Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Storyteller: A singer-songwriter who rose to prominence during the ’90s folk boom, David Wilcox is a consummate performer, spinning tales and playing heartfelt songs. His latest album, last year’s My Good Friends, is full of mini movies like “Dead Man’s Phone,” “This Is How It Ends” and “Lost Man.” It showcases the tenor of his live shows, as it’s mostly stripped down. Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road Exeter, $12.50 and up at thewordbarn.com.

• Debauched: Raucous and irreverent, The Gobshites are frequently called “the only Folk ’n’ Irish band that matters” and on their current U.S. tour, the merch table includes Make America Drunk Again stickers. The Boston-based acoustic punk rockers are the perfect fit for a show at a venerable downtown pub as the halfway to St. Patrick’s day mark approaches — which is Sept. 17, by the way. Friday, Sept. 13, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $10 at the door, 21+.

• Believable: Well-regarded Fleetwood Mac tribute band Silver Springs performs in Manchester. Named after the song that Stevie Nicks memorably sang while staring holes into Lindsay Buckingham on VH1 — which they replicate in their shows — the group sticks to the late ’70s and later version of Mac, though they do unearth a scorching “Oh Well” from the Peter Green era. Saturday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $39 at palacetheare.org.

• Familial: After years of sticking to his own solo music, A.J. Croce began doing Croce by Croce concerts, paying tribute to his songwriter father. Fittingly, the first song of his dad’s he recorded was “I Got A Name.” Jim Croce died in a plane crash when his son was 2 years old. Later, he found a musical connection by studying reels of tape for clues about his artistic process. Sunday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $67 and up at tupelomusichall.com.

• Legitimate: When the Byrds recorded Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” in 1965, Roger McGuinn was the only band member in the studio; the rest of the musicians were the famous Wrecking Crew. McGuinn’s scripted one-man show is both acoustic and electric, a look back from his folkie days to his time in the Brill Building, and his role helping shape folk rock. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $45.75 at ccanh.com.

Local music news & events

• Memorial: Reflecting on the loss of his best friend and drummer to cancer in 2021, Jeffrey Foucault recorded his latest, The Universal Fire, live in his living room. “The album is kind of a working wake … as well as a meditation on the nature of beauty, artifact and loss,” according to a press release. Foucault and Billy Conway toured together for the better part of a decade. Thursday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m., Word Barn Meadow, 66 Newfields Road Exeter, $30 at thewordbarn.com.

• Recreator: From an early age, Shaun Hague was a guitarist to watch; his Journeyman: A Tribute to Eric Clapton is proof that the excitement was warranted. Hague approximates Clapton’s skill and style, and even looks a bit like him. It’s the licks that linger, however, as the guitar slinger tears through hits like “Layla,” “Cocaine,” “Forever Man” and “White Room” with authority. Friday, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m., BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $35 and up at ccanh.com.

• Believable: Back in 2015, U2 tribute act Unforgettable Fire received the ultimate tribute, when guitarist The Edge and bass player Adam Clayton joined them onstage at a club in New York City. The group has been at it for almost 30 years, with a show that digs deep into U2’s catalog, even playing songs made before the band’s first album, Boy, was released in 1981. Saturday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 at tupelomusichall.com.

• Friendly: Hip-hop pals and collaborators A-F-R-O & 60 East perform at a regular Rap Night, with a set drawing from last year’s EP At the Sideshow. A-F-R-O, or All Flows Reach Out, has a solo effort, Afrodeezeak, dropping next week. The event also includes New England rapper Ben Shorr, and is hosted by eyenine and Shawn Caliber, with DJ Myth on the turntables and a freestyle open mic. Sunday, Sept. 8, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $10 at the door, 21+.

• Traveler: A rising singer-songwriter is the guest at the latest Loft Living Room Session. The intimate evening of music spotlights Eli Lev. His expansive Four Directions project, completed in 2021, was inspired by his time as a teacher on the Navajo Nation and the indigenous traditions he encountered.” Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $12 at hermitwoods.com.

