Where to see live music near Quincy and Boston from Jan. 18-21 – The Patriot Ledger
Jay N. Miller
The winter music season has heated up again, with almost everything back to full activity after the holidays.
THURSDAY, Jan. 18: R&B legend Bobby Rush coming to town
Bobby Rush is a rhythm and blues legend, and still one of the more energetic performers anywhere, and that spry youngster of 88 is at the Narrows Center in Fall River. Ghost-Note, a funk band from Dallas, tackles the Sinclair in Cambridge. Country “hunk-with-a-hat” Conner Smith makes his debut at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston. Fiddler Maura Shawn Scanlin and her band raise the roof at Club Passim in Harvard Square. The acid blues – that means it’s jazzy and more rhythm-soaked – of Boston’s Bees Deluxe warms up The Porch in Medford. Karaoke night at the C Note in Hull, hosted by Amanda Carr. Comedy with Adam Conover at City Winery in Boston.
FRIDAY, Jan. 19: Led Zeppelin tribute band coming to Pembroke
Lez Zeppelin – the all-female tribute to Led Zeppelin – rocks the house at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke. O-Positive – with attorney and Northeastern prof David Herlihy at the helm – performs a reunion show at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston, and it is a benefit for a friend in need. The Magic City Hippies jam at The House of Blues in Boston. Alt-rocker and comic Oliver Tree brings his “Alone in a Crowd” tour to MGM Music Hall in Boston. The Michele Rockwell Band brings the blues and more to Tolson’s Tap in Pembroke. The exquisite sounds of the California Guitar Trio might encompass rock, jazz or even classical at the Narrows Center in Fall River. Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem harmonize at Club Passim in Cambridge. Country and rock chanteuse Valerie Barretto sings at Rivershed in Scituate. New England titans Roomful of Blues at City Winery in Boston. Boston rock favorite Abbie Barrett is at The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge. Dorchester’s harmonica king Racky Thomas visits Nickanee’s in Providence, Rhode Island.
SATURDAY, Jan. 20: Duxbury’s Elovaters headline The House of Blues
Big night for South Shore rock and reggae fans, with Duxbury’s Elovaters headlining The House of Blues in Boston, and one of the openers is Shwayze, who’s a rhythmic delight, too. The Spire Center in Plymouth offers the Busted Jug Band, which shows you how lively and wild the music of the 1920s and 1930s was. Vermont rocker Grace Potter lights up the MGM Music Hall in Boston. The Sinclair in Cambridge has a special night of five rock bands, all fronted by female, including Julie Rhodes and the Wolff Sisters. Craig Carter and The Hurricane blow down the C Note in Hull. Boston multi-instrumentalist and legend Dinty Child celebrates his new album, “Letting the Lions In,” at Club Passim in Cambridge, through Sunday. Marcus Rezak Guitar Head – a quartet that jams with the best of them – takes over Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke. A Band of Killers – the Beantown all-star contingent led by guitar aces Tim Gearan and Johnny Trama – brings Americana to the Narrows Center in Fall River. The funky jams of the Boston septet Juice shake up The Paradise Rock Club in Boston. Folk stars Lisa Bastoni and Sean Staples sing at The Rose Garden Coffeehouse in Franklin. Valerie Barretto sings at The Grand Slam Pub in West Bridgewater. Indie rocker Steve Rondo at Brighton Music Hall. Country music singer Annie Brobst headlines The Music Room in Yarmouth.
Don’t forget the 4 p.m. blues jam at Players in Rockland, hosted by the Michele Rockwell Band. Ohio metal band Beartooth thunders into the House of Blues in Boston; Starman – a tribute to David Bowie – is at City Winery in Boston; and singer/songwriter/electronic artist Plvtinum takes on Brighton Music Hall.
Coming attractions
TUESDAY: Korean R&B singer Rad Museum headlines the Paradise Rock Club.
WEDNESDAY: Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke has a special night, with Midnight North – the band with Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh’s son Grahame Lesh – jamming, along with the usual Playing Dead set. Philadelphia’s gift to R&B – and to Boston since he lives here now – G. Love and Special Sauce open a two-night stand at City Winery in Boston. The Bones of J.R. Jones – a singer/songwriter – makes his Brighton Music Hall debut. Mick Jenkins raps at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston.
Jan. 25: The indie rock trio known as The Hush Club lights up Brighton Music Hall.
Jan. 26: The sublime harmonies and stellar songwriting of The Milk Carton Kids take over the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. The wit, wisdom, and dulcet tones of folksinger Christine Lavin at Club Passim in Cambridge.
Jan. 30: It’s a dance party when “Man About Town” Mayer Hawthorne arrives to sing and play at Royale in Boston.
