Hey Look, A Concert Calendar!
The gaps between my concert calendars keep getting longer. I think this may be because I've really been digging into the new music shelf at the station, so I haven't been relying as much on the calendar to go my radio show. Or maybe I've just been busy. Anyway, since the last calendar I saw four shows to bring my total for the year to 29.
-I saw St. Vincent last year with David Byrne up in Ann Arbor, so I was very excited to see her again doing her own thing. This was show was rescheduled a number of times due to unexpected TV appearances, but on September 30, M and gieves and I went to the HOB (sponsored by the Beachland) to check out the show. Sondre Lerche, whose last album is a favorite of my cohosts, was up first and put on a fine performance. Then St. Vincent came out and rolled out the art-rock weirdness for a strange but utterly compelling set. I'd see her again, especially in a full venue last this one.
-The following Friday M and I went to see Pete Yorn do a solo acoustic show at the Beachland Ballroom. I was going pretty much solely because of For Nancy ('Cos It Already Is), which naturally closed out the gig. However, everything else he played was also a lot of fun, even if I wasn't deeply familiar with it.
-Last year I got turned on to Chuck Prophet and saw him once with a full band and once in a solo show. I really enjoyed both gigs so I was happy to see him on Saturday, November 8 touring in support of his new album, again with the full band at the Beachland Ballroom. The show was opened by a guy named John Murry who was either drunk, stupid or overly ironic. His songs weren't bad, but his banter was awful. The highlight was when I thought "hey, he's ripping off Knocking on Heaven's Door" and then he admitted it. Anyway, after that Chuck was like water in the desert. His new album is strong but not, in my mind, as good as his last one, but I still greatly enjoyed the show.
-For M's birthday we went and saw The New Pornographers in other Beachland-sponsored show at the HOB, this one on November 15 and featuring Neko Case. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart opened up; they'd been on my list for a few years. Their set was just ok even though I think their new album is pretty good. After that The New Pornographers came on... and it was pretty average. The time I saw them back in 2003 was MUCH better. This performance felt sort of phoned in. And how come one guy left the stage for every other song? The whole thing was vaguely disappointing.
- Although it wasn't a concert, M and I saw Motown: The Musical in October, and we had a great time.
Anyway, on to the calendar. You know the drill: bold means I'm in for sure, and italics means I'm more than usually interested. Everything else is listed for radio usage or my own entertainment.
December
Su 12/07 - Straight No Chaser @ Playhouse Square. Maybe this is the year I can see their a capella goodness.
W 12/10 - Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets @ Beachland Ballroom. Ok, so Los Straitjackets are playing a set with Deke Dickerson on vocals (their new album is fun). Then they will back up Nick Lowe, who I've always wanted to see. The only reason I'm hesitating is that it says "Quality Holiday Revue" and I don't really need to see these guys doing Christmas carols.
R 12/11 - Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line @ Beachland Tavern. $10 bet on an Americana act.
R 12/11 - Snakehole @ Now That's Class. Described as "All girl Miami abrasive noise rock trio" which sounds like a $5 bet to me.
S 12/13 - Alvvays @ Beachland Tavern. A lot of my indie rock friends are really excited by this. Their album is interesting. I'm probably going to ditch my company's holiday party to make it to this.
S 12/13 - Miss Alexandra Huntingdon @ Happy Dog. "Glamazon Chanteuse Extraordinaire."
Su 12/14 - Marc Ribot @ CMA. Performing a soundtrack to Charlie Chaplin's The Kid.
T 12/16 - Chris Isaak @ Kent Stage. Really expensive, but he's doing old Carl Perkins / Sun Studios style rock, which sounds really fun.
T 12/16 - The Birthday Massacre @ Agora Ballroom. I like some of their new album.
R 12/18 - The Bad Plus @ Music Box Concert Hall. The original lineup of this jazz trio was incredibly interesting. I'm not sure if that's held up.
F 12/19 - The Admirables @ Happy Dog. Akron-based soul.
S 12/20 - Mr. Gnome @ Beachland Ballroom. The triumphant return of this Cleveland duo. The new album is good.
