Like an agitated monkey, I’m about to fling some poop at you.
But you should be used to it by now – I do it every few weeks! If you can navigate around the verbal shite, you’ll find some cool concerts to check out.
Shows on tap for tonight:
Henhouse Prowlers and Moonshine Drive at the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg
William Elliott Whitmore and Dave Hause at the Woodward, with Micah Schnabel opening
The Screaming Orphans at Ludlow Garage
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is at the Coliseum
Saturday shows:
Sylmar does two sets at MOTR
Buffalo Nichols plays the Liberty Theater
Southgate hosts the Newport Music Roots Festival (doors 3 p.m.) – details below
Woodward Theater has “Play for L.A.” – a benefit for fire-impacted musicians. The lineup includes Rae Fisher, The Montvales, Jess Lamb, Siri Imani and more.
Mike Detmer and Adam Gilliam play the Lost Bridge Beverage Co. in North Bend
Christine Harvilla Duo with Colleen Clark plus Sami Riggs at the Boone County Courthouse
Annie’s hosts Grateful River III (a benefit for Down Syndrome) – details below
On Sunday, Ben Levin Blues Band is doing the Rabbit Hash Music Behind the Stove Series at 2 p.m., and the band Lawrence plays Bogart’s in the evening.
Woodward has An Evening with Yo La Tengo on Tuesday. I’ll be at that gig, along with several other list members. Because Georgia, James and Ira are badasses!
Shannon McNally plays Southgate on Wednesday.
Thursday gigs:
Shadowgrass in Southgate’s main room, and Jake Blocker in the Revival Room
“Sons of Cream” (Kofi Baker, Malcolm Bruce and Rob Johnson) play Ludlow Garage. (Maybe they should call themselves “Half & Half”?)
Liberty Theater has a Comedy Night featuring Adam Minnick
Concerts next Friday, March 28:
The Blind Boys of Alabama with Shemekia Copeland at Taft Theatre
Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes at Southgate
The Outlaws at Ludlow Garage
Cody Ikerd & the Sidewinders Album release show w/Joe Clark at Liberty Theater
Little Miami Brewing’s event center has “Night Moves: The Ultimate Bob Seger Experience”
Blue Note in Harrison hosts The Prince Experience (pancakes not included)
The slate on Saturday, March 29:
Liberty Theater has a Rebel Whiskey tasting (4 FREE tasting!) from 5-7, followed by the Lowdown Brass Band
Blackhawk at Ludlow Garage
Lily Rose at Bogart’s
Bumpin’ Uglies at Madison Theater
Willi Carlisle at Southgate in the Revival Room
Annie’s has the all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band Zepparella
Blue Note features “Midnight Blue” (Foreigner Tribute) with One Way to Rock (Sammy Hagar tribute)
Shows on Sunday, March 30:
The Star Devils play Rabbit Hash in the afternoon
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers are at Liberty Theater (I plan to go to that show)
JD Simo and Luther Dickinson (of North Mississippi Allstars) at Southgate
Ricky Nye will be tickling the ivories as only Ricky can on Monday, March 31 at Memorial Hall, and Taft has The Faint with Plack Blague.
Shows on April Fools’ Day:
The Surfrajettes with Black Widow at Madison Theater
Al Stewart & Livingston Taylor at Memorial Hall
The Righteous Brothers “Loving Feeling Farewell Tour” makes a stop at Taft. (If you’ve lost that loving feeling, see your urologist!)
Wednesday, April 2 is another WEENsday at The Columbia in the East End (4311 Eastern Ave.) and this month’s featured WEEN album is Chocolate and Cheese… so they’ll have some chocolate-covered cheese to share.
I plan to attend that event. You should too – The Columbia is a very cool space (with a vintage jukebox in the basement), and WEENsdays are free and you can BYOB!
Tunes & Blooms kicks off at the Cincinnati Zoo on Thursday, April 3. Moonshine Drive and Pickin’ Pear will be on the T&B stages. The full April lineup is here. That same evening, right down the street, you can catch The Seven Wonders (yes, yet another Fleetwood Mac tribute band) at Ludlow Garage.
The Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg has a Record Fair April 4-5.
