Rhiannon Giddens

You MAY be entertained

Concert Listings, Concert review, Music

Geez, I was so busy going through my Signal chats that time got away from me and I missed a couple of days of Ye Olde Koncert Keeper. Well, they weren’t MY Signal chats, per se, but somehow I got included on them.

Maybe it’s a signal that I should stick to concert listings. Let’s take a look.

Saturday night:

  • Los Honchos play a free show in the Southgate House lounge
  • The Laurelys play at the Lost Bridge Beverage Co. (Carriage House Farm)
  • The Aristocrats are at Ludlow Garage
  • Madison Theater hosts Greggie & the Jets: A Tribute to Elton John

On Sunday, Joseph Huber and Sean Geil (The Tillers) play Southgate

Tuesday gigs:

  • Blues rocker Beth Hart plays the Bobby Brady
  • Memorial Hall hosts “Our House: The Music of CSNY”
  • Woodward Theater has Season to Risk, Sofa King, and Old City*

*Old City was the original name of Del Boca Vista

Thursday is May Day!

That evening:

  • The Mystery Lights (garage/psych band from Brooklyn) play the Woodward, with M. Ross Perkins and General Baxter also on the bill.
  • Tinfoil Hat Cowboys play a free gig in Southgate’s Lounge
  • Liberty Theater has a free Songwriters in the Round show with Dave Lacy and Jaden Decker
  • Lissie is at Ludlow Garage.

Lissie fun facts: Lissie has recently appeared in TV shows Twin Peaks and Loudermilk, as well as co-owns the music genre-themed popcorn company Otts Pops Indie Pop and is involved with land conservation.

Next Friday (May 2), you get Five for Fighting.

Uh, it’s the band Five for Fighting, not the hockey penalty. They’re at Ludlow Garage. Other shows that evening:

  • Mosant at Liberty Theater
  • Brie Salmena at Southgate
  • Runaway Gin (a band “inspired by Phish”) at the old Annie’s
  • Madison Theater has Jump: “America’s Van Halen Experience”

(I thought Van Halen was “America’s Van Halen Experience”… )

Shows next Saturday (May 3):

  • Camp Springs Tavern hosts “Jam on the Creek” with Ralph Martin, Dave Webster, South of Sin, and Northern Kentucky Derby
  • Michelle Robinson has an album release show at Liberty Theater
  • Noah Wotherspoon plays Fretboard in Blue Ash
  • Dead Centric and Plazmatic are in Southgate’s main Sanctuary
  • Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy, Dead Man String Band, and Run Rabbit Run play upstairs in the Southgate Revival Room
  • Spyro Gyra at Ludlow

Next Sunday is May the Fourth!

That evening, Jackie Venson will set her guitar phasers to “stun” as she plays Southgate’s Revival Room.

The band Knotts will open for Jackie. Some people claim that the band members are half-siblings fathered by Mr. Furley with Cindy Snow and Terri Alden.

Monday, May 5 is Cinco de Mayo!

That evening, The Dirty Grass Players and Mama Said String Band will play the Liberty Theater

On Tuesday, May 6, Nashville indie-pop artist Genevieve Hayward plays a free show in the Southgate House Lounge.

Shows on Wednesday, May 7:

  • Anvil plays Southgate (main room) – don’t tell Wile E. Coyote
  • Matthew & the Atlas and Foreign Fields are in the Revival Room
  • Matisyahu plays Ludlow Garage
  • The Columbia in the East End hosts their first Wednesday “WEENsday” playing Ween’s Golden Country Greats album. (I went this month – it’s a fun hang!)