S 12/20 - Herzog @ Grog Shop. Well worth the $5.
F 12/26 - Death of Samantha @ Beachland Ballroom. I'm not missing Boxing Day for these guys, but if you feel like getting your rock on this a great way to do it.
W 12/31 - Wesley Bright & the Hi-Lites @ Beachland Ballroom. A very soulful New Year's Eve option.
W 12/31 - Dominick Farinacci @ Nighttown. With several time options to accommodate a range of party plans.
W 12/31 - Hot Djang! Featuring Ki Allen @ Music Box Supper Club. Another New Year's Eve option.
January
W 1/07 - Sophistafunk @ Beachland Tavern. $7 bet on a funk band.
W 1/07 - The Psychedelic Furs @ HOB. I'm not interested at HOB prices.
F 1/09 - That One Guy @ Beachland Tavern. He's on my 'might be fun one day' list.
S 1/10 - Wildhoney @ Now That's Class. "Abrasive Shoegaze". WTF?
Su 1/11 - Stooges Brass Band @ Music Box Supper Club. I like New Orleans brass bands.
W 1/14 - Cloud Nothings @ Grog Shop. Honestly, the new album kind of sucked. Still, they were fun live the last two times.
F 1/16 - Honey @ Grog Shop (early show). $5 bet on an 'art-punk' band.
F 1/16 - Mickey Avalon @ Grog Shop (late show). My ex loved this guy.
F 1/16 - The Tragically Hip @ HOB. And every Canadian in the area goes nuts!
F 1/16 - Intonarumori @ CMA. You'll have to read it as it defies my descriptions.
F 1/23 - Less Than Jake & Reel Big Fish @ HOB. I'm seriously considering this. I like RBF, and have had LTJ on my list for years.
F 1/23 & S 1/24 - The Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance. Pictures at an Exhibition.
T 1/27 - Ani DiFranco @ HOB. Another chance to dust off 'Living in Clip'.
W 1/28 - Toby Lightman @ Beachland Tavern. Possibly interesting pop.
S 1/31 - John Mellencamp @ Playhouse Square. I plan to be in Philadelphia, but if I'm not I may go.
February
M 2/04 - Yonder Mountain String Band @ HOB. Seems like a weird venue choice, but whatever.
R 2/12 - Bettye LaVette @ Music Box Concert Club. 60's Soul R&B singer who had a career revival about a decade ago.
F 2/13 - Hot Sardines @ EJ Thomas. 1920s style jazz.
W 2/18 - Fleetwood Mac @ The Q. They got the whole band back together.
T 2/24 - 2Cellos @ EJ Thomas. "Hey, we can get more people watching us if we play pop songs on cellos." "Yeah, Apocalyptica proved that years ago."
W 2/25 - Murder by Death @ Grog Shop. I missed them last time and am excited for this gig, but I may be in Texas.
W 2/25 - ROBOT PLANET RISING - An Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel @ Playhouse Square. This isn't a concert, but does look very interesting.
R 2/26 - Barry Manilow @ Wolstein Center. Billed as "One Last Time"; can we get that in writing? I kid, I kid. If I'm in town I might well drop $20 for the amusement factor.
Beyond
S 3/07 - Dave & Phil Alvin & The Guilty Ones @ Beachland Ballroom. Ex X, Blasters, Knitters. Beachland's 15th Anniversary weekend. Where does the time go?
Su 3/08 - Lotus @ HOB. Jazzy jams, as recommended by my friend AP.
T 3/10 - Gang of Four @ Grog Shop. Ok, so there's only one member so it's more like Gang of 1/4. But still, Gang of Four!
W 3/12 through W 3/15 - CityMusic Cleveland at various venues. Free classical.
F 3/20 - The Slackers @ Grog Shop. Always room for ska.
F 3/20 - Roomful of Teeth @ Cleveland Museum of Art. Grammy award winning vocal group featuring my friend Dashon! Well, normally. After I bought my tickets I found out he wasn't going to be a this gig. Dammit!
Su 3/22 - Galactic @ Beachland Ballroom. Like to dance? This is your band.