Shows on Friday 4/4 include Judah & the Lion* at Bogart’s and Eaglemania “The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute”** at Ludlow Garage.
* If Bogart’s says their bathrooms are clean, they’re lion… er, lyin’.
**Pretty sure the world’s greatest Eagles Tribute is playing the Sphere in Las Vegas.
On Saturday, April 5:
The Young Dubliners play Ludlow Garage
John Waite is at the Taft
Queensrÿche plays Belterra Casino in Florence, Indiana
Patterson Hood is at the Whirling Tiger in Louisville, with Lydia Loveless as the opener
Sunday, April 6, Ludlow Garage has The Phil Collins Experience (warning: contains no Phil Collins).
We love it live!
MJ Lenderman and Wild Pink at the Green Lantern Bar in Lexington KY was off-the-charts amazing (set list is here). A Top 5 all-time show for me, thanks to list member Frank B.
“Once music and work and money all become the same thing, it gets hard to do it casually. But that was the reason I was able to do anything meaningful in the first place,” he admits. “You can see that through my whole life, just being able to go to a friend’s house and make something and not worry about what it is.”
Now hear this!
The new album from The Tubs is top-notch. Richard Thompson meets Hüsker Dü.
Speaking of Richard Thompson, Bandcamp has a great feature about his influence on younger artists. Sayeth Mary Timony:
“His tone is always amazing, but here’s the thing—most importantly—his songwriting is great. He’s kind of the total package, in that he does both songwriting and playing guitar very well.”
We’re approaching the dreaded holiday lull, where live shows of the non-Rockettes/Trans-Siberian variety are few and far between. (Actually for me, we’re approaching the dreaded holidays: I hate cold weather in general, snow in particular, shopping, hearing the same 13 crappy holiday songs for days on end, fruitcake… and I don’t know what figgy pudding is, but you can shove it right up yer chimney!)
There are a few shows that haven’t been crowded out by the fat old man with a giant sack… er, Satan… I mean, Santa. Let’s take a gander:
Tonight:
Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards) plays a sold-out solo show at The Loon Wine Bar in Northside (I’ll be there, along with list member Tom Woeber)
J. Roddy Walston & The Business headline an Xmas show at Northside Tavern just up the street from The Loon. And thanks to the cajoling (but not caroling) of aforementioned list member Tom Woeber, I’ll be at that show too*.
John Waters Christmas at Ludlow Garage
A Very Motherfolk Christmas at Bogart’s
A Traumatic Christmas Show at Madison Live: Trauma Illinois, Millie Oliver, Cut to the Chase, and Wendigo
*if you’re keeping score at home the Erika Wennerstrom/J. Roddy Walston doubleheader will be shows #42 and #43 for me in 2024.
Sunday:
Erika Wennerstrom wraps up her three-night stand of sold-out shows at The Loon with a 6 p.m. gig
Ben Sollee plays MOTR, with Eva Rose King as the opener of the 7:30 show
[INSERT CONCERT LULL #1 HERE]
If you’re into Irish folk from Irish folks, Ludlow Garage has “Irish Christmas in America” on Thursday, 12/19.
Friday, December 20th:
Over the Rhine kicks off their three-night “Acoustic Christmas” stand at Memorial Hall
Tony Holt & The Wildwood Valley Boys play the Liberty Theater in historic downtown Lawrenceburg
The Wonderfool and Carriers are in the Revival Room at Southgate
Dallas Moore Band plays a “Honky Tonk Holidaze” show in Southgate’s Sanctuary
Bogart’s hosts The Prince Experience… pancakes sold separately.
Shows on Saturday, Dec. 21:
The Newbees play a 20th anniversary celebration show at Southgate , with Bad Ass Brass and Kevin Ashba.
Moonshine Drive plays Arnold’s
Harbour, Sylmar, Mosant, and Fat Sal are at the Madison Theater
Over the Rhine does Night #2 of Acoustic Christmas at Memorial Hall
Ludlow Garage has two shows (3:30 and 8:30) of “An Olde English Christmas with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone.” Olde English 800 malt liquor sold separately.
Over the Rhine wraps up their Memorial Hall Xmas X-travaganza on Sunday, Dec. 22.
