Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Song truths: With his debut album, Leap of Faith, singer-songwriter Dakota Smart evinced stunning maturity for such a young artist. His performance at the regular Bell and Brick Winter Concert Series will include originals, like the climb-on-a-back-that’s-strong “Believe” and the semi-autobiographical “Sunrise In New York,” along with covers from the classic rock canon and modern popsters like Ed Sheeran, The Black Keys and The Lumineers. Thursday, Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St., Laconia, $10 at the door.

• Disco fever: Time travel to Studio 54 circa 1976 with Boogie Wonder Band, a 10-piece combo paying tribute to acts like Chic, Sister Sledge, the Bee Gees and their namesakes Earth, Wind & Fire. Both a musical and lifestyle phenomenon, the era still resonates, and BWB has covered it for over 25 years, with two female vocalists and singer Apollo Johnson along with keys, guitar, a pair of horns and a rock-solid rhythm section. Friday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 at tupelohall.com.

• Local color: A former congressman and current talk show host leads Paul Hodes & the Blue Buddha Band, which just released a debut LP, Turn This Ship Around. One song, “The Night I Met John Lennon,” is a true story that happened a few doors from the Dakota in NYC and included the ex-Beatle, Yoko Ono, Andy Warhol and a large quantity of hashish. The rest of the record is an enjoyable mix of roots and psychedelic rock. Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $21.75 at ccanh.com.

• Grunge redux: An evening of ’90s music, Seattle Night is led by Nothingsafe: An Alice In Chains Experience with Justin Ballard of tribute act Song Garden doing a set of Chris Cornell covers. According to a press release, “Nothingsafe reproduces the dark, heavy, and delightfully sludgy rhythmic backbone of AIC, while lead singer SteveO commands the stage with powerful, haunting, and intoxicating vocals.” Saturday, Jan. 28, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/Nothingsafe.AIC.Boston.

• Munch music: Enjoy an afternoon of hickory-smoked barbecue and tunes from Dan Blakeslee. The multitalented singer and guitarist is coming off a heady 2022; he served as official busker at the Newport Folk Festival, an event he designed the poster for a few years back, and joined Anais Mitchell, Natalie Merchant and other stars for a rousing singalong of an Elvis Costello song on the same stage where Joni Mitchell later performed a historic set. Sunday, Jan. 29, 3 p.m., MrSippy BBQ, 184 S. Main St., Rochester. See danblakeslee.com.

Local music news & events

• Joke stop: Enjoy a triple bill of laughs led by Mark Scalia, a veteran comic whose resume dates back to the early 1990s and places like Comedy Connection. He’s spot-on about domestic life; after watching Magic Mike with his wife, he mused that the best way for a man to excite a woman isn’t by taking his clothes off but rather by picking them up. Liam Hales and Ethan Cannon round out the show. Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., Soho Asian Restaurant, 49 Lowell Road, Hudson, $18 at comedy-on-purpose.square.site.

• Unity music: Get exposed to the sounds of Venezuela with Larry & Joe, the latest project from Joe Troop, founder and leader of Latingrass group Che Apalache, and Larry Bellorín, who is skilled at the Joropo subgenre Llanera, and also an asylum-seeking migrant who’s worked construction for the past for two years while pursuing immigration. The two play harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar and maracas, and sing. Friday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $23 at portsmouthtickets.com.

• Fabulous: Home-grown tribute act Beatlejuice performs at a favorite stop. Originally led by Boston singer Brad Delp from 1994 until his death in 2007, the reverent cover band carries on with changing members. All have long resumes in the regional music scene and delight in doing Beatles songs from “Love Me Do” to “Paperback Writer,” always with drummer John Muzzy perched behind a genuine “Ringo” kit. Saturday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $30 at tupelohall.com.

• Harp escape: More genteel than, say, the pro football playoffs is Áine Minogue, an Irish harpist celebrating the 25th anniversary of her landmark seasonal album, To Warm the Winter’s Night. Born in Borrisokane, County Tipperary, she moved to the United States as an adult and continued to focus on the traditional music of her homeland. Critics hail her “sheer talent as a musician and storyteller.” Sunday, Jan. 22, 3 p.m., Amherst Town Library, 14 Main St., Amherst. Reserve at amherstlibrary.org.

• Americana: Multi-genre acoustic roots band Dustbowl Revival began when a UMich writing grad went west chasing screenplay dreams, also taking his guitar. Performing with a group was “always the static in the back of my head,” Zach Lupetin told a writer once, so he placed a Craigslist ad for like minds. Eight core players would swell to a 20-plus-member collective over the years. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $10 and up at jimmysoncongress.com.

