Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Local laughs: The monthly Comedy Out of the Box event has Matt Barry headlining. The Manchester comic went to the Shaskeen open mic over a decade ago on a whim and grew into a solid draw in his hometown and beyond, opening for the likes of Tom Green and the late Gilbert Gottfried. He’s joined by Mike Gray and Gilman Seymour, with Claremont funny man Chad Blodgett hosting. Thursday, June 9, 7:30 p.m., Hatbox Theatre, 270 Loudon Road (Steeplegate Mall), Concord, $16 to $22 at hatboxnh.com.

• Frankly singing: A benefit for children’s education offers dinner with music from Elijah Clark followed by Seriously Frank, a theatrical performance dedicated to America’s original blue-eyed crooner. Michael Mathews, David Groomes and Jessica Mathews run through hits like “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Lady Is A Tramp,” “Witchcraft,” “All The Way,” “Fly Me To The Moon” and “New York, New York.” Friday, June 10, 6 p.m., Spotlight Room at the Palace, 96 Hanover St., Manchester, $35 to $50 at eventbrite.com.

• Disney magic: An all-ages midday show from The Little Mermen is a must for Disney fans. The critically lauded cover band ranges across the entire canon of films and musicals, from Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs to Encanto, with Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Aladdin and, yes, The Little Mermaid woven in. The New York-based group received kudos from no less than famed Disney composer Alan Merken. Sunday, June 12, noon, Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $25 at tupelohall.com.

• Country comfort: A concert from the country rap band Moonshine Bandits receives some area flavor from singer Jodie Cunningham, making her first Lakes Region appearance in over a year. The duo of Dusty “Tex” Dahlgren and Brett “Bird” Brooks formed a couple of decades back and is best-known for party albums like Baptized in Bourbon and Whiskey and Women; their latest is Like ’Em Wild. Sunday, June 12, 6 p.m., Granite State Music Hall, 546 Main St., Laconia, $25 and up at ticketweb.com.

• Alfresco playing: Outdoor concert season shifts into gear as Peabody’s Coal Train performs. The Contoocook Valley supergroup is named after a line in John Prine’s “Paradise” and brings a vintage sound with songs like the old traditional “I’ll Fly Away” and the marriage of bluegrass with new country “Carrie Brown,” penned by Steve Earle during his brief late 1990s stint in the Del McCoury Band. Tuesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m., Angela Robinson Bandstand, Community Park, Main Street, Henniker, henniker.org.

Local music news & events

• In memoriam: A long-running Goth and Industrial Night remembers Depeche Mode founder and keyboard player Andrew Fletcher, who died on May 26 at age 60. DJs Pet, OmegaTelik and Boss Salvage provide the music to celebrate the English electronic band, which was deservedly inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. The event happens every other week at the downtown venue. Thursday, June 2, 9 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, admission $5 before 10 p.m., $7 after (18+).

• Helping out: A pair of local standups are featured at a comedy fundraiser. Drew Dunn and Paul Landwehr entertain in support of Game Plan Sports, an organization that helps young athletes with strength and conditioning programs. Dunn is a past winner of comedy competitions in Boston, Seattle and Burbank. Landwehr has appeared on NPR and Tupelo Night of Comedy. Friday, June 3, 7 p.m., Stark Mill Brewing Co., 500 N. Commercial St., Manchester, tickets are $25 at GamePlanSportsNH.org.

• New music: Alternative rock band No More Blue Tomorrows play a hometown show in Nashua. The group — guitarists Connor Coburn and Zak Lombard, plus drummer Peter Owen Davis — has stayed busy recording during the past year. Among their best songs is “For Forever,” with both steel guitar and a classic rock solo at the end that sounds like it came from a Thin Lizzy album. A new video, “Chaperone,” dropped in May. Saturday, June 4, 9 p.m., Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., Nashua. See facebook.com/nomorebluetomorrows.

• Sandy picking: Enjoy bluegrass music on a beachfront deck as Keller & The Keels perform. The trio — guitarist Keller Williams, and the married couple of award-winning flat picker Larry Keel and his superb bass-playing wife, Jenny — have played together off and on since 2004. Williams, who recently released his 27th album, Grit, made with a full band, calls their infrequent get-togethers “acoustic picking parties.” Sunday, June 5, 8 p.m., Bernie’s Beach Bar, 73 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, $25 at ticketmaster.com.

• Song man: Along with performing with several units, Alex Roy plays out as a solo acoustic singer/guitarist, covering everything from AC/DC to Zac Brown Band. The most prominent of his affiliations is Spark the Rescue, a national touring act that has appeared with All Time Low, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Mayday Parade, among others. Lately he’s part of Holly Heist, a rocked-up cover quartet appearing throughout the region. Wednesday, June 8, 5 p.m., Stumble Inn, 20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry. See alexroyband.com.

