5 Live Music Musts - February 20, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - February 20, 2015
Today marks the 12th anniversary of the Station Fire, a tragic moment in Rhode Island history. As the night of February 20th 2003 becomes more distant from our collective memory, we remember the 100 lives lost and the thousands affected by this horrible tragedy.
For those who want to support the ongoing efforts of the Station Memorial Fund, please visit this website.
Read on for your “5 Live Music Musts” for the upcoming weekend.
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Tonight, the one and only George Clinton returns to Lupos with his legendary band Parliament Funkadelic. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have been playing together in some form since the late 60’s. If you’ve never seen the band, don’t miss this show. It’s part spectacle, part music show, 100% good times! Local favorites Chaci Carvallo & The International Players open at 9PM – tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of show with VIP packages available.
Dave Bass at The Narrows Center
There’s a cool jazz show at the Narrows Center tonight with the Dave Bass Quartet. Bass is a talented pianist and has played with artists as diverse as Bobby McFerrin and sax legend Phil Woods. His new album NYC Sessions with Woods and Karrin Allyson was recently released. Vance Gilbert opens the show at 8PM. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door.
Chris Trapper at Stone Soup
The Stone Soup Coffeehouse at Slater Mill in Pawtucket has Boston singer-songwriter Chris Trapper Saturday night. Trapper is well known for his work with the 90’s alt-rock band The Push Stars and a number of his own songs have been featured in film and TV. Heavily touted teen folkie Hayley Reardon opens the show at 7PM. Tickets are $18.
Trais Tritt at Stadium Theatre
Country fans won’t want to miss CMA and Grammy winner Travis Tritt tomorrow night in Woonsocket, in a special solo acoustic performance. Expect to hear some of his biggest hits at the Stadium Theatre, including "Trouble," "It's A Great Day to Be Alive" and "Best of Intentions." Show is at 8PM. Only a handful of tickets are available starting at $34.
Firehouse 13 Show
Also tomorrow night, there’s a top notch rock show at Firehouse 13 in Providence. A four band line up of local and Boston area acts is on tap featuring The Mighty Good Boys, Torn Shorts, Aloud, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. Music starts at 9PM - tickets only $8.
TV ALERT – Be sure to catch GoLocal favorite, RI native Sarah Potenza on "The Voice," starting Monday February 23.
Top 5 Winter Concerts
Fleetwood Mac at the Dunk
Fleetwood Mac, one of the original super groups of the 70s, returns to the area with a show at the Dunkin Donuts Center on January 28. The band totally killed it at two sellout shows this fall in Boston and we expect the same from the legendary group when they play the Dunk. Of course, the highlight for many fans will be the return of Christine McVie, who had been on hiatus since 1997. Check our review of the Boston show here for a little of what you can expect. Meanwhile, don’t stop thinking about this show.
Indigo Girls at PPAC
The Indigo Girls were in the forefront of the folk-rock revival in the 1980s. They’ve continued to develop artistically with fresh harmonies and ever relevant lyrics. With over 14 million albums sold, they’re the only duo to have Billboard Top 40 titles in the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. We’re looking forward to seeing how their usually stripped down sound plays when they are joined by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show is Friday the 13th of February, but we guarantee good fortune!
Nick Lowe at The Narrows
The absolute coolest holiday show around comes to the Narrows Center on Wednesday December 17 as Nick Lowe brings his “Quality Holiday Review” to Fall River. Along for the ride and backing Lowe will be Los Straitjackets, known for their Mexican wrestling masks and jammin’ guitar chops. Lowe is a well known producer and songwriter having penned hits like “Cruel to be Kind” and “What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Don’t miss this show next week at the Narrows Center.
George Clinton at Lupo's
The spectacle that is George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic is our funkiest pick for the Winter concert season. Clinton has been touring with a diverse group of musicians since the late 60s. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the largest band ever inducted) and is coming to Lupo's on Friday February 20. They're even bringing along a new release – First You Gotta Shake the Gate. Good times are guaranteed for this one.
Mardi Gras Ball at Rhodes
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Boogie down to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet on February 28 for the 23rd Annual Cajun and Mardi Gras Ball. The biggest party of the season is always a sell out and this year should be no different with headliners Beau Soleil with Michael Doucet and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Can’t wait another six months till Rhythm and Roots? Then don’t miss the Mardi Gras Ball.
Honorable Mention I
Did we mention that it’s a really busy winter concert season? The Dunkin Donuts Center has a rock show with Linkin Park, Rise Against, and Of Mice and Men on January 24. Another legend, Mr. Neil Diamond, will shake up the Dunk on March 10. Mother Falcon returns to the Columbus Theatre on January 11 and Uncle Tupelo co-founder Jay Farrar is there on February 8. And catch rocker George Thorogood at Cranston's Park Theatre on March 8.
(Pictured: Neil Diamond)
Honorable Mention II
Acclaimed Indie artist St. Vincent, who’s 2014 album made numerous “Best Of the Year” lists is coming to Lupos on Sunday March 7th. Dianna Krall is at PPAC on March 4, on her “Wallflower” tour where she will re-interpret classic rock tunes. Other highlights include legendary party rockers NRBQ, who arrive at the Narrows Center for a pre-New Years Eve show on Tuesday December 30. The Narrows Center also has a Winter Blues Festival over MLK weekend with artists including Selwyn Birchwood, Yound Neil and the Vipers and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds.
(Pictured: St. Vincent)
Coffeehouse Highlights
Common Fence Music in Portsmouth has its popular "Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen" on January 24 hosted by John Fuzek. You can also find folk-rocker Patty Larkin there on February 7. Stone Soup in Pawtucket has Marc Douglas Berardo with Tracie Potochnik and Steve Allain on February 7 and Roots performers Atwater-Donnelly visit on March 7. And Sandywoods has a Celtic holiday concert with Matt and Shannon Heaton on December 20.
(Pictured: Patty Larkin)