Local music news & events

• Blues boy: Among the many veteran guitarists praising Quinn Sullivan are Buddy Guy, who said “players like Quinn come along once in a lifetime,” and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, who called him “a true speaker of the language” of the blues. A prodigy who’s had a guitar in his hand for most of his life, Sullivan has shared stages with Carlos Santana and the late B.B. King, and many others. Thursday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $15 and up at jimmysoncongress.com.

• Guitar voice: Renowned as one of the premier purveyors of instrumental rock, Johnny A found his calling by accident, when a case of laryngitis claimed his voice; it’s been him and his guitars ever since. Johnny’s been a Tupelo Music Hall favorite since it was a small venue in Londonderry. His upcoming Blues, Beatles and Beyond show has support from a rhythm section of Dean Cassel on bass and drummer Marty Richards. Friday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $35 at tupelohall.com.

• Hard hitting: A release show for the debut album from Tino Valpa includes sets from Born Cursed and Heavyweight. The video for the title track, “Live Or Be Lived All Over,” is a metallic knockout. The four-piece band, driven by a rapid, racing beat, jumps and thrashes through the song, a call to rise up from life’s struggles. Valpa’s raging vocals are on point, and other tracks are just as bracing. Saturday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m., Riverhill Grange, 32 Horse Hill Road, Concord. $10 at the door for this all-ages show.

• Fab faux: While some Beatles tribute bands move through the group’s entire career, 1964: The Tribute sticks to their touring days, recreating live shows that most audiences couldn’t hear above their own screaming. From Ed Sullivan to Candlestick Park, it’s one of the most satisfying doppelgänger performances around, with stunning recreations of classics like “She Loves You,” “Tell Me Why” and “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.” Sunday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m., Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, tickets at palacetheatre.org.

• Songstress: NH Music Collective continues to find opportunities for local performers like Kimayo, who plays for the dinner crowd in Concord. The singer-songwriter calls her music a “confidante, dance partner, comforter [and] mood lifter.” Her 2021 coming out song “Becoming Untamed” chronicled a journey of “re-wilding … shedding expectations and old belief systems to awaken intuition, curiosity, and self-love.” Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6 p.m., Uno Pizzeria, 15 Fort Eddy Road, Concord. See kimayomusic.com.

Local music news & events

• Groovy time: Among the many configurations keeping her busy, Mica’s Groove Train is the one that solidified Yamica Peterson as a top purveyor of soulful, danceable funk. Featuring Peterson on keys and lead vocals, with guitar, bass, drums and backup singer Suzanne Nicholas, the band electrifies wherever it plays. Thursday, Jan. 5, 6 p.m., Loft at Hermit Woods, 72 Main St., Meredith, $25 at eventbrite.com.

• Solo songs: Acoustic guitarist and singer Christopher Perkins performs as The Lone Wolf Project. His set list ranges from Guns N’ Roses to Matchbox 20, with classic rockers like Bob Seger. He also handles ballads with aplomb, doing nice covers of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” and John Denver’s “Annie’s Song,” along with engaging originals. Friday, Jan. 6, 9 p.m., bluAqua Restrobar, 930 Elm St, Manchester. See facebook.com/ASoloAcousticExperience.

• Southern accent: Fans of the Allman Brothers Band will enjoy Idlewild, a Seacoast tribute act debuting in Manchester. The legendary band retired from the road in 2014; since then, there’s only been a one-off 50th anniversary show at Madison Square Garden featuring surviving members in 2020. So it’s up to acolytes like this one to carry the torch. Saturday, Jan.. 7, 8 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $29 at palacetheatre.org.

• Youthful battle: The final round of Pizzastock 6.5 has Fourth Degree, Crescendo’s Gate, Cozy Throne, and Second to Last Minute vying for top honors in the annual competition. Last year’s winners Rock Bottom serve as the house band. The event benefits the Jason R. Flood Memorial Fund, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention, access to mental health services and providing a safe space to gather for tweens, teens and young adults. Sunday, Jan. 8, 1 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $20 at tupelohall.com.

