“She was vilified, humiliated at times, metaphorically crucified when alone and in her twenties. Everything she stood up for and against then, including racism in the music industry, has been proven to have been needed and right. She wasn’t just trying to look out for herself. She was the original truth sayer who wouldn’t go easy into the night. The original “difficult” woman who didn’t make it easy. Because easy wasn’t the right thing to do and it wasn’t the truth. Gone too soon. Nothing compares to you.
Irish comedian and actress Aisling Bea on Instagram
Kudos to Pink and Brandi Carlile for paying tribute to Sinéad that evening at their concert in Cincinnati. Without a doubt they each owe her a debt of gratitude for blazing the trail.
Today we lost Robbie Robertson, the bandleader of The Band, one of the all-time great groups.
Sorry to bring you down. Let’s try to brighten the mood by looking to the future…
Oops, that’s not gonna help. The first gig on Ye Olde Koncert Keeper is Ted Nugent. He’s playing the Rose Music Center tomorrow night.
Fear not, though, as there are several decent gigs tomorrow:
Ruby Vileos plays a free gig at Washington Park
Erin Coburn does the freebie at Smale
Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, and Leftover Salmon play the Taft Theatre
Drivin’ n Cryin’ plays Ludlow
Fraze has a “Happy Together” gig (that’s more like it!) featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV and The Cowsills.
On Friday:
Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, and Leftover Salmon try to fumigate the Rose.
The Samples play Ludlow Garage
Here Come the Mummies are coming to the old Annie’s
The Beach Boys play the Hard Rock Casino
Kenny Roby (of 6 String Drag) plays the Southgate Lounge
Saturday, JD McPherson plays Southgate and Brett Dennan is at Ludlow Garage.
On Sunday, the ageless Willie Nelson headlines the Outlaw Music Festival at Riverbend, with John Fogerty, Gov’t Mule, Kathleen Edwards, Particle Kid, and Myron Elkins also on the bill.
Tuesday, Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin and Jinjer play Riverbend.
When I hear the name “Ghost” my mind immediately goes here:
But the band Ghost (a “GRAMMY-winning Swedish theatrical rock band” per the bio… I thought that was ABBA) has a sold-out show at Riverbend on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rose hosts a tribute to Ghost ABBA, and Al Stewart plays Memorial Hall.
Next Thursday (8/17):
Asleep at the Wheel plays Memorial Hall
RiversEDGE in Hamiltucky has the Cordovas, Scotty Bratcher, Duane Betts and Palmetto Hotel
Edwin McCain is at Ludlow Garage
Steven Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies) plays a freebie at Village Green Park in Fairfield
Dead Centric (yes, a GD cover band) for free at Evendale Pavilion
Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience at Ludlow Garage (free chaps to the first 50 attendees)
Next Saturday, 8/19:
Noah Wotherspoon and Eric Jerardi play a free gig at the Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton
Black Owls, Heavy Hinges, and The Tigerlilies play Southgate
Next Sunday, the Old 97s play Southgate, and the even older Jethro Tull wheezes into Rose.
The show of the summer is on Monday, August 21st: The Beths play the Woodward Theater.
They aren’t just New Zealand’s finest, they are one of the finest bands going. So you’d best be going to this show. Opening act is DISQ, so it’s a great twin bill.
On Tuesday, 8/22, Marcus King, Charley Crockett, and Molly Tuttle play the Mike Brady, and Jethro Tull fiddles flutes around at PNC.
(Our favorite Jethro… yet not in Jethro Tull or The BoDeans.)
Crackerjack Cracker
The Cracker gig at the old Annie’s a couple of weeks ago was really enjoyable. A very strong set list of Cracker, Camper and more. David Lowery + Johnny Hickman = music magic. List members Howard Cohen (Cereal Killers at Big Ash on 8/26!) and Todd Butler were in the house too, which added to the festive atmosphere.
Where does the summertime time go? Seems like the ol’ globe’s spinning a bit faster these days. Or maybe I’ve just been day-drinking again. Either way (or both), it’s time for a fresh batch of live tunes. Let’s go to Ye Olde Koncert Keeper:
Tonight:
Ruby Vileos has an album release show at The Loon in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey (formerly of Band of Horses). This show is sold-out.
Fall Out Boy plays Riverbend
George Thorogood & the Destroyers are at Fraze Pavilion
Blood, Sweat & Tears drop into Ludlow Garage
The Cincy Blues Fest happens in Fairfield
Abby Holiday plays an album release show at Madison Live
On Sunday, JD Souther plays an “all the hits, some of the stories” show at Memorial Hall.
Tuesday, the Tedeschi Trucks Band plays PNC Pavilion with Ziggy Marley as the opener. I’ll be at that gig, courtesy of list members Whit & Barb Gardner, who have had the misfortune of living across the street from me for more than two decades.
On Wednesday, Say She She is at the Woodward Theater with Abby Jean, and the Jan Brady has the “Sad Summer Fest” featuring Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, Motion City Soundtrack, PVRIS, Hot Mulligan, Stand Atlantic, Sincere Engineer and Mom Jeans. (Mom Jeans – I’m a big fan!)
Speaking of articles of clothing, or a lack thereof, Nelly plays the Fraze on Thursday.
Keep your clothes on Rose, the Nelly gig is sold-out. But you can catch Ludacris, Flo Rida and Ashanti at the Hard Rock Casino… or see the Crash Test Dummies for free at Village Green Park in Fairfield. Yes, Fairfield.
On Friday, Cracker plays the old Annie’s. A Cracker show is always good.
