Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Gator rock: Formed in late ’60s Jacksonville, Florida, Blackfoot took a long road to their most well-known hits, “Train, Train” and “Highway Song.” They opened for The Who at the Silverdome and carved out a niche as a Southern rock band with a heavier edge while enduring multiple lineup changes. The current touring unit consists of “ambassadors” hand-picked by original lead singer Rickey Medlocke. Thursday, July 28, 8 p.m., Angel City Music Hall, 179 Elm St., Manchester, $20 at the door.

• Getting down: With a member who sings, beatboxes and simultaneously plays up to four keyboards, Sophistafunk is a dance floor-filling powerhouse. They’ve worked with the late Bernie Worrell and Motley Crüe’s Tommy Lee, among others. In 2016 they provided the theme song for a game show hosted by Guy Fieri, a few years after Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives visited Funk ‘N Waffles, a Syracuse restaurant owned by the band’s Adam Gold. Friday, July 29, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $20 at the door.

• Twofer show: A pair of veteran singer-songwriters performs in Concord. Peter Mulvey and Mark Erelli both have new records coming. Mulvey and SistaStrings are set to release Love Is The Only Thing on Aug. 12, while Erelli’s fan-funded Lay Your Darkness Down drops later this fall. The latter was made as Erelli was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that threatened to blind him. The Kickstarter effort brought in twice what he’d asked. Saturday, July 30, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 Main St., Concord, $25 at ccanh.com.

• Country kid: A singer-guitarist who splits his time between Nashville and New England, Chris Dagnese brings a hybrid sound as well to his music. He’s down home on acoustic guitar, singing about small-town life, but he’ll kick out the rock jams with his band Dags. The group’s new single “Sorry I Missed Your Call” is solidly in the wheelhouse of the current John Mellencamp-informed brand of country. Sunday, July 31, 4 p.m., Millyard Brewery, 125 E. Otterson St., Nashua. See @dagsmusicnow on Instagram.

• World music: Touring in support of his new album Les Racines, Vieux Farka Touré is a guitarist who’s been called the “Hendrix of the Sahara.” Over five critically lauded records, he’s pushed the boundaries of traditional West African music. The new release explores the traditional Songhai music of Northern Mali, what Westerners call “Desert Blues.” He’s also collaborated with Dave Matthews and jazz guitarist John Scofield. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 8 p.m., The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, $28 at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Funny night: Third Thursday laughs continue with Chris Tabb topping the bill along with Liam Hales and area favorite Nick Tocco. Tabb is the House MC at Foxboro’s Comedy Scene who cites Bernie Mac as a key influence, and a favorite at clubs throughout New England. Hales is a burly New Hampshire native who returned home recently after spending 15 years in L.A. Thursday, July 21, 7:30 p.m., SoHo Asian Restaurant & Bar, 49 Lowell Road, Hudson, $18 in advance, $20 at the door; email [email protected].

• Retro al fresco: New Orleans’ French Quarter is imported to New England by Soggy Po’ Boys. The vintage musical collective combusted into a group 10 years ago on Fat Tuesday and quickly became a Tuesday night fixture at Dover’s now-closed Barley Pub. They perform an outdoor courtyard set at that city’s Children’s Museum. The show is adults only and includes a snack box and cash bar. Friday, July 22, 6 p.m., Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St., Dover, $15 at childrens-museum.org.

• Giant step: Possessing skills as both performer and musicologist, Taj Mahal arrived on the Southern California scene in 1964 and settled into the venerable Ash Grove club in Venice Beach, where he formed The Rising Sons with Ry Cooder and guitarist Jesse Lee Kincaid. The Rolling Stones caught him at the Whisky A Go-Go one night and recruited him for their Rock & Roll Circus TV special. Saturday, July 23, 8 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $50 and $100 at ticketmaster.com.

• Country kid: A singer-guitarist in the mold of Brad Paisley, Frankie Ballard also had the distinction of having Kip Moore and Chris Stapleton write a song for him. A good guy, Ballard recently went back to his high school in Battle Creek, Michigan, for their bicentennial and taught a guitar class for students there, helping them learn the Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire” and throwing out the first pitch at a ball game. Sunday, July 24, 8 p.m., The Goat, 50 Old Granite St., Manchester, $25 at ticketmaster.com.

• In the park: Enjoy free outdoor music as the 19-piece Compaq Big Band performs with guest vocalist Marina Evans. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for the early twilight show, but be prepared to get up and dance, as the boisterous ensemble moves through swing, ballads, foxtrots, Latin and even a few Top 40 songs. Evans is a North Shore native who began singing at a young age and has appeared all over the world. Wednesday, July 27, 7 p.m., Emerson Park, 6 Mont Vernon St., Milford. See compaqbigband.com.