S 4/04 - The Smithereens @ Music Box Concert Hall. I like one song a lot. Not enough to pay these rates.
T 4/14 - The Calder Quartet @ CMA. Up and coming classical quartet.
R 4/16 - S 4/18 - The Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance. Bolero.
F 4/17 - Night Wish @ Agora Ballroom. Operatic metal.
T 4/21 - They Might Be Giants @ Beachland Ballroom. "Hey, can I hear some pretentious accordion-oriented 1980s college eclectica?"
W 4/22 - Neutral Milk Hotel @ Cleveland Masonic Hall. One famous album, but what an album it is. Alas, I'm out of town if all goes according to plan.
W 4/22 - Joan Armatrading @ Kent Stage. Again, way too expensive, but I need to delve into her back catalog some anyway so on the list she goes.
S 5/02 & Su 5/03 - Arlo Guthrie @ EJ Thomas. My father says he is a lot of fun live.
W 5/06 - Neil deGrasse Tyson @ EJ Thomas. Advance notice for all you Cosmos fan boys and fan girls.
R 5/28 through S 5/30 - CityMusic Cleveland at various venues. Free classical.
S 6/03 - Taylor Swift @ The Q. I have a feeling I have friends who will be super excited about this.
F 8/21 - Idina Menzel @ Blossom. Seems like a weird venue for her to play; I guess Frozen really made her huge.
How do you find local shows? Try these: Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Grog Shop, CSU Convocation (aka Wolstein) Center, HOB, Kent Stage, Agora Theater & Ballroom, Quicken Loans Arena, Night Town, Playhouse Square, Rock Hall, Cain Park, Blossom, Nautica Pavilion, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, Severance Hall, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron), Musica (Akron), Akron Civic, CityMusic Cleveland, Now That's Class, Happy Dog, Mahall's 20 Lanes, Tri-C Jazzfest, Dionysus (Oberlin), Oberlin College, Cleveland Museum of Art, Transformer Station, Hard Rock Live, The Music Box.
Tell me what shows I missed, especially for bands who are missing Cleveland but hitting Pittsburgh, Columbus, Detroit and other nearby places.
On a side note, the House of Blues appears to be aggressively trying to make its web site suck more than any other site out there.
EDIT - Added a few recently announced shows.
-I saw St. Vincent last year with David Byrne up in Ann Arbor, so I was very excited to see her again doing her own thing. This was show was rescheduled a number of times due to unexpected TV appearances, but on September 30, M and gieves and I went to the HOB (sponsored by the Beachland) to check out the show. Sondre Lerche, whose last album is a favorite of my cohosts, was up first and put on a fine performance. Then St. Vincent came out and rolled out the art-rock weirdness for a strange but utterly compelling set. I'd see her again, especially in a full venue last this one.
-The following Friday M and I went to see Pete Yorn do a solo acoustic show at the Beachland Ballroom. I was going pretty much solely because of For Nancy ('Cos It Already Is), which naturally closed out the gig. However, everything else he played was also a lot of fun, even if I wasn't deeply familiar with it.
-Last year I got turned on to Chuck Prophet and saw him once with a full band and once in a solo show. I really enjoyed both gigs so I was happy to see him on Saturday, November 8 touring in support of his new album, again with the full band at the Beachland Ballroom. The show was opened by a guy named John Murry who was either drunk, stupid or overly ironic. His songs weren't bad, but his banter was awful. The highlight was when I thought "hey, he's ripping off Knocking on Heaven's Door" and then he admitted it. Anyway, after that Chuck was like water in the desert. His new album is strong but not, in my mind, as good as his last one, but I still greatly enjoyed the show.
-For M's birthday we went and saw The New Pornographers in other Beachland-sponsored show at the HOB, this one on November 15 and featuring Neko Case. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart opened up; they'd been on my list for a few years. Their set was just ok even though I think their new album is pretty good. After that The New Pornographers came on... and it was pretty average. The time I saw them back in 2003 was MUCH better. This performance felt sort of phoned in. And how come one guy left the stage for every other song? The whole thing was vaguely disappointing.
- Although it wasn't a concert, M and I saw Motown: The Musical in October, and we had a great time.