I’ll be at that gig, along with list member/Cereal Killers front man Howard Cohen, who also would like to remind you of this upcoming event:
The old Annie’s also has a show next Saturday, 7/22: Stephen Marley and Subatomic Sound System. And Joey McIntyre of NKOTB fame will be at Ludlow Garage. Other 7/22 gigs:
Moonbeau plays Madison Live
Mecklenberg Gardens in Clifton has an interesting “Two for the Show” gig featuring local duos:
On Sunday, 7/23, Vanilla Fudge will be in the Ludlow Garage.
If you’re into album artwork, you might want to check out a movie called Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) – it’s playing the Woodward Theater on Monday, July 24th:
Lyle Lovett brings his large hair and his Large Band to Rose Music Center on Wednesday, July 26th… meanwhile across town, the always-perfectly-coiffed Donny Osmond plays the Fraze. And speaking of amazing hair, Soul Glo plays Woodward Theater.
That same evening, Pink plays Great American Ball Park with Brandi Carlile, Grouplove and DJ Kid Cut Up (which may or not be list member Dan Lewis in disguise).
Shows on Thursday, 7/27:
500 Miles to Memphis plays a free show at Smale
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle do a freebie at Washington Park
The Red Hot Chili Pipers (not Peppers) play Ludlow Garage. IMHO, this is the hottest Piper:
On Friday, July 28th, The Regrettes headline the free show at Fountain Square. I just saw this band in Milwaukee (photos below – more on the Milwaukee trip later) and they are a lot of fun. The lead singer is a force of nature. Well worth checking out.
Other gigs that evening include The Temptations and The Four Tops at Rose and Ramble On Bros (yes, a Grateful Dead tribute band) play the “Music Under the Moon” series at Cincinnati Nature Center. More info here.
I’ll be out of town the first week in August. In case we don’t chat before then, here are the gigs for that week:
(Oh, and Culture Club/Howard Jones/Berlin play Riverbend on 8/5 too.)
“Mil-e-wau-kay… the good land”
As mentioned previously in this rambling post, I was in Milwaukee recently. I went with list member Dave “Deuce” Richmond and his buddy Matt “no nickname that sounds like going to the bathroom” Voss.
Last Thursday, we hit Summerfest and saw Horsegirl, Jenny Lewis, The Regrettes, The War on Drugs, and caught the very tail end of Dinosaur Jr’s set… all for a mere $26. Such a deal!
I also saw Milwaukee’s Brett Newski (who played a house show at the home of list members Dave & Jacqui Killen a few years back) in the crowd at one of the stages.
On Friday, we hit the Reds-Brewers game. I was bummed to miss Japanese Breakfast, Brett Newski, and Built to Spill at Summerfest (free admission!)… but on Saturday morning at the Milwaukee Airport, I chatted briefly with Doug Martsch of Built to Spill. Turns out that in addition to being an amazing singer/guitarist/songwriter, he’s also a very nice guy!
Riding like the wind… if the wind is going about 6 m.p.h.
Friends, I’ve signed up to ride my bike 24 miles (in a row… crazy, I know) in the Ride Cincinnati event on 9/17 to raise funds for the UC Cancer Center and the Barrett Cancer Center. If you could see it in your heart (and find it in your wallet) to support me, I’d greatly appreciate your tax-deductible donation. 100% will go directly to life-saving cancer research and care right here in our community.
Me on a training ride:
Mailbag
A blog post comment from The Lovely & Talented Elizabeth Cannon, a longtime friend and the former marketing maven at Riverbend:
The bigger question might be “Who is more of a prima donna – TayTay or Noel?”
Album Covers of the Fortnight
Joe Stampley is a dead ringer for Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon’s Vacation.
James Brown may be Soul Brother #1, but Soul Brother #2 has to be Hansel Vibbert. He’s just oozing charisma and raw sex appeal.
Did you go to the big show downtown last night? I did! It was everything I hoped for and more!
I’m referring, of course, to the Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones show in downtown Dayton at the Levitt Pavilion, with Dayton’s own The Mulchmen doing a stellar opening set.
Why yes, that is Jim McPherson of The Breeders on drums for The Mulchmen. I challenged him to an arm-wrestling contest after their set. It did not end well for me.
The Mulchmen and Dave Alvin both sounded great – Dave even busted out a few Blasters tunes. Admission was free, and Levitt Pavilion allows attendees to bring their own food and beverages (cans only). Such a deal!
Alrighty, let’s take a gander at some upcoming live shows in the Tri-state area.
Tonight, it’s The Invasion of the Swifties, Part II. I’m not a Taylor-lover (or ex-lover… no songs about me) but I’m also not a hater. CincyMusic had a great take on Taylor-mania:
Just down the street from Paul Brown Stadium (that payroll company isn’t paying me, so I’m using the old name), local blues wunderkind Erin Coburn will be playing at Sawyer Point at 4 p.m., followed by The Classic Rock Experience (6pm) and the AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck (8pm).
Greensky Bluegrass is at the Bobby Brady.
Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (perhaps you’ve heard of it?) has another freebie show tonight, featuring Ernie Johnson from Detroit.
Last but not least (except in Liam Gallagher’s rankings), Noah Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Garbage and Metric are at Riverbend.
Then there’s a bit of a lull in live gigs as we celebrate our independence with discount fireworks.
On Thursday:
Tab Benoit plays a free show at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (yes, that place again)
Noah Wotherspoon will be “Rockin’ the Roebling” in Smale Park (the stage by Moerlein)
The Harmed Brothers Duo does a freebie at Washington Park
Candlebox is at Bogart’s
Chicago is at the PNC Pavilion
(Yours truly will be at Summerfest in Milwaukee, watching Jenny Lewis, Horsegirl, The Regrettes, The War on Drugs and perhaps a bit of Dinosaur Jr.)
