Ilene Springer, south shore singer-songwriter
October is a spectacular month. It simultaneously conjures images of people in flannel shirts sitting among pumpkins in hay covered barns, people partying at various Octoberfest blasts, and, everyone wearing a Halloween costume that they wouldn’t dare to wear any other time. This all makes October a very fun month to go out to hear live music. The festive nature of this month, also the month of my birth, October 12, will find New England buzzing with excellent live music. Here are some of the best musicians playing some of the best venues. Enjoy.
October 1: Jennifer Mitchell solo; Flatbread Pizza; Amesbury, Massachusetts. 6:00 p.m.
October 2: Luke DeRoy; Lunchtime concert; sponsored by Medford City Hall at Riverside Plaza in Medford Square, Medford, Massachusetts. Noon to 1:30 p.m.
October 2: Lisa Bastoni Club Passim, Cambridge, opening for Jordie Lane 8:00 p.m.
October 2: (Robin Bornstein & Ric Page) Dodging Frogs play every Tuesday at Mr. India in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
October 2: Ken Clark; Ken Clark Lizard Lounge. First night of new Cabaret Jazz jam 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Every Tuesday. Hosted by Ken Clark on acoustic piano
Ken Macy
October 4: Ken Macy 110 Grill Leominster, Massachusetts. 6:00 p.m.
October 4: Jennifer Tefft solo; Union Street, Newton, Massachusetts. 10:00 p.m.
October 5: Jennifer Tefft solo; Medway Café; Medway, Massachusetts. 9:00 p.m.
October 5: Ken Macy; 10/5- Fri- Quinn’s Irish Pub Worcester MA 9pm
Linda Marks; photo credit: Bob Bond
October 5: Linda Marks and Terry Smith at the Dedham Square Coffeehouse with Rick Drost 8:00 p.m.
October 5: Chris Lavancher, Kim Moberg, Kirsten Manville at The Hearing Room at
The Hearing Room; Lowell, Massachusetts. 8:00 p.m.
October 5: Any Givin Day Band; Haluwa Nashua
9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
October 5: Clint Lapointe & Paul Costley; Martingale Warf; Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
October 5: Crazy Steve is at Chantillys in Hooksett, New Hampshire from 8:oo p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 5: Kim Riley; Nolo; Tyngsboro, Massachusetts;
October 5: The Chicken Slacks; Lucky’s Lounge, 10:00 p.m. to 1:45 a.m.
October 5: Evan Goodrow Band; the Burren Backroom Series Elm Street, Davis Square Somerville, Massachusetts. 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Belle Of The Fall album cover
October 5: Belle Of The Fall; Black Bear Americana Music Festival; Goshen, Connecticut.
October 5: The Conniption Fits; Sumner House; Charlestown, New Hampshire.
October 6: The Conniption Fits; Salt Hill Shanty; Newbury, New Hampshire.
October 6: Prime-Time Jam Band Open Jam Every Saturday 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. @ the Paddock Lounge / La Chacra
Gordy Pettipas, MoGuitar Blues Band
October 6: MoGuitar Oct at the Village Trestle in Goffstown, New Hampshire. 8:00 p.m.
October 6: Ken Macy Band; 10/6 – Sat- The Ken Macy Band – Blueprint New American Bar and Grill Westminster MA 8:30pm
October 6: The Promise is Hope, Banded Starling at The Hearing Room Lowell, Massachusetts. 8:00 p.m.
October 6: Blair Leavitt; The Marriot; Burlington, Massachusetts.
October 6: Sugarcones, Kat Kennedy, Old Fox, Midway Café, Jamaica Plain. 9:00 p.m.
October 6: Any Givin Day Band Oct 5th and 6th
9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Haluwa Nashua
October 6: Nicole Knox Murphy; at the Cork N Keg Grill in Raymond, New Hampshire; 8:00 pm. to 11:00 p.m.
October 6: Diamond Edge Band; Fountain Stage; Salem, Massachusetts. Halloween music. 3:00 p.m.
October 6: Blues Tonight Band. Broken Spoke. Laconia, New Hampshire. 8:00 p.m.
Missy Maxfield
October 6: The Missy Maxfield Project; Natick, Massachusetts. https://www.facebook.com/events/676548046071611/
October 6: Heavy AmericA; Dolly Shakers, Nashua, New Hampshire; 10:00 p.m.
October 6: Jennifer Mitchell Band; Saddle Up Saloon, Kingston, New Hampshire. 9:00 p.m.