Local music news & events

• On the strip: Taking a stylistic break from his Bearly Dead lead singer duties, Michael Butler takes to the street to perform Frank Sinatra covers, setting up on a stage outside a downtown bar-restaurant. Along with classics like “Fly Me To The Moon” and “Strangers In The Night” will be a smattering of covers from Rat Pat icons like Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., a different twist from Butler’s usual jam band moves. Thursday, July 14, 8 p.m., 603 Bar and Grill, 1087 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/JigsMusic.

• Tell her heart: Beginning with her 1987 smash “Tell It To My Heart,” soulful chanteuse Taylor Dayne ran off a string of hits including “Love Will Lead You Back,” “Prove Your Love” and “I’ll Always Love You,” all of which hit No. 1. Along with writing her own songs, she also provided Tina Turner with “Whatever You Want.” She’s also acted in film, television and on Broadway. Ashley Jordan opens. Friday, July 15, 6 and 8:30 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, $45 and up at lakeportopera.com.

• Three fifths: The recent JamAntics reunion began with energy generated by The Special Guests, the trio of drummer Masceo, bass player Eric Reingold and guitarist Freeland Hubbard, who play their singular summer season show at the basement bar where it all began. A live recording of last November’s JamAnnual GetDown dropped earlier this year; the group hopes to make the fete a regular thing. Saturday, July 16, 9 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord. See facebook.com/thespecialgueststrio.

• Hard and heavy: Drawing its name from a tree-based insect-borne disease, The Acacia Strain have a relentless approach leading with a triple guitar wall balanced on a massive rhythm section. Call it deathcore, doom metal or hardcore punk, the group can tax the structural integrity of a building with a sound one critic called an “inelegant and unstoppable juggernaut fueled by memories of … unchecked aggression.” Sunday, July 17, 8 p.m., Wally’s Pub, 144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton Beach, $25 at ticketmaster.com.

• Local hero: One of the guys who put the Vegas in ManchVegas, Josh Logan returns to his hometown for a show with his eponymous band. The midweek affair promises special guests along with music from The Voice and Rockstar Supernova veteran, who’s been headquartered in the Midwest since his national television days. Logan married fellow musician Olivia Henken in 2018. Wednesday, July 20, 8 p.m., Derryfield Restaurant, 625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, $5 at the door, joshlogan.net.

Local music news & events

• Cleaning up: When he’s not headlining and opening for the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cash works as a school janitor in Worcester, Mass. His salt-of-the-earth act draws from that experience, along with being a dad to a teenage daughter and dealing with life issues. Cash recently won Mohegan Sun’s Last Comix Standing competition. Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $25 at palacetheatre.org (18+).

• Dance fever: Return to the days of disco and nonstop beat mixing at Retro Rewind Dance Night. Hosted by Boston DJ Susan Esthera, the event features hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, along with visual stimuli to sustain the throwback vibe. Saturday, July 9, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $10 in advance at ccanh.com ($15 at the door).

• Returning: There was a time when singer-songwriter Dusty Gray played nonstop and toured the country with his band. Eventually he moved to Nashville but he still returns home for an occasional run of shows, and trains dogs to pay the bills. Sunday, July 10, 10 a.m., White Park, 1 White St., Concord, facebook.com/ConcordParknRecDept.

• Hump day: A native of Northborough, Mass., Mychael David can be seen opening for the likes of Sawyer Brown and showcasing his own original music. David’s newest album is Heroes & Honky Tonks, and he recently released a single, “Smoke & Ash.” Wednesday, July 13, 7 p.m., Emerson Park, 6 Mont Vernon St., Milford. See mychaeldavidmusic.com

• Wunderkind: Much of the music world first took notice of Tal Wilkenfeld playing with Jeff Beck at his Ronnie Scott’s residency where the 20-year-old bassist outshone the guitar legend by soloing on his song “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers.” Now also singing and playing guitar, she’s been a rising force ever since. Thursday, July 7, 7:30 p.m. at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, tickets $10 to $40 at jimmysoncongress.com.

Local music news & events

• British roots: As punk rock was rising up across England in 1977, Steel Pulse formed after hearing Bob Marley & the Wailers, releasing politically charged songs that got them banned from several U.K. clubs, but the punks welcomed them to places like London’s Hope & Anchor and Electric Circus in Manchester. Founding member David Hinds carries the torch for the group, the first non-Jamaican act to win a reggae Grammy. Thursday, June 30, 8 p.m., Bernie’s Beach Bar, 73 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, $30 at ticketmaster.com.

