Manchester Orchestra

Back-to-Cool Music

Concert Listings, Music

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 Magazine website. 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.)

Allison Kiehl also did a nice article for The Cincinnati Enquirer, complete with Dan doing his best Village Person impersonation:

“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!)

Adding some spice to Pumpkin Season

Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest starts up at the end of this month, with cool bands on the bill every weekend through October. Here’s a brief description and the full music lineup courtesy of Courtney Phenicie at CincyMusic:

I would write 4 U

Sage advice from Seth Godin:

I’m gonna name you “The Concert Keepers” – because:

a. you like concerts, and

b. if you read this hot mess on a regular basis, you’re a keeper!

Makes No Sense at All…

In a budget cut, NBC axed Seth Myers Late Night band, led by Fred Armisen. This was their kiss off/send-off:

Album Covers of the Week(s)

Brother Dave looks like a Fred Armisen character.

I think you can hang a “Mission Accomplished” banner now, EBO!

Spring forward. Irish Spring. March madness.

Concert Listings, Music

Top o’ the evening to ya. Can you believe how late it stayed light tonight? Other than the car wrecks, Daylight Saving Time is the best.

Actually I wrecked trying to change the car clock while driving.

Speaking of car wrecks, congrats to my beloved Xavier Musketeers for backing into the NIT like Jim Rockford eluding the bad guys.

That’s OK, though, I’m sure the entire Tri-State will get behind the… Wright State Raiders?

Their mascot name is Raiders and their mascot is a wolf. Makes sense.

OK, enough sporty-sports talk, let’s get to the music:

Monday, Little Feat’s Waiting for Columbus tour comes to the Taft, with opener Ida Mae. And Rob Schneider’s daughter (Elle King) plays Bogart’s.

Talent skips a generation

Sammy Rae & Friends play Memorial Hall on Tuesday

Wednesday, Manchester Orchestra plays Ovation, and Sam Bush is at Ludlow Garage.

Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day – here’s a public service announcement:

List member Howard Cohen recommends this particular brew:

If you’re looking for tunes that evening, Ludlow Garage is hosting An Evening with J.D. Souther – all the hits, some of the stories.

Friday, 10,000 Maniacs will be at Ludlow, and Jukebox the Ghost plays Taft.

Saturday is a Jethro night.

Martin Barre from Jethro Tull will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Aqualung with a show at Memorial Hall. And David Sanborn will sax up Ludlow Garage.

New tunes

A live version of a new tune from Lucius… goosebumps!

Cincy’s own Afghan Whigs have a rockin’ new tune out:

And The National’s Matt Berninger does guest vocals on a new tune from TWILM favorite Caroline Spence – mighty fine!

(If you haven’t checked out Caroline’s 2019 album Mint Condition, do so posthaste. It’s fantastic.)

Art about artists from an artist

Michael Wilson, acclaimed Cincinnati-based photographer, collaborated on a new body of work with the Visionaries + Voices community. His process, using a 4×5 format camera led to a series of intimate black and white portraits of artists with the possessions they hold most dear.

During his distinguished career Michael has worked with the likes of B.B. King, David Byrne, Robert Plant, Aaron Neville, Bill Frisell, Doc Watson, and Dr. John. See Cherished at V+V’s Northside gallery this spring to learn why Michael is known widely as a master storyteller. The exhibit runs through the end of April at the Visionaries + Voices Northside Gallery, M-F, 10a-4p.

Album Cover of the Week

We’re really diggin’ the main font… and Bob’s disco shirt, of course… but the secondary font is nearly illegible.

It’s snowtime… with an occasional flurry of showtime!

Concert Listings, Music

Last night’s Country Westerns gig at MOTR was scuttled by the freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Mmm, wintry mix! (Special message to all those “if it’s going to be cold, I wish it would snow” types: bite me!)

But you can love The Ultimate Doors tribute two times, babe…

OK, technically one time. And probably tonight, because they are riders on the storm.

At press time, Brother Moses and Tom the Torpedoes are still on for Saturday (Southgate and Redmoor, respectively).

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday… it’s The War on Drugs at Ovation in Newport. List member Mighty Joe Sampson and I will be there with bells on (but we will only shake them between songs).

Are you less of a Drugs person and more of a jazzer-person?

Admit it, you can’t look away…

Then you can catch the Blue Wisp Big Band’s 40th Anniversary CD Release party at The Redmoor on Sunday starting at 6 p.m.

On Tuesday, Anaïs Mitchell and Bonny Light Horseman trot into Memorial Hall. Bonny Light Horseman is Anaïs Mitchell with Eric D. Johnson (of Fruit Bats fame) and Josh Kaufman (a multi-instrumentalist and producer known for his work with Craig Finn, Hiss Golden Messenger, Josh Ritter, The National and Bob Weir). Should be a really cool show.

Washout Wednesday

Sleigh Bells were supposed to play Taft on Wednesday… but they moved their entire tour back several months.

And the Wailing Jennys were supposed to play Memorial Hall on Hump Day, but they moved that show back an entire year!

Oh, and I hate to pile on, but here’s more breaking news:

Speaking of non-music, The Moth Mainstage will be at Memorial Hall on Thursday, and comedian Whitney Cummings is appearing at the Taft.

But there IS music on Thursday: you can catch list member John Sandman’s Tye Dye Band at Eli’s BBQ in the East End. They’ll be playing (inside the heated/tented barn-like structure) from 6-8 p.m.

Next Friday, Lucy Dacus plays Ovation, with Indigo De Souza as the opener. Once again, list member Mighty Joe Sampson and I will be there. I’m assuming our bells will have been confiscated by Ovation staff earlier in the week, but we’re really pumped up for this show.

Lucy’s most recent album, Home Video, was one of our faves from 2021, and she has a new one-off single out that’s pretty tasty too.

Also next Friday, Ben Levin plays Wiedemann Brewing.

Tickets on sale today…

Manchester Orchestra is playing Ovation on Wednesday, March 16th, and Tori Amos will be at the Taft Theatre on Tuesday, May 24th. Tickets for both shows go on sale this morning. I wonder if Tori will play “Oil Spill”…

If you love me, you’ll buy this for me

Just a gentle reminder that VD is right around the corner. That’s Valentine’s Day – get your mind out of the gutter! And if you’re looking for the perfect gift for your favorite This Week in Live Music correspondent, you can get me this:

The pro model will suffice, no need to splurge on the premium or limited edition… it’s a mere $7K – you probably have that in your couch cushions. Better “rush” out and buy it soon though!

Magazine Cover of the Week

Now that’s an unfortunate sticker placement. Or not, depending on how phreaky Mike Gordon is.

Album Cover of the Week

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. And the Pathway to Heaven is peppered with polyester.