Brett Barest
What do you think of when you hear the term “music venue”? Is it the standard issue listening room, a vast concert hall or arena, or a cozy little hole in the wall with a stage tucked in the corner? Technically, any place that features live music can count as a music venue and, as luck would have it, Greenville has no shortage of them to choose from this weekend. Let us take a look at all the happenings going on in venues of all shapes and sizes in the days ahead, shall we?
The Listening Room
The Radio Room is, without a doubt, the first place I look to find live music. Local, regional, and nationally touring talent is on the marquee Wednesday through Sunday almost every single week. Not a week goes by that I do not look at their lineup and find at least a few bands that catch my ear and make their way into this space (and often my Spotify account). The genres featured run the gamut with more than a little something for everyone with, for example, rock, folk, country, hip-hop, and Americana all taking a turn on the stage this week alone.
Of all these bands at The Radio Room, the show of the week is definitely Sarah Shook & the Disarmers Friday night. This is rock/country the way it ought to be – gritty, raw, and whiskey soaked – and Shook delivers it with a sly wit and captivating voice. This band alone would be worthy of a night out but The Radio Room upped the ante by adding Shook’s label mates The Yawpers and their own brand of punk and blues influenced rock & roll. Together on one bill, these two bands promise a great night of music in Greenville.
The Record Stores
Friday and Saturday offer two opportunities for performances at our local records stores Horizon Records and Cabin Floor Records. Friday, Horizon gives us a midday treat with a visit from Grammy award winning violinist Johnny Gandlesman. Best known for his work with Yo-Yo Ma, the Silk Road Ensemble, the Brooklyn Rider Quartet, and Bela Fleck, he is currently touring the world in support of his new double album JS Bach: Complete Cello Suites (Transcribed for Violin). This is a great excuse to knock off work and start the weekend early with a few songs from a world renowned talent in the cozy space that is Horizon Records.
Over at Cabin Floor Records, Saturday sees a visit from Philadelphia’s Friendship. At first listen, I could not help but draw comparisons to The Silver Jews, both in voice and songwriting, which is hardly a bad thing. I can instantly tell that this is a band that gets a bit better with every listen and I am looking forward to peeling away at that onion in the near future. As an added bonus, local musician Ed Yazijian will be opening things up and, given how rarely I see Ed playing out in the world, you do not want to miss this one for him alone.
More Upstate Music News
[catlist name=”live-music” ]
The Breweries
I often celebrate how many of the breweries on our local craft brew scene double as concert venues and music halls and few are doing it better than Ash Foster’s TPP Events over at Eighth State Brewing. Every Friday and Saturday evening you will find mixed bills with some of the most eclectic music around and I love looking at the lineups for each coming weekend. This Friday is all about the indie rock with Spry Old Men and The Excons, the latter of which I will never stop singing the praises of every time they take a stage. Saturday it is an evening with TC Costello, The Pyrate Queen, and Brad Aiken for a great night of solo artists for your listening pleasure. A solid lineup of brews, cocktails, and food makes this the perfect show for a date night or just-for-the-heck-of-it night on the town.
Live Music at Eighth State Brewing
[wbcr_php_snippet id=”198519″]
That’s five shows and eight artists all worthy of your attention at just four venues between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening alone. Check out the iOnGreenville music calendar for even more great opportunities to catch some live entertainment in the days and weekend ahead. As always, thanks for reading and enjoy the show.
Upstate Concert Calendar
[wbcr_php_snippet id=”150934″]
