Category: Music This Week

By Michael Witthaus

mwitthaus@hippopress.com

• Funny guys: In partnership with Reed’s North, Jody Sloane’s comedy showcase has Tony V and Ken Rogerson. Sloane calls her hometown series Happy Accident “because I literally am one. Born of peace, love, and questionable decision-making, I was conceived in 1967 during the Summer of Love — when everything was groovy, and plans were … well, optional.” Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m., Warner Underground Comedy, Kearsarge Saint Ext., Warner, $25 at simpletix.com.

• Local crew: Those looking for an after work diversion should check out Paul Hodes & the Blue Buddha Band, led by the ex-Congressman. They exude raucous energy on “The Night I Met John Lennon,” which has a Neil Young & Crazy Horse vibe. “Swimming With Sharks” may be a nod to Hodes’ D.C. days. The show celebrates the band’s second album. Friday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m., Stark Brewing Co., 500 Commercial St., Manchester, starkbrewingcompany.com.

• Woods metal: Eleven bands on two stages, indoor and out, play at the all-day Dysfunction Junction festival, along with multiple vendors and craft beer in a bucolic setting, perfect for anyone looking to combine leaf peeping and heavy metal music. Performers include Cytokine, Bonginator, Conforza, The Summoned, Overtime and Taxicab Dismemberment. Under 12 free. Saturday, Sept. 27, noon, Henniker Brewing Co., 129 Centervale Road, Henniker, $10 at eventbrite.com.

• Idol music: Unlike some who used American Idol as a springboard to overnight success, David Cook had toiled in the Midwest rock scene for a decade before the show made him a big star. Since then, the singer’s had big albums and made his Broadway debut in 2018 in Kinky Boots. Cook has released a lot of singles over the past few years; the latest is July 2024’s “Dead Weight.” Sunday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $45 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Country bash: Local stars perform classic songs at The Grand Ole Opry Through the Years with Rob Azevedo, a free Walker Lecture Series event. The John Zevos & Friends Band backs Paul Driscoll as Hank Williams and 16-year-old Olivia Conway doing Trisha Yearwood’s “Walkaway Joe,” along with tunes from Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and others. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m., Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord, walkerlecture.org.

Local music news & events

• Natural man: If he weren’t singing and playing guitar, fishing enthusiast Zak Trojano would “be out there cleaning a river,” he said a few years back. Instead, he’s making records like 2018’s acclaimed song cycle Wolf Trees while touring with Chris Smither, Jeffrey Foucault and Peter Mulvey. He’ll perform an early evening set at a restaurant/pub near his parents’ home in Contoocook. Thursday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m., The Local, 15 E. Main St., Warner, facebook.com/zaktrojano.

• Monster bash: An evening of guitar-driven rock and blues benefits Rockin’ 4 Vets, with Johnny A., Jon Butcher, Chris Anderson supplying the fretwork with high-kicking singer and harmonica player James Montgomery, who helped form the charity in 2015, leading the band. The raucous setlist will include songs from the Yardbirds, Johnny Winter, the Outlaws, Jimi Hendrix and others. Friday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $30 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Acoustic aces: Few bands have elevated the genre of bluegrass music like Alison Krauss & Union Station, still going strong more than 40 years after teenager Krauss and her fiddle began wowing audiences. Friday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $50+, livenation.com.

• Lyrical lady: Along with writing country music hits, Lori McKenna has released several albums; her latest is 2023’s 1988. She earned a Grammy nomination for 2016’s The Bird and the Rifle, and a Songwriter of the Year prize from the Academy of Country Music in 2017. Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Tim McGraw and Little Big Town have all performed McKenna’s songs. Saturday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, $54 and up at etix.com.

• Emerald shine: With the release of their 2024 album Odyssey, Celtic Thunder made a return to its roots, offering a slate of patriotic songs telling the story of the Irish state’s foundation in the early 20th century. “People are very passionate about that historical side to Ireland … it’s given us so much of our identity,” the group’s singer Emmet Cahill told the Hippo at the time. Sunday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $64 and up at nashuacenterforthearts.

Local music news & events

• Sit dance: Enjoy wine tasting and rootsy music from Alex Cumming & Audrey Jabra. Cumming is an England-born singer, accordionist, pianist and dance caller who now lives in Vermont. Fiddler Jaber hails from San Diego and has toured the world. One critic called them “a wonderful celebration of traditional folk song, dance music and the traditions of England and the U.S.” Thursday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $15 at eventbrite.com.

• Virtual ELP: With so many tribute acts, Welcome Back My Friends – An Evening with Emerson, Lake & Palmer is special because it’s not. Drummer Carl Palmer, the only surviving member of the prog rock supergroup, mixes footage of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and himself performing in 1992 at Royal Albert Hall with his live ELP Legacy Band, as all play in sync. Friday, Sept. 12, 8:30 p.m., Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, $61 and up at ccanh.com.

