Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Green scene: Enjoy two days of traditional music in two venues at the New Hampshire Irish Festival, with free shows in the Spotlight Room (book online) including local faves Marty Quirk and Black Pudding Rovers and then main stage sets from Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones, Ronan Tynan, the Spain Brothers, Screaming Orphans and Seamus Kennedy. Friday, Aug. 23, 5 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 24, 3 p.m., Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $49 and up at palacetheatre.org.

• Bee cool: Art and activism combine at the second annual Wildflower Festival. Cat Wolf plays solo during an arts market that runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes food and local creators, followed at 6 p.m. by sets from Winkler, Sneaky Miles and Rigometrics. The event is an environmental awareness fundraiser with the goal to build pollinator gardens and bee hotels around Milford. Saturday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m., Keyes Field, 45 Elm S., Milford, $20 at eventbrite.com.

• Close harmony: Maybe the only bluegrass band to play the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mipso recalls Americana trailblazers Gram Parsons and Harvest-era Neil Young while keeping company with contemporaries like Nickel Creek and Milk Carton Kids. Their interplay is superb, but it’s their harmonies that grab — smooth as honey-sweetened butter stirred with a cinnamon stick. Thursday Aug. 22, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, $20 and up at 3sarts.org.

• Bloodlines: The progeny of proto-classic rock supergroup drive Sons of Cream. Kofi Baker and Malcolm Bruce, along with a grandnephew of Ginger Baker, aren’t a tribute act, though they faithfully recall the band. Sunday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $29 and up at etix.com.

• Highway stars: It’s been more than 50 years since Deep Purple released its career-defining Machine Head, and the opening riff of “Smoke on the Water” still rings in space. Ian Gillan, who sang on the album, is still in the band, as are drummer Ian Paice and bass player Roger Glover. Fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Yes open the show; guitarist Steve Howe is their only original member. Wednesday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 61 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $41 and up at livenation.com.

Local music news & events

• Music comedy: Playing in bars and at weddings, Dave Andrews learned to tell jokes between songs, and ultimately he decided to combine them into a single act. He tops a local comedy show with support from Greg Boggis and Jonah Simmons; Alana Foden hosts. Thursday Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m., Soho Asian Restaurant, 49 Lowell Road, Hudson, $18; text 603-320-5393.

• Triple play: A concert benefiting veterans’ charity Rolling Thunder, Rock n’ Roll Circus is an all-star band of blues rockers including Johnny A., James Montgomery and Jon Butcher, along with Deric Dyer, Cliff Goodwin, Mitch Chakour, Marty Richards and Wolf Ginandes. Expect R&B classics and selections from Johnny Winter, Joe Cocker, Yardbirds and maybe Jimi Hendrix. Friday, Aug 16, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $34 and up at tickets.tupelohall.com.

• Beachy keen: Wear a tropical shirt and Panama hat for Summerfest, an afternoon of live music from headliner Air Traffic Controller, local favorites Best Not Broken and Eliot Lewis, a looping wizard who’s performed with Daryl Hall & John Oates and Average White Band. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Saturday, Aug. 17, noon, Anheuser-Busch Biergarten, 221 DW Highway, Merrimack, $25 ($15 under 21, free 12 and under) at budweisertours.com.

• Suncookin’: The region’s newest listening room is running, with regular events like Nothin’ But The Blues, a biweekly shindig hosted by guitarist and man of the world Brooks Young. It promises frequent guests, country-flavored rock and plenty of fretwork from its talented host. Other regular events are Sunday Jazz, Americana Jams and Open Stage sessions, with more coming. Sunday, Aug. 18, 1:30 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, pembrokecitylimits.com.

• All-day music: A rootsy, laid-back affair, the annual Folksoul Festival has a lineup packed with great musicians who are also good friends. The day-long event includes beloved folk trio Low Lily, singer, songwriter and djembe tapper Tara Greenblatt and her band, Cape Breton duo Perin and Garrett, Long Journey, Tattoo, and the festival’s hosts, The Folksoul Band. Sunday, Aug. 18, 10:30 a.m., Outdoor State, 8 Driscoll Road, Greenfield, $20 donation, call 547-3730 for more.

