

Christmas is just five days away which means, for a guy like me at least, that I should probably start thinking about what I am going to give to the ones I love. I realize, however, that many of you have your lives together and are fully prepared and simply waiting for the big day to arrive. That means that some of you are free and clear to take in a show this weekend with no last minute planning to worry about, while some of us have to wait for the holiday dust to settle before we can relax and go see some live music. Fortunately for all of us, there are plenty of great live music options to go around.
Pre-Christmas Shenanigans
Here is the good news – Susto is coming to The Radio Room for a solo performance which guarantees to be a good time. The bad news, however, is that the show will probably be sold out by the time you read this. I mean, it is worth double checking right this minute (go ahead, I’ll wait) but if I was a betting man, I would lay $20 on that ship having already sailed. All is not lost, however as my buddy Vilai Harrington will be over at 8th State Brewing along with indie rockers Either/Or. Besides some great music in the company of great brews, this is the perfect opportunity to give the gift of beer or some of the incredibly unique artwork hanging on the walls of the tasting room. I could actually call that “Christmas shopping” and not feel the least bit bad about heading out for a show.
Over in Greer, The Spinning Jenny has a couple of options for you this weekend. Friday sees alternative country artists Dirty Grass Soul take the stage with a country twang, rock & roll attitude, and banjo and fiddle for days. Saturday, Shoot to Thrill headlines and evening with… wait for it… an all-female tribute to AC/DC. Now, I am generally not one for tribute shows but I wore out some AC/DC cassettes on my walkman in my younger years and this has me intrigued. Considering that AC/DC is now led by Axl Rose, I might actually rather see this ensemble over the current real one.
When the Dust Settles
When the last piece of wrapping paper finds its way to the dumpster and the last relative’s taillights disappear off into the distance, it is time to unwind and the weekend after Christmas offers plenty of opportunity to do just that.
Friday night at the Firmament sees Asheville’s The Jon Stickley Trio return to the Upstate with their own brand of bluegrass infused with every other genre you could possibly think of. I love artists that leave me scratching my head trying to figure out exactly what it is I am listening to and Jon Stickley nails that vibe every time he takes the stage. This is no doubt going to be a great show to kick off the weekend in Greenville.
Just south of Greenville, there is another can’t-miss show in Anderson, with the 19th Annual Clay Ross & Friends Christmas Jam at Earle St. Kitchen & Bar. Clay Ross is a Grammy nominated guitarist and South Carolina native who returns to the Upstate every year for a very special performance during the holidays. He will be joined by the likes of Shannon Hoover (bassist and co-founder of the Greenville Jazz Collective), Ocie Davis (drummer and founder of Jazz Arts Charlotte), and Duncan Wickel (fiddle) who currently tours with the likes of Molly Tuttle, Rising Appalachia, and other renowned artists (as well as solo performances). It is rare to see such a talented ensemble of musicians come together on any stage and I am happy to see Earle St. Kitchen & Bar carry on this annual tradition.
Saturday sees another pair of great shows come through town with The Queers at Radio Room and the Holiday Hangover event at Zen. The Queers are a legendary and hilariously controversial punk rock band that has been touring since the early 1980’s and will be joined by Florida’s Switchblade Villain, The Hanging Judge, and CHUNX for a fantastic evening of punk rock the way it ought to be played. Over at Zen, you will find a slightly different evening with Darby Wilcox, Vilai Harrington, Mourning Dove, The Parlor Pinks, Shyland Flowers, and Jackson Wise (Apricot Blush) all taking turns on stage for an evening dedicated to raising money for The Homeless Period Project. This is a great lineup of local artists coming together for a noble local non-profit so what’s not to love about that?
Whatever your plans for the holidays, I hope you can find an evening or two to get out and enjoy a show. Beyond that, eat too much, spend more time than money on the ones you love, don’t talk politics at the dinner table, and stay safe out there. Happy holidays!