Thursday, May 8:

  • Son Volt plays Trace and pays tribute to Doug Sahm at Ludlow Garage (I’ll be there!)
  • Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue at Memorial Hall
  • Carriage House Farm in North Bend hosts the second Thursday live broadcast of BlackFork Radio

On Friday, May 9:

  • Rumpke Mountain Boys are at the old Annie’s
  • ekoostik hookah plays the Liberty Theater
  • Josh Radnor plays the Woodward
  • Bendigo Fletcher is on the Madison Theater rooftop, with Producing a Kind Generation
  • Ludlow has Live at the Filmore (Allman Bros. tribute) and Broken Arrow (Neil Young tribute)

Saturday, May 10 is action-packed:

  • Kaleta & the Super Yamba Band at Liberty Theater
  • Mason Jennings with Lydia Shae at Southgate
  • The old Annie’s has Fillmore On The River, with an Allman Brothers tribute band (Nathan Jenkins Band) and a Grateful Dead tribute band (I Dig Pig)
  • Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons play a “The Last Encores” show on the lawn at the Hard Rock Casino

Phillip-Michael Scales plays the Liberty Theater on Sunday, May 11. Can’t wait to see ol’ Tubbs!

Wait, my bad, that’s Philip Michael Thomas. But my mistake gives me a convenient excuse to subject your eyeballs to this:

Shows on Tuesday, May 13:

  • Bruce Cockburn plays Memorial Hall (when I worked at 97X, his albums had a sticker on them with “it’s pronounced ‘Coe-burn'”… I appreciated the help.)
  • The Arcadian Wild plays The Woodward Theater with River & Rail opening
  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass play the Taft – that show is BYOWC (Bring your own whipped cream)
  • Insane Clown Posse plays the Ovation – that show is BYOF (Bring your own Faygo)

We love it live!

There’s no way Alejandro Escovedo is 74… he tore it up at Southgate, even coming into the audience to do a couple of unplugged tunes. Great songs, great stories!

It was fun hanging with Steve “El Blanco” White too, but we missed our friend Dave Tellmann, who is on injured reserve for a bit. Get well soon, my friend!

Kevn Kinney, the opener for Alejandro, did a fine job too!

And list member John Kennedy was in the house too. But our former co-worker Dan “Reds in 2025” Lewis was nowhere to be found. Rumor has it that since he retired from the Reds, “Disco Dan” spends most evenings cutting a dashing figure on the dance floor and showcasing his killer moves at the hottest nightclubs.

Gone but not forgotten

R.I.P. Clem Burke

And R.I.P. David Thomas (Rocket From the Tombs, Pere Ubu). Choice quote from the Guardian tribute:

We’ll leave you with his own words, which sums up who he was better than we can: ‘My name is David Fucking Thomas… and I’m the lead singer of the best fucking rock and roll band in the world.’”

Best Commencement Speaker Ever!

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

The woman on this album cover – model Dolores Erickson – is the same woman who appeared on the cover of the Herb Alpert Whipped Cream & Other Delights album.

Erickson, who wore a bikini with the shoulder straps pushed down and hidden, was for the most part surrounded by cotton batting and many cans’ worth of shaving cream because actual whipped cream turned runny and smelly under hot lights. The real thing was used only on her head and on the index finger she touched to her lips.  Adding to the not-really-very-sexy-at-all atmosphere was the fact that Erickson was three months pregnant with her son, Brett.

Who needs mariachi when you’ve got marinara?

March(ing) Bands

books, Concert Listings, Music

Happy John Philip Sousa Month!

Let’s see what’s on the ol’ Koncert Keeper, shall we?

Tomorrow night:

  • Mike Mains & the Branches play Madison Live
  • Alex Salcido (of The Harmed Brothers) plays the Southgate House lounge
  • Camp Springs Tavern hosts their bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam

On Friday:

  • Lydia Shae has an album release show at the Woodward Theater, with Daniel Noel and The Laurelys
  • Ron Pope plays Ludlow Garage
  • The old Annie’s has The Broken Hearts: Ultimate Tom Petty Tribute

Saturday, Southgate House hosts a benefit show that kicks off at 1:30 p.m.

