night reunion tour with John Gorka and Cliff Eberhardt. For Larkin, it was a miracle comeback; in summer 2022 she tripped and fell during a family vacation and suffered a near-paralyzing spinal cord injury that forced her to re-learn the guitar. Saturday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m., BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $35.75 at ccanh.com.

• String power: With a mix of funk, rock and blues, Ana Popovic has a few famous fans. Bruce Springsteen called her “one helluva guitar player,” and she was the only female guitarist on the all-star Experience Hendrix tour that ran from 2014 to 2018. Popovic also has magnetic stage presence, and she can belt out a song as well. She appears with members of her Fantastafunk big band Sunday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $39 at tupelomusichall.com.

Local music news & events

• Clean comic: Along with eschewing profanity, Brian Regan assiduously avoids politics in his act. He does, however, have one woke joke. Growing up, his parents often made Regan and his siblings vote on playtime activities. With four boys and two girls in the family, it was inherently undemocratic. “I didn’t like that, so I voted for dolls,” the enlightened comedian quipped. Thursday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $55 and up at tupelomusichall.com.

• Special nights: A unique string quartet version of Five For Fighting (nom de guerre of John Ondrasik) performs two area shows. The artist behind the song “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” says the configuration, which includes many Broadway musicians, lets him go behind the music, tell stories and dive deep into his catalog. Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $49 and up at etix.com (also Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, Laconia).

• Funky music: Still grooving over three decades on, Moon Boot Lover, led by guitarist-singer Peter Prince, return to a favorite area haunt for an evening of their signature Rock-ET Soul. It’s a blend of Otis Redding and Al Green’s vocal grit and honey, Jimi Hendrix’s pyrotechnics and the classic rock swagger of Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk, all served up in a soulful package. Friday, Oct. 4, 9 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord, peterprincemusic.com.

• Granite sounds: New Hampshire native Cosy Sheridan performs with her trio. Sheridan came up in the early ’90s folk boom, winning Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Song Award and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Contest. Kate Redgate rounds out this 603 Music show. Saturday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $29 at palacetheatre.org.

• Brewery bash: It’s the time of year when beers get darker, as Weare cover band Speed Trap plays an Oktoberfest party to mark the release of one seasonal offering. For those still holding onto warm weather, there will be IPAs and lagers for quaffing while listening to the lively quintet, whose set highlights include a Clapton-esque “I Shot the Sheriff” and other classic rock hits. Sunday, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m., Henniker Brewing, 129 Centerville Road, Henniker, hennikerbrewing.com.