Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Rising star: A frequent opener for folk music legend Tom Rush, Matt Nakoa has the stage all to himself for a showcase of his singer-songwriter skills. Raised on a New York goat farm and self-taught on piano, Nakoa attended Berklee, where he performed briefly with Esperanza Spalding, a.k.a. St. Vincent.Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester. Tickets are $29 at palacetheatre.org.

• Scary rhymes: A Concord craft brewery plans a pair of events, including a Halloween Hip Hop Hootenanny hosted by DJ Shamblez, with a “monster menu” promised from The Food Abides and a triple can beer release. The deck closes for the season the following night with a party featuring two DJs, food from Dos Amigos, and a costume contest. Friday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m., Lithermans Limited Brewery, 126B Hall St., Concord, more at facebook.com/Lithermans.

• Dressed up: Two separate socially distanced drag shows — the first includes dinner — will be perfect for those who prefer to leave costume wearing to the performers. Saturday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. ($60) and 9:30 p.m. ($25), Murphy’s Taproom, 393 Route 101, Bedford, tickets at moniquetoosoon.com.

• Spooky rock: An outdoor twilight Halloween party stars Boston-based cover band Joppa Flatts, along with an autumn bonfire, family-friendly games inside and out, and a costume contest with prizes. Led by female and male co-vocalists, the six-member group mines multiple decades for its rock-centric set list. Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m., Auburn Pitts, 167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, see facebook.com/joppaflatts.

• Monster mashup: The Monster Ball Halloween Party features old-school DJ sounds from 4eign, Turtle and Famous. Party like it’s 2019 with eight-top VIP table reservations, bottle service and similar amenities, all with safety protocols in place. Sunday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m., Whisky’s 20, 20 Old Granite St., Manchester, tickets $15 and up at bvdboston.com.

Local music news & events

• Maine man: The tourists have mostly left for the season, but Bob Marley should offer plenty to laugh about this strange summer, as the Upta Camp comic commences a three-day, multi-show run of socially distanced standup comedy. Thursday, Oct. 22, through Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford. Tickets $34.50 at eventbrite.com.

• Sweet release: A run of good news for singer-songwriter April Cushman includes the release of a new single and a slot opening for LoCash on Oct. 30 at Swanzey Drive-In, her second time supporting a big name at the venue this month. The new song, “Once Upon a Time,” is a sort of anti-Disney take on fairytale romance sung with characteristic verve by Cushman. Friday, Oct. 23, 5 p.m., Backyard Brewery & Kitchen, 1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, facebook.com/aprilcushmanmusic.

• Sibling singing: Duos like the Louvin Brothers specialized in blood harmony, but Town Meeting has three brothers who meld vocally in an elemental way, Luke, Russ and Brendan “Babe” Condon. Like the Louvins, they have a penchant for dark themes — “Time” is a true story about witnessing a fatal hit-and-run accident. Fittingly, it appeared on an album called If I Die. Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester. Tickets are $29 at palacetheatre.com.

• Tuna wrap: A happy note in the disrupted 2020 live entertainment scene was the weather; only one outdoor show was postponed at Tupelo. Jorma Kaukonen wraps up the music season — a finale benefit auction happens on Nov. 1. The Hot Tuna front man is a popular attraction at the indoor venue as well, which will open again in early December at half capacity. Sunday, Oct. 25, noon and 3 p.m., Tupelo Drive-In, 10 A St., Londonderry. Tickets are $75 per car and $25 per person at tupelohall.com.

Local music news & events

• Laugh time: A regional standup showcase offers headliner Alex Giampapa with feature comic Dan Hall. The evening is hosted by Chad Blodgett, a New Hampshire native who’s built a following at area nightclubs, and at events like the Portland, Maine, Comedy Festival; he’s the 2018 Vermont Snowplow Comedy champion. The show is presented by Tiny Hands Productions, Thursday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m., Hatbox Theatre, 270 Loudon Road, Concord, tickets $22 at hatboxnh.com (18+).

• Outdoor music: A downtown parking lot hosts The Ghost of Paul Revere. The Maine roots trio released their third studio album, Good At Losing Everything, in late August. They were poised to stage their annual Ghostland festival last month; instead, the four-show event was streamed. Their music is lyrically insightful, blending folk, bluegrass, rock and alternative. Friday, Oct. 16, 8:30 p.m., Service CU at Pop Up NH, Bridge Street Parking Lot, Portsmouth. Reserved tables start at $70, portsmouthnhtickets.com.

• Weekend wrap: Enjoy upbeat, familiar tunes from Another Shot Acoustic at a venue that began offering live music as soon as it was allowed and has continued on multiple days in the ensuing months. The husband and wife duo of Chris and Donna Colella plays classic rock, country and chart hits spanning decades. They are a popular attraction throughout New England. Sunday, Oct. 18, 4:30 p.m., Stumble Inn, 20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry. See facebook.com/TheStumbleInnNH.

• Silver screen: A career-spanning 2017 Stevie Nicks show captured on film, 24 Karat Gold: The Concert arrives at a time when the next superstar tour seems a distant dream. It includes songs from Nicks’ solo albums, like “Edge of Seventeen” and her duet with the late Tom Petty, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” along with Fleetwood Mac favorites. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Chunky’s Cinema Pub, 707 Huse Road, Manchester. Tickets are $12.99 at chunkys.com.

Local music news & events

Maine attraction: Five shows over two days allow comedian Bob Marley to perform for socially distanced audiences in a theater he routinely sells out at capacity. Venue management hinted that an extra show or two may be added — no word on how Marley will adhere to his well-known policy of never performing the same set twice. Friday, Oct. 9, at 6 and 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 10, at 3:30, 6 and 8:30 p.m. at Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets $46.25 at ccanh.com.