Local music news & events

• Metal mamas: Southern California-based tribute band The Iron Maidens performs “The Trooper,” “Hallowed Be Thy Name” and “Can I Play With Madness?” with the same visual touch taken by Lez Zeppelin – band members are female, with nicknames like “Bruce Chickinson.” They touch on each stage of the thunderous band’s career, and even bring Eddie, the grim reaper, out for a bow. Thursday, Aug 8, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 at tupelomusichall.com.

• Road tested: Prog-folk duo The Rough and Tumble continue a concert series at a historic lakeside listening room. With forceful lyrics and musicality, Pennsylvania-born Mallory Graham and Californian Scott Tyler have toured for more than a decade and won many awards along the way. Friday, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m., The Livery, 58 Main St., Sunapee, $20 at thelivery.org.

• Funky sound: Six-piece funk fusion powerhouse Mica’s Groove Train returns to a favorite venue. Band leader Yamica Peterson is a soulful singer and keyboard player with a voice that can lift a crowd from its chairs and onto the dance floor. They are back and busy with a solid catalog of original songs. Saturday, Aug. 10, 8 p.m., Stumble Inn, 28 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, micasgroovetrain.com.

• Rap night: A regular weekly hip-hop event in downtown Manchester is upsized into Rap Night Super Show. It’s a packed event, with NYC-based, Denver-raised rapper Deca, best known for the single “Breadcrumbs,” topping the bill. He’s joined by Felix Forward, Dillon, Jarv, Mister Burns and Campbell Red, with DJ Myth on turntables and Shawn Caliber co-hosting with eyenine. Sunday, Aug. 11, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $10 door, 21+.

• Folk goddess: Along with writing gorgeous songs, Antje Duvekot is a talented animator who’s made music videos for Dar Williams, Toad the Wet Sprocket and other contemporaries. Her most recent album is 2023’s fan-funded New Wild West. Tuesday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $15 and up at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Two heads: Led by Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew, Remain In Light revives the music of Talking Heads, but it’s no tribute act. Harrison is an original member and Belew played extensively with the group. Backed by an all-star band, they revisit classics like “Once In A Lifetime,” “Psycho Killer” and “Take Me To The River ‘’ along with selections from their respective solo careers. Friday, Aug 2, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $65 at tupelomusichall.com.

• Honky tonk: Nashville-based singer-songwriter Eliza Thorn stops by Concord with support from the equally twang-ful Regals and local favorite Will Hatch. For a taste of Thorn’s bona fides, check out her cover of Willie Nelson’s early hit “Night Life” or “Alibi” from her upcoming album, a song that sounds like the love child of Lucinda Williams and Allen Toussaint. Friday, Aug 2, 9 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 4 Bicentennial Square, Concord; more at elizathorn.com.

• Acid blues: Making a rare trip to the Granite State, Bees Deluxe are a Boston band described as “what Steely Dan would sound like if they played the blues.” 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, it’s a heady mélange of sounds that both confound and delight. Saturday, Aug. 3, 8 p.m., Hawg’s Pen, 1114 Route 11, Farmington. Visit beesdeluxe.com.

• Heavy music: The Ashes of Leviathan tour is a co-headlining run with Lamb of God and Mastodon, two bands that are each marking 20 years since releasing seminal records. Forbes, though not known as a thrash authority, recently said Lamb of God’s Ashes of the Wake and Mastodon’s Leviathan were “two albums that have shaped much of what modern metal sounds like.” Sunday, Aug. 4, 8 p.m., SNHU Arena, 609 Elm St., Manchester, $20 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Nineties redux: A rocking trifecta of metal, funk and reggae, 311 is celebrating more than three decades together with their Unity Tour. The Nebraska band is joined by AWOLNation and Neon Trees for a stop in the Lakes Region, playing favorites like “Down” and the chart-topping “All Mixed Up.” Tuesday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $20 and up at livenation.com.

