Brett Barest
“What kind of music do you listen to?” is a question that has always left me hemming, hawing, and possibly babbling like some kind of moron. Do I have a favorite band? No way. Favorite genre? Maybe in a particular mood at a specific moment that is likely to change quicker than the weather. Do I even make playlists in my Spotify account? Nope, I just let that shuffle away through my “liked” songs making it entirely possible that Buddy Holly can give way to The Wu-Tang Clan followed by Modest Mouse at any given moment. The more drastic the change, the more likely I am to dial up the volume and picking a favorite anything out of all of it is quite impossible, for me at least.
All of this is to say, this is what I often enjoy most about looking at the upcoming concert calendar on any given week. There is no common theme in the types of music available to us – it is all so uniquely different that there truly is something for everyone with an interest in getting out to see live music.
Let us start with Thursday night’s Grateful Dead Night at Pour Taproom where The Grateful Brother’s Robbie Edwards will be joined by David Smith and Wes Andrews for an evening of homage to history’s greatest jam band. If jazz is more your thing, check out Downtown Travelers Rest on Friday night for Tunes in Town. Done in partnership between the Greenville Jazz Collective and Fine Arts Center, musicians will be placed strategically around town making sure you have plenty of live music to enjoy while you shop, sip, and eat your way through the bustling little town just north of Greenville. For those looking to flat out rock & roll, Kings Ransome will be at Gottrocks Saturday night, thumbing their collective noses at mainstream, modern rock music. As an added bonus, the venue is introducing the Gottrocks Girls Clogging Team which will make their debut performance ahead of Kings Ransome taking the stage.
Sunday offers even more to consider as there are a handful of shows to choose from around town. The Sans Souci Community Garden concert series rolls on with a Songwriters’ Circle comprised of Darby Wilcox, Mary Norris, Kathy Hall, and Mark Higgins. This is a great opportunity to kick back on a picnic blanket with your favorite snacks and beverages and enjoy a relaxing evening of live music in the garden. On a related note, Mary Norris’s band, Salti Ray, drops their new EP this Friday so make sure you give that listen, whether you make it out the show or not.
If beers and pizza are calling your name, Sunday also sees Vilai Harrington set up shop on the patio at Stone Pizza Company Sunday afternoon. Finally, Fireforge Crafted Beer is celebrating Oktoberfest in true German fashion with Asheville’s Mountain Top Polka Band performing live. The best part about all of these Sunday shows is that they are each a few hours apart from each other meaning dedicated music lovers could make it to all three performances without breaking a sweat.
All of these shows – and so many others on the iOnGreenville concert calendar are yours for the taking in the week ahead. Get out and enjoy a show, support our local music community and, of course, wear your masks. See you back here next week, friends!
Upstate Live Music Calendar
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