Category: Music This Week

By Michael Witthaus
mwitthaus@hippopress.com

• Folk room: A female-forward evening has sets from Maia Sharp and Catie Curtis in a venerable Sunapee region venue. Sharp is a singer-songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by everyone from Bonnie Raitt to Trisha Yearwood and The Chicks. Curtis is a veteran artist and songwriter who was at the forefront of the mid-’90s new folk movement. Thursday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille, 40 Andover Road, New London, $30 at flyinggoose.com.

• Real deal: With a catalog of active rock hits stretching back to their 2008 eponymous debut, Saving Abel hits town for a downtown show. The group’s best songs up the ante, looking for a formula lead singer Jared Weeks calls “a little deeper, a little tougher and a little more rock.” Their new single “Stars” reflects that, a metal-edged rocker with bone-crushing riffs and a memorable chorus. Friday, Oct. 24, 9 p.m., Rock n Roll Meatballs/ Angel City Music Hall, 179 Elm St., Manchester, $38 at ticketweb.com.

• Laugh lines: A twin bill of comedy has Tim McKeever and Pat Napoli adding hilarity to a Nashua craft brewer’s menu. McKeever’s set includes bits like one about a cocktail called an Irish Car Bomb, which is “a shot of Jameson and some Bailey’s; you drink it and then drive into someone’s living room.” Napoli’s “sharp observational humor” has made him a New England favorite. Friday, Oct. 24, 8:30 p.m., Liquid Therapy, 14 Court St., Nashua, $23 at headlinersnh.com, 21+.

• Roller ghouls: Costumes, party music and roller skating blend as Pop Punk-O-Ween offers a head start to Halloween fun. DJ Shamblez spins classics like Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” and the Ramones’ “Pet Sematary,” with perhaps an appearance of Simple Plan’s version of the Scooby Doo theme, a costume contest, giveaways and lots of four-wheeled fun. Saturday, Oct. 25, 9 p.m., Remix Skate and Event Center, 725 Huse Road, Manchester, $20 at skateremix.com. 18+.

• Dead twist: The Bus Came By And I Got On by Kristina Marinova is one the year’s more interesting albums, a solo piano collection of songs from the Grateful Dead’s mid-’60s, early ’70s repertoire. She offers mesmerizing transformations of songs like “Uncle John’s Band” and “China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider,” played with delicate dexterity. Sunday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $20 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Guitar man: Led by a Grammy-winning Country Music Hall of Famer, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives return for an area show. The singer/guitarist joined Lester Flatts’ bluegrass band at age 13 and is an in-demand session player. His latest, Space Junk, is a double album of instrumentals released this year on Record Store Day, inspired by the Ventures and Tijuana Brass. Thursday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $58 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Fusion band: Named after a friend’s boating mishap, Annie In The Water offers a contagious hybrid of rock, funk and rhythm infused with a feel-good reggae groove. It’s the kind of sound that kept Michael Franti bouncing around the globe for decades, done with capability and verve. Last summer’s EP Migration has the soulful tune “Tangled Up” and a trio of lovely, jazzy songs about birds. Friday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, annieinthewater.com.

• Game time: A little bit comic con and a whole lot of bass heaviness, Video Game Rave is an evening of dance music with backdrops befitting the theme. DJs Synova and Groove Cube team up to blend pop hits and theme music from games like Mario Kart and Sonic the Hedgehog, with everything accompanied by projection video of classic games. Yes, cosplay is encouraged, so come as Luigi. Saturday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m., BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $24 and up at ccanh.com.

• Junk festival: A day of music, food trucks, vendors and other activities, Kindfest 2025 is capped by a closing set from Recycled Percussion. The outdoor show includes four bands leading into the America’s Got Talent stars: Sunapee singer-songwriter Chris Powers, rockers Five Button Fly, Runnin’ Down a Dream doing Tom Petty’s music, and the Eric Grant Band playing country. Saturday, Oct. 18, noon, Field of Dreams Park, 48 Geremonty Drive, Salem, $30 at eventbrite.com.

