Category: Music This Week

• Song circle: A monthly evening of original music preceded by wine tasting, Songwriter RoundUp is hosted by Katie Dobbins playing some of her own songs, along with the return of singer-songwriter Temple Mountain, and Molly Shuvani, whose powerful voice gives her original songs like “Pebble In The Pond” a hymn-like quality. Several are on Soundcloud and worth a listen or two. Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, hermitwoods.com.

• Snowy turn: Spending a weekend in ski country, Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners kick off winter carnival with a headlining show that’s free to active-duty military and veterans. The following night they’ll preside over apres ski at Ragged Mountain and wrap up with another Franklin set, accompanied by Andrew Mason McIntosh and Will Hatch. Friday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Ski Area, 266 Flaghole Road, Franklin, $15, $10 ages 6-17, kierbyrnes.com.

• Goth show: A fraternal falling out fractured doomy Gene Loves Jezebel into two bands led by identical twins Jay and Michael Aston. This happened in the late 1980s, and though the two reunited briefly in 1997, the rift remains, along with a need to clarify which version of the group is playing when a concert happens. At an upcoming local one, Michael will be the brother in charge. Friday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $12 and up at promotix.com.

• Prawn act: Connecticut improv rock quartet Big Shrimp formed just a couple of years ago but is already garnering attention. Grateful Web included them in the Top 12 Upcoming Jam Bands for 2026, lauding, “pure heat: long sets, huge grooves, and a rhythm section that feels like it could carry an entire block party by itself.” Twiddle’s Ryan Dempsey joins them for a local show. Saturday, Jan. 31, doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $23 at eventbrite.com.

• New face: Promising a different show with local material every night, Kathy Griffin returns to New Hampshire with a grateful outlook after a harrowing few years. Sunday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $49 and up at ccanh.com.

• Bon voyage: There are changes ahead for Concord jamsters Andrew North & the Rangers. With drummer Dale Grant moving to Colorado, the band gives him a sendoff show. A Facebook post expressed gratitude for Grant’s “eight years of friendship, music, and fun,” calling him “an essential and integral part of our sound” and welcoming him back on the kit anytime he visits. Thursday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, pembrokecitylimits.com.

• Prize laughs: Three comics from the New York City-based Ladies of Laughter (LOL) contest showcase their talents — Apollo Theater veteran G.L. Douglas; Ellen Karis, who’s opened for Sebastian Maniscalco, and Maine native Cathy Boyd, Friday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $40 at palacetheatre.org.

• Heavy music: Hardcore punk fans felt like it was 1994 all over again when Tree released their first new music in 25 years in early 2024. The band formed in the Boston suburbs in the late ’80s and their first three albums were considered staples among the locals. Catch them with The Negans, Black Hatch and Robotic Hawks. Saturday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/treebostonhardwood.

• In triplicate: One of the more unique tribute acts around is Pink Talking Fish, exploring the possibilities of mashing up three classic bands — Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish. They look for commonalities, doing things like dropping Phish’s “You Enjoy Myself” in the middle of Floyd’s “On the Run,” and occasionally segueing music from all three bands together in one wild song. Saturday, Jan. 24, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $40 at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

• Fare thee well: With the passing of Bob Weir, the Grateful Dead is truly no longer. Dave Gerard and his band Truffle were longtime acolytes of the Dead.Gerard’s solo set should include songs from the San Francisco standard-bearers to help absorb the loss. Thursday, Jan. 15, at 5 p.m., Railpenny Tavern, 8 Exeter Road, Epping, gerardtruffle.com.

• Comic ability: Tyler Hittner tops a bill that includes veteran funny man Greg Boggis, Kathy Lynch and a three-comic lightning round showdown. Rick Gauthier, who produced the show, hosts. Friday, Jan. 16, at 8 p.m., Alan’s of Boscawen, 133 N. Main St., Boscawen, alansofboscawen.com.

• Youth force: Showcasing the region’s young talent, The Kids Are Alright offers nearly a dozen under-25 performers including 16-year-old country singer Olivia Conway, Danielle Azevedo, daughter of PCL owner Rob, Wolfgang Burger, Mason Cummings, Noah Cummings, Oliver Hannon with Florence, Alex Koletar, Tucker Reinhart, Jaelyn Rix, and Cameron Vose. Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, pembrokecitylimits.com.

• Pop music: Enjoy a solo afternoon set mixing originals and covers from Brian Walker. Later in the evening, at 8 p.m., it’s Hell On Heels, a rocking five-piece band fronted by vocalists Isabelle Howe and Amanda Colburn. Saturday, Jan. 17, at 1 and 8 p.m., Stumble Inn, 20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, stumbleinnnh.com.

• Serving help: A Pancake Benefit presented by New Hampshire Underground helps victims of the Ash/Vine Street fire in Nashua in December. Gary’s Sunday Jazz Band performs, along with a DJ spinning tunes. Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m., The Spot, 217 Main St., Nashua, $10 at newhampshireunderground.org.

• Take a chance: Few tribute acts reach the level of success of Mania! Performing the music of ABBA, their show is a full-scale replication of a concert by the Swedish legends, with lasers, flourish and hits like “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen” and “Mamma Mia.” Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m., Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $35.50 and up at ccanh.com.