Other Saturday shows:

  • Sammy Rae & Friends at Bogart’s
  • Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band at the Lawrenceburg Event Center in Hoosier country
  • Grateful River 2 – a benefit For Down Syndrome – is at the old Annie’s
  • The Ark Band: 7th annual Bob Marley & the Wailers tribute concert at Ludlow Garage
  • Flying Underground and String Theory play Taproom on Ludlow

Oh, and don’t forget to “Spring forward” on Saturday evening.

This Sunday, the Stardevils play Rabbit Hash General Store at 2:30 (which will feel like 1:30). In the evening (which will feel like the afternoon), Josh Ritter plays a solo show (“Works in Progress + Songs You Know”) at Memorial Hall and Hannah Wicklund plays Top Cats.

The California Guitar Trio plays Southgate on Monday, 3/11, and the Woodward Theater screens Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel.

On Tuesday, 3/12, The Dollyrots are at Southgate.

Celtic band Screaming Orphans plays Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, 3/13. (‘Tis the season…)

On Thursday, 3/14, Marc Broussard is at the Taft Theatre and Leslie Mendelson plays Southgate’s Revival Room, with Ashley Peacock.

Friday, 3/15: Spokes (a band featuring Jeffrey Seeman and Mickey Foellger of the band Wheels… see what they did with the new band name?) plays Southgate.

Shows on Saturday, 3/16:

  • Camp Springs Tavern celebrates 8 years with music from Mike Oberst (Tillers), Justine Cefalu, Todd Lipscomb and The Northern Kentucky Derby – and food from Marty’s Waffles and wine from 4 Mile Wine Co.
  • Emmaline plays Ludlow Garage
  • The Downtowne Listening Room features Brittany Gillstrap, Taylor Henry, and Sami Riggs in the round at Memorie Makers Café in Florence, KY

Sunday, March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t forget to Irish Spring forward.

On St. Paddy’s evening, Margo Cilker plays the Southgate House. I plan to attend that show – her new album Valley of Heart’s Delight is delightful.

Stop Making Sense will be on the big screen at Woodward Theater on Monday, 3/18.

Sierra Hull plays Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 3/19 with Gabe Lee as the opener.

On Wednesday, 3/20:

  • Rhiannon Giddens plays Memorial Hall
  • Grouplove (the band, not the orgy… also not the band Orgy) is at Bogart’s

Beth Bombara plays Southgate’s Revival Room on Thursday, 3/21, with The Montvales opening the show.

Gigs on Friday, 3/22:

  • Shovels and Rope play the Southgate House (I’ll be there)
  • Black Violin is at the Taft
  • Joshua Radin plays Ludlow Garage

Saturday, 3/23:

  • JJ Grey & Mofro at the Taft
  • Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor play Memorial Hall

Jill Sobule is at Southgate on Sunday, 3/24 and Ambrosia plays Memorial Hall.

Raisins rocked the house

Great reunion shows from Rob, Bob, Ricky and Bam at The Woodward Theater.

I’ve got a fever… for Cabin Fever

The Cabin Fever festival at several unique venues (including a funeral parlor!) in Ludlow, KY a couple of weeks ago was fan-freaking-tastic. Highly recommended next year for catching up on some stellar singer-songwriters and local bands. It’s a DORA district too, so you can drink as you bop down the street. Proceeds benefitted Music Fund Cincinnati, a non-profit started by list member John Sandman.

Byrne, baby, Byrne

From David Byrne’s How Music Works book. It’s powerful stuff too!

Buffalo. Boston.

New tunes from my favorite band, that talented trio from Beantown known as Buffalo Tom? Yes, please!

Album Cover of the Week(s)

We’re not sure if this counts as “dancin'” or old Mack had too much chili before his gig.

Album Liner Notes of the Week(s)

I signed up… and included the 25 cents for postage too!

New Year’s Revolution

Concert Listings, Music

In 2023, let’s resolve to support live music and the artists we love. Go to a gig – it’s heart-healthy, low-calorie* and great for your mental health.

*your results may vary, depending on how many alcoholic beverages you consume

Gigs are kid-tested and mother-approved*.