Steve Morgan & The Kingfish
October 6: Steve Morgan and the Kingfish are at Stewart’s Seafood Restaurant on Route 6 Eastham every Saturday, 7:00 p.m. to10:00 p.m. This is a year-round gig, so Steve and his boys will be there all winter and into the summer.
October 6: Hipshot Band LLC; The Latchkey, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
October 6: Local 23; Connors Farm; Danvers; 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
October 6: Mica’s Groove Train @ Waterville Valley Town Gazebo, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Gay Perkoski; singer-songwriter
October 6: Gay Perkoski; Raven’s Nest; Walpole, Massachusetts. 9:00 p.m. to midnight.
October 7: Matt York; October 7th at The Knickerbocker Cafe Tap Room in Westerly, Rhode .Island.
October 7: Parker Wheeler’s Sunday Night Blue Party presents Lisa Marie, John Juxo, Chris “Stovall” Brown $7
Three of New England’s finest blues performers gather for a night of kicking out the jams. The Grog; Newburyport, Massachusetts.
October 7: Ken Macy; Rye and Thyme Leominster, Massachusetts. 11:30 p.m.
October 7: Lori Zuroff; 4-8 pm sitting in with hugs for Elizabeth fundraiser at Joe Sent Me Waltham MA
Zoe Knight, Mythical Beasts
October 7: Mythical Beasts; Mercy Tavern; Salem, Massachusetts. Mythical Beasts first Sundays at Mercy Tavern in Salem, Massachusetts.
October 8: Hit The Bus Band at Davis Mega Maze.1:00 p.m.
October 9: David So; Lunchtime concert special sponsored by Medford City Hall; Riverside Plaza in Medford, Massachusetts. Noon to 1:30 p.m.
October 9: Open Mic; hosted by Paul Costley, Nate Comp, and Chris Lester; Murphy’s Taproom; Manchester, New Hampshire. 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Every Tuesday night.
October 10: Dee Zaster & The Designated Drivers will make its debut at the Middle Set at the Dennis Brennan residency. That show will also mark the seventh annual Daniel Pearl Day show at the Lizard Lounge Cambridge
October 11: Ken Macy; The Mill, West Boylston, Massachusetts. 7:00 p.m.
Matt York, album cover
October 11: Matt York; at Askew Prov in Providence, Rhode Island, opening up for the excellent Nathan Kalish from Nashville.
October 11: Saxophonist/composer Kyle Nasser, a New Bedford native and a graduate of Harvard College and Berklee College of Music, will celebrate his new recording Persistent Fancy with a CD release concert on Thursday, October 11 at The Red Room, Cafe 939, Boston.
October 12; The Conniption Fits; Woodstock Brewery; Woodstock Station; Woodstock, New Hampshire.
October 12: Mythical Beasts; second Fridays at Bull McCabe’s in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Noble Dust
October 12: Noble Dust (my pick for Band Of The Year); Askew Prov; Providence, Rhode Island. 8:00 p.m.
October 12: Ken Macy; 10/12- Fri – Frank’s Worcester Massachusetts. 9:00 p.m.
October 12: Boneshakerz; Broken Laconia Broken Spoke Saloon,
October 12: Kim Riley; Markoh’s On Main; Ayer, Massachusetts.
October 12: Ilana Katz Katz; 9 Wallis with Rae Gordon and Pam Taylor. Ilana will personally be donating $1 for each PRE-SALE ticket to the Killer Blues Headstone Project which places headstones to unmarked graves of blues men and women. They just placed their 100th headstone. Here’s the link for pre-sale tickets. https://gimmelive.com/Concert.cfm?c=2251
October 12: Rob Noyes, Joseph Allred, Karen Zanes at The Hearing Room 10/12 8pm https://www.facebook.com/events/728227000851001
Jennifer Tefft solo
October 12: Jennifer Tefft solo; Boston Tavern; Westbridgewater, Massachusetts. 9:00 p.m.
October 12: Lisa Bastoni; @ Second Friday Coffeehouse, Belmont, co-bill with Rob Laurens 7:30 p.m.,
October 12: Linda Marks and Terry Smith at the Java Room, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. 8:00 p.m.
October 12: Kenny Selcer and Stephen L Gilligan, double bill with The Idolators with Sal Baglio. The Amazing Things Arts Center, Framingham, Massachusetts. 8:00 p.m.(Sal is a founding member of the Stompers . And so is Steve.)
October 12: Rick Drost; Oct SESSIONS OM feature 7:00 p.m. Uu Marlboro/Hudson
October 12: Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish; Grumpy’s Pub; Falmouth, Massachusetts.