[INSERT CONCERT LULL #2 HERE]
Oh, and insert inclusive holiday greeting here:
Jess Lamb and Siri Imani play MOTR on Friday, Dec. 27th, and Ludlow Garage has E5C4P3 (it’s listed a Journey tribute, but it could also be a droid from Star Wars). Oh, that reminds me: Happy Life Day!
You really must watch the entire ’78 TV Christmas special… Bea Arthur + Harvey Korman = pure gold!
Shows on Saturday, December 28th:
Marcus King plays the Hard Rock Casino
Halfway Hammered plays the Liberty Theater, with Wes Shipp opening
The Wonderlands and Coastal Club have a holiday show within the decidedly un-festive confines of Bogart’s
Abiyah plays Southgate with Radar (we’re assuming it’s not the guy from M*A*S*H)
Tinfoil Hat Cowboys play two sets at MOTR on Sunday, December 29th.
The dreaded new release lull… with one notable exception
New albums of the non-“Holiday favorites” variety are few and far between this month too, but yesterday marked the release of The National’s new live album Rome, which was designed by list member Dale Doyle (the original D2!)
Enough already with the crappy holiday tunes
Put Mariah and Brenda and Burl and Bing out to pasture, and put these on the playlist instead:
Who’s on your 2024 favorites list?
I totally agree with Steven Hyden:
His list is here. Drop your faves in the comments. This guy had better be on your list, though:
I’ve long said that I could go the rest of my life without hearing another Beatles song. Because they’ve been played ad infinitum for 60 friggin’ years. Basta!
Not even the dulcet tones of Lucinda Williams, whom I adore, could overcome the I’m-so-tired-of-hearing-Beatles-songs weariness on Lu’s new release Lucinda Williams Sings the Beatles from Abbey Road.
If that makes you feel like Paul right now, so be it.
Ken Jennings rocks!
And not just because he’s a much better host than Blossom. His music senses are always working overtime. Check out this clip from a recent episode of “Jeopardy”:
Album Covers of the Weeks
When did Jon Bon Jovi take up ice hockey?
And for the love of Yahweh, who signed off on the cover art that makes these kids look like blow-up dolls?
Howdy boys and gurls, I hope back-to-school season is treating you well.
Let’s dive into the live… live music, that is.
Tomorrow night, legendary concert promoter/booker Dan McCabe (Sudsy Malone’s, Southgate House, MPMF, MOTR, Woodward) opens up a brand-spanking-new music venue in an old German music hall in the historic downtown DORA district of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The venue is called Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater.
The very cool logo was crafted by very cool list member Keith Neltner of Neltner Small Batch (available to work on your brand too!)
You can read more about Dan’s new concert baby on the Cincinnati Magazinewebsite. You might recognize the byline, too! (It was a real treat to tour the venue with Dan and get the scoop! Hardhat tip to list member John Fox for the assignment.)
“It’s fun to rock at the WCLT… ” (Photo credit: Frank Bowen IV/The Cincinnati Enquirer)
Dan’s a great dude and I wish him all the success in the world. Kelsey Waldron will be the headliner for tomorrow night’s debut concert with Henhouse Prowlers and My Brother’s Keeper playing on Saturday. The full lineup of shows is on the Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater website.
And in the interest of saving my hands from carpal tunnel, Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater shall henceforth be known in these posts as Liberty Theater, or the Liberty, or WCLT…
Other Friday shows include:
Deer Tick at Southgate house with Dylan McCartney and Dakota Carlyle also on the bill.
Gable Price & Friends at the Woodward
Sweet Lizzy (no relation to Thin Lizzy) plays the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton.
Saturday shows:
Henhouse Prowlers and My Brother’s Keeper at the Liberty
Crash Test Dummies play Memorial Hall
Riverbend hosts the Ohio is for Lovers Festival (fun fact that I just made up: Jerry Springer coined the phrase “Ohio is for lovers” when he was writing checks as Cincinnati’s mayor.)
Ovation in Newport has the Bourbon Baron Bash with Town Mountain and Kelly Willis (“Enjoy bourbon tastings from local distilleries, a variety of food trucks, and live music. All proceeds benefit The Cure Starts Now to fund pediatric brain cancer research.)