• Stress test: A six-band show with an edge has post-hardcore stalwarts Actor|Observer topping the bill. Formed near the end of the aughts in Newfields, New Hampshire, the group released a debut album in 2018, and dropped the frenetic, intense “Cargo Cult” in the pandemic’s early days, its “lost on an island in despair” theme quite fitting for those fraught times. Sleepspirit, Girih, Godseyes, Alions and Dead Fiction round out the 18+ show’s lineup. Friday, July 1, 7 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $12 at eventbrite.com.

• Rolling on: After being postponed for two years, the Tedeschi Trucks Band finally brings its Wheels of Soul tour back to the Granite State. Always a summer highlight, the First Couple of blues rock have barrio rockers Los Lobos and Gabe Dixon along for the sixth edition. In early June, TTB released Crescent, the first of the four-album I Am the Moon series. Others will come out in successive months. Saturday, July 2, 6:30 p.m., Bank of NH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $25 and up at livenation.com.

• Foolish Fourth: Enjoy Independence Day with an outdoor performance by The Fools — next to fried clams, the most famous thing to come from Ipswich, Mass. Known for their late ’70s hit “It’s A Night For Beautiful Girls” along with irreverent rockers like “Psycho Chicken” and “She Looks Alright In The Dark,” the group is fronted by the very funny Mike Girard, who also leads the brassy Big Swinging Thing. Monday, July 4, 6:30 p.m., Tuscan Village Lake Park, 9 Via Toscana, Salem, tuscanvillagesalem.com.

• Midweek music: An evening at the fringes of rock hosted by independent label Deciduous Records has Seed, a Boston-based doom band given to songs with lines like, “drown in the blood of your oppressor.” Also appearing are Rong, billed as noise rock — their latest collection wormhat leads with “Struggling At The Dearth Of Discourse” — and Oahk, an Ashland band performing gloom folk. Wednesday, July 6, 5:30 p.m., Riverhill Grange, 32 Horse Hill Road, Concord, $10 at the door, BYOB, deciduousrecords.bandcamp.com.

Local music news & events

• Piano double: Led by doppelganger Ben Eramo, Cold Spring Harbor offers a very convincing evening of Billy Joel’s music. Eramo began at his baby grand as a 4-year-old. He became enamored of Joel at age 11, when his piano teacher gave him the song “My Life” to learn, and he did so quickly. Thus inspired, he then continued to work his way through the rest of the Piano Man’s songbook. Thursday, June 23, 8 p.m., LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111, Derry, labellewinery.com.

• Blues & country: A touring performer since his teen years, James Armstrong is steeped in blues music. In his 20s, the guitar slinger became the youngest member of Smokey Wilson’s band and went on to form Mama Roo before getting signed to marquee label High Tone Records, home to Robert Cray and Joe Louis Walker. “Harvard Square busker turned rising goddess of twang” Ashley Jordan opens. Friday, June 24, 8 p.m., Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave., Laconia, $30 and up at lakeportoperahouse.com.

• Big four: The final performer of the 47th annual Market Days Festival, Andrew North & the Rangers are celebrating their fourth year together with new music. The Hippo called their 2020 debut album, Phosphorescent Snack, a multitracked gem, with elements of funk, soulful pop and progressive jazz, as if “Steely Dan meets Frank Zappa at a 1969 Chicago Transit Authority listening party.” Saturday, June 25, 8 p.m., Hometown Stage, Bicentennial Square, Concord, full schedule at marketdaysfestival.com.

• Crescent combo: Among its achievements over a quarter century together, Galactic has appeared at its hometown New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 22 times. They’ve also brought their signature funk and soul sound to the Bonnaroo and Coachella festivals, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and provided the soundtrack for the movie Now You See Me. Singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph became the band’s newest member in 2019. Sunday, June 26, 7 p.m., Cisco Brewers, 35 Corporate Dr., Portsmouth, $30 at portsmouthnhtickets.com.

• Side hustle: Led by twice Grammy-nominated Scott Sharrard, Eldorado Slim is a step away from the guitarist’s work as music director for the late Gregg Allman’s band and his current gig in Little Feat. The group exudes an analog vibe with a Hammond B-3 organ, percussion, drums and a horn section, with music inspired by vintage acts like Eddie Harris, King Curtis and Chico Hamilton. Wednesday, June 29, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $30 and up at jimmysoncongress.com.