Friday:
Lettuce and Steel Pulse play the PNC Pavilion
3 Doors Down and Candlebox are at the Rose Music Center
The Steve Miller Band will be at The Hard Rock Casino (“Take the money and run”…)
Kansas plays the Taft
The Sunburners play a free show at Stanbury Park in scenic Mt. Washington (a.k.a. “Anderson Heights”)
(Yours truly will still be in Milwaukee, watching the Reds-Brewers game)
Saturday (7/8) shows:
Future Islands are at Bogart’s
Lettuce and Steel Pulse head up the road to the Rose
For those who just can’t get enough T-Swizzle (or couldn’t drain their bank account for tickets), RiversEdge in Hamilton! has Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience for free.
Dream Theater is at the Ovation in Newport on Sunday (7/9) and Post Malone plays Riverbend.
Belinda Carlisle goes (or Go-Gos) to the Rose Music Center on Tuesday, July 11th.
The High Kings play Memorial Hall on Thursday, July 13th, and RiversEdge has “Nirvani” and “Fooz Fighters.” (Isn’t “Dave Grull” in both of those bands?)
Braxton Brewing in Covington, KY is hosting the Paradise Music and Beer Festival on 7/14-15:
Also on Friday, July 14th, Jessica Lea Mayfield headlines the free show at Fountain Square. I’ll probably make that gig. You should join me, unless you’re the type of person who likes Neil Diamond, then you can catch Super Diamond, the Neil Diamond tribute band, at Ovation.
Other shows on Saturday, July 15th:
Ruby Vileos has an album release show at The Loon in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey (formerly of Band of Horses).
Fall Out Boy plays Riverbend
George Thorogood & the Destroyers are at Fraze Pavilion
The Cincy Blues Fest happens in Fairfield
Jesse is a friend…
… and he needs our help. Longtime “This week in live music” favorite Jesse Malin was climbing onto the bar at Webster Hall in NYC during a concert in late March…
In early May, he suffered a rare spinal stroke, and has been paralyzed from the waist down since. A Sweet Relief fund has been set up to help with Jesse’s medical bills.
“The reports from the doctors have been tough, and there’s moments in the day where you want to cry, and where you’re scared. But I keep saying to myself that I can make this happen. I can recover my body.”
We mentioned the Ruby Vileos album release earlier… Billy Alletzhauser’s other band The Hiders also is working on some new music. Dave Tellmann and I chatted with Billy and his Hiders bandmate Beth Harris about that (and towns in Arkansas… and Ass Ponys… and much more) in the latest episode of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast.
Modern Rock 500 heavy hitters
97X superfan Scott Buckley created an interactive data visualization that allows you to get a snapshot view of the various artists in the 2023 97X Modern Rock 500 on Inhailer Radio and quickly see where their songs landed. Check it out here.
Speaking of Inhailer Radio, former 97Xers Matt Sledge and Jae Forman now have weekly airshifts there, along with list member Ken Laube (Fridays 3-7pm).
Album Cover of the Fortnight
Dennis Coffey makes his own Declaration of Independence. He’s a red, white and blue (and maroon and fuchsia) hero!
Wow, is it June already? June: our favorite month AND our favorite Johnny duet partner.
I know I’ve been slacking on keeping you abreast of the live local gigs. May was a bit busy. Really!
We had one kid graduate from O.U. (“Oh yeah!”):
[Peter was a triple major (Data Analytics, Finance, and Business Information Systems) and graduated summa cum laude. If you help him find a job, I will pay a finder’s fee (out of the savings on my healthcare plan and grocery bill).]
Lest I forget, our youngest, Andrew, also put on an overpriced robe, as he graduated from Walnut Hills High School:
This fall, he’ll be wearing ugly candy cane/barber pole overalls at Indiana U.
Since we last chatted, there was a fabulous 97X book event at the Mercantile Library.
Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker from Wussy played my house yet again!
My podcast pal Dave Tellmann and I even made it onto Channel 12, where we were interviewed by former 97X Breakfast Club intern Jen Dalton… and I wore a headset that made me look like the spitting image of noted Hollywood heartthrob Clint Howard:
But the really rewarding part of the whole Modern Rock 500 was stuff like this:
OK, the May madness is over. Let’s turn to June’s tunes. (BTW, I’ll be covering a full month’s worth of concerts, as our whole fam-damily will soon be off to Alaska to see the glaciers before they all melt.)
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band plays a free gig at Levitt Pavilion in Dayton tonight.
On Friday:
Damien Jurado plays the Woodward Theater (good dude, just bad spelling of his first name)
Caitlin Rose and Andrew Combs are at Southgate
The Harmed Brothers play as part of the free Fountain Square “Indie Fridays” concert series (full summer lineup is here)
Zac Brown will perform after the Reds-Brewers game at GABP. (Look for list member and Reds sales all-star Dan Lewis in the front row – he’ll be the shirtless guy with “I ❤ Zac” painted on his chest.)
Saturday has a whole slew of gigs:
Wussy plays a house concert in Dayton, KY (of course I’ll be there, I’m a stalker)
Barenaked Ladies (not to be confused with Shirtless Dan Lewis) play PNC, with Semisonic and Del Amitri also on the bill (Del Amitri – that’s the band that was on Late Night with David Letterman when I was in the studio audience!)
Adrian Belew and Jerry Harrison are doing a “Remain in Light” concert at Newport Music Hall in Columbus
Sawyer Point has a free concert featuring Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Jake Speed, and Henhouse Prowlers
.38 Special and Loverboy play the Fraze in Dayton. If you enjoy cheesy 80s videos, this one is tough to top:
Dallas Moore has an album release show at Southgate on Sunday, with Ricky Nye also on the bill.
On Tuesday, June 6th, All Time Low plays the Newport venue that has reached an all-time low with its god-awful corporate name… which is why we still call it the Ovation.
