Category: Music This Week

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.

Local music news & events

• Spindizzy: A biweekly EDM version of open mic night has Vermont DJ Montel Tucker as a featured guest. Working under his stage name, Mighty Thicc Ladd, Tucker is known for his dubstep and hard bass house sets and has appeared at the Equinox Festival and the Hyperglow series in his home state. First come, first served signups for Open Decks start at 8:45. Thursday, Jan. 4, 9 p.m., 603 Bar and Grill, 1087 Elm St., Manchester. See facebook.com/TheHachiEffect.

• Throwback: Rap into 2024 at the New Year, Old School Hip-Hop Dance Party as DJ Skooch and her guest DJ Mam hold forth for an evening of golden era selections from Grandmaster Flash to the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and NWA. Expect “classic beats [and] iconic rap anthems, the dance floor will be alive with the energy of hip-hop’s roots and the timeless beats that shaped the genre.” Friday, Jan. 5, 8 pm., 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, $15 at eventbrite.com.

• Laughter: Boston standup favorite Will Noonan appears at a Nashua movie house. Noonan was named the city’s Best Comedian by The Improper Bostonian in 2018 and released his latest special 50 TikToks at Once on YouTube earlier this year. Saturday, Jan. 6, 8:30 p.m., Chunky’s Cinema Pub, 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua, $20 at chunkys.com.

• Originals: NH Music Collective’s first First Sunday event of the year is a Run Like Thieves release show; the rootsy power trio’s Live from Revelry Studios EP dropped in late November. Songs like “Tell Her Goodbye” and “Mama Come Get Me” have a crunchy blues rock feel that fits nicely with fans of modern acts like Chris Stapleton along with classic rockers — think Cream and ZZ Top. Sunday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $15 at ccanh.com.

• Rhythmic: Formed out of a Brooklyn residency in the early 2010s, SunDub is a female-fronted reggae band that mixes a classic sound with bluesier elements. The septet “aims to honor the roots of Jamaican music while offering [a] unique ability to combine soul and funk sophistication into their art,” according to their website. Also appearing are Mighty Mystic and Green Lion Crew. Sunday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m., The Goat, 50 Old Granite St., Manchester, $20 (21+) at ticketmaster.com.

Local music news & events

• Alchemistic: Randy Roos leads the free jazz Hall of Mirrors for an early evening show at a Lakes Region winery’s restaurant. The group — Roos playing guitar, pianist Steve Hunt, multi-instrumentalist/percussionist Dave Kobrenski, Tim Gilmore on drums and bassist Mike Rossi — begins with a minimal musical structure and build. The result is what’s been termed “spontaneous composition.” Thursday, Dec. 28, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $15 to $25 at eventrbrite.com.

• Elevating music: After Sublime With Rome ends next year, Badfish will remain the last act carrying on the SoCal ska punk band that existed only briefly in the mid-’90s. Thursday, Dec. 28, 8 pm., Wally’s Pub, 144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton Beach, $22.50 at ticketmaster.com.

• Doppeljämmers: Paying tribute to J. Geils Band is a tall order, but Whammer Jammer rises to the occasion. Back in the 1970s the Boston rock powerhouse became headliners by becoming impossible to follow. Later they ruled MTV with hits like “Love Stinks” and “Centerfold.” The band’s namesake passed in 2017, ending chances for a reunion and leaving it to acts like this one to carry the memory. Friday, Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $35 at rextheatre.org.

• Minutiae man: Citing standups like Demetri Martin as inspiration, Andrew Mayer proves why introverts often make the best comedians. Mayer brilliantly breaks down his anxiety in social situations; he also has a hilarious preoccupation with pets. One of his best bits deals with the idea that if every animal were taught about how doors work, dogs would be the only creatures who wouldn’t use them. Saturday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m., Murphy’s Taproom, 494 Elm St., Manchester. See mayercomedy.com.

• Bangin’ band: A totally throwback Eve of New Year’s Eve bash has All That 90s playing hits from the Tamagotchi decade. It’s the perfect event for anyone who understands the joke, “I dropped my cell phone, now I’m going to have to get a new floor.” The quartet cycles through everything from “Ice Ice Baby” to “Tubthumping” while also hitting the era’s several boy bands and pop rockers. Saturday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m., Stumble Inn, 20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry. See facebook.com/allthat90s.

Local music news & events

• Hometown bash: The Concord scene celebrates the holiday as Lucas Gallo & the Guise hold forth for a jammy night of music. The group includes Gallo and JamAntics mates Eric Reingold and Freeland Hubbard, along with Curtis Marden. Expect some of Gallo’s solo tunes and a few numbers from his old band among the upbeat jams at this party; surprise guests are a foregone conclusion. Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord. See lucasgallomusic.com.

