Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Bucolic: Now that the weather is improving, a Word Barn concert starring Ryan Montbleau happens outdoors in their meadow for the first time this season. A few years ago, Montbleau made a series of records titled Wood, Fire, Water and Air, with the final song of the last disc offering a sense of closure and peace. Musician and artist Dan Blakeslee will open. Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m., The Word Barn Meadow, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $15 and up at portsmouthnhtickets.com.

• Quirky: Purposeful, political and widely varied in musical approach, Bella’s Bartok is a band that defies description. On “Graveyard Funk” they build on a “Monster Mash” drum riff for a masterful bit of horror funk, while “Into the Woods” is an eerie gothic waltz. The band is part of a terrific double bill, with Seacoast-based Bitter Pill opening with a special brand “rhythm and bluegrass.” Friday, May 31, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $23.75 at ccanh.com.

• Fab: Spanning the eras, home-grown tribute act Beatlejuice performs. Originally led by Brad Delp until his death in 2007, the reverent cover band carries on with changing members, all with long resumes in the regional music scene. They delight in doing Beatles songs from “Love Me Do” to “Paperback Writer,” with drummer John Muzzy perched behind a genuine “Ringo” kit. Saturday, June 1, 7:30 pm., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $29 at palacetheatre.org.

• Reflective: When he performed in the Lakes Region a year ago, John Hiatt brought the band behind Slow Turning, the follow-up to his breakout album, Bring the Family. This time, he plays solo. Sunday, June 2, 7 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, $49 and up at etix.com.

• Doomy: A twilight show at a growing craft brewery has five acts, led by VRSA, a New Haven band making its Concord debut. The title track of its latest album, Saltwater Circadian, echoes early Black Sabbath at the outset, then morphs into a bullhorn, slash and burn affair, great stuff. Also on the bill are Manchester-based Hobo Wizard, Komodo, BÜZÊM and Evil Bong. Tuesday, June 4, 6 p.m., Feathered Friend Brewing, 231 S. Main St, Unit 2, Concord. More at songkick.com.

Local music news & events

• All inclusive: Million Dollar Quartet star and piano prodigy Nat Zegree’s The History of Rock ’n’ Roll is a Cliffs Notes version of Andrew Hickey’s 500 Songs podcast, charting the early days of the genre before it had a name. Follow the rise of Bill Haley & the Comets, Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, as well as Jerry Lee Lewis, who Zegree portrayed in the musical. Thursday, May 23, 7:30 p.m., The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, $42 and up at themusichall.org.

• Ocean Stater: Though he calls Rhode Island home these days, J. Michael Graham is originally from New Hampshire and is pleased to be returning to perform at a favorite watering hole. The singer, songwriter and guitarist has released a pair of well-received original albums, and performed with a wide range of artists, from James Montgomery to Deer Tick and the Dresden Dolls. Friday, May 24, 8 p.m., Village Trestle, 25 Main St., Goffstown. More at jmgrahammusic.com.

• Horror show: The EDM pop culture soiree Halloween Stories is set in fictitious Grimoire Village, where the spooky night never ends. Come dressed as a werewolf, witch, zombie or demon and experience house, drums n’ bass, dubstep and other beat-heavy sounds by Snaggletooth, Too Hard to Spell, and DJ LAWR. Advance purchase is required for the 21+ event. Saturday, May 24, 9 pm., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $19.99 at grimoireacademy.com.

• Boston laughs: Though his admiration of Bill Murray made him want to be an actor early on, Will Noonan has made his name as a comic, winning accolades from the now-defunct Improper Bostonian as the city’s best, and he recently appeared in the broadcast booth at Fenway Park alongside Sox legend Jim Rice. His relatable standup makes him a regular favorite in New Hampshire. Saturday, May 25, 8:30 p.m., Chunky’s Cinema, 707 Huse Road, Manchester, $20 at chunkys.com.

• First nights: Outdoor concerts in the Lakes Region kick off for the summer. The Beach Boys headline the weekend-closing show, with Mike Love now the last of the band’s old guard, along with Bruce Johnston, who joined in 1965. Also on the bill is Dave Mason and Traffic Jam, reviving the group he co-founded; he wrote their early hit “Feelin’ Alright.” Sunday, May 26, 7:30 p.m., Bank of NH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $41 and up at livenation.com.