• Cowboy session: Fans of Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan will enjoy the Nate Ramos Band, appearing at a music-friendly craft brewery where they recorded a live EP last year. Ramos is a fresh voice in the regional roots scene, winning for Best Americana Act at last year’s New England Music Awards and getting a Country Music Act of the Year nomination at the Boston Music Awards. Friday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m., Lost Cowboy Brewing, 546 Amherst St., Nashua, nateramosmusic.com.

• Vocal legend: Named after Linda Ronstadt’s breakthrough second solo album, Silk Purse does a solid job of covering the singer’s career, from her first band The Stone Poneys’ “Different Drum” to late ’70s hits such as “Blue Bayou,” and beyond. Saturday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m., Epping Playhouse, 38 Ladds Lane, Epping, $25 at tix.com.

• Mister moonlight: Though comedian Jimmy Cash had a career year in 2025, selling out the Wilbur Theatre in Boston and a double bill with Jimmy Dunn at Casino Ballroom, he’s still a janitor in the Worcester School District, just like his dad and grandfather. With jokes about cafeteria lunch ladies, teachers and cagey students, Cash built a 20-year career as one of the region’s best. Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $40 at palacetheatre.org.

• Banging in: After ringing in 2026, Recycled Percussion continues its traditional New Year’s run with 11 shows over the next two weekends. The junk rockers rose to fame on America’s Got Talent, finishing second but winning enough hearts to land a Las Vegas Strip residency that ran for years. Shows start Thursday, Jan. 1, at 1 and 6 p.m., Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $44 and up at palacetheatre.org.

• Grunge memories: Billed as the ultimate Alice In Chains experience, Jar of Flies is a tribute to the Seattle ’90s standard-bearers and their troubled lead singer Layne Staley. The band appeared last fall at Flannel Fest in Eastern Washington with Sublime, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and other tributes, going over well there. They’re a music-friendly bar-restaurant’s first ticketed show. Friday, Jan. 2, at 8 p.m., Riley’s Place, 29 Mont Vernon St., Milford, $10 at the door, rileysplacellc.com.

• Raving up: A craft cocktail bar and restaurant that opened last summer hosts Robin Gaming, a scrappy pop punk band with a rough-hewn sound that gives off a solid Replacements and Lemonheads vibe. Since 2019 the quartet has churned out several energetic EPs and albums; the latest is Caught On Tape, its title possibly a reference to the many full-length shows they’ve posted on YouTube (worth a look). Friday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m., 90 Low, 90 Low Ave., Concord., idiotcan.com.

• Double down: With a sound much bigger than its two band members, Muddy Ruckus offers everything from zoot suit swing to conjured New Orleans second line with traces of Delta blues, rustic folk and punk-infused gypsy jazz. Saturday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m., Auspicious Brew, 1 Washington St., Dover, $8 ($10 at the door), auspiciousbrew.com.

• Vintage sound: A Lakes Region winery offers regular local music, including Garrett Smith, a singer, piano player and guitarist playing a range of pop and rock covers, including a convincing version of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” and the Disturbed redo of Paul Simon’s “Sound of Silence.” Enjoy the tunes while sampling an interesting wine, like their maple-infused chardonnay. Friday, Dec. 26, at 4 p.m., Front Four Cellars, 13 Railroad Ave., Wolfeboro, frontfourcellars.com.

• Two stages: One encouraging story this year was Bungalow Bar & Grill’s return, where a Holiday Hardcore Festival is happening. Nine bands are announced for the all-day event, with 20 or more promised. They include Ratblood, with bullhorn vocals and storming intensity, and relatively new Claremont band Arms Like Teeth, with their mosh pit ready banger, “Counterparts.” Saturday, Dec. 27, noon, Bungalow Bar & Grill, 333 Valley St., Manchester, $18 at dice.fm.

• Hometown girl: New Hampshire native Natalie Coryea is now based in Nashville, completing a music business degree at Belmont University, but she’s back for the holidays and playing some area shows. Her latest song, “Meet Me At The Beach,” grooves like a good Van Morrison track, while “Male Manipulator,” released earlier this year, is a rowdy rocker that fans of Paramore will like. Saturday, Dec. 27, 7 p.m., Hare of the Dawg, 3 E. Broadway, Derry, nataliecoryea.com.

• Fear factor: Well known for his time with the hidden camera series Impractical Jokers, Sal Vulcano goes in a different direction with his standup. Terrified, his most recent special, focused on childhood and adult fears, including his irrational reaction to Gloria Estefan’s song “The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.” Vulcano’s current Everything’s Fine tour stops in Concord. Saturday, Dec. 28, 5 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $49.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Heavy preview: A sampling of bands from next year’s Backwoods Metal Fest appear at a music-friendly brewery. The afternoon show includes four acts from the two-day event, happening in the spring: Hobo Wizard, a brother duo that play what they call “New Hampshire Bum Doom,” the punk-leaning Street Trash, straight up rockers Crooked Cash and Dude Hell Yeah. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m., Henniker Brewing Co., 129 Centervale Road, Henniker, hennikerbrewing.com.