SHAKING THE BLOCK Mastodon will be at Lupo's on October 30. |
Apparently summer ain’t done just yet (hey, we’re not complaining), but our annual fall live music preview is ready to rock, with plenty of local and national acts on tap to check out. It should make for another awesome autumn for Lil Rhody’s live music scene, so let’s get after it!
Festival season remains in full swing around these parts (hot damn are we spoiled with countless budget-friendly fests), topped off with two free-of-charge fests happening on September 13. Head to PVD’s west side for the 4th Annual Neighbor Days Block Party , benefiting the West Broadway Neighborhood Association. You can’t go wrong with the lineup and locale, wedged between the E&O Tap and the Avery (and acclaimed dining nook north — oh, those Dan Dan Noodles!). And 75orLess Records, the East Bay imprint founded by Six Star General singer/bassist Mark “Slick” MacDougall, has lined up another killer roster for the 6th Annual Fusion Fest , to be held in Burr’s Hill Park in Warren, overlooking the town beach; proceeds will benefit local non-profit Fusionworks Dance Company. Both events kick off around noontime, and did we mention both are 100 percent free? For more info on both festivals, check out our feature in this week’s “Homegrown Product” column.
Artists’ Exchange (50 Rolfe Sq, Cranston, 401.490.9475, artists-exchange.org) will showcase its diverse and stimulating offerings at the very family-friendly 7th Annual Fall Out of Summer Arts Festival on September 21 from 11 am-5 pm (rain date: the 28th). There will be music by Steve Allain, Peacewise, Sheez Late, Red Ed & the Undead, Antonio Forte, and Chris McCormack, plus a street art contest, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and a delightful sensory overload!
75orLess alums Black Oil Incinerator are lining up bands for Fuzz Fest on September 27 at Dusk (301 Harris Ave, Providence, 401.714.0444, duskprovidence.com), hands-down my favorite live dive in RI. Co-owners Rick Sunderland and Pat Butler have developed this small corner bar into a multi-genre live venue offering weekly events (Metal Night, Goth/Fetish night, etc.) and quality, wallet-friendly shows ranging from folk to hip-hop. On September 19 it’s Thee Fabulous Itchies ’ 20th anniversary reunion show with special guests, and head right back there the following afternoon for the Acoustic Rock & Roll Flea Market , with live performances by Cactus Attack , 7 Year Plan , Mark Linskey , and many more.
We also salute local label Midday Records (shoutout to stellar RI music ambassador and Satellites Fall guitarist Davey Moore) and their steady slate of shows, including a king-sized (and all-ages) album release party at Fête (103 Dike St, Providence, 401.383.1113, fetemusic.com) on September 20 starting around 5 pm and featuring special guest opening act the Can’t Nots plus plenty of new tunes from the Sweet Release , Brother Ghost , the Jessica Pouty Band , the newly recalibrated SexCoffee , and more, all for just $10 at the door. I’d lay my loot down on TJ Kelly and the Silks as Next In Line for that big break; they’ll return home from yet another cross-country tour with friends Smith & Weeden and Township opening at Fête on September 27 (a well-spent $8 for sure). Also at Fête, indie-rap fans rejoice for a trio of acclaimed national artists, starting September 12 when Boston-based rapper (and actor) Slaine blows through with his new album, King of Everything; the next night, rhymer extraordinaire Immortal Technique returns; and an early heads-up for underground crew Cunnylinguists with J-Live making a stop in Olneyville on November 11.