Local music news & events

• Scotsman: Punk rock fans will delight in a multi-act downtown show headlined by Billy Liar. The Scotland native’s latest album, Crisis Actor, is a post-pandemic gem, with a guest appearance from Frank Turner and a batch of songs that rage, scream and snarl. Rounding out the bill are Oh The Humanity, regional favorites Jonee Earthquake Band and The Doldrums. Thursday, May 16, 7:30 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $5 at the door, 21+. See billyliarmusic.com.

• Guitar man: Three decades after breaking through with his surf-shredding Endless Summer, Gary Hoey has been in a blues mood for the past few albums; his most recent is 2019’s Neon Highway Blues. More than a few polls list him among the top 100 guitarists in the world, and Hoey has performed with everyone from Johnny Winter to Jeff Beck and Queen’s Brian May. Friday, May 17, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 at tupelohall.com.

• Crowd work: When veteran standup comic Cory Gee bounds onstage, he’s almost immediately mixing with the crowd; learning who’s married, which couples are dating for the first time, and who might be celebrating a birthday. The rapid-fire back and forth helps him size up the audience, but it’s not a call for a longer conversation. He’s setting up jokes. Saturday, May 18, 8:30 pm., Headliners Comedy Club, 700 Elm St., Manchester, $23 at headlinersnh.com.

• Blues contest: The road to Memphis 2025 begins at the Granite State Blues Challenge, where bands, solo and duo performers and youth acts compete for tops in the state. The event is presented by Granite State Blues Society, which is dedicated to preserving the blues while raising money for children’s charities. Winners will perform at the International Blues Competition next year. Sunday, May 19, 1 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $15 at ccanh.com.

• Trumpeter: Legendary horn player, composer and producer Herb Albert and singer Lani Hall perform. With Tijuana Brass, the album cover of his Whipped Cream & Other Delights was the ’60s version of clickbait; interestingly Alpert was also the co-owner of the label that released it, A&M Records. A decade later, Alpert hit with the dance floor classic Rise. Monday, May 20, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 33 Main St., Nashua, $49 at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

Local music news & events

• Musical meetup: This week’s Blues Therapy gathering has Willie J. Laws, a Texas guitar slinger who’s been in New Hampshire long enough to win a New England Music Award twice. Hosted by local maven Mickey Maguire, currently bass player for Frankie Boy & The Blues Express, the regular event always has a headliner and is a hub for the regional blues scene. Thursday, May 9, 8 p.m., Stonecutters Pub, Downstairs, 63 Union Square, Milford. See williejlawsband.com.

• Classic brand: With drummer Phil Ehart sidelined by a heart attack, Kansas has one remaining original member, lead guitarist Rich Williams. Beginning as a progressive rock band, and one of the first to feature violin as a lead instrument, the group streamlined its sound and had a series of AOR and Top 40 hits starting with 1977’s “Carry On My Wayward Son.” Friday, May 10, 8 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $67.75 and up at ccanh.com.

• Funny women: Celebrate the maternal side of life at Mother of a Comedy Show, with Kerri Louise, Christine Hurley and Kelly MacFarland providing the laughs. For those who prefer their entertainment before dinner, there’s a late afternoon matinee along with an evening set. Saturday, May 11, 5 and 8 pm., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $30 at palacetheatre.org.

• Treasured songs: A reunion with producer Russ Titelman helped Rickie Lee Jones earn a Grammy nomination for her 2023 album Pieces of Treasure, her first foray into the Great American Songbook. Titelman helmed Jones’ eponymous debut, with the hit “Chuck E’s In Love,” and her follow-up, Pirates. Jones is a celebrated writer; her memoir Last Chance Texaco won several awards. Sunday, May 12, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $45 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Country kid: Up and coming singer-songwriter Taylor Hughes plays an intimate midweek set at a favorite restaurant and bar. Hughes offers up aching originals like “Dear Today” and “Deadman” along with covers of Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers, and the buzz on him is so strong that his upcoming showcase at Bank of NH Stage in Concord is close to sold out. Wednesday, May 15, 7 p.m., The Forum Pub, 15 Village St., Concord. See facebook.com/tayhughesmusic.