Brad Paisley plays outdoors at the Hard Rock Casino
Arnold’s hosts local Americana band Jim Trace and the Makers
Silversun Pickups play Bogart’s on Monday.
John Legend performs with the Cincinnati Pops at Riverbend on Tuesday.
If you want proof that age ain’t nothing but a number, put on your cheater glasses and look no further then the Outlaw Music Festival at Riverbend on Wednesday night: Willie Nelson Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp top the bill. That’s 91, 83, and 72 if you’re keeping score at home. But you shouldn’t be.
Next Thursday:
Carson Lowe plays a free show at WCLT with Harley Day also on the bill.
Sierra Green and the Giants play the Levitt Pavilion for free. (They’re doing a ticketed show the prior evening at Ludlow, but you wouldn’t want to disappoint John Matarese, would you?)
Calling all Beardos! Calling all Beardos!
This year’s Whispering Beard Festival is next Friday and Saturday (September 13th and 14th) at Carriage House Farm in North Bend, Ohio. The full lineup:
Other shows on Friday, September 13th:
Ruby Vileos plays the Liberty Theater
My Brightest Diamond is at the Woodward Theater
Lung headlines the Indie Friday free show at Fountain Square
Taft Theatre has An Evening with Esperanza Spalding
The Cincinnati Nature Center hosts Music under the Moon with Jam Band Jovi
Jamey Johnson plays PNC Pavilion
Ludlow Garage has 1964: The Tribute (I’m not sure if they’re paying tribute to the Beatles or to the year of my birth and at this point I’m afraid to ask)
Soulja Boy marches into the Ovation
Last but certainly not least, GWAR plays Bogart’s
On Saturday September 14th:
Kings Of Leon play the Marsha Brady (According to Greg, her sex is on fire, even if her nose is out of whack)
Cincinnati band Sylmar plays WCLT
RiversEDGE in Hamilton host Signs of Life: The American Pink Floyd
Ice Cube plays the Hard Rock Casino’s outdoor stage
STRFKR (spelled just like it sounds!) are at the Madison Theater on Sunday, September 15th, and Saintseneca (punctuated just like it sounds!) plays the Woodward with Strawberry Runners as the opener
Shows on Tuesday September 17th:
Manchester Orchestra plays the Peter Brady
Megadeth, Mudvayne and All That Remains are at Riverbend
Celtic band Skerryvore plays Memorial Hall
On Wednesday September 18th Riverbend hosts the Marley Brothers: The Legacy Tour. (Why yes, Damian IS part of that show… thank you for asking!)
We have so much for be grateful for this summer, especially if our cars don’t have vinyl seats.
Let’s peel our butts off our chairs and head to some concerts, shall we?
Tuesday:
Band of Horses plays Bogart’s (I’ll be there with list members Deuce and Matt V.). Maybe I’ll run into BoH drummer Creighton again like I did outside the Ryman in Nashville in 2013.
Former Tom Petty Heartbreaker Mike Campbell and his band The Dirty Knobs play the Taft
Old Crow Medicine Show is at the Rose in Dayton, with Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway also on the bill
Norah Jones plays the Rose on Wednesday.
Thursday gigs:
The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and The Tillers play Memorial Hall
Sungaze and Sylmar will be “Rockin’ the Roebling” at Smale Park
Blueswoman Lauren Anderson plays a free show at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton
The Artimus Pyle Band (“honoring Ronnie Van Zant’s Lynyrd Skynyrd”) plays Ludlow Garage
Whoops, wrong Pyle.
On Friday, Arlo McKinley will headline the “Indie Friday” free show at Fountain Square. And Tye Dye Band (featuring list member John Sandman) will play Carriage House Farms.
Other Friday night gigs:
Riverbend hosts a tribute to Planes, Trains and Automobiles…
OK, actually it’s Boats (Yacht Rock Revue), Train (the band) and Automobiles (REO Speedwagon).
Old Crow Medicine Show will be roosting at the Cindy Brady, with the Del McCoury Band – Tiger better behave himself!
Whiskey Myers plays the Rose, with Whitey Morgan & the 78s and Reid Houghton
The Samples play Ludlow Garage
Whoops, wrong Samples. Wrong band too!
