5 Live Music Musts - April 10, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - April 10, 2015
This week, “5 Live Music Musts” brings you 5 big shows over 5 busy nights. For everyone who swore to get out as much as possible after the long winter, here’s your chance.
A is for Awesome – Autism Fundraiser
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST3 local venues, 3 days, dozens of local bands all to benefit Autism awareness specifically the Trudeau Center Children's Recreation and The Autism Project of RI. Check Facebook for all the the details. A total of 4 shows are scheduled: Firehouse 13 tonight, starting at 7PM, tomorrow, at Aurora at 3PM, and at The Parlour at 9PM, and Sunday at The Parlour at 7PM. Get out there and support a great cause.
The Sonics at the Columbus
Tomorrow night, don’t miss proto-Grunge garage band legends The Sonics at the Columbus Theatre in Providence. The band was a soundtrack at 60’s frat parties and influenced everyone from Springsteen to Nirvana. They’ve even got a new release out – expect this show to rock hard. R&B sensation Barrence Whitfield and the Savages open. Tickets are $25 for the 8PM show.
La Vent du Nord at Lillypads
La Vent du Nord is an award winning roots band from North of the border. The Quebec band is known for a kicked up roots sound and are considered “a driving force in progressive folk, who captures the energy and mirth of a Saturday night kitchen party, infusing old Québec with a breath of fresh, cosmopolitan air.” Sounds like fun! Check out the Juno (Canadian Grammy) award winning quarter Sunday April 12 at 7PM at Lilypads – tickets are $18.
Next Wednesday April 15, head to Fete in Providence for Americana singer-songwriter Caroline Rose. Her work is described as “a gospel-meets-country-meets-blues-meets-alternative collection of toe-tapping, roadworthy stories and poetry set to music.” She tours relentlessly and is considered a modern day hobo. Torn Shorts opens at 8PM – tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
R.O.C.K. in the PPAC
John Mellencamp has come a long way from singing about Jack and Dianne growing up the best they can. These days, the small town Indiana boy is writing and performing socially conscious Roots Rock. The current tour supports his latest release Plain Spoken, an album which has garnered positive some critical attention. Don’t miss our top show of the spring season next Thursday April 16 at PPAC. More good news - country legend Carlene Carter is opening – expect her to join Mellencamp on a few tunes as well. Tickets start at $42 for the 7:30 PM show.
Top 5 Spring Concerts
John Mellencamp at PPAC
John Mellencamp is playing the Providence Performing Arts Center April 16th on the final leg of his “Plain Spoken" tour of over 80 cities. Reviews from the tour have been spectacular, with critics noting the singer sounds better than ever. The “Voice of the Heartland” has some great stories to tell. His latest mostly acoustic album, Plain Spoken, has an Americana bent, and has been compared to Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks. Special guest Carlene Carter opens for Mellencamp.
Lisa Fischer at Park
Grammy winner Lisa Fischer will be playing the Park Theatre in Cranston on April 4. You may not know her name, but you definitely know her voice; she’s been a background singer for artists as varied as Luther Vandross, Sting, and most notably, the Rolling Stones, who she’s toured with since the late 80’s. Her vocals on “Gimme Shelter” propelled her career, and landed her a central role on the Oscar winning film “20 Feet From Stardom,” a documentary about background singers (which by the way, we highly recommend). Fischer will be in town leading her top notch R&B/Jazz band Grand Baton.
Kacey Musgraves at Lupos
Country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves will be at Lupos Friday March 27. Musgraves is a sassy upstart who made a splash with her hit “Follow Your Arrow,” a song that has become an anthem for many young country fans. The tune comes from her album Same Trailer, Different Park, which debuted at #1 on the Country charts in 2013. The album won a Grammy in 2013 for Best Country Album and Best Country Song in 2014 for “Follow Your Arrow.” Not too shabby a way to start a career!
David Lindley at Lilypads
One of the greatest sidemen in Rock and Roll history will be at Lilypads in Peacedale on May 16. David Lindley is well known for his work with Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and numerous others, live and in the studio. He’s always done his own thing as well, touring with just about every instrument ever fitted with strings. You’ve heard his voice before too, singing falsetto on “Stay” from the classic Jackson Brown album, Running on Empty.
Sandywoods Folk Festival
A new Memorial Day Weekend tradition begins this year with the Sandywoods Folk Festival. The first annual event with headliners like Antje Duvekot and Christine Lavin will be held “in the fields” at Sandywoods, an arts community in Tiverton. There’s a wide variety of talent scheduled over two days and the Festival jabs Newport with its “Pay What You Can” policy. (Not to mention, bottled water for only $1 a bottle!) All the details can be found here – be sure to get out and support some great local and national artists!
Honorable Mention - Rock
A whole bunch of rock shows are coming to town over the next couple of months. Lupos has Neutral Milk Hotel April 19, Scott Bradley's Post Modern Jukebox on May 1 and Of Monsters and Men on May 9. Twin River has shows with Sugar Ray and The Gin Blossons March 20, The Beach Boys April 17, and Steve Miller June 19. The Met has indie-rock supergroup Diamond Rugs on March 28 and legendary guitarist Richard Thompson April 19.
Mellow Rock in Kingston
The Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kingston has an impressive line-up of 70’s rockers this Spring starting this Saturday night March 21 with folk singer Melanie. Follow that on March 27 with the Pousette-Dart Band, Jonathan Edwards on April 18, and Pure Prairie League on May 2. John Ford Coley closes things out on May 30. And in between, the Center has RI’s top tribute band, Forever Young, interpreting the tunes of Neil Young on April 25, and the highly regarding Bluegrass Gospel Project on May 23. The soft rock beat continues into the summer with Livingston Taylor on June 27.
The Coffee House Scene
The local Coffee House scene remains busy until the annual summer break. Common Fence Music in Portsmouth has modern Bluegrass band Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys on March 28 and The Gnomes on April 18. Head to Stone Soup in Pawticket March 21 for Antje Duvekot and return on April 11 for Gordon Bok. Also, check out the Zoetical Festival with Rhode Island's own Arc Iris in residence at Aurora in Providence every Friday in April. Lots happening!
Rock, Folk, Jazz and More
The Narrows Center has Rock, Folk, Blue and Jazz royalty passing through this Spring. The Fall River venue has original Buffalo Springfield member Richie Furray leading his band on March 19, New Age pianist George Winston April 4, and Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett and the New Orleans Suspects on April 9. Suzzy Bogguss is there April 17 and Bruce Coburn visits May 11. A major Jazz show featuring the Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio with Kenny Barron and Ron Carter is scheduled for April 25.