On Wednesday, June 7th, Rose Music Center has the Kenny Wayne Shepherd “Backroads Blues Festival” with Eric Gales and King Solomon Hicks. That same evening, The Minks play Southgate.
Next Thursday, 6/8, Sylmar and Electric Indigo play the free “Rockin’ the Roebling” show at the Moerlein Lager House in Smale Park. (Full summer schedule is here.)
Hank Williams Jr. and Old Crow Medicine Show are at Riverbend on Friday, June 9th.
On Saturday, June 10th, Cereal Killers play Big Ash Brewing. Tell a buddy, bring a friend, but don’t you dare miss this big show! First beer’s on me.
Recent text reply from a friend/list member when I mentioned the Cereal Killers yet again:
Maybe, but I don’t know if I can amply express how damn good they are. If you enjoyed the 97X Modern Rock 500, you’ll love this gig.
I feel duty-bound to mention the other shows that evening, albeit whilst holding my nose:
Fraze has the “I Love the 90s Tour” featuring Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, Treach of Naughty by Nature, Kid N Play, All-4-One, 2 Live Crew, DJ Kool, and Color Me Badd. And Ludlow Garage hosts Bronson Arroyo’s tribute to Pearl Jam. It’s kinda like “pick your poison”… only without any members of Poison.
Sunday, 6/11 Jim Lauderdale plays the Southgate, with Lillie Mae.
Dead & Company make their final tour stop in Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 13th.
That same evening, Pat Metheny is at Memorial Hall.
The Pixies play the Mike Brady on Wednesday, June 14th with Franz Ferdinand and Bully – great triple bill!
On Thursday, 6/15, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers and Dex Romweber (Flat Duo Jets for the win!) play Southgate. Love the gig poster:
That same evening, The John Doe Folk Trio plays a free gig at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton — and they play a ticketed show on Friday, 6/16 at the Woodward, with Chuck & Lisa (Wussy Duo…. tired of playing my house) as the opener.
Other 6/16 shows:
Lyle Lovett & his Large Band play Ovation
Bruce Cockburn (“it’s pronounced ‘COE-burn’!”) and Dar Williams are at Ludlow Garage
The Rebirth Brass Band plays Memorial Hall
Matchbox 20 is at Riverbend
On Saturday, June 17th:
Jimmie Vaughan plays Ludlow Garage
Ben Folds is at the Rose
500 Miles to Memphis plays a 20th anniversary show at Southgate
Counting Crows and Dashboard Confessional are at PNC on Sunday, June 18th.
W.I.T.C.H. and Death Valley Girls are at the Woodward on Tuesday, June 20th. Also that night, Mike Gordon is at Madison Theater and Young The Giant and Milky Chance play the Jan Brady.
Gigs on Wednesday, June 21st:
James Taylor & band are at Riverbend
Peter Frampton plays the Rose
Ludlow Garage has a 70s Rock Revival Troubadour Project
Tracy Walker plays a free concert in Burnet Woods (7pm start)
On Thursday, June 22nd:
The Chris Knight Duo and Mic Harrison (V-Roys, Superdrag) play Southgate (American Aquarium has a Southgate date listed on their website, but it’s not on Southgate’s site… guess you’ll have to go and see who shows up)
Peter Frampton comes alive at the PNC Pavilion
Ally Venable plays Ludlow Garage
Stripmall Ballads and Ray Vietti play the Washington Park “Roots Revival” freebie (full summer schedule is here).
On Friday, 6/23:
AJR is at Ovation
Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band play Ludlow
Sloan plays a freebie at Fountain Square (at least according to the Fountain Square website… it’s not listed on Sloan’s website). Don’t sleep on Sloan, they are great. I’d definitely be at that gig if I weren’t watching glaciers melt.
Saturday, June 24th:
My Morning Jacket plays the Ovation
The SteelDrivers are at the old Annie’s with Stringus Khan and the Restless Leg String Band
Woodward Theater has Victoria Victoria featuring Charlie Hunter
The Surfrajettes and The Nailers play Southgate
Richard Marx plays the Fraze
Debbie Gibson is at the Taft. I wonder how her kid is now…
Legendary bluesman Buddy Guy plays the Rose on Sunday, June 25th, with next gen blues legend Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Ally Venable on the bill as well. Also, Jesus Jones will be “Right here, right now” if the “here” is Ludlow and the “now” is 6/25.
Toad the Wet Sprocket plays Taft on Monday, 6/26, with Marcy Playground as the opener. That show is “bring your own sex and candy.” That same evening, the Doobie Brothers play the Rose.
Best What’s Happening!! episode ever!
What’s that you say? You’d love to see some bonus What’s Happening!! music content? Your wish is my command:
Santana plays the Rose on Tuesday, June 27th. Or maybe it’s Cheech Marin from Cheech & Chong… I always get those two mixed up.
On Wednesday, June 28th, The Deslondes play Southgate with Esther Rose as the opener (strong double bill!) and Earth, Wind & Fire (strong triple elements!) are at the PNC.
And June goes out with a bang on Friday the 30th:
Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones play a free show at Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (I’ll be at that gig)
Greensky Bluegrass plays the Rose
The Steel Wheels are in Southgate’s main room
Maurice Mattei & the Tempers play a free show in Southgate’s Lounge (10pm)
Ambrosia is at Ludlow Garage
Homecoming when I’m not home
The National announced their lineup for this year’s Homecoming Festival.
I’ll be out of town when it’s going on, and to be honest, I’m not overly distraught that I’ll miss it.
“20th Century” is right… and I’m alright with that
JBM is booking shows at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley once again. The acts tend to skew toward an older demographic, but this old man is cool with that. I saw two great shows from septuagenarians in May – Richard Thompson and Junior Brown.
