Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Twofer: As the field crowds, tribute acts are getting more creative. Bostyx performs the music of two late-’70s rockers, a trick that Foreigners Journey has also successfully accomplished. Standing in for Styx’s Dennis DeYoung and Brad Delp of Boston, lead singer Karthik “Raj” Seshan is a fan favorite — one called him “the true ‘Babe’” and another gushed, “the notes he hits, flawless.” Thursday, Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $40 at palacetheatre.org.

• Bluesy: Classic cars and vintage music meld as the Michael Vincent Band performs a rootsy outdoor show at an event called Rev, White & Brew, now in its fourth year. Legend has it that ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons once stopped by when his band was playing the BankNH Stage. Main Street will be shut down for pedestrian-only traffic and a steady parade of sweet rides. Friday, Aug. 15, 4 p.m., NH Vintage Vinyl / Defiant Records, Main & Canal streets, Laconia, defiantnh.com.

• Streetwise: Named for the Aztec god of dance, Latino rockers Ozomatli celebrate 30 years as the soundtrack of their L.A. hometown. “A virtual melting pot of musical style,” wrote critic Brian Baker recently, “an unconventional hybrid of every conceivable subset of Latino music … as well as ska, funk, reggae, jazz, hip-hop and punk, all presented with the panache of a savvy rock band.” Saturday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $56 at tupelohall.com.

Local music news & events

• Roots night: An Americana double bill includes folk duo Kirstie Lynn and Galen Clark, who shine on the twangy love song “I Want a Cowboy” and trace their beginnings to Virginia’s prestigious Shenandoah Conservatory, where she was studying opera before pivoting to singer-songwriter and teaming up with multi-instrumentalist Clark. New Hampshire native Colin Nevins opens. Thursday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, kirstielynn.com.

• Rough hewn: Burly protest band Tigerman Woah performs atop a three-act show that includes Highwater Haulers and Time & Place. The band formed over a decade ago around a shared love of acoustic folk music circa Woody Guthrie and Alan Lomax, evolving into a rowdier plugged-in sound that, according to the band’s website, “moves people into mosh pits and onto picket lines.” Friday, Aug. 8, 9 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, tigermanwoah.com, 21+, $15.

• Block party: A free all-day event with donations encouraged, the Manchester Jazz & Music Festival supports the city’s school district music programs. Appearing are the New Orleans-flavored Krimson Krewe with Chris Noyes, Rich Di Mare and The Ron Poster Trio, a showcase from student and high school musicians, the Yellowhouse Blues Band, Soggy Po’ Boys and The Love Dogs. Saturday, Aug. 9, noon, Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org.

Local music news & events

• Tricky tribute: With no chance of a reunion, Panorama: A Tribute to the Cars is the next worthy choice for fans of the band. They impressively tackle everything from their eponymous debut to 1984’s Heartbeat City (the last-gasp Door to Door doesn’t really count). The variety and complexity of songs like “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Hello Again” are quite challenging for any musician. Thursday, July 31, 8 p.m., LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111, Derry, $35 at labellewinery.com.

• Summer songs: Possessing “the heart of a poet and the voice of a storyteller,” Katie Dobbins performs a First Friday set at a Lakes Region museum. Take in the singer-songwriter’s set while saving some time to check out the oldest fully preserved textile mill in the country, the Threads of Innovation and works from rug hook artist Pam Bartlett, who uses landscapes and animals in her pieces. Friday, Aug. 1, 5 p.m., Belknap Mill, 25 Beacon St. East, Laconia, belknapmill.org.

• Blues bash: There’s a solid lineup for this year’s Granite State Blues Festival. The Chris O’Leary Band tops the bill, led by the “devastatingly soulful vocalist, dynamic harmonica master and superlative songwriter.” Boston stomp box and slide guitarist Danielle Miraglia, Misty Blues Band, All Night Boogie Band, Craig Thomas & Bluetopia and TJ Wheeler round things out. Saturday, Aug. 2, 11:30 a.m., Veterans Park, 723 Elm St., Manchester, $35 at bit.ly/gsbluesfest.

• Dynamic duo: Two distinctive Americana voices team up as Mary Chapin Carpenter & Brandy Clark share the stage. Clark is coming off a Grammy win for her song featuring Brandi Carlile, “Dear Insecurity,” and Carpenter just released a new LP, Personal History. Sunday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $66 and up at etix.com.

• Country couple: Balancing elements of old-school and new country, Martin & Kelly made such a strong impression at last year’s al fresco concert series that they’ve been invited back. Jilly Martin and guitar slinger Ryan Brooks Kelly have chemistry on stage, with sweet harmonies and deft instrumental interplay; they’ve opened for stars like Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m., Town Common, 265 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, martinkellymusic.com.

Local music news & events

• Funny ladies: The first in a summer series, Mother of a Comedy Show is a long-running showcase of New England’s top female standups. Kathe Farris, Kelly MacFarland and Kerri Louise tell jokes about family life and relationships, and keeping marriage blissful through humor and levity. The evening of comedy is “a celebration of life as a mom, daughter and spouse, in all its messy glory.” Thursday, July 24, 7:30 p.m., 38 Ladds Lane, Epping, $35 at eppingtheatre.org.

• New place: Enjoy originals and covers from singer-songwriter George Isley at a restaurant/bar in the former location of Chuck’s Barber Shop and N’awlins Grille. There’s an open mic each Thursday and live music Fridays, organized by local favorite Hank Osborne. Upcoming are Olivia Conway (8/1), Mike Barger (8/8), The Dusty Duo (8/15), Gary Smith (8/22) and Chris Salemme (8/29). Friday, July 25, 8 p.m., 90 Low, 90 Low Ave., Concord, htosborne@finesituation.com.

