Category: Music This Week

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.

• Laughs aplenty: A no-cover triple bill of comedy features Paul Landwehr, who recently won his first cash prize as a golfer. An aviation-themed, craft brew-centric venue is the latest to offer standup for promoter and veteran comic Rob Steen, who also hosts. The lineup is rounded out by Greg Boggis, a local hero who has long run a monthly comedy show down the street at Fody’s. Thursday, Sept. 17, 8 p.m., The Flight Center, 97 Main St., Nashua. See headlinerscomedyclub.com.

• Double down: Enjoy acoustic rock from Venom & Mayhem, a pair of identical twins playing covers, from Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” to “Zombie” from the Cranberries, mixed with originals like the sweetly nostalgic “Summer Haze.” On rare occasions the pair — Tanya on guitar, Tia tapping congas — mix the two by remaking Bon Jovi’s “You Can’t Go Home” into a song about calculus. Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Penuche’s Music Hall, 1087 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/venomandmayhem.

• Jam on: Live music under the tent runs all afternoon, ending up with Andrew North & the Rangers playing originals. Piano ace and songwriter North recently released Allamagoosalum, a concept LP inspired by Phish’s Rift as well as Tommy and Dark Side of the Moon. Saturday, Sept. 19, 5:30 p.m., Area 23, 254 N. State St., Unit H (Smokestack Center) Concord, thearea23.com. An open acoustic jam session hosted by John Farese on guitar and banjo begins at 2 p.m.

• Twang thang: Temperatures are cooler, but al fresco music is still a thing, as Sage & the Tumbleweeds play on an outdoor stage completed in late spring that’s perfectly suited for autumn in New England. The five-piece band’s music leans toward Southern rock and Eagles, with an interesting twist — congas and xylophone mix with soaring guitars and high lonesome sound. Sunday, Sept. 20, 5 p.m., Tooky Mills, 9 Depot St., Hillsborough, facebook.com/sageandthetumbleweeds.

• Local hero: Guests are welcome at a private club show by Chad LaMarsh, whose annual booze cruise was among the sadder casualties of this Covid-wracked season. In addition to being an endearing entertainer, with a set list including everything from Matchbox 20 to Nine Inch Nails, LaMarsh is a charitable guy, with his annual Bundle of Books Christmas CD. Friday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., American Social Club, 166 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua; call for reservations, 255-8272.

• Body double: The finale of Palace Theatre’s Socially Distant Concert Series stars Almost Queen. The name is an acknowledgement that “nobody could ever be Queen,” says Joseph Russo, who plays Freddy Mercury, though the New Jersey band does a convincing job of duplicating their visual elements, right down to Mercury’s mustache. Saturday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, 1 Line Dr., Manchester, $23 (four-ticket minimum) at ticketreturn.com.

• Funny man: Indoor entertainment is back at the Capitol Center as Juston McKinney performs for safely spaced out fans, part of his Comedy at a Distance tour. McKinney kept the laughter alive during quarantine but hit the stage soon after it was lifted. “Comedy is an art form that should be done in a controlled environment — sound, lights, crowd,” he said. Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets $29 at banknhstage.com.

• Band stand: Enjoy an open rehearsal from Tall Granite Big Band, playing vintage music from the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey and Les Brown. There’s also ice cream treats and family attractions — a petting zoo, giant Tonka Toy sandbox, corn maze and pumpkins, a taste of autumn to come. Monday, Sept. 14, 5 p.m., Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn, 107 Beech Hill Road, Hopkinton, see facebook.com/tallgranite.