Up next, the young whippersnapper Bob Mould (a mere 62!) on October 22nd.
Oh! You Pretty Things
Book publishing guru Jane Friedman tipped me off (in her free Electric Speed newsletter) to this cool site called Album Whale where you can create visually appealing lists of albums to share with friends.
Album Covers of the Month
Listen your way to that beach body you’ve always wanted.
I let you down yet again (you should be used to it by now). I’m tardy with my list of gigs so I didn’t get to tell you about the New Pornographers show at Memorial Hall last night. That said, the show was sold out. Besides, I don’t know why people need New Pornographers, the old ones still work just fine.
Tonight, Southgate House is hosting The Nude Party. (It’s a band, get your mind out of the old pornographers gutter.)
OK, let’s focus on the future. The Future of Rock and Roll, that is. Robin James wrote the book about 97X, and thanks to Northside’s Downbound Books and Shake It Records, she’ll be talking about it with a couple of knuckleheads at the Mercantile Library this Thursday. If you’re one of the faithful 200 who registered for this event, you can hear from Robin, get a book signed and enjoy some tasty Great Lakes Brewing Co. beverages courtesy of our ol’ pal Howard Cohen (Cereal Killers… more on them later).
If you can’t attend in person, you can stream the event on Crowdcast here. (Great Lakes Beer not included.)
Tomorrow night, Richard Thompson plays a solo acoustic show at the 20th Century Theater. I’ll be there, of course. Forget about King Charles III, to me, King Richard is the Brit who rules.
KT Tunstall and Martin Sexton are also playing a double bill tomorrow, at Memorial Hall.
On Thursday, if you can’t make the Merc, Memorial Hall is hosting An Evening with the Cowboy Junkies.
Wait, wrong sort of Cowboy Junkie…
Friday night, Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker from the band Wussy are playing at my house. (Apparently they didn’t learn their lesson from the first time I hosted them back in October of 2022 and totally fanboyed out.)
John “Don’t call me Cougar” Mellencamp also kicks off a two-night stand at the Aronoff on Friday. And The Comet hosts BurritoFest 2023 on Friday and Saturday.
The Taft Theatre has some interesting shows lined up:
An Evening with Natalie Merchant on Sunday
The Wood Brothers with Shovels & Rope on Tuesday, May 16th
David Cross on Thursday, May 18th
Roger McGuinn does a “Songs & Stories” gig at Memorial Hall on 5/18.
On Friday, May 19th, Cereal Killers play at MadTree Brewing in Oakley. 7-11 p.m. First beer’s on me.
I won’t be dressed like that… unless you ask nicely.
That same evening, Frank Turner plays Bogart’s and Leo Kottke is at Ludlow Garage.
On Saturday, 5/20, Dopapod is at the Madison Theater, Steve Goodie and Eric Gnezda play a comedy music show in Florence, KY, and Fountain Square hosts the KISS tribute band Strutter.
The Gem City shines
Dayton, Ohio (birthplace of flight… and the Deal sisters) has some really nice freebie shows coming up this summer at the Levitt Pavilion downtown, including Dave Alvin, John Doe, Tab Benoit, Ernie Johnson from Detroit, and Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys. The first gig is The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on Thursday, June 1st. Check out the full lineup here.
Mailbag
List member Mighty Joe Sampson, a resident of a posh Cincy suburb, wrote:
This longtime subscriber is formally objecting to your slanderous comment about Madeira aka “the friendly town.”
You’re right, Joe. Madeira is very accepting of strangers… as long as they follow the instructions to leave the DoorDash food delivery on the front porch.
Those wacky Brits… I don’t know how in the heck you can guard a horse when your helmet obstructs 70% of your field of vision and your “chin” strap is well above your chin. But… “tradition!”
I still owe you a beer, because Cereal Killers had to cancel their Earth Day gig:
I blame global climate change. But I’ll try to stay positive, like CK and The Hold Steady advise.
Rather than lament what could have been, let’s take a look at the future.
Tonight, Ben Folds plays Music Hall with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and Shakey Graves is at Bogart’s. Music Hall has an orchestra pit, and Bogart’s is a pit… same difference.
Tomorrow night, Tesla plays the Greg Brady. Greg used to drive a Tesla.
Too soon?
On Friday night, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit kick off a two-night stand at the Cindy Brady. My lovely bride and I will be at that show courtesy of list members Whit and Barb Gardner.
Also on Friday, Will Kimbrough plays Southgate, and “Tusk” (either a Fleetwood Mac tribute or a tribute to Smedley the original mascot for Cap’n Crunch Peanut Butter) plays Ludlow Garage.
Jason Isbell will be whipping out his 400 Unit again on Saturday at the Peter Brady. (That’s not as dirty as it sounds.)
Speaking of not dirty, you can’t get more squeaky clean (and let’s be honest, lily white) than the Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church. And that’s the venue for a Downtowne Listening Room show featuring 3 Nashville singer-songwriters: Rob Harris, Marcia Ramirez and Mike Waldron.
August Burns Red plays Bogart’s on Sunday, and the “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” tour comes to Woodward Theater.
On Monday, May 1st, Memorial Hall hosts Majesty – A Tribute to Queen. Rumor has it Harry and Megan are miffed that they aren’t on the guest list.
On Tuesday, May 2nd, Snail Mail plays the Woodward. List member Mighty Joe Sampson and I will be there, bringing the average age up by 15 years.
Father John Misty plays Bogart’s on Wednesday, May 3rd. Speaking of misty, Bogart’s now has a misting tent… wait, my bad, that’s actually just spray from a broken toilet.
