5 Live Music Musts - October 16, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - October 16, 2015
The local music scene is all about the city of Providence this weekend. The creative capital welcomes one of the biggest bands of all time along with a couple of festivals and a slew of top indie bands. Read all about it in our column “5 Live Music Musts.”
Indie Weekend at Columbus Theatre
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Columbus Theatre in Providence has become a destination for top indie bands around the country. It’s a big part of the revival of the Providence music scene and local artists clamor to play there as well. This weekend brings in national touring acts along with some local favorites. Tonight, keyboards take center stage as NYC based Marco Benavento visits with RI based Sarah Azriel opening. Tomorrow, check out the David Wax Museum with Arc Iris opening and Sunday its Oakland, CA garage rockers Shannon and the Clams. Click here for show times and tickets.
Chicago at PPAC Tonight
There's another big show tonight at PPAC. Chicago, the band Bill Clinton once called “one of the most important bands in music since the dawn of the rock and roll era” is in town. The band has been topping the charts since the late 60’s with songs like “Beginnings,” “Make Me Smile” and “If You Leave Me Now.” They first rose to prominence in the 1970’s but they’ve got staying power - Chicago is the first band to reach the Top 40 Billboard Chart in six different decades. Show is at 8PM – ticket info here.
Collie Buddz and Oktoberfest at India Point
One of the final outdoor concerts of the season is coming to India Point tonight when Collie Buddz headlines a reggae show with openers The Ravers and DJ Paul Michael with DJ Matik. And don’t forget to head back to India Point Saturday and Sunday for the RI Waterfront International Oktoberfest, formerly held in Newport. The party is on this weekend on the Providence waterfront. Ticket information to both events here.
Patty Larkin at Stone Soup
Tomorrow night, singer songwriter Patty Larkin plays the Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Pawtucket. Boston based Larkin, who released her first album 30 years ago, has been described by the New York Times as “a virtuoso guitar player and mood-shaper.” Don’t miss this one at Stone Soup – show starts at 7:30. Tickets are available here.
Next Tuesday October 20, expect a master guitar class at the Narrows Center when Nels Cline and Julian Lage get together. Cline is well known as the powerhouse lead guitarist for Wilco and Lage is seen as one of the great young guitar talents on the scene today. It will be a special night of experimental free jazz outside the mainstream lines. Tickets are available here for $25 in advance, $28 at the door.
Have ideas for “5 Live?” E-mail Ken Abrams here.
Top Fall Concerts
The Zombies
British invasion rockers The Zombies are best known for hits "She's Not There" and "Tell Her No." In 1968, they recorded a critically acclaimed album Odessey and Oracle which including the hit "Time of the Season." A special show in Cranston has them scheduled to play the complete album and more at the Park Theatre on October 10th. Ticket information here.
Chicago
Chicago ranks high among the all time great bands. According to Billboard magazine, they were the top charting band in the 1970s, and have sold over 100 million albums since forming in the late 60's. They'll bring their timeless harmonies and powerful horns to PPAC on October 16th. Ticket info here.
Badfinger
Badfinger was a beloved power pop band famous for tunes like "Baby Blue," and "Day After Day." The band saw its heyday in the early 70's, but the untimely deaths of two members led to the demise of the group. Led by founding guitarist Joey Molland, the present incarnation the band is heading to the Stadium Theater in Woonsocket on October 9th. Ticket information here.
Mavis and Joan
The "Solid Soul Tour" brings Mavis Staples and Joan Osborne to the Vets in Providence on November 8th. The one two punch with Staples, formerly of the legendary gospel act The Staples Sisters, along with modern R&B/Folk star Osborne, will make for a great night of music. Ticket information here.
Lupo's Turns 40
The oldest continuous rock club in Providence is celebrating 40 years over the Columbus Day Weekend. The multi night event which will be held at Lupo’s sister club, The Met, features RI music royalty with Duke Robillard, The Schemers, Rizz, Ken Lyon, James Montgomery, Neutral Nation and a rumored final appearance ever of the legendary Young Adults. Click here for tickets and more information. (Pictured: Rudy Cheeks of the Young Adults)
Coffeehouse Scene
A number of small concert venues in the area have some big acts coming this Fall. The Courthouse Center for the Arts, South County’s leading performance center, has legendary bluesman John Hammond Saturday September 26th. Ticket info here. We'll also be checking out shows at Common Fence Music in Portsmouth and Stone Soup in Pawtucket all year long.
Indie Scene at Columbus
Things really heat up this time of year at the Columbus Theatre in Providence. Top indie bands like Mother Falcon, David Wax Museum and Shannon and the Clams (pictured) are due this Fall. Also, don't miss Revival 2015 on November 7th, an annual event with some of the best area artists. Check the web site for all the details.
Roots Scene
The Dave Rawlings Machine featuring Gillian Welch leads the roots-rock line up this season appearing at Lupos on November 14th. Originally from North Smithfield, RI, Rawlings is an in-demand performer playing with artists like Welch, John Paul Jones, Old Crow Medicine Show and Ryan Adams. Roots fans will not want to miss this one. Click here for ticket information.
Jazz at Chan's
Chan's in Woonsocket is the area's premiere jazz and blues club. As always, the line up this Fall will not disappoint. Highlights include Greg Abate (pictured) on October 3rd, James Montgomery Blues Band on October 9th, and Daryl Sherman Octiober 17th. Click here for more details.
RI Philharmonic
The Rhode Island Philharmonic has a great season planned. The series kicks off on September 26th with Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1. On October 17th, they present Beethoven's 6th Symphony (Pastorale) and on November 14th, don't miss a modern classical program featuring selections from West Side Story. The Philharmonic is always a remarkable experience - ticket information here. (Pictured: Music Director Larry Rachleff)