• Drum power: With a kinetic mix of jazz, rock and fusion, Cindy Blackman Santana brings her band to Portsmouth. Santana’s drumming is heard on the version of “In The Air Tonight” that opens Monday Night Football every week. Her set includes solo songs, Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter covers, and some from Coherence, a new LP due next year. Sunday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth, $20 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Song queen: A benefit for the NH Prostate Cancer Coalition, Celebrating Celine is singer Jenene Caramielo’s tribute to the French-Canadian chanteuse, featuring hits like “Because You Loved Me,” “I Drove All Night” and the meme-launcher “My Heart Will Go On.” The opera-trained Caramielo also does Broadway and Whitney Houston tributes. Thursday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $44 at palacetheatre.org.

• Twin bill: Led by a singularly energetic, and shoeless, singer-guitarist, Adam Ezra Group is a top draw at an Exeter listening room, so much that they’re doing early and late shows at their latest visit. Ezra has infectious energy, and is also quite munificent, each year hosting The Ramble, an all-day charity festival that helps veterans find housing, now in its 16th year. Friday, Oct. 10, 5 & 8 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $49 at thewordbarn.com.

• Total emo: The Black Charade offers three different bands covering the best of the emo sound. Dangerous Nights performs as My Chemical Romance, Heely & the Moon Shoes assume the role of Taking Back Sunday, while A Blockbuster Summer does Jimmy Eat World, whose “The Middle” is arguably the genre’s pinnacle. Saturday, Oct. 11, 8 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/KineticCityEvents.

• Six strings: Between showcase concerts with his trio and jazz brunch at Jimmy’s in Portsmouth, Brad Myrick is a busy guy these days. The talented guitarist will head to France next month to mentor at a creativity retreat with former Suncook resident Vinx. For now, he’s doing lots of local shows, including a recurring one at a cidery that’s a stone’s throw from his home base. Sunday, Oct. 12, 1 p.m., Contoocook Cider Co., 656 Gould Hill Road, Contoocook, bradmyrick.com.

By Michael Witthaus

mwitthaus@hippopress.com

• Let’s laugh: Enjoy a stacked bill of comedy topped by Boston funny man Chris Tabb, whose credits include the weird and charming 2022 movie Salesman. Tabb has shared the stage with Jim Breuer, Mo’Nique, D.L. Hughley, Bill Bellamy and Jim Norton, and he’s also appeared on NESN’s Comedy All-Stars. Steve Blackwood and Joshua Royer open the show. Thursday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m., SoHo Asian Restaurant & Bar, 49 Lowell Road, Hudson, comedyonpurpose.com.

• Emo show: A photo of two wind turbine repair techs trapped and embracing atop a burning tower inspired Pintail’s new EP, Bury A Body, Grow A Person, a meditation on masculinity with standouts like the loping and moody “How Can I Be A Good Man, If I’ve Never Met One?” The Boston quartet performs an area show with Ezra Cohen & the Big City Band, Café Crush and Time Eater. Friday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m., BAD BRGR, 1015 Elm St., Manchester, pintail-ma.bandcamp.com.

• Prog night: A rare chance to see New Hampshire’s leading purveyors of the genre, Rocking Horse Music Club leans into progressive rock for its only appearance in the state. Led by producer Brian Coombes, the band includes musicians from his Pittsfield studio. The show will range across their catalog, including the rock opera Circus of Wire Dolls. Andy Graziano of Band Geeks opens. Saturday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m., LoFaro Center, 722 Gulf Road, Henniker, rockinghorsemusiclub.com.

• Triple up: Toad the Wet Sprocket arrives in Concord with support from two acts that regularly headline their own shows, KT Tunstall and Vertical Horizon. Blending folk-inspired rock and thoughtful songwriting, the California band has achieved multi-decade success while amassing a dedicated fan base. Sunday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $68 and up at ccanh.com.

• Nineties redux: With an all-acoustic show that’s sure to include the early 2000s hit, “Headstrong,” Trapt plays the back room at Shaskeen on a weeknight. The nu-metal band got itself into some hot water a few years ago when front man Chris T. Brown (not the infamous rapper) made some ill-advised statements on social media, but it did get the one-hit wonders some notice that its music couldn’t. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $25 at trapt.com.