Upstate Live Music Calendar
- Saturday
03-06-2021
Travis Smith at DRAY: Bar and Grill
6pm03-06-2021
Rutherford County Line at Reds Watering Hole
7:30pm03-06-2021
Live Jazz at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6:30-8:30pm03-06-2021
The Black River Rebels at Gottrocks
8pm03-06-2021
Trey Stephens at Gather GVL
1:30pm03-06-2021
Randomonium at Halls Chophouse
6:30pm03-06-2021
Wyatt Edmondson at Fireforge Crafted Beer
6:30pm03-06-2021
Dr. Don and the Medicine Men at Carolina Bauernhaus Greenville
6pm03-06-2021
Chris Wayne at Bleu Voodoo
7pm03-06-2021
Karl Lauber at Charleston Sports Pub
7pm03-06-2021
Karl Lauber at Warehouse at Vaughns
1-4pm03-06-2021
Twin Sons at Maestros Bistro
6-9pm03-06-2021
Drew and Laura Horton at Smileys
6:30pm03-06-2021
The Away Team at Smileys
7:30pm03-06-2021
The Full Effect Soul Band at The Velo Fellow
8pm03-06-2021
Andrew Crocker at WineXpress
5-8pm03-06-2021
The Unexpected Duo at Ciclops Cyderi
7pm03-06-2021
Shoot To Thrill at Hogtails
7pm03-06-2021
Salti Ray at New Groove Artisan Brewery
8pm03-06-2021
David Edwards Band at Turn1 Sports and Spirits
9pm03-06-2021
Corey Stevenson at Steddy's Bar and Grill
8pm03-06-2021
Karaoke at The Depot
8pm03-06-2021
Alyce Drive at Silvermoon Sports Lounge
8pm03-06-2021
Blue Country Sky Band at Sams Country Club
9pm03-06-2021
Cantrell Brothers at Main Street Pub
7:30pm03-06-2021
Twisted Trail at Dugout Sports Lounge
7pm03-06-2021
Rutherford County Line at Reds Watering Hole
7:30pm03-06-2021
Mojo On Max at Southern Culture Kitchen and Bar
10:30-am-2pm03-06-2021
Matt Fassas at Pour Taproom: Greenville
8pm03-06-2021
My Girl, My Whiskey and Me at FR8 Yard
5pm03-06-2021
3 and Twenty at Wendells Dippin Branch
8pm03-06-2021
Pickens CreeK at Typsy Tavern Bar and Grill
7pm- Sunday
03-07-2021
Live Jazz at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6:30-8:30pm03-07-2021
Brooks Dixon at Gather GVL
1:30pm03-07-2021
Alyce Drive at Stone Pizza
6pm03-07-2021
Vilai Harrington at Tetrad Brewing Co
3-6pm03-07-2021
Widow Lake at Deuces Bar
7pm03-07-2021
Mojo On Max at Smileys
6pm- Monday
03-08-2021
Open Mic at Growler Haus Fountain Inn
7:30pm03-08-2021
Open Mic at Carolina Bauernhaus Ales
6-9pm03-08-2021
Open Mic at Smileys
7pm- Tuesday
03-09-2021
Acoustic Jam Night at FR8 Yard
7pm03-09-2021
Tim Bethea at DRAY: Bar and Grill
5:30pm03-09-2021
Charles Hedgepath at Smileys
7:30pm- Wednesday
03-10-2021
Widow Lake at Ruebens Food And Spirits
7pm03-10-2021
Live Karaoke at Smileys
7:30pm- Thursday
03-11-2021
Karaoke at Ollies Tavern
9pm03-11-2021
Open Mic at Moe Joe Coffee Clemson
7pm03-11-2021
Jason Davis at The Tasting Room
6pm03-11-2021
Grateful Dead Night at Pour Taproom: Greenville
8pm03-11-2021
Mark Humphries at DRAY: Bar and Grill
5:30pm03-11-2021
Live Jazz at Topsoil Kitchen and Market
6:30-8:30pm03-11-2021
Teddy and Joe Duo at Sweet Sippin
7pm03-11-2021
Tim Lee at Smileys
7:30pm03-11-2021
Grateful Dead Night at Pour Taproom: Greenville
8pm
Upstate News Headlines
- Weekend Things to Do: Greenville South Carolina
- Community members protest over body camera footage of man's head shut in car door, demand deputy be fired and charged
- 'Very, very helpful': Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama gets vaccine shot
- Mercer upsets Wofford in SoCon tournament, 62-61
- Trump says he'll campaign against Murkowski in Alaska next year
- Furman rallies from 17 down, beats Samford 44-37 in OT
- Gamecocks top Tennessee to reach SEC final
- Clemson No. 5 seed for ACC Tournament
- Houston police chief says private stores can still have you arrested for not wearing a mask
- Greenville Black Lives Matter protest against police brutality focuses on 2019 body cam video
- SC lawmakers consider bill to ticket slow left lane drivers