Other 5/3 gigs:
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss play the Rose Music Center in scenic Huber Heights
Gary Clark Jr. is at the Cindy Brady
Kamasi Washington is at Ludlow Garage on Thursday, 5/4 and Memorial Hall is really living up to the “memorial” in their name, with yet another tribute: The Electric Light Orchestra Experience… “the American ELO!”
Next Friday is Cinco de Mayo… a day when many Americans like to pay tribute to a historic victory by the Mexican Army by… getting hammered on Corona and margaritas?
That’s kinda f*cked up… speaking of which, F*cked Up is playing the Woodward that night. Jess Lamb & the Factory are at City Nights (like a local version of Austin City Limits). And Ludlow Garage hosts Live at the Filmore (Allman Bros. tribute).
Next Saturday, May 6th:
Houndmouth plays the Ovation (yes, the Ovation, not using that ridiculous corporate name)
Billy Idol sneers his way through a show at PNC Pavilion
The Amy Ray Band (she of Indigo Girls fame) plays Ludlow Garage with Kevn Kinney as the opener – that’s a heapin’ helpin’ of ATL goodness!
Sylmar, Massing and Moonbeau (that’s 3 local bands, not a law firm) are at Southgate.
Some horses run around a track in Louisville.
On Sunday, May 7th, Australian songwriter John Butler plays Memorial Hall.
Distant Early Warning
The Beths are playing the Woodward on August 21st… if you don’t go to that show, we can no longer be friends.
Let’s take a gander at that there Koncert Keeper, shall we?
Jukebox the Ghost plays the Woodward on Wednesday. Jukebox the Ghost: not as cool as Casper, but way cooler than Casper’s cousin Spooky.
On Thursday, Keily Connell plays the Cincinnati Zoo’s “Tunes & Blooms.” Admission is free after 5 p.m. and the music starts at 6.
Also on Thursday, The Blue Wisp Big Band plays Bircus Brewing in Ludlow, KY, and Lucy Wainwright Roche plays Southgate’s Revival Room. Lucy is the daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Suzzy Roche of The Roches, so she’s like the folkie version of Prince Harry, only with talent.
Hyryder plays the old Annie’s this Friday.
Saturday night live:
Nickel Creek at the Cindy Brady
Rob Fetters plays another livestream from his website
The Menus play Bircus
GZA of Wu-Tang Clan plays Ludlow Garage
When I was growing up in rural Arkansas (explains a lot, doesn’t it?), our shotgun shack had well water with a nasty aftertaste, so the only way I could stomach it was to mix it with Tang. Basically, I was a founding member of the “Woo, Tang!” clan.
This Sunday, Memorial Hall has An Evening with The Petersens. I think George Petersen is part of that group.
That same evening, The Weight (featuring members of late-era The Band and the Levon Helm Band) plays Ludlow Garage.
Lewis Capaldi plays the Bobby Brady next Monday (4/17).
The Tony-winning musical Hadestown, written by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, is at the Aronoff April 18-30th. I hate to brag, but I’ve picked up several Tonys myself.
Tuesday, April 18th is Tax Day.
On Wednesday, April 19, Sunny Day Real Estate is at Bogart’s, and Marc Broussard plays Memorial Hall.
You’ll find some Hot Tuna at the old Annie’s on Thursday, April 20th. And by “Hot Tuna” we mean the band fronted by Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady from Jefferson Airplane, not some stolen cans of Star-Kist… although you could probably find that at the flea market in the parking lot.
Other 4/20 shows:
Scott Miller (nee V-Roys) plays Southgate’s main room and Rachel Baiman is in the Revival Room
Carriers at the Cincinnati Zoo for Tunes & Blooms
On Friday, April 21st, The Robert Cray Band plays Memorial Hall, The Band of Heathens is at Southgate, and Clutch is at the Carol Brady.
Carol wins the car accident court case vs. Uncle Fester. Now that’s clutch!
On Saturday, April 22nd, Cereal Killers play an outdoor Earth Day gig at Fries Cafe.
By now, you should know the drill for a CK gig: show up and drink up – first beer’s on me.
Other shows on 4/22:
Snarky Puppy at the Tiger Brady
Strangelove (Depeche Mode tribute) at Ludlow Garage.
On Sunday, 4/23, Steve Poltz plays the Woodward Theater
See you later, Seymour
Lest we forget, legendary A&R man and record label owner Seymour Stein — who died on 4/2 — got his start at King Records in Cincinnati. He talks about it in this Fresh Air interview:
Album Cover of the Week – for real!
Not doing a goofy album cover this time around – it’s the new album from Gladie called Don’t Know What You’re In Until You’re Out. My daughter ordered it for me (#proudDadMoment) and there was a delay in delivery due to vinyl pressing challenges. This handwritten note warmed my heart:
If I told you that I’ll be co-hosting a book discussion at The Mercantile Library, you’d think it was some sort of early April Fools’ Day joke, right?
Can’t blame you for that. But it’s legit:
You can register here and pre-order the book here.
Speaking of books, let’s see who has booked a gig in this area over the next fortnight.
On Wednesday, The Queers play Madison Live, with Suzi Moon and The Raging Nathans also on the bill. And a Frank Zappa tribute band called The Furious Bongos will be playing Joe’s Ludlow Garage.
Thursday, Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar play Southgate, and Beth Harris wraps up her March residency at The Loon, with Abiyah and Heather Redman.
Thursday also is Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds. List member Dan “Laying the groundwork for 2024” Lewis will be throwing out the first pitch… to companies who haven’t purchased any Reds advertising yet!
Friday evening, Steve Forbert plays Southgate, Leggy has a free album release show at MOTR (10 p.m. start), Emmaline is at Ludlow Garage, and Orleans is doing a 50th anniversary acoustic show at Memorial Hall.