• Song man: Singer-songwriter Jon Pond, who performs under the moniker Spare Souls, plays a solo show at a Milford craft beer bar. Pond’s song “Provisions” is a bracing gem in its rocked up original version, and a few months back Pond re-recorded an acoustic take that’s as haunting as the first one is jumping. 2023’s “Dreams and Gold” is another standout, bluesy and upbeat. Saturday, July 26, 2:30 p.m., Station 101, 193 Union Square, Milford, facebook.com/sparesouls.

• Good brand: Guitarist Andy Scott is the closest thing to an original member left in Sweet, the British glam rock band that blew up with songs like “Little Willy,” “Love Is Like Oxygen” and “Ballroom Blitz,” but that’s the story with more than a few classic acts. “Keeping the legacy alive” is how this ensemble is advertised. At one point, multiple versions were touring, but Scott’s is the last. Sunday, July 27, 8 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St,, Derry, $45 at tupelohall.com.

• Brotherly love: Bargain seats under the roof remain for the Black Crowes show in the Lakes Region, with a “Ticket to Summer” going for 30 bucks. For years, it looked like the blues rock stars whose biggest hit was an Otis Redding cover would go the way of Oasis and their warring brothers, but now both bands are reunited and on the road. Dreams do come true. Wednesday, July 30, 7:30 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 82 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $30 and up at ticketmaster.com..

Local music news & events

• Rocking role: A veteran of the tribute scene, Zoso: The Led Zeppelin Experience recently marked three decades of its note-for-note, shirt-open-to-the-navel show. They’re as close as it gets to the true look and feel of a genre-defining act that’s reunited exactly twice since dissolving in 1980. Thursday, July 17, 7 p.m., LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111, Derry, $35 at labellewinery.com.

• Pure blues: Keeping it real with a new album, local traditionalists Blūz Chīle — Dave and Jacob Couture sharing guitar and vocals, with a rhythm section of Jeff Merriman and Brian Sullivan on bass and drums — perform a release party show. Hard Row To Sorrow is gritty and real on songs like “Badlands” and “El Dorado Way,” which sounds like an extra track from ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres LP. Friday, July 18, 8 p.m., Riley’s Place, 29 Mont Vernon St., Milford, bluzchile.com.

• Guitar man: While he’s an immensely talented country singer, Brad Paisley is even more ferocious on the frets, so fans at his Truck Still Works tour stop here can count on hearing hits like the Dolly Parton duet “When I Get To Where I’m Going” along with some serious shredding. Saturday, July 19, 7:30 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $36 and up at ticketmaster.com.

• Helping hands: Four area acts perform to benefit NH Outright, including Jake McKelvie and Megan From Work, whose 2024 album Girl Suit explores gender issues. Vanyaland called its title song “a peppy surge of soft punk that dances atop [Megan] Simon’s discarded suit, gouging holes in their once-obligatory façade.” Cade Earick and Ken Higaonna also appear. Sunday, July 20, 2:30 p.m., Candia Road Brewing, 840 Candia Road, Manchester, nhoutright.org.

• Island rap: Enjoy a midweek show from a trio of hip-hop acts, led by JOATA, Puerto Rican indie pop musician Jose Oyola. Now based in Los Angeles, Oyola infuses Caribbean rhythms and indie rock into his bilingual songs. Rounding things out are Seacoast band Bad Lab and A Lunar Landing. Wednesday, July 23, 8 p.m., Auspicious Brew, 1 Washington St., Dover, auspiciousbrew.com.

Local music news & events

• Song pull: Led by quirky Austin singer-songwriter Matt The Electrician, Family Game Night is a unique variation of a writers-in-the-round event. Natalia Zukerman, Kris Delmhorst and Erin McKeown join Matthew Sever to swap stories and share songs, the latter coming from “playful prompts” that result in “plenty of laughter, camaraderie and the occasional audience participation.” Thursday, July 10, 7 p.m., The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter, $25 at thewordbarn.com.

• Good mix: Blending elements of alt country and harmony-rich classic rock, Slim Volume is a breath of fresh air on the local music scene. At the core of the quartet is the songwriting team of Trent Larrabee and Jake DeSchuiteneer, who met as coworkers at SNHU’s Manchester campus, bonded over a shared love of ’60s bands, and found their mojo at Strange Brew’s downtown open mic. Friday, July 11, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, slimvolume.band.

• Young gun: It’s been said that modern country music is a lot like Tom Petty in the 1970s, and Gavin Marengi is a good example. The Salisbury, Mass., native’s most recent album, Northbound, offers raved-up rockers like “Back to Boston” and the soulful title cut. On the latter he sings about being “with my old six-string in a bar in Boston without a drink,” which makes sense — he’s still in his teens. Friday, July 11, 7:30 p.m., BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, $21 at ccanh.com.

• Summer fun: Canadian national treasure Barenaked Ladies top a ’90s throwback concert with Sugar Ray and Fastball, part of their Last Summer On Earth Tour. No worries, they called it that in 2022. Saturday, July 12, 7 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $30 and up at banknhpavilion.com.

• King looper: The reference point for many one-person bands is Howie Day, who was looping long before every bar act in the country discovered it. A few years ago, Day was so impressed with a parody of his biggest hit “Collide” done by three CERN graduate students that he volunteered to re-record it with them himself. The result is just lovely, and it’s definitely worth checking out on YouTube. Monday, July 13, 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, $42 at tupelohall.com.