The temps are cooling but the jams are just heating up and the longer nights just give us more time to rock out. Time to finish the first full “post-pandemic” year of live music strong. November is already well under way, but we still have some surefire live music picks and shows for you in Rochester.
November 8 – Sarah Shook and the Disarmers @ Abilene Bar and Lounge
First up is Sarah Shook, returning to Abilene for the first time since 2018, and after their show there this summer was postponed due to none other than that damn Covid. Touring behind their excellent 2022 release, Nightroamer, this North Carolina-based quintet muscles up honky tonk with a little rock and punk energy, or do they twang out their punk rock with a little honky tonk? Either way, you’re in for a barn-burning badass night of music.
Show starts at 8pm and tickets are $20/$25 dos.
November 12 – Lee Fields @ Photo City Music Hall
Last seen in Rochester mesmerizing the Rochester International Jazz Fest crowd at Harro East in 2013, Lee Fields finally returns this week. One of the best soul singers around, he recorded his first single back in 1969 and put out his latest album just last week, Sentimental Fool, his first for the vaunted Daptone Records label. He is anything but past his prime though, expect high energy on stage and off, grooves to get you moving and a voice that’ll hit you right in the sweet spot.
Show starts at 8p and tickets are $23.50.
November 17 – Another Michael, String Machine @ Bug Jar
A night of too-new-to-be-known indie music awaits. Two bands touring behind their 2022 releases are coming hungry to win your love. Another Michael is a tight Philadelphia-based band delivering hooky songs trending toward the folksier spectrum with breezy guitars and dreamy vocals. String Machine, a seven piece from the other side of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, brings a fuller sound, what they call maximalist indie rock. They’ll be playing from their latest, Hallelujah Hell Yeah, which is an album of album of joy, vulnerability, and forgiveness. Catch them both at the Bug Jar, with local openers, *ahem* Bugcatcher.
Show starts at 9pm and tickets are $14-$18.
November 19 – Amy Helm @ Hart Theater
Another Covid-postponed show, Amy Helm was supposed to grace the Canalside Stage outside the JCC this summer. Now we get to enjoy her inside the intimate and acoustically-sound Hart Theater. An incredible voice singing her incredible songs, prepare to be melted and moved. The Woodstock native and daughter to the late-great Levon, Helm is an extra special treat to see live, an Americana treasure. Locals Jon Itkin and the Receivers will open the show.
Show starts at 7p and tickets are $40-$70.
November 25-28 – Bop Shop’s 40th Anniversary Jazz Festival
Bop Shop Records has been celebrating their 40th anniversary all year, with the intention of hosting 40 shows in 2022. To see any music in this intimate environment among the stacks is a treat, but owner Tom Kohn has impeccable taste and brings in ridiculously good talent, so every show is pretty much cant-miss. Their busy November closes out with a 40th Anniversary Jazz Festival, four straight nights of high quality jazz to burn off those extra Thanksgiving calories.
Getting things started on Black Friday is Three Shamans, featuring Phil Haynes, Ken Filiano & Herb Robertson.
On Saturday, Joe Fiedler’s Open Sesame returns to take your Sesame Street favorites to places you never imagined.
Sunday night is Joe Fonda & Bass of Operation. Fonda has graced the Bop Shop stage more than any other artist. The reason for that is, he’s really freaking good!
Closing out the little festival on Monday is Michael Musillami Trio.
All shows start at 8pm and are $20. There is also a special four-show pass for $55.
Comments are closed.