Guess what happens on Saturday?
Oh, and an Irish band called Seafoam Green is playing Camp Springs Tavern that evening.
The band is highly recommended by the tavern’s proprietor, Keith “Smoovie” Neltner. Irish folks in a tavern… what could possibly go wrong? (Don’t tell Liam Neeson I said that.)
Also on Saturday, Jim Messina will be at Ludlow Garage.
Next Monday, April 3rd, Combo Chimbita plays the Woodward Theater.
On Wednesday, April 5th, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers hit Southgate.
Great news for my inner teenager: Rush is playing Memorial Hall on Thursday, April 6th!
Wait, upon further review, that’s TOM Rush. The good news is he’s not a fly-by-night artist. The bad news for teenage me is he’s also not a “Fly By Night” artist.
Another 4/6 gig of note is Fantastic Negrito at Ludlow Garage.
Friday, 4/7, Ellis Paul plays a 30th Anniversary Tour show at the Redmoor in Mt. Lookout, and Molly Hatchet tears up Ludlow Garage.
A different Ludlow takes the spotlight on Saturday, April 8th. Bircus Brewing in Ludlow, KY has music from the Tom Petty cover band Tom the Torpedoes.
On Sunday, April 9th, after you find all the Easter eggs, Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point.
Ahead of her time
Given what we know now about clergy abuse scandals, isn’t it time to reexam Sinead O’Connor’s Saturday Night Live appearance back in 1992? This episode of the Sound Opinions podcast weighs in, and cohosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot (two longtime Chicago music writers/critics) interview Kathryn Ferguson, the co-writer/director of a documentary about Sinead.
https://youtu.be/-VLy1A4En4U
An artist’s job is sometimes to create the difficult conversations that need to be had.
Sinead O’Connor
Alright, sorry to get so serious on you. Let’s lighten the mood with two of the absolute best SNL character actors, Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman, playing Sinead and Sinatra.
Mark your calendar… better yet, Howard your calendar!
List member Howard Cohen and his fellow band members in the Cereal Killers have three – count ’em – three gigs coming up over the next three months:
It’s pretty exciting stuff if I do say so myself… granted, I’m not exactly an impartial observer.
Let’s observe the bands who are coming to town over the next couple of weeks, shall we?
Tonight, Southgate has Rock’n Revival for the Cure, with a slew of local bands:
And Ark Band plays Ludlow Garage.
On Sunday, Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point, and Ludlow hosts Nektar… no relation to keytar.
On Wednesday, The Dollyrots play Southgate, with The Von Tramps at the opener, and Altan fiddles around at Ludlow Garage.
Thursday evening, Billy Strings kicks off a sold-out three-night run at the Greg Brady.
Greg Brady loved Strings!
That same evening, Kenny Wayne Shepherd will at the Taft, doing a 25th anniversary tour of his Trouble Is… album.
Friday, Billy Strings has a second helping of the Peter Brady.
Don’t Bogart your Billy Strings tickets.
That same day, Ben Levin plays happy hour at Element Eatery, The Huntertones and Doc Robinson play Woodward, and Vanessa Carlton is at Ludlow. Oh, and ’tis St. Paddy’s Day, too.
Next Saturday, Bogart’s hosts Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac tribute. And Billy Strings plays Night 3 at the Marsha Marsha Marsha Brady.
Marsha Brady thinks Billy Strings is hotter than Alice’s pot roast
And NRBQ rocks the Ludlow Garage.
Southgate House has an embarrassment of riches on Tuesday, March 21st:
The Casey Campbell Band and El Dorado play the main room
Adam Weiner (of Low Cut Connie) plays the Revival Room upstairs
On Wednesday, March 22nd, The Quebe Sisters are at Southgate, and Dead Letter Office (yes, an R.E.M. tribute band), plays Ludlow Garage.
On Thursday, 3/23:
Beth Harris and Freedom Nicole Moore play a freebie at the Listing Loon in Northside
Leo Sayer plays Ludlow Garage
Blake Shelton plays the Coliseum
On Friday, 3/24:
Whiskey Bent Valley Boys, Slippery Creek and Mike Oberst are at Southgate
Them Dirty Roses and The Josephines play the old Annie’s
Aronoff Center has The Blues is Alright tour:
Pokey Bear, second cousin of streetwise informant Huggy Bear on Starsky & Hutch
On Saturday, March 25th:
They Might Be Giants play a sold-out gig at Madison Theater.
Florence Dore plays Southgate (her backing band includes Will Rigby and Gene Holder of the dBs, and Son Volt’s Mark Spencer)
Aronoff has The Simon & Garfunkel Story (per the press release: “The show features huge projection photos, original film footage, and a full live band performing all of Simon & Garfunkels’s hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound,” and many more.” In other words, since Paul and Artie will never share a stage again, holograms will have to suffice.)
And if the fates cooperate and the stars align, your humble scribe will be in NYC that evening for this show:
On Sunday, 3/26, New Edition (which really should be called Old Edition at this point) will be at the Coliseum, with Keith Sweat, Guy and Tank. Note: “Guy” is a band and “Tank” is another band… in case you were expecting this:
Instant Karma
In our last missive, we mentioned that Dan “Reds: 2027 World Series Champs” Lewis loves Debbie Gibson… right after we listed some incorrect tickets-on-sale info. So who do you think pointed out our error almost immediately?
I’ll refrain from pointing out that we listed TTB, not DTB…
Dan is a superfan of both Dwight and The Mavericks, so the PNC gig is a dream date for him. (So is Debbie Gibson, btw.)
Like father, like son
Dan’s son Cullen also is a music superfan, and in a recent edition of his Substack newsletter he linked to this really cool “Music Map” site where you can type in the name of a band you like and it’ll suggest other bands you may enjoy.