• Local light: Necessity is the mother of you-know-what as singing drummer Masceo Williams performs on a basement club’s outdoor patio, repurposed for the pandemic. It’s billed as An Evening With Masceo, which could mean an appearance from The Special Guests, an abbreviated reunion of his old band Jamantics with guitarist Freeland Hubbard and ubiquitous bass player Eric Reingold. Friday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord, $2 cover; event is 21+.

• Piano man: An audience-driven night of piano cabaret, Mix Tape features Robert Dionne playing requests and engaging in a bit of stump the band, or, more precisely, the man behind the keyboard. Dionne is the founding and artistic director of the Majestic, a charming performer and ace musicologist as well; stumping him won’t be easy. Saturday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 880 Page St., Manchester. In person tickets are $15, call 669-7460. Virtual tickets are $10 at majestictheatre.net.

• Rustic return: Weekly music, with singer-guitarist Carl Chloros kicking things off, is back through the end of November at a country store and eatery. Chloros, one half of Old Gold Duo, performs classic acoustic Americana tunes. Upcoming performers include Steve Haidaichuk (Oct. 17), Nicole Knox Murphy (Oct. 24), Lisa Guyer (Nov. 7), Paul Lussier (Nov. 14) and Henry Laliberte (Nov. 21). Saturday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m., Town Cabin Deli & Pub, 285 Old Candia Road, Candia, see facebook.com/towncabin.

• Barn burner: Proud New Hampshire native Gabby Martin plays outdoors at a Lakes Region brewery as the opportunities for such al fresco excursions wane with the falling leaves. Martin, a bright and vivacious singer-songwriter, had a busy summer. She fills her set with familiar fare like Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Bailey Ray. Sunday, Oct. 11, 3 p.m., Twin Barns Brewing Co., 194 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, facebook.com/gabbymartinmusic.

Local music news & events

• Cooling off: Singer, songwriter and ubiquitous talent Jennifer Mitchell performs a roll-in to the weekend at Village Trestle (25 Main St. in Goffstown). See Jennifer Mitchell Thursday, Oct. 1, 6 p.m. (facebook.com/JenniferMitchellMusic).

• Laugh line: Veteran comic and Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Famer Ace Aceto performs at a luxe movie theater that’s served well for standup shows in Manchester while its downtown showcase remained shuttered. There is good news on that front, as Headliners recently announced a planned return to live shows, beginning with area favorite Will Noonan on Nov. 7. Friday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m., Chunky’s Cinema, 707 Huse Road, Manchester. Tickets $20 at headlinerscomedyclub.com.

• Fab before: Named after the Abbey Road room where the Beatles made many great records, Studio Two is a charming tribute act that focuses on John, Paul, George and Ringo during the years when they played clubs and toured Europe, a time when it was possible to hear the songs played without a frantic swarm of screaming fans drowning out everything. Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m., Franklin Opera House, 316 Central St. (City Hall), Franklin. Tickets $15 at franklinoperahouse.org.

• Song circle: In a nod to solo artists who’ve held forth during the pandemic, an Acoustic Showcase runs from early afternoon into the evening. Performing at the weather-permitting event are Jim Nicotera, Tom Keating, Travis Rollo, Brother Seamus, Justin Jordan and Matt Bergeron. A silver living of this strange and difficult year is the exposure given to local musicians. Saturday, Oct. 3, 1 p.m., Molly’s Tavern, 35 Mont Vernon Road, New Boston, facebook.com/MollysTavernAndRestaurant.

Local music news & events

• On course: When he’s not with the band 21st and 1st, Justin Jordan plays solo, covering rock, pop, country and soul hits — his take on Dustin Lynch’s “Middle of Nowhere” is particularly good, as is a stripped-down version of the Gin Blossoms’ “Found Out About You.” The outdoor music season continues while temperatures remain bearable (and portable heaters exist). Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 p.m., The Hills Restaurant, 50 Emerson Road, Milford, facebook.com/JustinJordanMusic.

• McFly time: It’s an evening of Big Eighties music from Mullett, but the real star is a Delorean just like in Back to the Future, and the chance to post a ’gram photo next to it with a “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads” caption. Merch from the movie will be sold, with all profits going to Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s foundation. Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Cheshire Fairgrounds, 247 Monadnock Hwy., Swanzey. Tickets are $60 to $99 (up to five-person car pass) at drive-in-live.com.

• Saddle up: A benefit concert for prostate cancer has Jimmy Lehoux Band’s “Northern Mind, Southern Soul” brand of country music, performing outdoors along the shores of the Merrimack River. Admission includes a craft beer from the brewery presenting the fourth annual event, dubbed “Giddy Up” with the admonition, “Take your health by the reins.” Saturday, Sept. 26, 4 p.m., Stark Brewing Co., 500 N. Commercial St., Manchester, tickets $20 at chillcares.org ($25 at the door).

• Farm fun: A free concert featuring The Band Twenty Twenty, Brian Templeton and Stragglers Plea happens in a bucolic setting well-suited to changing seasons. The band topping the bill promises alt rock “bringing a message of hope even in life’s darkest moments,” along with organic produce and handcrafted food, a helpful message for right now. Sunday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m., Kennedy Hill Farm, 176 Kennedy Hill Road, Goffstown, facebook.com/TempletonFamilyOrganics.

• Back home: When she moved to Nashville a few weeks back, Amanda McCarthy promised to return for a hometown gig. The NEMA-winning singer-songwriter is midway through her I’ll Be Back tour and playing a set at the downtown restaurant and bar where she started out as a professional musician. She has two more New England appearances before heading south again. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m., Penuche’s Music Hall, 1087 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/amandamcmusic.