Local music news & events

• Affirming: New England acoustic roots supergroup Barnstar marks its first album in nearly a decade. Furious Kindness is brimming with positivity, “a beacon of joy in a world that could use a bit more kindness” according to a band statement. One listen to de facto title song “Anybody Got a Light?” is enough to stir a cold soul to action, a welcome chord of hope against dissonance. Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $16 to $35 at thewordbarn.com.

• Coming back: Texas-born singer-songwriter Chase Bryant laid bare his mental health struggles on 2021’s Upbringing. His latest EP, Ashland City, includes a co-write with Lone Star State legend Ray Wylie Hubbard. Music is in Bryant’s lineage: His grandfather performed with Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings, and his uncle co-founded the band Ricochet. Friday, May 3, 7 p.m., Sullivan Arena (Saint Anselm College), 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, $50 and up at anselm.edu.

• On the daily: When Jon Stewart isn’t hosting The Daily Show, Jordan Klepper often sits in the anchor chair, one of many satellite stars to emerge from the long-running Comedy Central program. Add to that Klepper’s standup talents, which are on display in an area show, and his Fingers The Pulse man-in-the-street interviews, which have garnered two Emmy nods. Saturday, May 4, 8 pm., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $35 and up at ccanh.com.

• Multiplicity: Even when they’re playing acoustic, as they mostly do, Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela offer up electrifying music. The pair, whose latest album is the Advaita Vedanta-inspired In Between Thoughts … A New World, blend Spanish flamenco-nuevo fretwork with rock ’n’ roll panache for a dazzling sound that really should be witnessed live to be appreciated. Sunday, May 5, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $49 and up at etix.com.

• All-consuming: While Against Me! is on hiatus, Laura Jane Grace is busy with solo projects like the recently released Hole in My Head, of which Rolling Stone wrote, “There’s a bone-weary feeling to the record that befits a punk in their forties stepping back to take a look at the life they’ve built thus far.” She performs with her band The Devouring Mothers; The Devil’s Twins open. Monday, May 6, 8 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $35 at seetickets.us.

Local music news & events

Country: Boston-based singer-songwriter Louie Bello celebrates his new single at an area show. Bello’s upbeat modern country song “Yippy Ki Yay” was well-received on streaming services, receiving more than a million views. His latest release, “Grown Man Cry,” is a tender ballad about love and loss. Thursday, April 25, 8 p.m., The Goat, 50 Old Granite St., Manchester. See louiebello.com.

• Rustic: Singer-guitarist Michael Glabicki pairs with instrumentalist Dirk Miller for a show dubbed Uprooted. In a game of musical word association, Glabicki’s band Rusted Root invariably leads to “Send Me On My Way.” From TV ads to kids’ movies, the mid-’90s hit became ubiquitous, and through multiple decades of constant touring and several albums, the percolating left field smash continues to permeate. Friday, April 26, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $38.75 at ccanh.com.

• Underground: No-nonsense Manchester rock trio The Graniteers are joined by Boston bands the Lipstick Boys and Already Dead at a new venue in Nashua. The 21+ BYOB event is among many efforts offered by the Midnight Creatives Collective, a new group that aims to help independent musicians gather and provide resources to assist in navigating the vagaries of the music business. Saturday, April 27, 9 p.m., Terminus, 134 Haines St. (2nd floor), Nashua, $15/door, see facebook.com/midnightcreativescollective.

• Eclectic: Drawing from a wide-ranging palette, the music of Dirty Cello is, in the words of one critic, “funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic and textured.” Band leader Rebecca Roudman is a classically trained cellist who ditched the straight-laced world to rock out. They play everything from “These Boots Are Made For Walking” to “Wayfaring Stranger,” and originals. Sunday, April 28, 6 p.m., Andres Institute of Art, 106 Route 13, Brookline, $25 at andresinstitute.org.

• Brassy: A fundraiser for the Central and Hillside jazz programs is hosted by Freese Brothers Big Band, giving young musicians an opportunity to shine in the spotlight. Since 1986, the big band has awarded scholarships worth nearly $100K to youth music programs in communities across New Hampshire,. Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester; tickets are $20 at palacetheatre.org.