5 Live Music Musts - May 29, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - May 29, 2015
Folk at Aurora Friday
Aurora is a relatively new hip venue in downtown PVD. It's got an upscale vibe and features a variety of down-scale music. Tonight, it’s a folkish event featuring some well known local artists and an act new to the area – Check out Hanging Hills (CT), Allysen Callery (RI), Bob Kendall (RI), and Hann Cassidy (RI via Chicago). The show is well worth checking out, as is the bar, and the people, inside and outside! Tickets only $10. Red lipstick and man buns optional. Music starts around 8PM.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTwo shows at the Columbus Theatre
The state's hipster epicenter is unquestionably the West End of Providence, and the Columbus Theatre on Broadway is the musical core. Top local and national Indie acts keep the upstairs theatre buzzing and this weekend is no exception. Tonight, catch RI’s original hipster street marching band, What Cheer Brigade, and Sunday night return for Canadian singer-songwriter Patrick Watson. Watson’s Cabaret influenced pop/rock sound has been compared to Rufus Wainright and Nick Drake, definitely worth checking out. Click here for all the details.
The Schemers at the Narrows Center Saturday
The Narrows Center in Fall River, MA is an ideal venue for the more mature hipster (Dadbods welcome). With acts themed around Americana/Roots/Rock and related genres, the high quality of artists who visits Narrows continues to impress. Tomorrow night, they welcome RI’s Schemers, still hip since breaking out nationally 30+ years ago. They just released a new album, The Last Beach, a roots driven affair imbued with that classic MTV friendly Schemers sound. Show is at 8PM – Dylan Sevey and the Gentlemen, a hip band of youngsters, open. Look for a review of the show next week here on GoLocal.
Indie show at AS220 Saturday
Tomorrow night, it’s a Top 5 Fiend takeover at AS220, one of the longest surviving hipster establishments in Providence history. It’s been the hippest venue in town for three decades and remains a vibrant part of the arts scene today. Tomorrow’s show is no different and features Indie bands Viennagram, The Wolf Hongos, Nervous Virgins & Eric and the Nothing. Show is all ages, tickets are $7 and music starts around 9PM.
Rock at Firehouse 13 Saturday
What could be hipper than a rock club in an old fire station? Perhaps a rock club in an old police station with holding cells still intact. We digress. Check out an all ages show tomorrow night at Firehouse 13 in Providence with Sexcoffee, Pistol Shot Gypsy, Neverless and Delv. These bands rock hard and the retro show poster oozes hipitude. Tickets are only $8. More details here.
Rolie Polie Guacamole at The Spot Sunday
Hipster kids (and their parents) won’t want to miss Rolie Polie Guacamole at the Spot Underground in Providence Sunday. The band is extremely popular on the “kids rock” circuit, and far hipper than say, Kid Rock. Note: In the fine hipster tradition of not staying in one place too long, the Spot Underground has relocated and can be found at 180 Pine St. in Providence, behind PPAC. This is most definitely a family show, hipster parents are urged to use caution while dancing furiously. Weather permitting, the show will be outdoors – music starts around 3:30, ticket info here.
Got suggestions for "5 Live?" E-Mail Ken Abrams here.
30 Hottest Spring and Summer Concerts in New England
John Mellencamp
Thursday, April 16
Providence Performing Arts Center
The classic rocker brings his "Plain Spoken" tour to Providence on April 16. On this tour, Mellencamp mixes a healthy dose of songs from his last several albums, along with classics like "Jack and Diane", "Rain on the Scarecrow", and "The Authority Song."
The Beach Boys
Friday, April 17
Twin River Events Center, Lincoln, RI
Expect more than 30 classic hits to be performed by Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, and crew as they roll in to Twin River on Friday April 17. Timeless classics from "Surfin USA" to "Kokomo" will be played as they usher in the summer with songs about cars, surfing, and the beach. Just what we need after the winter we've had.
Sixx:AM
Tuesday, April 21
The first headlining tour for Sixx:AM makes its New England stop at the Palladium in Worcester. The band, consisting of Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, Guns 'N Roses' DJ Ashba, and record producer James Michael, saw some chart success with the rock radio hit "Stars" this year.