On Saturday, there are two festivals of note(s):
Or you can head to the Madison Theater to catch Genesis ReTouched – a Cincy band that claims “our live shows capture the aural and visual essence of Genesis between the mid 80’s and late 2000’s.” So go to the (Tony) Banks to get money for tickets, then treat yourself to a Tom Collins at the show while the ersatz Phil Collins steps up to the Mike (Rutherford). Gotta be better than the other Genesis gig in the area:
Next Sunday (7/14):
Lake Street Dive plays the Bobby Brady, with The Lemon Twigs as the opener
Southgate House hosts The Good People Festival, a benefit for the Incubator Kitchen Collective. Featured acts include: The Local Honeys, Maria Carrelli, Ben Knight & David Faul, Stephen J Williams & The 1865, Ray Vietti, Tinfoil Hat Cowboys, Chelsea Ford, and Adam Lee
And Ludlow Garage has the “We Love Zappa” tour:
On Monday, 7/15, Hurray for the Riff Raff will play the Woodward, with Hannah Frances. I’ll be there… mostly because I’m riffraff, but also because the last H4TRR show at the Woodward gave me all the feels.
Musiq Soulchild kicks off a three-night residency at the Ludlow Garage on Tuesday, 7/16.
On Wednesday, 7/17, The Tillers play a free show at the Delhi Park Pavilion, and The SunBurners do the freebie at Burnet Woods. Both shows start at 7 p.m. (although Delhi is so far west that it might be on Central Time).
Jon Spencer plays MOTR on Thursday, 7/18, with IdleAires opening the 8 p.m. show, which, in a concession to the average age of Jon Spencer fans, will offer some seated tickets.
That evening (7/18) also features an overwhelming slate of free shows:
Erin Coburn plays Smale
Carriers play Washington Park
Buffalo Nichols (blues) at Levitt in Dayton
RiversEDGE in Hamilton has Foreigner’s Journey with Draven & the Ravens
Lawrenceburg Civic Park hosts Gone 2 Paradise: the Ultimate Jimmy Buffett Tribute
Fairfield Village Green features The Eagles Project
Marsha Brady (the band) plays the Marsha Brady Ault Park
On Friday, 7/19, Aaron Lee Tasjan headlines the Indie Friday show at Fountain Square. I’ll be there, and you should go too!
“My most effective tool in sharing my music and live performances with new listeners is word of mouth, and you can do so much to support me when you invite people into this lovely little world we’ve built and continue to build.”
Aaron Lee Tasjan
That same evening:
Torres plays the Woodward
moe. plays the Rose in Dayton, with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire play Riverbend
Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience will play for free at Levitt in Dayton
Ludlow Garage has Adrenalize: the Ultimate Def Leppard Experience
If you want to catch the band X on their farewell tour, they’ll be at their closest stop to the Tri-state: The Vogue in Indy. Here’s a tune from their new album, out 8/2:
Acoustic Alchemy plays the Ludlow Garage on Saturday, 7/20, and Rick Springfield and Richard Marx play the Fraze in Dayton.
That ageless cat Al Stewart plays Ludlow Garage on Sunday, 7/21 and MOTR hosts Thelma & The Sleaze.
Monday, 7/22, PNC Pavilion hosts Slash’s S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, with blues stars Keb’ Mo’, ZZ Ward and Jackie Venson on the bill. (In case you were wondering, “S.E.R.P.E.N.T. is an anagram that stands for Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance.” And now you know. Quiz next week.)
The Best Sibling Duo from Dayton ain’t the Wright Brothers
Orville and Wilbur are no match for Kim and Kelley Deal. A Breeders show at the Henry Miller Library near Big Sur got rained out last fall, so they played an impromptu stripped-down gig among the redwoods. Gorgeous!
It’s always a treat to feel the Heat
The Reverend Horton Heat put on a spectacular (free) show at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton on 6/22 (wrapping up their encore with a killer version of Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.”) List members Dave Tellmann, El Blanco, Michael T. and I were there, along with list member Gene “The Photo Machine” Dow, who snapped these stellar shots:
You can check out more of Gene’s photos from the show here, and view more from his portfolio here. Gene’s available for weddings, senior photos, and general lifestyle photography, yet he refused to do a bit of boudoir photography for me. I can’t imagine why not.
Valley Heat is a treat too!