• Home grown: Fans of local music will enjoy the Third Annual Live Free Fest, a one-day celebration that offers a wide range of multi-genre performers along with games, food trucks and merchant booths. Acts include Cozy Throne, Regals, Seph & the Nomads, The Forest Forgets, Pointless Culture, Animatronic the Abolisher, Faith Ann Band and The Whole Loaf. Saturday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m., Hillsborough County Youth Center, 17 Hilldale Lane, New Boston, $15 at eventbrite.com.

• Axe slingers: Since moving here from Texas over a decade ago, Willie J. Laws has become part of the Granite State’s musical fabric. The fiery blues guitarist and singer headlines at a former ski lodge that’s now the performance space at a unique arts center. Also on the bill is the youthful Nick Spencer, whose fiery playing has earned accolades like “the future of blues.” Saturday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m., Andres Institute of Art, 106 Rte. 13, Brookline, $25 and up at andresinstitute.org.

• Son shining: Starting in 1996 with the multi-platinum Bringing Down the Horse, The Wallflowers have been a band in name only, its singular vision guided by front man Jakob Dylan who once said, “no one lineup … ever made two records [and] one person is actually putting the ideas together … that’s always been me.” Sunday, Sept. 14, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $54 and up at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

Local music news & events

• Kiss face: Two years ago the band that made Ace Frehley famous played its final show at Madison Square Garden, but the guitarist wasn’t there, along with drummer Peter Criss. Kiss is at this point a vanity project for Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley — the two are readying a Vegas residency — but Frehley is still out on the road, playing “Rock and Roll All Night” and other hits. Thursday, Sept. 4, at 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $75 and up at tupelohall.com.

• Doom town: After two months away from the stage, Churchburn is back playing dark songs. They’re joined by three other New England bands for a night of heavy music dubbed Summer of Doom 2025. Rounding out the bill are Vigil, who released And the Void Stared Back last year, Vacant Eyes — their last LP was 2020’s A Somber Preclusion of Being — and the doomy band Conclave. Friday, Sept. 5, 8:30 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $20 at the door, 21+.

• Ginger laughs: Raised in New York City, Steve Hofstetter had a father who watched Dick Gregory perform in Village comedy clubs in the early 1960s, so he grew up to be a smart comic. Don’t interrupt his set; Hofstetter’s retorts draw blood before an offender even knows there’s a knife in the scene. Want proof? He has a YouTube page dedicated to heckler management. Saturday, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $44 and up at palacetheatre.org.

Local music news & events

• Summer ’99: Post-grunge rockers Creed are in town with support from Daughtry, a band that initially was booked for a handful of shows on the tour until Three Doors Down had to cancel. Powered by Scott Stapp’s lead vocals, the Tallahassee four-piece broke through with its 1999 album Human Clay, which contained two No. 1 hits, “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open.” Thursday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m., SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester, $48 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Rock indoors: End the month with a regional rock showcase as VicesFest ’25 happens from noon to midnight for three days, beginning Friday. Performers include headliners Sygnal to Noise, Trawl, and Vices Inc., along with Scarecrow Hill, Sepsiss, Night Fury, Jonee Earthquake Band and over two dozen more, plus food, merch vendors, and standup comedy from Jenn Rose. Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31, noon, The Strand, 20 Third St., Dover, $23 and up at eventbrite.com.

• Blues mama: Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt performs a Lakes Region show with Jimmy Vaughan & the Tilt-A-Whirl Band. Saturday, Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m., BNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $49 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Cat’s last: Now 80 years old, Al Stewart is in the midst of a farewell tour, with Derry one of its final American stops. Best-known for mid-’70s hits like “Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat,” Stewart came up in the British folk revival with his character-driven songs, played the first Glastonbury Festival, and once shared a flat with Paul Simon. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $50 and up at tupelohall.com.

Local music news & events

• Country girl: With a new single and an album on the way, April Cushman brings her heartfelt mix of country, rock and pop to a new night spot in downtown Concord for two days. On Friday she’ll perform with her full band, playing favorites like the rollicking “Long Haul,” and on Saturday it’s a solo turn, both at the recently opened space by the BankNH Stage and the Friendly Toast restaurant. Friday, Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m., Arts Alley, 20 S. Main St., Concord, aprilcushman.com.

• Teen rockers: A benefit for Nashua Community Music School has Boston ska punk faves Big D & the Kids Table atop the bill, while giving NCMS’s Teen Rock Band a chance to play for a crowd. Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket to the family-friendly event, which offers food (each ticket includes two tacos) and supports community music. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Biergarten, 221 DW Highway, Merrimack, $40 and up at nashuacms.org.

• Blues power: A guitar-driven band from Western Pennsylvania, Billy The Kid & The Regulators are in the midst of a New England swing that stops in Milford. Led by Billy Evanochko, the group made multiple trips to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in its early days, and has shared the stage with greats like Shemekia Copeland, Koko Taylor and Joe Louis Walker. Sunday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., Riley’s Place, 29 Mont Vernon St., billythekidandtheregulators.com.

• Monster bash: Rough and tumble rockers Falling In Reverse bring their God is a Weapon tour to the Lakes Region. Monday, Aug. 25, 6 p.m., BNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $54 and up at ticketmaster.com.