5 Live Music Musts - February 13, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - February 13, 2015
First, the Michael Franti shows scheduled for Saturday February 14 at the Met have been cancelled due to Franti suffering an injury. Full details here.
Also, word from the Narrows Center is that the Holmes Brothers show scheduled for tonight is also cancelled. Details here.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMeanwhile, Valentine’s Day, the latest blizzard, and the coldest weather of the season bring, well, some of the hottest acts to town this weekend. Warm up with 5 of our top picks.
Indigo Girls at PPAC Tonight
The folk-rock duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, better known as the Indigo Girls, has been carrying on the tradition since the mid-1980’s. In fact, they are the only duo with top 40 songs on the Billboard 200 in the '80s, '90s, '00s and '10s. Their harmonies and still perfect and their lyrics still genuine, as they arrive in Providence for a special show with the RI Philharmonic Pops tonight. It’s not their first outing with a full symphony, but it should be a very special show nonetheless. Show is at 8PM at PPAC and tickets start at $45 are available here.
Foreigner at Twin River Tonight
It may not feel like the first time as 70’s rockers Foreigner return to Twin River tonight. With album sales of over 75 million, the band was huge during of the heyday of FM radio, with hits like “Juke Box Hero,” “Head Games,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Founder Mick Jones still leads the band. Show starts at 8PM tonight, a few tickets are left starting at $45.
Sandywoods Benefit Tonight
Also tonight, there’s a benefit concert for Sandywoods, featuring a number of top area artists. The show benefits the popular venue in Tiverton, which regularly hosts local, regional and international acts representing a variety of musical genres. Scheduled performers tonight include Michael Tarbox, Allysen Callery, The Bluebird Orchestra, Ryan Lee Crosby, The Willard Grant Conspiracy, and Possum (formerly Russell Feathers). Tickets are $20 - Music begins at 8PM.
Love Dogs at Chan’s Saturday
Our Valentine’s Day pick features an aptly named band – the Love Dogs, who return to Chan’s tomorrow night. Enjoy egg rolls, Valentines, and old school R&B with one of the region’s top party bands. Tickets are $12 for the 8PM show.
Fullset at Blackstone River Theatre Sunday - POSTPONED TILL 2-22 DUE TO SNOW
Fullset is a talented and energetic young band from Ireland that will bring together traditional and the modern Irish sounds Sunday at the Blackstone River Theatre. The six piece group was winner of the Irish American News “Best New Band” award and their 2013 album Note’s After Dark won “Best Album” on the US radio program Celtic Connections. Go ahead and YouTube them - I dare ya to skip this show after watching ‘em! Tickets are $18 in advance and $22 day of show. Music begins at 7PM.
Have suggestions for "5 Live?" E-mail Ken Abrams here.
Top 5 Winter Concerts
Fleetwood Mac at the Dunk
Fleetwood Mac, one of the original super groups of the 70s, returns to the area with a show at the Dunkin Donuts Center on January 28. The band totally killed it at two sellout shows this fall in Boston and we expect the same from the legendary group when they play the Dunk. Of course, the highlight for many fans will be the return of Christine McVie, who had been on hiatus since 1997. Check our review of the Boston show here for a little of what you can expect. Meanwhile, don’t stop thinking about this show.
Indigo Girls at PPAC
The Indigo Girls were in the forefront of the folk-rock revival in the 1980s. They’ve continued to develop artistically with fresh harmonies and ever relevant lyrics. With over 14 million albums sold, they’re the only duo to have Billboard Top 40 titles in the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. We’re looking forward to seeing how their usually stripped down sound plays when they are joined by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show is Friday the 13th of February, but we guarantee good fortune!
Nick Lowe at The Narrows
The absolute coolest holiday show around comes to the Narrows Center on Wednesday December 17 as Nick Lowe brings his “Quality Holiday Review” to Fall River. Along for the ride and backing Lowe will be Los Straitjackets, known for their Mexican wrestling masks and jammin’ guitar chops. Lowe is a well known producer and songwriter having penned hits like “Cruel to be Kind” and “What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Don’t miss this show next week at the Narrows Center.
George Clinton at Lupo's
The spectacle that is George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic is our funkiest pick for the Winter concert season. Clinton has been touring with a diverse group of musicians since the late 60s. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the largest band ever inducted) and is coming to Lupo's on Friday February 20. They're even bringing along a new release – First You Gotta Shake the Gate. Good times are guaranteed for this one.
Mardi Gras Ball at Rhodes
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Boogie down to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet on February 28 for the 23rd Annual Cajun and Mardi Gras Ball. The biggest party of the season is always a sell out and this year should be no different with headliners Beau Soleil with Michael Doucet and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Can’t wait another six months till Rhythm and Roots? Then don’t miss the Mardi Gras Ball.
Honorable Mention I
Did we mention that it’s a really busy winter concert season? The Dunkin Donuts Center has a rock show with Linkin Park, Rise Against, and Of Mice and Men on January 24. Another legend, Mr. Neil Diamond, will shake up the Dunk on March 10. Mother Falcon returns to the Columbus Theatre on January 11 and Uncle Tupelo co-founder Jay Farrar is there on February 8. And catch rocker George Thorogood at Cranston's Park Theatre on March 8.
(Pictured: Neil Diamond)
Honorable Mention II
Acclaimed Indie artist St. Vincent, who’s 2014 album made numerous “Best Of the Year” lists is coming to Lupos on Sunday March 7th. Dianna Krall is at PPAC on March 4, on her “Wallflower” tour where she will re-interpret classic rock tunes. Other highlights include legendary party rockers NRBQ, who arrive at the Narrows Center for a pre-New Years Eve show on Tuesday December 30. The Narrows Center also has a Winter Blues Festival over MLK weekend with artists including Selwyn Birchwood, Yound Neil and the Vipers and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds.
(Pictured: St. Vincent)
Coffeehouse Highlights
Common Fence Music in Portsmouth has its popular "Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen" on January 24 hosted by John Fuzek. You can also find folk-rocker Patty Larkin there on February 7. Stone Soup in Pawtucket has Marc Douglas Berardo with Tracie Potochnik and Steve Allain on February 7 and Roots performers Atwater-Donnelly visit on March 7. And Sandywoods has a Celtic holiday concert with Matt and Shannon Heaton on December 20.
(Pictured: Patty Larkin)