The Juliana Hatfield Three
Tuesday, April 21
Massachusetts native Juliana Hatfield is touring behind the 21st Anniversary of her landmark "Become What You Are" album
Her newly reconsitituted early 90's alternative rock combo has been getting rave reviews on their current tour, which swings through Providence on April 21. Their SXSW appearance was described as “…a moving and impressively tight set that reminded a good crowd of why she is a trailblazer, and why songs like “Feelin’ Massachusetts” and “President Garfield” and “I Got No Idols” define the dark, honest eloquence of alternative rock.”
The Fab Faux
Friday, April 24
Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, Providence
You'll never get a chance to see the Beatles again. This might just be the next best thing. Led by Will Lee, the bass player in David Letterman's house band, the Fab Faux painstakingly recreate the sound of the Beatles. On this tour, they're playing the "Rubber Soul" album in it's entirety, along with other hits from the Beatles' vast repertoire.
Kenny Chesney
Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25
Friday, August 28 and Saturday, Augst 29
Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA - with Jason Aldean
In what's become a multi-year tradition, country superstar will bring his "No Shoes Nation" to Gillette Stadium for 2 nights this August. It's become one of the the hottest tickets of the summer - and you can get a spring "preview" of the show (without Jason Aldean) at Mohegan Sun later this April.
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
Friday, May 1
Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, Providence
The viral video sensation of the year is coming to Providence. You know that group that does the "old fashioned" versions of current pop songs? (Check out their take on Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" below.) They're bringing their stage show to Lupo's in Providence this May. Advance ticket sales have been brisk, and this show will sell out, so get your tickets early!
Florida Georgia Line
Thursday, May 7
Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence
This country duo (they're brothers) has been blowing up the charts since 2010. If you listen to country radio, it's hard to escape their hits - songs like Stay, This is How We Roll, Dirt, and Cruise. They bring their high energy show to the Dunk on May 7.
Godsmack
Friday, May 8
The Massachusetts based quartet first smashed their way into the music scene in 1995 and have had 20 Top 10 Hits. They will be joined by Special Guest Papa Roach for a performance at the DCU Center.
Boston Calling
Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24
City Hall Plaza, Boston
This 3 day festival is held every Spring and Fall on City Hall Plaza in Downtown Boston. This spring, the lineup includes Beck, Tenacious D, The Pixies, and My Morning Jacket.
The Who
Sunday, May 24
The Who celebrate their 50th anniversary with a mega world tour, where they’re playing all of their hits, from “I Can’t Explain” to “Baba O’Rielly”. The tour stops at Mohegan at 5/24, wraps around the country, and comes back to Boston later this fall.
New Kids On The Block
Friday, June 12
Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25
Break out your leggings and swatches - New Kids on the Block hit the road this spring and summer with TLC and Nelly for the “Hit After Hit After Hit” Tour. The tour will stop at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut before 2 nights in Boston at the TD Garden.
Dave Matthews Band
Saturday, June 13
The popular jam band makes their perrenial stop at the XFinity Center in Mansfield this summer, promising 2 sets of music each night. Expect some new material, exploritory jamming, and hits like “Crash,” “Ants Marching,” and “What Would You Say.”
Image Credit: Matthew Straubmuller/Flickr
Steve Miller Band
Friday, June 19
Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, RI
The Joker. The Space Cowboy. The Gangster of Love. Steve Miller is known by many different names, and he brings his show to Twin River in Lincoln on June 16. Expect takes on all of his classics like “Jungle Love”, “Space Cowboy”, “Abacadabra”, and more.
Morrissey
Wednesday, June 24
The Independent in the UK famously wrote that "most pop stars have to be dead before they reach the iconic status he has reached in his lifetime" and Pitchfork regards him as "one of the most singular figures in Western popular culture.”
Morrissey’s solo career began in 1988, after the dissolution of The Smiths, with the release of Viva Hate. His influence on music and culture has continued to grow over the past three decades through the release of ten globally acclaimed studio albums and an array of singles
Kid Rock
Thursday, June 25
Kid Rock comes to the XFinity Center this summer with classic rockers Foreigner, and the show is the value of the summer. If you buy your tickets in person at Walmart or the box office, tickets are just $20, no fees, no surcharges. No wonder he's calling it the "Cheap Date Tour."
Imagine Dragons
Wednesday, July 1
TD Garden, Boston
They're one of the biggest bands on earth right now - and their songs are played on both pop and rock radio - a rare feat these days - The "Demons" and "Radioactive" chart toppers bring their show to Boston on July 1.
