Haunt the House's new album "Jack Rabbit Jones" The season’s first big rock show in Mansfield and a celebrity visit mark a great weekend in local music. Read on for GoLocal’s top picks in “5 Live Music Musts.”
Dave Matthews at XFinity
Tomorrow night, June 7, it’s all happening in Mansfield with the Dave Matthews Band at the Xfinity Center (formerly Comcast, formerly Tweeter, originally Great Woods). Expect a great night of rock and roll as the band promises both acoustic and electric sets of music. The show is officially sold out – last minute tickets may be available here. The music starts at 7PM.
Aztec Two-Step at The Met
Also tomorrow night, the Met plays host to folk-rock veterans Aztec Two-Step who bring their original classics and the music of some great duos - The Everly Brothers and Simon and Garfunkle. Not that they need to play “covers” … the duo has made some great music over the years. Rex Fowler and Neil Shulman are an original “indie” duo, having played to adoring fans at college campuses and coffee houses in the 1970s. Two sets are scheduled for tomorrow night. Tickets are $25 for the 8PM show.
Sandywoods hosts a Bob Dylan birthday bash tonight night featuring Matt Borrello and Art Tebbetts. The bard turned 73 last month and is busy as always on his “Never Ending Tour,” so no, he won’t show up. It should be a great time with music from over five decades of Dylan played by two of the area’s best. The music starts at 7:30 - tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
Machines with Magnets
Recording studio and performance space Machines with Magnets has an acoustic show tonight featuring three ultra-hip acts, we’ll dub “post-freak folk.” Colorado’s Magpie has been labelled avant-pop blues, centered on the quivering vocals of Zach Dunn. Rich Ferri’s sound is a little more mainstream, described as “a cool breeze on a summer’s day.” And if you haven’t heard the evocative sounds of Will Houllihan’s band Haunt the House check him out tonight! The House's new album Jack Rabbit Jones, is at the top of the GoLocal playlist this week. Doors at 9PM, $10 donation recommended.
Baldwin and the Boot at Fete
If you haven’t heard, an A-List celebrity will be in RI tomorrow night, where actor Alec Baldwin will be at Fete supporting his charity “Baldwin for Books.” The well-known star will be here on behalf of the Adams Memorial Library in Central Falls. There will be food, drinks, dramatic readings and music provided by RI’s own Denver Boot. Tickets are $45 in advance for the 6:30PM event. Later in the evening, check out Cape Cod rockers, the Spampinato Brothers. Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Boston Calling Music Festival is a three-day, two-stage festival featuring some of the biggest and best acts in live music. The event will be one big party with easy access to both stages, food, services and more. All ages are welcome and children under 10 are free.
Presented by the Wormtown Trading Company, the Strange Creek Campout features live music, on-site camping, disc golf, yoga, a holistic village, and the Strangers Helping Strangers Food Drive.
For a free music festival in Central Massachusetts, check out Leominster’s Starburst, hosted by the Leominster Cultural Council. Everyone in your family will enjoy this day of music and fun, topped off with a firework show in the evening.
Now entering its seventh year, the mission of Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival is to provide quality New Orleans & Louisiana jazz, blues, country, funk & zydeco music & food within an urban setting.
The New Bedford Folk Festival brings together over 70 renowned and emerging folk performers and 90 juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford's authentic historic district during the first weekend in July.
The Green River Festival is a premier Pioneer Valley Music event that takes place every July. The event attracts national talent, the great local food and fine crafts, and even hot air balloons.
The North Atlantic Blues Festival is an annual two-day blues music festival featuring national blues performers and considered one of the most prestigious on the East Coast.
One of the largest free folk festivals in the country, the Lowell Folk Festival attracts thousands of people over three days. The event features traditional music, food, crafts and good vibes.
The Pine Leaf Boys – Cajun
Bud Hundenski & the Corsairs – Polka
James Kelly, Donna Long, & Sean Keane – Irish
Kevin Doyle – Irish Step Dance
Marquise Knox – Blues
Seichi Tanaka & the San Francisco Taiko Dojo – Taiko Dojo Drums
Nikki D & the Browns – Sacred Steel Gospel
Sonny Burgess & the Legendary Pacers – Rockabilly
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers – Bluegrass
Samba Mapangala & Orchestre Virunga – East African Rumba
E.U. – Go Go
Hassan Hakmoun – Moroccan Gnawa
Seizmos Band – Greek
Thomas Maupin, Daniel Rothwell, & Overall Creek with Kory Posey – Appalchian Buck
Gathering of the Vibes is an annual music, arts and camping festival now in its 19th year. Vibes has grown into a four-day festival that has featured such world-class talent as Crosby, Stills and Nash; all original members of the Grateful Dead; the Allman Brothers Band; Jane's Addiction; James Brown; the Black Crowes; Buddy Guy; Elvis Costello; George Clinton and P-Funk; Bruce Hornsby; Les Claypool; and many, many more big names, while continuing to showcase extraordinarily talented, young, up-and-coming bands to the 20 thousand people who attend each year.
Folk music has been a presence in Newport since 1959, when the Newport Folk Festival was founded by George Wein. Backed by board members Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, Oscar Brand, and Albert Grossman, the Festival became renowned for introducing a number of performers who went on to become major stars, most notably Joan Baez (who appeared as an unannounced guest of Bob Gibson in 1959), and Bob Dylan, whose first Newport appearance, as a guest of Joan Baez in 1963, is generally regarded as his premiere national performance.
Established in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival begins its 60th year this August, one week after its sister event, the Newport Folk Festival, takes place. The first event was originally billed as "First Annual American Jazz Festival" and featured many notable jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday.
Lineup Features:
Bobby McFerrin
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
The Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is also a blend of the old and the new - roots music from the Celtic traditions, old time fiddle tunes, and a touch of blues and bluegrass - not to mention The Dance. Smoke and alcohol free.
Entering it's 18th year, the Boogie and Blues Festival features award-winning blues artists, food vendors, craft vendors, a climbing wall, and many fun activities for children --including Saturday night fireworks.
The 17th Annual Rythym&Roots Festival features award-winning roots music artists on the Main Stage and at two big tented dance floors, plus intimate one-of-a-kind workshops and kids activities.