• Holiday laughs: It’s a little bit of everything as comedian Kelly MacFarland hosts a seasonal soiree that promises holiday glow-ups, last-minute gift ideas, giveaways, a Yankee swap and an ugly sweater contest. Of course, there’s standup, with a lineup rounded out by Kathe Farris, Emily Ruskowski and Dan Crohn. MacFarland had an eventful year that included the supergroup Mother of a Comedy Show. Friday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $25 at palacetheatre.org.

• Wishful fashion: Now in its 19th year, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party is a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish’s New Hampshire chapter. To date, the annual event has amassed over a quarter million dollars for the charity. Entertainment happens in three locations, with DJ Terry Moran in the function room, beloved rockers Never in Vegas on the main room stage, and D-Comp playing outside. Saturday, Dec. 23, 7 pm., Derryfield Country Club, 625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, $20 at eventbrite.com.

• Maine thing: A two-day, three-show run capped by a couple of New Year’s Eve performances from Bob Marley is further proof that along with being a king of the region’s comedy circuit, he’s probably the busiest funny man in the country. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m., Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester, $42.50 at bmarley.com.

• Celtic twist: Few bands connect with their audience quite like Enter the Haggis. A loyal “Haggis Head” fanbase has rewarded them, crowdfunding their last four albums. Bagpipe- and fiddle-forward, ETH blends the storytelling of traditional Celtic music with high-energy rock and rhythm. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, $25 and up at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Holiday green: Celebrating its 18th year, Irish Christmas in America is a multimedia show with music, song and dance, and a cast that changes from year to year led by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada. Past members include Niamh Farrell, Séamus and Méabh Begley, Karan Casey and Michael Londra. It features fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes, harp and bouzouki, along with energetic Irish dancing. Thursday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m., Dana Center, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, $45 and up at anselm.edu.

• Family band: Cape Breton musical ambassadors Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy return for a Celtic-themed Christmas show that includes seven of their children taking turns entertaining. McMaster’s fiddling has earned her an Order of Canada award along with a pair of Junos (husband Leahy has garnered three). Their performance is aimed at “the young and the young at heart.” Friday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $43.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Retro foolery: It’s always a good time when Mike Girard’s Big Swingin’ Thing steps on stage, but the side project of the Fools front man offers even more at an upcoming Nashua concert. Along with reinterpreting rock ’n’ roll hits, the 20-piece big band will serve up a bevy of holiday selections. Saturday, Dec. 16, 8 pm., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $39 at etix.com.

• Christmas magnetism: Inspired by the success of her analog album Memphis Magnetic, Morgan James recorded a live Christmas disc with curated nuggets like William Bell’s “Every Day Will Be Like a Holiday” and “Backdoor Santa” (from the 1968 Atco Records sampler Soul Christmas), along with standards and originals. She will perform from it and sing a few other seasonal selections at an upcoming show. Sunday, Dec. 17, 8 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $25 at palacetheatre.org.

• Helping out: Enjoy dinner and a holiday-themed performance from singer Sharon Jones, backed by an all-star band that includes pianist John Hyde, Mark Michaels playing guitar, Marty Ballou and Les Harris Jr. on bass and drums and sax player Marc Laforce. Monday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $125 (includes dinner) at jimmysoncongress.com.

Local music news & events

• Old souls: A throwback blend of old-school jazz and contemporary hits, Postmodern Jukebox returns for a New England run that’s already sold out two of three venues, but good seats remain in the Lakes Region. Putting a new twist on the expression “everything old is new again,” the group recasts Radiohead’s “Creep” as a Dinah Washington turn and transforms the Spice Girls “Wannabe” into something else. Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, $59 and up at etix.com.

• Channeler: The world will never replace Robin Williams, but Roger Kabler brings him to life in an anything but ordinary show. Kabler’s 2022 film Being Robin describes the chain of events that led him to create the tribute, starting with believing that he was possessed by the comic’s spirit. Friday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $25 at palacetheatre.org.

• In state: It’s opening night in Rochester, as Joshua Guptel’s movie The Battle for Granite Records premieres. Filmed entirely in New Hampshire, it’s the story of a father and daughter trying to save a business and of the uphill battle faced by hip-hop artists in its early days. Guptel, also known as standup comic Jay Grove, launched Olive Tree Films a few years ago. Saturday, Dec. 9, 7 pm., Rochester Performance & Arts Center, 32 N. Main St., Rochester, $10 and up at eventbrite.com.

• Holiday rock: Born from a Trans-Siberian Orchestra covers show intended as a one-off, Wizards of Winter evolved into the first indie band in a genre that blends Christmas music and grandeur. Fifteen years later they’re a top concert draw. Sunday, Dec. 10, 3 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Helping out: A weekly blues jam expands to benefit longtime New England performer Arthur James and his wife during a time of health and financial struggle. Hosted by Craig Thomas and Bluestopia, the event brings together the regional blues community and includes a raffle of a John Mayer-designed PRS Silver Sky guitar, donated by John Mann’s Guitar Vault, along with a 50/50 raffle. Sunday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m., Riley’s Place, 29 Mont Vernon St., Milford, $10; see facebook.com/events/560806412890214.