Category: Music This Week

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.

Local music news & events

• Christmas nuts: Like most suburban American kids, piano player Eric Mintel got his first taste of jazz from A Charlie Brown Christmas and its Vince Guaraldi soundtrack. Though Mintel didn’t know it was jazz, he knew he liked it, and the special helped spawn a lifetime love of the genre that’s seen him play at the White House twice. Mintel is back to perform the timeless holiday favorite with his quartet. Thursday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $29 and up at palacetheatre.org.

• Sonic beauty: Guitar virtuoso Tim Reynolds formed his electric power trio TR3 in the late 1980s and got a big boost in the following decade through his collaboration with Dave Matthews. He stuck mostly to acoustic music in the following years before meeting bass player Mick Vaughn and drummer Dan Martier and re-forming TR3 in 2007. In early 2022 the group released Wild In The Sky, a live album. Friday, Dec. 16, 8 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Stage, 16 S Main St., Concord, $36 at ccanh.com.

• Coffee music: Boston-based music educator Sarah Fard performs as Savoir Faire, blending topical songwriting with jazz-infused retro pop. Her most recent EP, Think Twice, “packs a surprising punch,” PopMatters wrote in September, “as both the music and lyrics are deeply felt and rise high above the surface-level pleasures of contemporary pop.” The artist channels Nico on the noir-ish “Alias,” a look at implicit media bias. Saturday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m., Union Coffee Co., 42 South St., Milford, $35 at pinkertonacademy.org.

• Holiday songbird: Though in her 80s, singer Judy Collins hasn’t slowed down, releasing a new album earlier this year; Spellbound is noteworthy for being Collins’s first collection of all original songs. She’ll draw from it as she performs Christmas favorites at her upcoming concert. Holiday & Hits has become a tradition this time of year, as Collins brings the spirit and charms audiences through the Great Christmas Songbook. Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $55 and $60 at tupelohall.com.

• Blues rock: Taking a turn away from his percussive guitar style, the Senie Hunt Project is a plugged-in affair that evokes the Allman Brothers more than Leo Kottke. Now based in Nashville after making his mark in the Concord area, Hunt returns often to play for his hometown fans, including a rare set with his rocking band at a downtown basement haunt. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord, linktr.ee/seniehuntmusic.

Local music news & events

• Songbird: Along with writing achingly beautiful songs, Antje Duvekot is a talented animator who’s made music videos for several of her contemporaries. Lately, she’s collaborating on a long-form project about Holocaust survivor Abe Piasek. Musically, she’s putting the finishing touches on a new, fan-funded album, and she did a stunning duet with John Gorka of Nanci Griffith’s “Working In Corners” that’s up on YouTube. Thursday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., Music Hall Lounge, 131 Congress St., Portsmouth, tickets $37 and $47 at themusichall.org.

• Perennial: Boston likes to think of Martin Sexton as its own; though the songwriter’s songwriter is a Syracuse native, he came up busking at T stops and on the streets of the city in the early 1990s. He’s gone on to headline storied venues like Carnegie Hall and The Fillmore. His latest album, 2020 Vision, was made virtually during lockdown. It’s described on the official Martin Sexton website as “a poetically emotive and elegantly evocative pandemic scrapbook.” Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, tickets $40 and $45 at tupelohall.com.

• Vocalizers: Before Straight No Chaser, Pentatonix and the Pitch Perfect movies, Rockapella brought contemporary a cappella into many music fans’ lives. The New York vocal group had forebears, but when it was the house “band” on the PBS series Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? its brand of human beatbox-driven harmonizing entered the mainstream. The group’s annual holiday show returns to Pinkerton Academy. Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., Stockbridge Theatre, 44 N. Main St., Derry, $35 at pinkertonacademy.org.

• Fiddlacious: Born to play her instrument, Eileen Ivers remembers air fiddling a pink toy guitar at age 3. Since then, she’s earned a reputation as the Jimi Hendrix of the violin from her admirers. Although she’s won multiple all-Ireland fiddle championships and has toured with Riverdance, Ivers is an American, born in New York City. Her upcoming show is Christmas-themed; a highlight of past performances is the devotional song “Holly Tree.” Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $39 at palacetheatre.org.

• Hometown: A solo set from one of the area’s leading luminaries, Justin Cohn, may include a song from Rocking Horse Music Club’s rock opera, Circus of Wire Dolls. The singer-songwriter is one of the group’s standouts since he delivered a memorable lead vocal on 2018’s “Everywhere Is Home,” their debut single. Cohn has a great catalog of his own songs; he released the reflective, bucolic “Settlement Trees” at the end of last year. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m., Stark Brewing Co., 500 Commercial St., Manchester. See justincohn.com.