Local music news & events

• Like butter: Soulful Boston singer Ali McGuirk released her debut album, Slow Burn, in 2017 to accolades from her hometown and beyond, making several Top 10 lists. “Raw talent is hard to explain, but you often know it when you hear it,” critic Steve Morse gushed. Last year’s cover of Bobby Womack “That’s The Way I Feel About You” further cemented her reputation. Signature Sounds will release her second long-player this summer. Thursday, May 26, 7:30 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $25 at ccanh.com.

• Acid blues: Making a rare trip to the Granite State, Bees Deluxe perform in the Lakes Region. The Boston band calls its music “acid blues for the 21st century”; founder and guitarist Conrad Warre often feels like he’s from a musical Island of Misfit Toys. Informed by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Tom Petty and Herbie Hancock, they offer a heady mélange of sounds that can confound fellow performers, but it’s all good. Friday, May 27, 8 p.m., Tower Hill Tavern, 264 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, facebook.com/beesdeluxe.

• Piano double: Enjoy an evening of Elton John music from Captain Fantastic, the stage name of pianist and Berklee professor Michael Troy. Wearing the oversized glasses favored in Elton’s days of head-to-toe glitter and Dodger Stadium sellouts, Troy’s selections range across the catalog. He’s joined by special guest Lisa Guyer; they’re connected via Troy’s Beloved Few bandmate David Stefanelli, who played with Guyer in Mama Kicks. Saturday, May 28, 8 p.m., Angel City Music Hall, 179 Elm St., Manchester, $15 at eventbrite.com.

• Sunday dub: For close to four decades Jah Spirit has been delivering upbeat reggae music to New England audiences, with a style band leader Ras Michael Wolfe calls Rapso Music. Their motto is, “Together we aspire, together we achieve.” They can also deliver joyful remakes, like the Motown gem “My Girl,” which appeared on their Ceasefire CD a few years back. The group is a regular favorite at this southern New Hampshire watering hole. Sunday, May. 29, 3 p.m., Old School Bar & Grill, 49 Range Road, Windham. See jahspirit.com.

• Shed rock: The official kickoff of the summer concert season has festival favorites The Lumineers joined by CAAMP for an evening of plugged-in folk rock. The Boulder, Colorado, band became ubiquitous in 2012 with its infectious song “Ho Hey.” Their fourth album, Brightside, released last fall, spawned three singles: the title song, “Big Shot” and “A.M. Radio.” The supporting act’s latest, By and By, came out in 2019. Wednesday, June 1, 7:30 p.m., 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $60 and up livenation.com.

Local music news & events

• Timely humor: Experience as a source of humor propels Funny Women of a Certain Age, a comedy lineup including Vanessa Hollingshead, Leighann Lord, Julia Scotti and Carole Montgomery, who pitched the idea to Showtime in 2019. “I created this show to give opportunities for women over 50,” she said at the time. “For far too long, being of a ‘certain age’ has been considered the end of a career. I’m helping to change that.” Thursday, May 19, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $35 at tupelohall.com.

• Mixed up: An evening of house and techno music has Low Groove of Deep Tech Recordings, who recently teamed up with Koop for “Sand The Floor.” The label called the new mix “a clever jam with production chops and enough nostalgia to bring us back to our childhood.” Previously, the Maine-based DJ released the full-length Phantom Power in 2018. He’ll do a four-hour set at the downtown nightspot Friday, May 20, 9 p.m., SoHo Bistro & Lounge, 20 Granite St, Manchester, facebook.com/sohobistroloungenh.

• Park party: Among the many offerings at the Exeter Arts & Music Fest is a singer-songwriter tent hosting an array of local talent, including Dyer Holiday, bluesman Alan Roux, Artty Francouer, David Carson, Tod Hearon, Liz & Pete, and Darien Castro. The main stage has morning yoga with Qwill, Red Tail Hawk, The Bulkheads featuring Adrienne Mack-Davis, a SG603 Groove Lounge, and Cold Engines closing. Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m., Swasey Park, 316 Water St., Exeter, facebook.com/exeterartsandmusicfest.

• Urban vibe: A pair of local hip-hop artists are featured in YKLR Showcase, an extension of Manchester-based Xplicit Studios. Nashua-by-way-of-Georgia rapper GMT Marc B, who was featured on fellow Gate City artist BME Bravo’s release Rock Star, co-headlines with Danny Cruz. Rochester-based Young Kings Living Right presents the event. The company is currently recruiting talent for a Miami, Florida, jaunt later in the year. Sunday, May 22, 8 p.m., 603 Bar & Grill, 1087 Elm St, Manchester, $10 at the door, 21+.