I know I’ve sung the praises of the Valley Heat podcast before. It’s the aural equivalent of Fernwood 2 Night meets Arrested Development. Hilarious. In the clip below, the host Doug sings the praises of the lowly 8-track, while also pointing out the challenges of playing an LP … and taking a few spot-on shots at vinyl snobs.
I missed the hottest heat
List member Mighty Joe Sampson pointed out a glaring omission from last week’s heat-related visuals:
Jesse is a friend, with some really cool friends
In December, Jesse Malin will be back on stage for the first time since his spinal stroke in May of ’23. And he has an all-star cast joining him for two benefit shows (read more on Relix). The first gig on 12/1 sold out quickly; the 12/2 show still has a few tickets left.
Life imitates Art (but not Art Garfunkel)
Album Cover of the Week(s) – Retail Nostalgia Edition
Why yes, that is Bonnie Raitt’s dad John Raitt in the middle… and yes, that’s a Record Theatre 4.99 sticker too!
This band is as-advertised… they look pretty plain to me. And yes, that’s a Swallen’s sticker! Maybe this album was free with the purchase of any white appliance.
However you choose to celebrate the holiday season, please don’t spin any of those overplayed seasonal tunes within earshot of me. It’s not just Mariah, it’s also Andy Williams, Bobby Helms, Brenda Lee… basically the same 12-song rotation that’s been shoved down our earholes since November 1st.
There are good Christmas songs (R.I.P. Shane and Kirsty), but you’ll rarely hear them on iHeart/Cumulus radio stations or in the malls.
Thanks, my spleen feels vented now. On with the shows!
Tonight, Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point, and then he’s got his big Holiday Blues Revue on Thursday.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays a “Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party” at the Taft Theatre on Wednesday.
On Saturday, it’s a Sophie’s Choice for the stoners:
Afroman’s “Merry Spliffmas” is at Annie’s
Hyryder (Grateful Dead tribute band) plays the Madison Theater
After those smokin’ Saturday shows, all is calm, all is bright… two adjectives that my school teachers never used to describe me.
Things pick up a bit after the fat guy heads back to the North Pole.
On Friday, December 29th, Sylmar and Bendigo Fletcher play the Woodward, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra trots out their usual holiday tuneage at the Coliseum.
Saturday, December 30th is a very busy night for concerts:
Jess Lamb & The Factory (featuring Siri Imani) plays MOTR
Rumpke Mountain Boys kick off a two-night stand at Annie’s
Root Cellar Extract plays Plain Folk Café in Goshen
Tickled Pink (Scott Covrett, Bob Nyswonger and Bam Powell) plays the Pub in Rookwood
On Sunday, December 31st:
The Rumpke Mountain Boys ring in the new year at Annie’s
Foxy Shazam plays the Foxy Carol Brady
Your favorite writer of a semi-coherent, sporadically-published list of Cincinnati-area concerts will celebrate his birthday… by attending the wedding of one of his wife’s co-workers.
Coney Island Baby
Did you hear the news that MEMI is draining the Coney Island Sunlite Pool for good, and building a concert venue in its stead?
Oh goody, a state-of-the-art venue to host those cutting-edge Lynyrd Skynyrd/Kid Rock double bills!
I just genuinely think the record I made is really fucking good, and I love it. And again, that’s what matters. I guess maybe at the heart of this message is: If you really love something, do it. Don’t give up. Don’t overthink it. Don’t say, “Well, I should just do the other thing that works already.” No. Do the think you wanna do. Make the thing you wanna make. You know what? If it doesn’t work out, that’s OK.
And the story has a bit of a happy ending, thanks to the dumpster fire that is whatever Twitter is called now.
Album worth a spin
I’m really digging the new release from a UK band called Witching Waves.
Read an interview with the band members here and check out the album below:
Matt & Dave
Cincy meets Indy when Matt Berninger chats with David Letterman.
Hot Ticket Alert
Alvvays plays Bogart’s on Friday, 4/19, and Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew bring the Remain in Light tour to that same venue on Friday, July 26th. (The Bogart’s box office is open Mondays and Fridays from noon-5, and it opens two hours before showtime on the nights of a show — purchase your tickets there to save big on fees.)