Anyway, on to the calendar. You know the drill: bold means I'm in for sure, and italics means I'm more than usually interested. Everything else is listed for radio usage or my own entertainment.
December
Su 12/07 - Straight No Chaser @ Playhouse Square. Maybe this is the year I can see their a capella goodness.
W 12/10 - Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets @ Beachland Ballroom. Ok, so Los Straitjackets are playing a set with Deke Dickerson on vocals (their new album is fun). Then they will back up Nick Lowe, who I've always wanted to see. The only reason I'm hesitating is that it says "Quality Holiday Revue" and I don't really need to see these guys doing Christmas carols.
R 12/11 - Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line @ Beachland Tavern. $10 bet on an Americana act.
R 12/11 - Snakehole @ Now That's Class. Described as "All girl Miami abrasive noise rock trio" which sounds like a $5 bet to me.
S 12/13 - Alvvays @ Beachland Tavern. A lot of my indie rock friends are really excited by this. Their album is interesting. I'm probably going to ditch my company's holiday party to make it to this.
S 12/13 - Miss Alexandra Huntingdon @ Happy Dog. "Glamazon Chanteuse Extraordinaire."
Su 12/14 - Marc Ribot @ CMA. Performing a soundtrack to Charlie Chaplin's The Kid.
T 12/16 - Chris Isaak @ Kent Stage. Really expensive, but he's doing old Carl Perkins / Sun Studios style rock, which sounds really fun.
T 12/16 - The Birthday Massacre @ Agora Ballroom. I like some of their new album.
R 12/18 - The Bad Plus @ Music Box Concert Hall. The original lineup of this jazz trio was incredibly interesting. I'm not sure if that's held up.
F 12/19 - The Admirables @ Happy Dog. Akron-based soul.
S 12/20 - Mr. Gnome @ Beachland Ballroom. The triumphant return of this Cleveland duo. The new album is good.
S 12/20 - Herzog @ Grog Shop. Well worth the $5.
F 12/26 - Death of Samantha @ Beachland Ballroom. I'm not missing Boxing Day for these guys, but if you feel like getting your rock on this a great way to do it.
W 12/31 - Wesley Bright & the Hi-Lites @ Beachland Ballroom. A very soulful New Year's Eve option.
W 12/31 - Dominick Farinacci @ Nighttown. With several time options to accommodate a range of party plans.
W 12/31 - Hot Djang! Featuring Ki Allen @ Music Box Supper Club. Another New Year's Eve option.
January
W 1/07 - Sophistafunk @ Beachland Tavern. $7 bet on a funk band.
W 1/07 - The Psychedelic Furs @ HOB. I'm not interested at HOB prices.
F 1/09 - That One Guy @ Beachland Tavern. He's on my 'might be fun one day' list.
S 1/10 - Wildhoney @ Now That's Class. "Abrasive Shoegaze". WTF?
Su 1/11 - Stooges Brass Band @ Music Box Supper Club. I like New Orleans brass bands.
W 1/14 - Cloud Nothings @ Grog Shop. Honestly, the new album kind of sucked. Still, they were fun live the last two times.
F 1/16 - Honey @ Grog Shop (early show). $5 bet on an 'art-punk' band.
F 1/16 - Mickey Avalon @ Grog Shop (late show). My ex loved this guy.
F 1/16 - The Tragically Hip @ HOB. And every Canadian in the area goes nuts!
F 1/16 - Intonarumori @ CMA. You'll have to read it as it defies my descriptions.
F 1/23 - Less Than Jake & Reel Big Fish @ HOB. I'm seriously considering this. I like RBF, and have had LTJ on my list for years.
F 1/23 & S 1/24 - The Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance. Pictures at an Exhibition.
T 1/27 - Ani DiFranco @ HOB. Another chance to dust off 'Living in Clip'.
W 1/28 - Toby Lightman @ Beachland Tavern. Possibly interesting pop.
S 1/31 - John Mellencamp @ Playhouse Square. I plan to be in Philadelphia, but if I'm not I may go.
February
M 2/04 - Yonder Mountain String Band @ HOB. Seems like a weird venue choice, but whatever.
