March 5 (Wed)
Who: The Handsome Family
Where: The State Room
When: 8 p.m.
What: The State Room is in the business of doing their fans favors, bringing in acts nobody totally expects yet remembers fondly. Whoever is curating over that way takes their job of offering surprises so seriously. It feels like a rare treat to discover that gothic country husband-and-wife Brett and Rennie Sparks of The Handsome Family are on their way later this week. Much like the Crash Test Dummies last month, it makes the heart skip a beat to see that they’re a) touring at all and b) chose this spot on the map as one of their dozen or so dates. Who doesn’t need more live murder ballads in their lives? Bonus: Local sad song guy Paul Jacobsen opens.
March 10 (Mon)
Who: Talib Kweli
Where: Urban Lounge
When: 7 p.m.
What: We’re lucky that Talib likes to visit us and play our city as often as he does. We’re even more fortunate when he does so at one of our more intimate neighborhood bars. Come see a master at work on a Monday night. For fans of Mos Def and/or politically insightful and socially aware rapping, this’ll be one to see.
March 12 (Wed)
Who: G. Love & Special Sauce
Where: The State Room|
When: 8 p.m.
|What: G. Love and his troupe are a little to a lot of everything good in the world. A born performer. A seasoned hip hop blues veteran. A guitar and harmonica player who likes to dabble with jazz or play a string of Dylan songs as an encore, JUST BECAUSE. It’s been a minute since he’s been here, right? No matter. G. Love and his merry misfits are a band that’s earned its stripes. Come see how the seasoned pros sound after 30+ years of perfecting their approach.
March 15 (Sat)
Who: Sue Foley
Where: The State Room
When: 8 p.m.
What: If you’ve yet to be baptized in the blues, this just may be your chance. As a Canadian blues guitarist/singer dynamo, Sue Foley has released a staggering 15 albums since her debut with Young Girl Blues (1992). In May 2020, she won her first Blues Music Award in the Koko Taylor Award category.
March 15 (Sat)
Who: Underground Cash
Where: HandleBar SLC
When: 7 p.m.
What: Details are a little sparse on this one, but all you need to know is this: they’re a local band that plays Johnny Cash music. Period. And if that weren’t enough reason to throw your tenner at them and attend, it will somehow also be an early St. Paddy’s Day celebration. Green brews, anyone? This has all that’s needed for a deliriously good-to-great time.
Tickets: $10 cover
March 22 (Sat)
Who: Vinyl Koala
Where: Fisher Brewing Co.
When: 7 p.m.
What: If you dig Khruangbin, you’ll be a fast fan of this local instrumental family band. And if you’ve frequented Fisher over the past few years, you’ve likely already heard them playing one of their events in their typically understated way. This one also counts as the band’s album release party (2024’s full-length Polaroid).
Tickets: Free
March 28 (Fri)
Who: Fictionist
Where: Velour
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Well, this was certainly unexpected. Personally, I’ve yet to see or hear Fictionist ever play live, and it’s been a minute since they’ve done so. They’re releasing a brand new album and want to show it off onstage. This bodes so well. Bonus: Guitarist Robert Connolly is releasing his debut (titled Bitter Optimist) the same night. Consider this a double feature. Do I already have the physical ticket I paid a little extra for? Solid yes.
March 29 (Sat)
Who: Rubblebucket
Where: The Commonwealth Room
When: 8 p.m.
What: KRCL can take the blame for this show getting added to the other previews here. Every tune their deejays have ever spun by this Brooklyn-based art pop and indie rock band has served to deepen my curiosity about them. Leave it to a couple of former University of Vermont jazz students (Kalmia Traver and Alex Toth) to not only decide to form a band together but try their hands at pop, funk, dance, and psychedelia along the way. Deep Architecture in Helsinki vibes here. Oh, they’re good. Expect fun.
March 29 (Sat)
Who: 50 Years of Bob Dylan ‘Blood on the Tracks’
Where: The State Room
When: 8 p.m.
What: Dylan’s so hot right now. One of his best albums turned 50 years old in January (but, I swear … hardly looks a day over 46) and some of the area’s finest want to help celebrate. Come see the same folks who have paid similar tributes to Tom Petty, Neil Young and, most recently, Weezer. To whet your appetite, some familiar names in the mix, including Sammy Brue, Michelle Moonshine, Cory Mon, Morgan Snow, Marcus Bently, and Julianne Brough.
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