Favorites of 2023
Steven Hyden of Uproxx has it right:
Before I share my list, I need to repeat my regular “year-end list” disclaimer. If you already know the drill, feel free to skip ahead.
1) Ranking albums is dumb … We all know this. Art isn’t a competition. I can’t really distinguish between my 13th favorite album and my 15th favorite. This is all talk. None of it really matters.
2) … but it’s kind of fun … Of course it is! Because it’s about sharing music recommendations. And I do mean share — make your own lists and show them to me, especially if you’re the sort inclined to complain about lists. Put yourself out there and let me complain about you, too!
3) … because it’s really about discovering an album or two (or possibly more!) that you might not have known about otherwise. Exactly!
The dreaded holiday hiatus from live music is inching closer. There are fewer gigs on the ol’ “This Week in Live Music” Koncert Keeper for the next couple of weeks, so let’s make this a double shot to get us thru 2021 (a.k.a. 2020 Part II). Yes, it’s the famous “year-end double issue” that publications like to roll out at this time of year… because “year-end double issue” sounds so much better than “we’re half-assing our way through the next couple of weeks.”
He can hardly bear to hear more Mariah Carey.
Before we get to this week’s fortnight’s gigs, let’s get a crowd ‘n venue review from Mr. Jason Isbell:
Very kind of Jason to say that about our fair burgh. Let’s hope his Icon plaudits attract the attention of other touring artists.
OK, on with the shows…
Tonight, Over the Rhine kicks off a three-night stand at Memorial Hall, Motherfolk and Sylmar play Bogart’s, Ekoostik Hookah plays the old Annie’s, Ben Levin is at Brewriver with special guest Johnny Burgin, and the Fleetwood Mac tribute (the band, not the mac & cheese dish at Keystone) is at Ludlow.
Saturday, Anderson East plays Bogart’s, Squirrel Nut Zippers are at Ludlow Garage, Phil Vassar & Sister Hazel are playing the Hard Rock Casino, Afroman celebrates “Merry Spliffmas” at the old Annie’s, and Ben Levin and Johnny Burgin will be on stage at Big Ash. The next morning, they’ll be playing the Hard Rock Casino.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (no relation to Voodoo Chile) plays the Taft on Tuesday.
Maddie Poppe has an Acoustic Christmas show at Ludlow on Thursday, and Ben Levin plays Shire’s Garden.
Santa Claus is coming to town very late next Friday. You’d better watch out.
Rick “Dr. Noah Drake from General Hospital” Springfield plays the Icon on Wednesday, December 29th.
Not a doctor. Played one on TV.
The Rumpke Mountain Boys kick off a two-night stand at the old Annie’s next Thursday, December 30th. That same evening, Ben Levin will be playing Dead Low Brewing.
Arlo McKinley is at the Madison Theater on New Year’s Eve, while Freekbass will be doing a Funkadelic-KISS mashup called FunKISSdelic at Ludlow Garage. Clutch (the band, not the part I had replaced on my 1976 Datsun B-210 back in ’87) plays the Icon, with Stoner (the band, not the guy in the 2nd balcony with the vape pen) and Native Howl.
Also on New Year’s Eve, this lil’ scamp celebrates another spin around the sun:
Wardrobe by Botany 500.
He plans to celebrate by drinking expired eggnog and staying up until the wee hours (9:45 p.m.).
If he’s feeling extra wacky, he might even have some fruitcake…
Listen Up!
KEXP will be counting down the top albums of the year (as voted on by listeners) today. List member “Rico” recommends this list of the year’s top 100 albums, courtesy of a Finnish music blogger. Luann “Miss Kitty” Gibbs of Inhailer Radio (and the calendar listings queen at the Cincinnati Enquirer) put together a lengthy Spotify playlist of her favorite songs (here), as did Matt “I don’t have a cool nickname like ‘Rico’ or ‘Miss Kitty'” Lacefield (here). Matt also does a music blog/online radio show thang at The Unfamiliar. (Both Luann and Matt have been guests on the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast… check it out if you have some free time over the holiday break.)
Album Cover of the Week
The person who did the egregious airbrushing work on this cover must’ve already been in “year-end double issue” mode.
Have a great week, and then another great week, and best wishes for a happy 2022!