*your mother probably does not approve of concerts by the hair band Kix. She raised you better than that!

Warning: side effects of going to a gig may include euphoria, delirium and uncontrollable body twitches.

Ask your doctor if Gigrocka is right for you. Speaking of doctors…

Chris Barron (of Spin Doctors fame) spins into Ludlow Garage on Friday the 13th, while The Astronomers and Moonbeau play Southgate.

[If you happen to read this early enough on Thursday, Camp Springs Tavern hosts their bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam, Ben Levin plays Dee Felice, Parker Gispert of The Whigs (the non-Afghan variety) is at MOTR and the Blue Wisp Big Band plays Bircus Brewing in Ludlow.]

On Saturday:

  • The Kentucky Struts play Southgate’s big room, along with Witches of the Rifle Range, Luther Ray & the Flood, and Matt St. George.
  • The Brother Brothers and The American Buffalo play Southgate’s upstairs Revival Room
  • Hyryder is at the old Annie’s (this is a rescheduled show from the snowpocalypse)

The Read Southall Band is at Top Cats on Tuesday.

Wednesday, Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi play Memorial Hall, and Marielle Kraft is at Southgate.

Next Friday, January 20th, the words of the profits are written on the studio wall: Memorial Hall! It echoes with the sounds… of… a Rush tribute band.

Now, I’ve been a bona fide, certified Rush fan since junior high:

How did my neck not snap from the sheer weight of that hair helmet?

So part of me is tempted to go to that show… but I know no one else is fit to carry Neil’s drumsticks, Alex’s guitar picks or Geddy’s voice-constricting underpants. And I draw the line at “Fake Neil” wearing the signature Peart skull cap:

Guess I’ll just have to stay at home and crank up my Rush albums.

Or perhaps I’ll go to Bean & Barley in O’Bryonville that evening to catch Night Owl and Tim Reisert.

Next Saturday (1/21) is a busy evening for concerts:

  • George Clinton brings his funk to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, a town desperately in need of a good funking. He’s playing the Hollywood Casino, a venue desperately in need of a naming reality check.
  • John McEuen and the Circle Band play Ludlow Garage
  • Ben Levin is at BrewRiver
  • the Bronson Arroyo Band (yes, that’s a thing, apparently) is at Bircus Brewing in Ludlow, KY
  • Bogart’s has Cash Unchained: The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute
  • Aronoff Center hosts an Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Jan. 24, The Arcadian Wild is at Southgate, with Sam Hibbard & Elijah Bedel opening the show.

And on Friday, Jan. 27:

  • Neko Case plays Memorial Hall (here’s hoping she doesn’t have a sh*t fit like she did several years ago at Taft)
  • Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket) is at Ludlow Garage
  • Bret Michaels (of Poison… or Ratt… or Kix) plays the Hard Rock Casino

Get ya tickets here!

Speaking of the aforementioned Neko Case, she’ll be back in town on Monday, May 8th, as part of The New Pornographers, who are playing Memorial Hall. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

Bonnaroo tix are on sale now. Here’s the lineup:

Why major labels suck, Reason #398,275:

Why this Florida Man rocks

Yes, he looks like your typical “Florida Man”… your standard-issue Okeechobee gator ‘rassler or Daytona Beach self-employed roofer. But he rocked out on the National Anthem at a recent Jacksonville Jags home game AND he has a foundation that gives away guitars to kids.

Sunny thoughts from a normally gloomy guy

the everyday human gesture is always a heartbeat away from the miraculous – that ultimately we make things happen through our actions, way beyond our understanding or intention; that our seemingly small ordinary human acts have untold consequences; that what we do in this world means something; that we are not nothing; and that our most quotidian human actions by their nature burst the seams of our intent and spill meaningfully and radically through time and space, changing everything.

Nick Cave, on his always-entertaining Q&A website The Red Hand Files

Album Cover of the Week Month

Moe is not observing Dryuary.