Local music news & events

• Familial: Rock ’n’ roll into the Labor Day weekend with The Ferns, a father/daughter/son combo that’s becoming a regular part of the summer outdoor music scene, particularly with lakeside shows. According to their bio, Mara began singing before she could talk and Quinlan took up keys before he could walk, while Dad’s along for the ride. Thursday, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m., Harbor Bandstand, Newbury Town Dock, 976 Route 103, Newbury. Visit fernsfamilyband.com.

• Metallic: Legal wrangling aside, including a period when two groups used the name, Queensrÿche continues to make explosive music, including their most recent release, Digital Noise Alliance. The band currently includes original guitarist Michael Wilton and bass player Eddie Jackson, with lead singer Todd LaTorre taking the role once held by Geoff Tate, who now leads Mindcrime. Friday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $65 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Reflective: The creator of movies like Clerks, Mallrats and Chasing Amy, Kevin Smith has in the recent past made time for a one-man show that ends with audience questions. The latter process lasts as long as it needs to, quite a feat for a guy whose most famous character is Silent Bob.Friday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m., The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, $58.50 and up at themusichall.org.

• Revival: Fans of the Big ’80s can fill their plate at Parti-Gras 2.0. Poison singer Bret Michaels leads an evening of music recalling Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, with guest appearances from ex-Foreigner singer Lou Gramm, who does the correct version of “Cold as Ice,” and Dee Snider rocking Twisted Sister and on occasion nailing AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.” Saturday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 61 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $41 and up at livenation.com.

• Taylolivia: A DJ-led tag team event, 22 & good 4 u has the music of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo on full blast all night long. Those feeling beset by a vampire can shake it off and have a teenage dream of an evening courtesy of an event company that hosts many Taylor-themed parties, including an all girly-pop show, and a snowy joint with boy band One Direction called Winter 1derland. Saturday, Aug. 31, 7 p.m., BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $18 at ccanh.com.

Local music news & events

• Green scene: Enjoy two days of traditional music in two venues at the New Hampshire Irish Festival, with free shows in the Spotlight Room (book online) including local faves Marty Quirk and Black Pudding Rovers and then main stage sets from Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones, Ronan Tynan, the Spain Brothers, Screaming Orphans and Seamus Kennedy. Friday, Aug. 23, 5 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 24, 3 p.m., Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, $49 and up at palacetheatre.org.

• Bee cool: Art and activism combine at the second annual Wildflower Festival. Cat Wolf plays solo during an arts market that runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes food and local creators, followed at 6 p.m. by sets from Winkler, Sneaky Miles and Rigometrics. The event is an environmental awareness fundraiser with the goal to build pollinator gardens and bee hotels around Milford. Saturday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m., Keyes Field, 45 Elm S., Milford, $20 at eventbrite.com.

• Close harmony: Maybe the only bluegrass band to play the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mipso recalls Americana trailblazers Gram Parsons and Harvest-era Neil Young while keeping company with contemporaries like Nickel Creek and Milk Carton Kids. Their interplay is superb, but it’s their harmonies that grab — smooth as honey-sweetened butter stirred with a cinnamon stick. Thursday Aug. 22, 8 p.m., 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, $20 and up at 3sarts.org.

• Bloodlines: The progeny of proto-classic rock supergroup drive Sons of Cream. Kofi Baker and Malcolm Bruce, along with a grandnephew of Ginger Baker, aren’t a tribute act, though they faithfully recall the band. Sunday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $29 and up at etix.com.

• Highway stars: It’s been more than 50 years since Deep Purple released its career-defining Machine Head, and the opening riff of “Smoke on the Water” still rings in space. Ian Gillan, who sang on the album, is still in the band, as are drummer Ian Paice and bass player Roger Glover. Fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Yes open the show; guitarist Steve Howe is their only original member. Wednesday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 61 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $41 and up at livenation.com.

