5 Live Music Musts - August 29, 2014
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - August 29, 2014
We’ve got Rhythm and Roots and a whole lot more today on “5 Live.” Read on for the best in area music this weekend.
Three Days of Rhythm and Roots
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOur little state is home to one of the biggest and best Roots music festivals in the nation this weekend as the Rhythm and Roots Festival returns to Ninigrit Park in Charlestown. It’s the 17th annual festival and this year includes a number of new and returning artists. Major headliners include Leftover Salmon with Bill Payne, Charles Bradley, and host band, The Duhks. The festival also welcomes returning stars Sarah Potenza, Donna the Buffalo and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys.
Rhythm and Roots begins this afternoon at 4PM and goes from Noon to Midnight Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices vary, single day tickets are $45 today and $65 Saturday and Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free. For more on the festival, read our interview with Sunday’s headliner Charles Bradley here.
Blues in Newport
It’s not officially a billed as a festival, but a great line-up of modern and traditional Blues awaits at the Newport Yachting Center on Sunday. It’s a Blues Jam starring Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Roomful of Blues, James Montgomery, 7Horse, and Big Cat Blues. The music starts at 4PM and General Admission tickets start at $19.50.
Rock in Newport
"Newport Rocks the Fort” is a new series of concerts to benefit the Fort Adams Trust. Guitar great Rick Derringer headlines a 21+ show tonight with includes Rhett Tyler and Steely Dan tribute band Hey Nineteen. Tickets are $25 for the 7PM show at Fort Adams in Newport.
Orgone at The Spot
TONIGHT, The Spot in Providence has the LA Funk outfit Orgone appearing. The band has gotten a lot of attention on the indie scene for their funky “raw soul” sound. Local rockers Daddie Long Legs open at 9PM. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Rock at the Parlour
Tomorrow night, don’t miss several up and coming indie bands as they rock The Parlour in Providence. Brainfruit, The Can’t Nots, The Adventures of, and Brooklyn’s Sharp Shadows will be in town beginning around 9PM. Fans of Nirvana, Elvis Costello and The White Stripes won’t want to miss this one. Tickets only $5 at the door.
Newport Folk Festival Rocks the Fort
Deer Tick
The Rhode Island band returned to the festival this year appearing on the main “Fort Stage” for the first time. In full sailing regalia, they rocked the Fort with tunes from their recent album Negativity and earlier records. Lead singer John McCauley tore through a set which included “Dreams in the Ditch,” “Main Street,” and “Christ Jesus.” McCauley’s wife Vanessa Carlton joined in on the folksy duet “In Our Time.”
Benjamin Booker
Benjamin Booker is a New Orleans based guitarist and one of the most exciting additions to the festival this year. He played a badass set of punk-influenced Blues, telling fans “This ain’t folk show – no folk here.” Highlights included “Young, Lost, and Hungry,” “Wicked Waters” and “Though I Heard You Screaming.” Booker’s trio rivals Jack White in pure sonic intensity – he’s an artist to watch!
Pegi Young and the Survivors
Pegi Young borrowed a few of husband Neil’s longtime bandmates for a funky set of mostly original songs. With Muscle Shoals Alabama legends Kevin Holly on guitar and Spooner Oldham on keyboards, Young showed a bit of country-western swagger on songs like “Better Living Through Chemicals,” where she declared pharmaceutical companies, “the new drug pushers.” She shined bright on “Walking a Tightrope,” and “Lonely Women.” It was a fun set, from a talented artist!
Trampled by Turtles
Trampled by Turtles plays Bluegrass on steroids. Their “wall of strings” vibe helped their fans completely forget about lingering rain showers Sunday as they blasted through a set of modern bluegrass. “Come Back Home” was a highlight, and led to an impromptu dance party that broke out on the damp grass. Set closers “Swimming,” and “Wild Animals” also rocked. They’re another band to check out on tour if you get the chance.
Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy is best known as the founder and lead singer of alt-rock champions Wilco. He was joined Sunday by his son, Spencer, and guests Mavis Staples along with Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius. The band played a number of new songs from the upcoming album, Tweedy, including mellow folk songs and hard rockers like “World Away.” Old favorites “New Madrid,” “Jesus, etc.” and “California Stars” rounded out the set.
Hozier
Hozier, born Andrew Hozier-Byrne, is a talented young artist from Ireland who has getting a lot of well-deserved attention. His set featured songs from his upcoming album Hozier, as well as a guest appearance from the Berklee College Gospel and Roots Choir, who performed earlier in the day. His hit, “Take Me to Church,” which went viral on YouTube last year, was a big hit at Newport. He’s a truly fresh voice on the indie scene and a rising star to watch.
Dawes
The California band Dawes made a return visit to Newport this year as lead guitarist Taylor Goldsmith announced, “We’ve been looking forward to playing here since we got off the stage last year.” They took their fans through some old favorites and new tunes including “Most People,” “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” and “Little Bit of Everything.” Later, they returned to the stage to support indie-rocker Conor Oberst for his equally awesome set.
Valerie June
Valerie June is an up and coming artist from Nashville, who is already big in the UK. She recently released a critically acclaimed album, Pushin’ Against a Stone, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Fans heard a Blues influenced set at the Harbor Stage which included classics like “Rollin’ and Tumblin,” “Tennessee Time,” and “Workin’ Women Blues.” True to her Blues roots, she closed with the Robert Johnson classic “If I Had Possession over Judgment Day.”