Your own personal hit factory
HT to list member Todd Butler for the link.
Album Cover of the Week
This album came out yesterday. If your band’s name is “The Atomic Bitchwax” you are contractually obligated to play the Freak Valley Fest. It’s a combination as classic as peanut butter and jelly…. or Dan Lewis and Debbie Gibson.
Great news: our Presidents’ Day sale on subscriptions has been extended to the end of the month! It’s sorta like a BOGO (buy one, get one) sale. In the case of This Week in Live Music (an ill-fitting name due to my laziness), we’re having a GOGO sale – get one email and get obnoxiousness free!
Let’s get to the gigs while the getting is good…
Tonight, Silversun Pickups play Bogart’s, Faux Frenchmen play the Mansion Hill Sanctuary, and Rob Fetters teams up with his ol’ pal “Bad Bob” Nyswonger for a live stream available here.
Let’s talk Mohawks!
Uh, actually, it’s the old Cincinnati hockey team. List member and hockey-head Eric Weltner has created a movie about how the Cincinnati Mohawks dominated the IHL in the 1950s.
You can catch a screening of The Mohawk Monopoly tomorrow and Sunday at the Woodward Theater. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the movie starts at 1:30 p.m. both days. On Saturday, DJ Mr Keith McLenon from Detroit will be spinning tunes before and after the screening, and former players will in attendance.
Let’s talk Ludlow
Y’all need to check out the cool “Cabin Fever” music and arts festival going on in scenic Ludlow, KY tomorrow. Proceeds benefit Music Fund Cincinnati, which was started by list member and porch picker John Sandman – get tickets at the Music Fund website and learn more about what they do.
Tomorrow night:
Brainiac is at the Woodward
500 Miles to Memphis, Kentucky Struts, The Nightbeast and Backalley Brujas play Southgate
a Black Sabbath tribute band plays Ludlow Garage and Bogart’s hosts an ABBA-inspired disco dance party. I hope the Sabbath fans and the ABBA fans show up at the Clifton Skyline after the gigs. It could go down like this:
Elle King plays the Marsha Brady on Tuesday. [Fun fact: Elle King is the daughter of former Saturday Night Live cast member Rob Schneider, who was barely funny when he was on the show (basically the male Victoria Jackson) and is almost totally humorless now.]
On Wednesday, Wishbone Ash plays Ludlow Garage. (Fun fact: Wishbone Ash is also the least popular salad dressing ever.)
Thursday gigs:
Beth Harris (of Hiders/Heartless Bastards) kicks off her March residency (every Thursday 8-11 p.m. – free!) at the Listing Loon in Northside, with special guest Ali Edwards (Ruby Vileos). The full list of March events at the Loon is here.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country sets up camp at Ludlow Garage
Country superstar Carrie Underwood plays the Coliseum
Next Friday(3/3) :
Red Wanting Blue plays Southgate, with Angela Perley as the opener
Crash Test Dummies are at Ludlow Garage
Colony House plays Bogart’s
Taft Theatre hosts “The Fab Four – the Ultimate Beatles tribute”… don’t settle for “The So-So Four: the Mediocre Beatles tribute”… or these guys:
Gigs next Saturday (3/4):
Matt Nathanson and Stephen Kellogg play Memorial Hall
Ernie Johnson from Detroit plays Woodward, with Electric Citizen and the Harlequins
Katie Toupin (formerly of Houndmouth) plays Southgate
Highly Suspect headlines the 96Rock anniversary show at Ovation (anyone remember Bender & Fingers in the morning on 96Rock?)
Speaking of radio stations, The Sklar Brothers bring their comedy to the Lawrenceburg Event Center. Check out this bit about a rock station in St. Louis:
On Sunday, March 5th, Skillet and Theory of a Deadman play the Alice Brady.
That’s not a skillet!
On Wednesday, March 8th:
Taft has “An Evening with Dawes”
Dylan LeBlanc and David Ramirez are at Southgate
Friday, March 10th shows:
Bonnie “Prince” Billy is at the Woodward, with Planchette
The Lemon Twigs play Southgate
Michael Martin Murphey is at Ludlow Garage
On Saturday, 3/11, Southgate has a local band benefit show:
That same evening, the Ark Band (reggae) plays a Bob Marley tribute at Ludlow . That event is BYOS – bring your own spliff.
After the smoke clears from the Ark Band show, Nektar will play Ludlow on Sunday, 3/12. It’s a 50th anniversary show of their album Remember the Future… the title seems more fitting now.
Hot Tickets Alert!
Tickets on sale today for:
Richard Thompson plays a solo acoustic show at the 20th Century Theater on Wednesday, May 10th. I already got my tix!
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit play a two-night stand at the Bobby Brady on April 28-29. Pro tip: buy at the Brady box office to save a boatload on fees – it’s open 11a-3p today.
Tedeschi Trucks Band with Ziggy Marley at PNC on July 18
Dwight Yoakam with the Mavericks at PNC on Aug. 4
And for list member Dan “Reds single game tickets on sale now!” Lewis, who is a huge Debbie Gibson fan: she’s playing the Taft on 6/24.
Dan Lewis has this magazine cover framed
New Order Order
The National’s new tune “New Order T-shirt” is strong:
And you can place a new order for a New Order t-shirt from The National:
Old (but good) News
At long last, John Fogerty got back the rights to his CCR songs. Here’s the article in Billboard from back in January.
“I’m the dad [of these songs]. I created them. They never should have been taken away in the first place. And that hijacking left such a massive hole in me.”
Your humble scribe is often mistaken for this artist. List member Dan Lewis’ wife is always asking him “What’s the website that has the live music posts that Dick Feller wrote?”
