5 Live Music Musts - March 20, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - March 20, 2015
Spring officially arrive by show time tonight. No more excuses – head out and enjoy some great music – from Rock to Funk to Blues, we got it all covered this week on “5 Live Music Musts.”
Sugar Ray and Gin Blossoms at Twin River
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTA rockin’ double bill is on tap tonight at the Twin River Events Center with Sugar Ray and the Gin Blossoms appearing. Both acts topped the charts in the 90’s and continue to record and draw big crowds today. So, is “90’s Rock” now a part of the “Classic Rock” canon? You decide – tonight at Twin River. Tickets start at $40 and the music starts at 7PM.
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones at Chan's
What are the odds? Two Sugar Rays appearing in northern RI in the same night. Bet on both shows to kick butt! Kidding aside, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones are a well-known Blues band led by Grammy nominated Ray Norcia on harp and vocals and Mike Welch on guitar. The band is one of the top touring blues acts in the country today. Check them out tonight at Chan’s. Tickets are $15 for the 8PM show.
Melanie at Courthouse Center for the Arts
The Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kingston has put together an impressive series of shows this spring. It all starts tomorrow night with noted singer-songwriter Melanie. Melanie Safka made a splash at the Woodstock Festival and is known for hits like “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” and “Brand New Key.” She’ll be bringing her Greenwich Village sound to Kingston Saturday at 8PM. Tickets are $32 for the 8PM show.
Antje Duvekot at Stone Soup
Also, tomorrow night, folk fans won’t want to miss Antje Duvekot with Mike Laureanno at Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Pawtucket. Duvekot is an award winning Boston based singer songwriter who was born in Heidelberg, Germany. In 2014, Laureanno won the Stone Soup Coffeehouse Songwriting competition. Tickets are $18 for the 7PM show.
Sister Sparrow at the Spot
Next Wednesday March 25, direct from SXSW, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds fly in to The Spot in Providence. The female led 10 piece band’s style of roots influenced Funk is certain to blow you away. Expect to hear tunes from their new album, The Weather Below, which is scheduled to be released in May. Tickets are $10, music starts at 7:30PM. On the Spot trio opens.
Got suggestions for "5 Live?" E-Mail Ken Abrams here.
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.