Local music news & events

• Funny dad: Quintessential New England comic Juston McKinney holds forth for an evening of standup in Derry. His secret sauce is an ever-changing set of material, a keen observer’s eye for regional foibles, and relatable self-deprecation, along with a skill for illuminating life’s absurdities with smiling kindness. His latest comedy special, On the Bright Side, was filmed in Manchester. Thursday, July 25, 8 p.m., Labelle Winery, 14 Route 111, Derry, $40 at labellewinery.com.

• Maine man: The Cocheco Arts Festival continues with Toby McAllister & the Sierra Sounds. Maine-based McAllister is a singer and guitarist who came to prominence as the founding member of Sparks The Rescue. That band’s rhythm section backed him on last year’s solo effort Autumn Skies. Friday, July 26, 6:30 p.m., Henry Law Park, 1 Washington St., Dover; tobymcallister.com.

• Smoke show: A barbecue benefiting a veteran support group has music from four bands. 61 Ghosts is singer/guitarist Joe Mazzari and drummer Dixie Deadwood, a roots rock effort inspired by John Hiatt, Link Wray and others. Rounding out the bill are Burn Permit, Sumwhat Lucky and Corduroy. The Operation Up In Smoke event includes a pig roast, brisket and ribs. Saturday, July 27, noon, American Legion, 232 Calef Highway, Epping, $30/plate, fishingforthemission.org.

• Summer night: Performing an extended set, Train appears in the Lakes Region, as the pop rock band takes a brief break from its co-headlining tour with REO Speedwagon. They will have support from Yacht Rock Revue, who have covered songs such as “Ride Like the Wind” and “So Into You” since 2007. Train is carrying on after losing a founding member in May. Sunday, July 28, 8 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $38.50 and up at livenation.com.

• Song pull: Continuing its support of original music, a Meredith winery hosts Songwriter RoundUp. The monthly show is hosted by Katie Dobbins, who also plays a few of her own songs. The evening’s lineup has country performer Lexi James, and Charlie Chronopoulos, whose LP Chesty Rollins’ Dead End was a stark look at life in his home state of New Hampshire. Wednesday, July 31, 5:30 pm., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $10 to $15 at hermitwoods.com.

Local music news & events

• Blues time: Ireland gives way to the South Side of Chicago at the weekly Blues Therapy event. This edition features Brave New Blues, the duo of boundary-pushing guitarist Troy Mercy and Hadley Lloyd. An endorsement of suspicious origin (screenwriter Alan Smithee) dubbed their sound “Lightnin’ Hopkins playing with The Small Faces while Terry Gilliam films it all.” Thursday, July 18, 8 p.m., Wild Rover, 21 Kosciuszko St., Manchester; more at troymercy.com.

• Al fresco country: New England Music Awards favorite Annie Brobst kicks off weekend music at Tuscan Village’s Lake Park. Her breezy, pop-adjacent brand of country has led her to some big stages, supporting Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Hardy and more. Friday, July 19, 7 p.m., Tuscan Village, 9 Via Toscana Salem. Visit anniebrobstmusic.com.

• Local lights: Three members of JamAntics comprise Lucas Gallo & The Guise: Gallo, bassist Eric Reingold, and Freeland Hubbard on guitar, with drummer Curtis Marden. Original songs from the three old bandmates share rootsy jam band elements, while others are more lyrically driven. Gallo calls the overall mood “good vibes with good intentions.” Saturday, July 20, 9 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord $5/door; 21+. Visit lucasgallomusic.com.

• Celtic power: Enjoy a fun and musically rich evening from Tartan Terrors, a group of youthful kilt-wearers with a talent for making traditional Celtic music accessible to all audiences. They combine the energy of a rock show with fiddle, bagpipes, pennywhistle, step dancing and humor, like the NSFW joke describing the difference between a Rolling Stone and a Scotsman. Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $39 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Teaming up: In their ’70s heyday, a co-headlining tour with Daryl Hall & Elvis Costello would have seemed odd, given Hall & Oates’s Philly soul and Costello’s angry young man pose at the time. However, in 1984 Hall sang backup on Costello’s song “The Only Flame in Town.” Reviews of their current outing, filled with hits from both artists, have been glowing, Monday, July 22, 7 pm., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $55 and up at livenation.com.