Brian Wilson
Thursday, July 2
Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, Boston
The genius behind the Beach Boys' biggest hits has a new album of his own out this spring. After a short reunion with the touring Beach Boys featuring Mike Love, Wilson is back out on his own, with one of the best backing bands in the business, along with Beach Boys alums Alan Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. Mike Love's Beach Boys are excellent vocalists and musicians and deliver a fun show, but there's something about being in the presence of the man who wrote and arranged the material that makes it a little more special.
U2
July 10,11,14, and 15
TD Garden, Boston
After getting the world's attention by partnering with Apple to put their new album on everyone's iPhone, and Bono subsequently taking a nasty tumble in Central Park, the Dublin rockers are back on tour this summer, opting for arenas rather than stadiums this time around. Fans are promised varied setlists among the 4 shows, so die hards are shelling out for all 4 nights.
Foo Fighters
Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19
Foo Fighters have a new album "Sonic Highways", that debuted this winter with an excellent mini series on HBO which delved into the musical histories of 8 American cities.
Boston didn't make the list, but they've still grabbed one of the hot "Fenway Concert" weekends this summer. Local favorites The Dropkick Murphys open Sunday night's show, which will include a healthy dose of new material, classics, and covers, like the Faces' "Stay with Me" and KISS's "Detroit Rock City", both of which the Foos have been adding to their setlists lately.
Taylor Swift
Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25
Argueably the biggest star in the world of music right now, Taylor Swift is riding high on the success of her smash new record, 1989. The part time Rhode Island resident who just got a tax named after her has been known to pull out some special happenings at her Gillette shows - last year Carly Simon joined her on stage for a rousing turn on "You're So Vain."
Photo: Eva Rinaldi/Flickr
Newport Folk Festival
Friday July 24 - Sunday, July 26
This year's Newport Folk Festival features Iron and Wine, Calexico, Brandi Carlisle, J Mascis, and more. More artists are set to be announced as we get closer to the weekend of the festival, which usually sells out no matter what the lineup is, year after year.
Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson
Tuesday, July 28
Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, Boston, MA
A 90's gothy double bill if there ever was one. Billy Corgan's Smashing Pumpkins and shock-rockers Marilyn Manson have teamed up to tour this summer and bring their show to the Blue Hills Bank Pavillion out on the wharf in Boston.
It's a beautiful summer venue right on the water, so the juxtoposition of the dark moody music should be very interesting.
Photo: Chris Bolan/Flickr
Newport Jazz Festival
Friday, July 31 - Sunday, August 2
The other big Newport festival ushers out July and ushers August in with an impressive lineup including Cassandra WIlson, Dr John, Bil Frisell, Jamie Cullum, and Snarky Puppy.
Van Halen
Saturday, August 1
Eddie Van Halen changed the way guitarists play the guitar. The 80's rockers take another victory lap with original frontman David Lee Roth, who may have lost some of his high end vocals, but his stage presence is still larger than life, Eddie is playing better than ever, and his son Wolfgang is ably handling the bass duties.
Photo: Anirudh Koul/Flickr
James Taylor
Thursday, August 6
James Taylor has sold out Fenway Park. Have no fear -tickets are still available on the secondary market, and it's widely considered to be one of the summer's must-attend shows. Taylor has a new album he's touring behind, but expect a show heavy on the classics.
Zac Brown Band
Friday August 7, and Saturday, August 8
3 nights at Fenway- The Zac Brown Band is country for people who don't like country, and for those who love country. His backing band is full of astounding musicians, and they do mean Black Sabbath and Metallica covers, too.
Jimmy Buffett
Saturday, August 15
All you parrotheads listen up: Jimmy Buffett brings his Coral Reefer Band back to Mansfield for his yearly show. The parking lot scene is almost as anticipated as the concert itself, with mini beach bars and cabanas cropping up everywhere. If you can't have fun at a Jimmy Buffett show, we don't know what to tell you.
Motley Crue
Saturday, August 15
Another round of the "really this is it seriously we're gonna retire after this tour but we keep adding shows so who knows if it ever really will end" tour hits Worcester in August. The Crue has one of the best opening acts with them- the legendary Alice Cooper. So make sure you show up early- the warm up set is not to be missed.
Image: Drew Ressler/Flickr
AC/DC
Saturday, August 15
AC/DC does everything BIG. Big new album, big tour, big stadium. They bring their over the top rock and roll show to Gillette August 15. A man in his 60's in a school boy uniform, cannons, bagpipes, this show has it all. Fire!