• Co-workers: Recently engaged comedy couple Dan LaMorte and Natalie Cuomo perform at the weekly Ruby Room gathering. LaMorte has appeared on Gotham Comedy Live and Sirius XM, but he’s an inspirational figure for more than his ability to get laughs. A few years ago, he lost over 185 pounds and became an ultra runner. Queens native Cuomo is a master of the sharp retort; her TikTok videos have garnered millions of views. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $10 at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Solo joker: The early show is sold out, but good seats remain for a late-night set from Joe Gatto. The Impractical Jokers star left the hit show for personal reasons in late 2021 and is now doing standup instead of inducing laughter from the pain of public dares and punishment. He’s also doing a parenting tips podcast called Two Cool Moms, and relishing the chance to show a different side of himself to crowds. Thursday, Dec. 29, at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, tickets $39.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Sublimation: Prior to its January tour kicking off in Florida, Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime has a brief Northeast run stopping at a favorite beach haunt. Their show will include local friends Joe Samba and Roots of Creation’s Brett Wilson. Formed by a group of URI friends in the ’90s, the band was at first a short-term effort that grew, and they’ve done the rock reggae tribute act for well over two decades now. Thursday, Dec. 29, 8 p.m., Wally’s Pub, 144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, 21+, $30 at ticketmaster.com.

• Local light: Playing for early evening diners, Red Daisy Revival is a duo led by the songs of Morgan Clark, a Granite State native who went to Nashville a while back, making the frothy pop-country single “Unshakeable” — it’s a real treat. Clark met Daniel Kassel while in Music City; they’re now a duo and couple, and when they’re not singing together, the two work for Hobo Railroad. He’s a conductor, she does marketing. Friday, Dec. 30, 6 p.m., Covered Bridge Farm Table, 57 Blair Road, Campton. See iammorganclark.com.

• Opening round: Get a head start on the big night at Widowmaker’s New Year’s Pre-Game, with music from the host band, along with Unspun, Mr. Bobbish, Francesco, Sokomodo, Midori playing a downtempo set and special guest Bill Rich. Apparently, things might get loud; a press release for the show promises free ear plugs at the door. There are also vendors, flow arts, live painting, body art and party games. Friday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $15 advance at theticketing.co; 18+.

• Holding forth: Enjoy modern country with Rob Pagnano, who continues his residency at a downtown restaurant-bar with a rustic vibe. With a band, the Massachusetts-based singer-songwriter can produce a big sound, as evidenced on “Sugarcane,” a single with a serious Luke Bryan vibe, but he’s solo for this set. Pagnano took up guitar while recovering from a broken back in his mid-20s; he’s done thousands of gigs since. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 8 p.m., The Goat, 50 Old Granite St., Manchester. See robpagnanomusic.com.

Local music news & events

• African sound: Enjoy a listening room experience as Wangari Fahari, a Kenyan-born Afro-jazz vocalist, performs with her trio. Blending activism and music — the video for her song “Down And Easy” is a good example — Fahari runs an eponymous record label. She counts as mentors Joan Baez and the late Miriam Makeba; New England-based guitarist Paul Thibeault and drummer Mike Hastings round out her band. Thursday, Dec. 22, 6 p.m., Loft at Hermit Woods, 72 Main St., Meredith, $25 at eventbrite.com.

• Alt mashup: Recasting Radiohead’s “Subterranean Homesick Alien” as a loping jam is one trick Weird Phishes has up its sleeve, along with tagging Phish’s “Twist” at the end of the song. Consisting of five veteran Boston musicians, the band is exactly as advertised, transforming the edgy ’90s alt rockers into something hippier and trippier. They’re garnering a lot of attention in the region, playing a Phish Fenway afterparty in 2019. Friday, Dec. 23, 8 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/weirdphishes.

• Grateful licks: Taking its name from the song “Unbroken Chain,” Blue Light Rain pays tribute to the Grateful Dead, occasionally jazzifying their sound, but staying reliably rocking on standouts like “One More Saturday Night.” Cofounded by bass player Rob Farquhar and guitarist Andy Laliotis (with his brother George on drums), the Concord band is nearing its 15th year, and hometown shows are always a treat. Friday, Dec. 23, 9 p.m., Area 23, 254 N. State St. (Smokestack Center), Unit H, Concord, thearea23.com.

• Looking back: On his social media pages, comedian Juston McKinney recently reminded fans that there are plenty of tickets for his A Year In Review 2022, which runs for four nights in Portsmouth, with two more in Manchester to close out the year. Seems a few shady operators were proffering seats at triple face value, so along with being one of New England’s best comics, McKinney is a standup guy. Opens Monday, Dec. 26, 7 p.m., The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, $35.50 and up at themusichall.org.

• Long run: Continuing the tradition begun after their America’s Got Talent success, Recycled Percussion will close out the year and roll into the new one with multiple hometown shows. The junk rockers hold down Manchester’s main stage for 13 shows — one on opening night, two each through New Year’s Day, afternoon only for First Week and another double on finale day. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 8:30 p.m. through Saturday, Jan. 7, 7 p.m., Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $37 and up at palacetheatre.org.