By Michael Witthaus

mwitthaus@hippopress.com

• Funny guys: In partnership with Reed’s North, Jody Sloane’s comedy showcase has Tony V and Ken Rogerson. Sloane calls her hometown series Happy Accident “because I literally am one. Born of peace, love, and questionable decision-making, I was conceived in 1967 during the Summer of Love — when everything was groovy, and plans were … well, optional.” Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m., Warner Underground Comedy, Kearsarge Saint Ext., Warner, $25 at simpletix.com.

• Local crew: Those looking for an after work diversion should check out Paul Hodes & the Blue Buddha Band, led by the ex-Congressman. They exude raucous energy on “The Night I Met John Lennon,” which has a Neil Young & Crazy Horse vibe. “Swimming With Sharks” may be a nod to Hodes’ D.C. days. The show celebrates the band’s second album. Friday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m., Stark Brewing Co., 500 Commercial St., Manchester, starkbrewingcompany.com.

• Woods metal: Eleven bands on two stages, indoor and out, play at the all-day Dysfunction Junction festival, along with multiple vendors and craft beer in a bucolic setting, perfect for anyone looking to combine leaf peeping and heavy metal music. Performers include Cytokine, Bonginator, Conforza, The Summoned, Overtime and Taxicab Dismemberment. Under 12 free. Saturday, Sept. 27, noon, Henniker Brewing Co., 129 Centervale Road, Henniker, $10 at eventbrite.com.

• Idol music: Unlike some who used American Idol as a springboard to overnight success, David Cook had toiled in the Midwest rock scene for a decade before the show made him a big star. Since then, the singer’s had big albums and made his Broadway debut in 2018 in Kinky Boots. Cook has released a lot of singles over the past few years; the latest is July 2024’s “Dead Weight.” Sunday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $45 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Country bash: Local stars perform classic songs at The Grand Ole Opry Through the Years with Rob Azevedo, a free Walker Lecture Series event. The John Zevos & Friends Band backs Paul Driscoll as Hank Williams and 16-year-old Olivia Conway doing Trisha Yearwood’s “Walkaway Joe,” along with tunes from Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and others. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m., Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord, walkerlecture.org.

Local music news & events

• Natural man: If he weren’t singing and playing guitar, fishing enthusiast Zak Trojano would “be out there cleaning a river,” he said a few years back. Instead, he’s making records like 2018’s acclaimed song cycle Wolf Trees while touring with Chris Smither, Jeffrey Foucault and Peter Mulvey. He’ll perform an early evening set at a restaurant/pub near his parents’ home in Contoocook. Thursday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m., The Local, 15 E. Main St., Warner, facebook.com/zaktrojano.

• Monster bash: An evening of guitar-driven rock and blues benefits Rockin’ 4 Vets, with Johnny A., Jon Butcher, Chris Anderson supplying the fretwork with high-kicking singer and harmonica player James Montgomery, who helped form the charity in 2015, leading the band. The raucous setlist will include songs from the Yardbirds, Johnny Winter, the Outlaws, Jimi Hendrix and others. Friday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $30 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Acoustic aces: Few bands have elevated the genre of bluegrass music like Alison Krauss & Union Station, still going strong more than 40 years after teenager Krauss and her fiddle began wowing audiences. Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $50+, livenation.com.

• Lyrical lady: Along with writing country music hits, Lori McKenna has released several albums; her latest is 2023’s 1988. She earned a Grammy nomination for 2016’s The Bird and the Rifle, and a Songwriter of the Year prize from the Academy of Country Music in 2017. Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Tim McGraw and Little Big Town have all performed McKenna’s songs. Saturday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, $54 and up at etix.com.

• Emerald shine: With the release of their 2024 album Odyssey, Celtic Thunder made a return to its roots, offering a slate of patriotic songs telling the story of the Irish state’s foundation in the early 20th century. “People are very passionate about that historical side to Ireland … it’s given us so much of our identity,” the group’s singer Emmet Cahill told the Hippo at the time. Sunday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $64 and up at nashuacenterforthearts.