• Funny lady: After spending five years in Boston doing standup, Jenny Zigrino headed west and found success in films like Bad Santa 2 and 50 Shades of Black, along with guesting on Comedy Central’s @Midnight. A Conan appearance was a turning point. She’s been rising since, doing regular gigs at big-name clubs in California and beyond. Wednesday, May 25, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $10 at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Songbird: Since her early folk singing days, Judy Collins endures as one of music’s finest interpreters, in many ways due to her impeccable taste. She was the first to cover songs by Leonard Cohen and Randy Newman, and her version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” was a breakthrough moment for that songwriter. So it’s significant that at 82 years old Collins has just released her first album of all-original songs, Spellbound. Thursday, May 12, 8 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, tickets $29 to $79 at etix.com.

• Shredder: If contemporary praise is an indication, John5, performing with his band The Creatures, is a rock great. Slash called him “one of the most mind-blowing guitarists around” and Rob Zombie’s praise for him as a member of his touring band isn’t safe to print but is equally effusive. He’s written for everyone from Motley Crüe to Ricky Martin, and played with an equally diverse array of artists, from Rod Stewart to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Friday, May 13, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 at tupelohall.com.

• Singular: Formerly known as Ozzmosis, tribute act Blizzard of Ozz is led by convincing front man Mark Lavoie. Their upcoming show will include the first two albums of Ozzy Osbourne’s Randy Rhoads era, the singer’s most popular, played in their entirety, along with solo hits and some Black Sabbath favorites. The band is rounded out by drummer Mark George, Damiano Christian on guitar and bassist Paul Sylvia. Saturday, May 14, 8 p.m., Angel City Music Hall, 179 Elm St., Manchester, $10 at the door (21+).

• Freaky: Named after a pre-WWII Broadway musical, Hellzapoppin is a rock ’n’ roll circus sideshow aimed at mature audiences. The performance includes magic and illusion, acrobatic stunts, hand balancing, foot archery, sword swallowing, juggling, unicycling and bizarre, death-defying curiosities like a performer cut in half at the waist who walks bare-handed on broken glass while on fire. Sunday, May 15, 8 p.m., Wally’s Pub, 144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton Beach, $20 in advance at ticketmaster.com (21+).

• Countrified: Performing at a newly opened night spot, Nicole Knox Murphy is a local singer-songwriter who wears hometown pride on her (record) sleeve. The ubiquitous performer plays regularly throughout the Granite State, and her song “My 603” lists the reasons she loves it, from Hampton Beach to Mount Washington Observatory. In 2020, NKM released an ode to her Vermont roots, “The 802.”Wednesday, May 18, 8 p.m., Hare of the Dawg, 3 East Broadway, Derry, facebook.com/hareofthedawg.

Local music news & events

• Double play: Regional prowess is on display as Cold Engines and Trade share the stage at a show that was scheduled for Spring 2020 and postponed because, well, you know why. Fronted by guitarist Dave Drouin, the prolific powerhouse band has released 10 albums since forming mid-decade, most recently Flower Covered Hills, which dropped late last year. Concord-based Trade elegantly blends soul, jazz and funk elements. Thursday, May 5, 8 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Stage, 16 S Main St, Concord, $15 at ccanh.com.

• Femme funny: Kick off Mother’s Day Weekend with Funny Friday, a trio of female comics dubbed Moms In Hats. It’s headlined by Vermont’s Maya Manion, who, her bio says, “travels as far as she can go in a night to perform, because no one will watch her kids for longer than that.” She’s joined by Worcester’s Cindy Gray and actress turned comedian Sara Poulin, a rising star on the Maine comedy scene; Randy Williams hosts. Friday, May 6, 7:30 p.m., Lions Club, 256 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, $10 at eventbrite.com.

• Ivory tickler: Returning favorite The Eric Mintel Quartet play jazz standards. An only child, Mintel spent a lot of after-school time at the family piano, teaching himself to play by transcribing theme songs from his favorite cartoons. One day, while rummaging through his parents’ record collection, he found an old Dave Brubeck 45 with “Take Five” backed by “Blue Rondo a la Turk” and was transfixed by jazz. Saturday, May 7, 7 p.m., Spotlight Room at the Palace, 96 Hanover St., Manchester, $29 at palacetheatre.org.

• Brunch music: A fixture for red letter days at this Henniker country inn, Brad Myrick & Eric Lindberg play smooth instrumentals for the Mother’s Day brunch crowd, reprising their Easter event from a few weeks back. Myrick is a gifted guitarist and scene booster who books venues throughout the state with the NH Music Collective agency and helps local acts document their artistry at Lakes Region recording studio The Greenhouse. Sunday, May 8, 11:30 a.m., Colby Hill Inn, 33 The Oaks, Henniker. See bradmyrick.com.

• Song master: Celebrating his 80th birthday, Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian troubadour with a staggering catalog of songs amassed during his storied career. “Early Morning Rain,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald,” “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” and “Rainy Day People” are some of his hits over 50 years as a performer. Wednesday, May 11, 8 p.m., The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, $48.75 at themusichall.org.