WHAT: Umphrey’s McGee, Elmwood, Positive Vibr8ions
WHERE: Canopy Club ($25)
WHEN: Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th at 9:00 p.m.
You don’t get as far as Umphrey’s McGee has by being a bad live band. Years of near-constant touring have honed Umphrey’s into a relentlessly precise prog-jam band, and they’re sure to bring some heat over the course of this two-night stand. Single day tickets cost $25, with both nights together going for $45.
WHAT: Nightmare on Market St. with Oh No Oh My, Take Care, Dr. Manhattan, Common Loon, Santah, Hot Cops, Sunset Stallion, Grandkids
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)
WHEN: Friday, October 29th and Saturday, October 30th at 8:30 p.m.
Stacked. Look at that big, beautiful lineup. If you’re in need of a local musi who’s who, this is a pretty great place to start. In addition, this should be considered the official start of your musical Halloween weekend — we heard a rumor that Santah are considering going as the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
WHAT: Needtobreathe, the Daylights
WHERE: Canopy Club ($18 advance)
WHEN: Saturday, October 30th at 7:00 p.m.
South Carolina’s Needtobreathe are often tagged as being “Christian rock”. Despite the fact that the term is a death-knell for any crossover sucess in 99% of the cases, Needtobreathe have garnered significant popularity and performed at numerous festivals, including Bonnaroo. Who knows, maybe they’ll even do some Halloween costumes, even if it is a day early.
WHAT: Neoga Blacksmith, The Curses
WHERE: Bentley’s Pub ($TBA)
WHEN:Saturday, October 30th at 9:00 p.m.
If you prefer a more low-key Halloween, you won’t do better than this show at Bentley’s. The warm, intimate interior and cheap drinks will make you feel right at home. Oh yeah, Neoga Blacksmith and the Curses are playing too.
WHAT: Duke of Uke, Lonely Trailer, the Mean Lids
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)
WHEN: Saturday, October 30th at 10:00 p.m.
This is being advertised as including a costume contest. If you witnessed the Duke’s epic Rocky Horror set at this year’s Cover-Up, you know roughly what you’re getting into. If you weren’t there, let’s just say there was drag. Quite a bit of it.
WHAT: Cornmeal, the Wood Brothers, Zmick, Mathien
WHERE: Canopy Club ($10 advance)
WHEN: Sunday, October 31st at 8:00 p.m.
Cornmeal’s Halloween shows at the Canopy have never disappointed — check out “Black Magic Woman” from their 2008 set here if you don’t believe me. Support sets from the Felice Brothers, Mathien and Zmick should undoubtedly make this a good one.