Local music news & events

• Music comedy: Playing in bars and at weddings, Dave Andrews learned to tell jokes between songs, and ultimately he decided to combine them into a single act. He tops a local comedy show with support from Greg Boggis and Jonah Simmons; Alana Foden hosts. Thursday Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m., Soho Asian Restaurant, 49 Lowell Road, Hudson, $18; text 603-320-5393.

• Triple play: A concert benefiting veterans’ charity Rolling Thunder, Rock n’ Roll Circus is an all-star band of blues rockers including Johnny A., James Montgomery and Jon Butcher, along with Deric Dyer, Cliff Goodwin, Mitch Chakour, Marty Richards and Wolf Ginandes. Expect R&B classics and selections from Johnny Winter, Joe Cocker, Yardbirds and maybe Jimi Hendrix. Friday, Aug 16, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $34 and up at tickets.tupelohall.com.

• Beachy keen: Wear a tropical shirt and Panama hat for Summerfest, an afternoon of live music from headliner Air Traffic Controller, local favorites Best Not Broken and Eliot Lewis, a looping wizard who’s performed with Daryl Hall & John Oates and Average White Band. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Saturday, Aug. 17, noon, Anheuser-Busch Biergarten, 221 DW Highway, Merrimack, $25 ($15 under 21, free 12 and under) at budweisertours.com.

• Suncookin’: The region’s newest listening room is running, with regular events like Nothin’ But The Blues, a biweekly shindig hosted by guitarist and man of the world Brooks Young. It promises frequent guests, country-flavored rock and plenty of fretwork from its talented host. Other regular events are Sunday Jazz, Americana Jams and Open Stage sessions, with more coming. Sunday, Aug. 18, 1:30 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, pembrokecitylimits.com.

• All-day music: A rootsy, laid-back affair, the annual Folksoul Festival has a lineup packed with great musicians who are also good friends. The day-long event includes beloved folk trio Low Lily, singer, songwriter and djembe tapper Tara Greenblatt and her band, Cape Breton duo Perin and Garrett, Long Journey, Tattoo, and the festival’s hosts, The Folksoul Band. Sunday, Aug. 18, 10:30 a.m., Outdoor State, 8 Driscoll Road, Greenfield, $20 donation, call 547-3730 for more.

Local music news & events

• Metal mamas: Southern California-based tribute band The Iron Maidens performs “The Trooper,” “Hallowed Be Thy Name” and “Can I Play With Madness?” with the same visual touch taken by Lez Zeppelin – band members are female, with nicknames like “Bruce Chickinson.” They touch on each stage of the thunderous band’s career, and even bring Eddie, the grim reaper, out for a bow. Thursday, Aug 8, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $40 at tupelomusichall.com.

• Road tested: Prog-folk duo The Rough and Tumble continue a concert series at a historic lakeside listening room. With forceful lyrics and musicality, Pennsylvania-born Mallory Graham and Californian Scott Tyler have toured for more than a decade and won many awards along the way. Friday, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m., The Livery, 58 Main St., Sunapee, $20 at thelivery.org.

• Funky sound: Six-piece funk fusion powerhouse Mica’s Groove Train returns to a favorite venue. Band leader Yamica Peterson is a soulful singer and keyboard player with a voice that can lift a crowd from its chairs and onto the dance floor. They are back and busy with a solid catalog of original songs. Saturday, Aug. 10, 8 p.m., Stumble Inn, 28 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, micasgroovetrain.com.

• Rap night: A regular weekly hip-hop event in downtown Manchester is upsized into Rap Night Super Show. It’s a packed event, with NYC-based, Denver-raised rapper Deca, best known for the single “Breadcrumbs,” topping the bill. He’s joined by Felix Forward, Dillon, Jarv, Mister Burns and Campbell Red, with DJ Myth on turntables and Shawn Caliber co-hosting with eyenine. Sunday, Aug. 11, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, $10 door, 21+.

• Folk goddess: Along with writing gorgeous songs, Antje Duvekot is a talented animator who’s made music videos for Dar Williams, Toad the Wet Sprocket and other contemporaries. Her most recent album is 2023’s fan-funded New Wild West. Tuesday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $15 and up at eventbrite.com.