R 2/12 - Bettye LaVette @ Music Box Concert Club. 60's Soul R&B singer who had a career revival about a decade ago.
F 2/13 - Hot Sardines @ EJ Thomas. 1920s style jazz.
W 2/18 - Fleetwood Mac @ The Q. They got the whole band back together.
T 2/24 - 2Cellos @ EJ Thomas. "Hey, we can get more people watching us if we play pop songs on cellos." "Yeah, Apocalyptica proved that years ago."
W 2/25 - Murder by Death @ Grog Shop. I missed them last time and am excited for this gig, but I may be in Texas.
W 2/25 - ROBOT PLANET RISING - An Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel @ Playhouse Square. This isn't a concert, but does look very interesting.
R 2/26 - Barry Manilow @ Wolstein Center. Billed as "One Last Time"; can we get that in writing? I kid, I kid. If I'm in town I might well drop $20 for the amusement factor.
Beyond
S 3/07 - Dave & Phil Alvin & The Guilty Ones @ Beachland Ballroom. Ex X, Blasters, Knitters. Beachland's 15th Anniversary weekend. Where does the time go?
Su 3/08 - Lotus @ HOB. Jazzy jams, as recommended by my friend AP.
T 3/10 - Gang of Four @ Grog Shop. Ok, so there's only one member so it's more like Gang of 1/4. But still, Gang of Four!
W 3/12 through W 3/15 - CityMusic Cleveland at various venues. Free classical.
F 3/20 - The Slackers @ Grog Shop. Always room for ska.
F 3/20 - Roomful of Teeth @ Cleveland Museum of Art. Grammy award winning vocal group featuring my friend Dashon! Well, normally. After I bought my tickets I found out he wasn't going to be a this gig. Dammit!
Su 3/22 - Galactic @ Beachland Ballroom. Like to dance? This is your band.
S 4/04 - The Smithereens @ Music Box Concert Hall. I like one song a lot. Not enough to pay these rates.
T 4/14 - The Calder Quartet @ CMA. Up and coming classical quartet.
R 4/16 - S 4/18 - The Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance. Bolero.
F 4/17 - Night Wish @ Agora Ballroom. Operatic metal.
T 4/21 - They Might Be Giants @ Beachland Ballroom. "Hey, can I hear some pretentious accordion-oriented 1980s college eclectica?"
W 4/22 - Neutral Milk Hotel @ Cleveland Masonic Hall. One famous album, but what an album it is. Alas, I'm out of town if all goes according to plan.
W 4/22 - Joan Armatrading @ Kent Stage. Again, way too expensive, but I need to delve into her back catalog some anyway so on the list she goes.
S 5/02 & Su 5/03 - Arlo Guthrie @ EJ Thomas. My father says he is a lot of fun live.
W 5/06 - Neil deGrasse Tyson @ EJ Thomas. Advance notice for all you Cosmos fan boys and fan girls.
R 5/28 through S 5/30 - CityMusic Cleveland at various venues. Free classical.
S 6/03 - Taylor Swift @ The Q. I have a feeling I have friends who will be super excited about this.
F 8/21 - Idina Menzel @ Blossom. Seems like a weird venue for her to play; I guess Frozen really made her huge.
How do you find local shows? Try these: Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Grog Shop, CSU Convocation (aka Wolstein) Center, HOB, Kent Stage, Agora Theater & Ballroom, Quicken Loans Arena, Night Town, Playhouse Square, Rock Hall, Cain Park, Blossom, Nautica Pavilion, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, Severance Hall, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron), Musica (Akron), Akron Civic, CityMusic Cleveland, Now That's Class, Happy Dog, Mahall's 20 Lanes, Tri-C Jazzfest, Dionysus (Oberlin), Oberlin College, Cleveland Museum of Art, Transformer Station, Hard Rock Live, The Music Box.
Tell me what shows I missed, especially for bands who are missing Cleveland but hitting Pittsburgh, Columbus, Detroit and other nearby places.
On a side note, the House of Blues appears to be aggressively trying to make its web site suck more than any other site out there.
EDIT - Added a few recently announced shows.