Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Leading in: Enjoy a variety of musical genres with Tim Hazelton, a singer-songwriter based in Holderness who moves from guitar to ukulele and covers songs across the spectrum — his “Folsom Prison Blues” is a good one — along with some tasty originals. He made an album a while back with David Young as the Tim & Dave Show. Hazelton can also rock out and dig deep into the blues. Wednesday, Nov. 25, 6 p.m., Hermanos Cocina Mexicana, 11 Hills Ave., Concord, facebook.com/Tim-Hazelton-Music.

• Dining out: Small plates and country music are on the menu as Nicole Knox Murphy performs. The Candia-based singer-songwriter used her spring lockdown time to finish and release “I’m So Done” and “The 802” — the latter tune is an ode to Murphy’s Vermont roots. She was a working musician and a beauty show contestant in her teenage years. Friday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m., Granite Tapas & Cocktail Lounge, 1461 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, nkmsings4u.com.

• Laughing up: Ending an 11-year run as a comedian, according to an announcement on his Facebook page, Jay Grove and his sharp observational style of standup will be missed. Along with being a talented storyteller, he helped the scene grow, hosting Monday night open mic shows at Penuche’s in Concord and opening a few clubs of his own. The most recent was Curlie’s, in his hometown of Rochester. See him one last time Friday, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. Chunky’s Cinema Pub, 151 Coliseum Ave, Nashua, tickets are $15 at headlinerscomedyclub.com.

• Working it: Acoustic singer and guitarist Christopher Perkins performs as The Lone Wolf Project. His set list includes everything from Queensrÿche to Cyndi Lauper, with sweet tunes like John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” offered as well; he even covers “Cum On Feel The Noize.” He has some nice originals as well; “Today” is a family-centered song written during lockdown. Saturday, Nov. 28, 8 p.m., South Side Tavern, 1279 Willow St., Manchester, facebook.com/ASoloAcousticExperience.

Local music news & events

• Flighting: Southern California-based tribute band The Eagles Experience presents a convincing recreation of their sound, from the four-part harmonies of “Heartache Tonight” to Don Henley’s melancholy on “Heart of the Matter.” An originally scheduled full hall appearance was split into two shows to accommodate social distancing requirements. Saturday, Nov. 21, 5 and 8 p.m., Dana Center for the Humanities, 100 Saint Anselm Dr., Manchester. Tickets are $40 at anselm.edu.

• Modness: Singer Rick Larrimore’s Rod Stewart Tribute Show convinces on two fronts. He looks the part of the shaggy-haired pop star, and his delivery — sandy-throated vocals, fluid mannerisms and impish charm — is a perfect doppelganger. Larrimore is a big draw in Las Vegas, when a pandemic isn’t running the tables. The event is limited to four-seat table reservations. Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. at Pasta Loft Restaurant & Pub, 241 Milford Oval, No. 4, Milford, tickets $80 per table at eventbrite.com.

• Worldly: Serious music ensues at a Symphony NH event called Universal Perspectives, as Maestro Roger Kalia leads a 10-piece string ensemble performing selections ranging from Gershwin’s “Lullaby” to a pair of Brazilian pieces — Danza’s “De Panama” and “Mother & Child” — concluding with a musical journey to Estonia and the enduring hymn “Amazing Grace.” Sunday, Nov. 22, 2 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester. Tickets $10 to $25 at palacetheatre.org.

• Percussive: Though Drinksgiving is Covid-diminished this year, Senie Hunt will perform an evening of his unique, guitar-as-a-drum music to lead into the holiday. Born in Sierra Leone, Hunt moved from New Hampshire to Memphis a while back but has been in town for the past several weeks. He’ll debut a new Christmas album, Winter Meadow, at the show. Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord. $2 at the door, see seniehunt.com.

Local music news & events

• Laugh night: After working as a district attorney and criminal defense lawyer, Paul D’Angelo became a standup comic, and a successful one at that. He’s opened for everyone from Aretha Franklin to Huey Lewis, at places such as Caesar’s Palace and New York City’s Friar’s Club. D’Angelo also appeared on Showtime’s Godfathers of Comedy a while back as well. Friday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester. Tickets are $25 at palacetheatre.org.

• Local lights: A silver lining of Covid-19 is area bands like Mica’s Groove Train who’ve stepped up to fill the gap left by national tour cancellations and received well-deserved big-stage spotlight moments. Yamica Peterson keeps busy in a number of configurations, but her NEMA-nominated group is the one that gave her a name for soulful, danceable funk. Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are $25 at banknhstage.com.

• Brew tunes: Live music returns to a neighborhood microbrewery as Nick Ferrero strums and sings at an afternoon gathering. Ferrero is described as a “folk punk singer songwriter and heartfelt rock ’n’ roller,” who “aims to be the voice of his generation, whether anyone hears it or not.” The event will be set up for social distancing, the way of the world for the foreseeable future. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m., To Share Brewing Co., 720 Union St., Manchester, see facebook.com/nickferreroofficial.

• Blues dude: A regular around the region for decades, Arthur James debuts his friendly blues music at a venerable venue. Last year, James released the solo acoustic Hey… I’m Still Here, his first LP sans band, and a prescient move considering the current live performance climate. Highlights include the easygoing “Got Me A Woman” and “292 Nashua Street,” a countrified gem. Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., The Stone Church, 5 Granite St., Newmarket; more at arthurjames.org.

Local music news & events

• Road show: A favorite in their home city of Manchester, Queen City Improv takes its on-the-spot comedy act to the capital for a monthly residency that runs through August 2021. Each QCI show is new, often drawn from current events. At the next one, a BYOB affair, the troupe plans to crown one of its own as President of Concord, because we do need another election. Thursday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m., Hatbox Theatre, 270 Loudon Road, Concord. Tickets are $22 at hatboxnh.org.

• Bottom drop: After moving across town recently, the popular Bass Weekly DJ night continues with Josh Teed performing a two-hour set; Teed recently released a new EP. The evening begins with lead-in half-hour sets from Jacek and Versible, followed by Location and Chmura with an hour each. Temperatures will be taken at the door for this safe and sane floor-shaking event. Friday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $5 cover, more at facebook.com/electricimpulseevents.

• Lively time: Born and raised in Florida, Pete Peterson grew up on Southern rhythm and blues music. He later moved north, married into the region and has become a fixture on the scene with his bands Rhythm Method and Family Affair, both featuring his daughter Yamica. He’s also ubiquitous playing and singing as a solo performer. Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 p.m. Derryfield Country Club, 625 Mammoth Road, Manchester. See facebook.com/Pete-Peterson-Music-NH-690452174323834.

• Sing and sup: Despite the pandemic, hardworking singer and guitarist Brad Bosse is performing nearly nonstop this month, sometimes twice in the same day. Engaging and crowd-friendly, Bosse’s setlist is wide and varied. He can move from a smoothly Sinatra song to covering Notorious B.I.G., then jump over to Sublime’s West Coast reggae and end on a Kenny Chesney country note. Sunday, Nov. 8, 4 p.m., Copper Door, 15 Leavy Dr., Bedford. See facebook.com/BradBosseMusic.

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.