Niki Luparelli event flier
October 12: Niki Luparelli Haunted Speakeasy; Bull Mansion; 55 Pearl Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. https://www.facebook.com/events/210623849724987/
October 12: Amoricans; Boathouse; Dracut, Massachusetts. (Tribute To Black Crowes).
October 13: Clint Lapointe & Paul Costley; Lobster In The Rough; York, Maine. 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
October 13: Sugarcanes, DetroitRebellion, Eclectic Electric, Fool Weather Friends, Nick -a-Nee’s, Providence, Rhode Island.
October 13: The Mica-Sev Project @ The Old Salt, Hampton, New Hampshire, 9:00 p.m to midnight
Boneshakerz
October 13: Boneshakerz PumpkinFest – Laconia, New Hampshire. 4:00 p.m. (Please bring this band Geritol and Ensure).
October 13: Ilene Springer; 1048 Bar & Grill in Randolph. 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
October 13: Jennifer Tefft solo; Ashland Ale House, Ashland, New Hampshire; 9:00 p.m.
October 13: The Lied To’; The Common Fence, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. (Cardboard Ox opens); 8:00 p.m.
October 13: MaryBeth Maes, Kirsten Manville, Lori Wadkins, Saturday, 8:00 p.m. Walnut Street Cafe, Lynn, Massachusetts.
October 13: Ken Macy; Barber’s Crossing; Sterling, Massachusetts. 7:00 p.m.
October 13: Worcester Jazz Festival featuring NEJazz AllStars, Worcester Jazz Collective, Carlos Odria Group, The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, Yoko Miwa Trio, Dale LePage & the Manhattans, Worcester Food Trucks, Craft Booths and more Free to the public. Worcester Common at City Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts. Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Dave Birkin, mighty sax player
October 13: Dave B & The Hotshots; Swing City Boston 680 Huron Ave, Cambridge (617)513-9841. Dave Birkin sax/vocal, Mark Shelford guitar/vocal, Jim Heffernan piano, Tom Curatolo acoustic bass, Richard Malcolm drums. Serious swing dancing.Dance lesson at 8:00 p.m. Dancing 9:00 p.m. to midnight.
October 13: Birthday Bash at Morse Tavern; https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2079653552074297&set=p.2079653552074297&type=3&theater
Diamond Edge album cover
October 13: Diamond Edge Band; Pumpkin Regatta , Goffstown New Hampshire..3:00 p.m. A favorite New England event, local Goffstown officials and popular residents will make boats out of large pumpkins and float down a river and under a traffic bridge in a friendly race. Bring cameras and camcorders.
October 13: Lisa Bastoni; @ Steam Kettle Music Fest at Hale Reservation, Westwood, Noon to 6:00 p.m.
October 13: Crazy Steve; the North Beach in Hampton on the 13th. 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 13: Grace Morrison; http://www.cultural-center.org/product/grace-morrison-and-friends-in-concert/
October 13: Belle Of The Fall; The Peace Barn; Portland, Connecticut.
October 14: Clavis Brudon Band[CBB] Bier Garden Budweiser Plant; Merrimack, New Hampshire. 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
October 14: The Mica-Sev Project @ The Dover Brickhouse, Dover, New Hampshire, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Jennifer Mitchell, NH country, rock artist
October 14: Jennifer Mitchell solo; Feature Act at Wantu Blues Jams, the Village Trestle; Goffstown, New Hampshire. 3:00 p.m.
Hearing Room, Lowell, MA listening room
October 14: Fundraiser for The Hearing Room, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. along with several other local songwriters.
October 14: Dwayne Haggins band CD release party at Amazing Things in Framingham, Massachusetts, starting at 2:00 p.m.
https://amazingthings.secure.force.com/ticket/#sections_a0F6100000Jmd0vEAB
October 14: Parker Wheeler’s All Star Blues Party features Boston’s Queen of the Blues Toni Lynn Washington! $7
Jus’ Blues Foundation 2018 Denise LaSalle Lifetime Recording of Excellence Award Winner
With Ken Clark, Johnny Trama, Steve Chaggaris, Mario Perrett. The Grog; Newburyport, Massachusetts.
October 15: Jennifer Tefft solo; WATD 95.9 FM Radio, Marshfield 9:00 p.m.
Erica Leigh
October 16: Erica Leigh; Lunchtime concert series sponsored by Medford City Hall. Riverside Plaza in Medford, Massachusetts. Noon to 1:30 p.m.
October 16: Kim Riley; Fratello’s; Manchester, New Hampshire.
October 18: Kim Riley; Homestead; Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Yamica Peterson Cain, a.k.a. Mica
October 18: 10/18 – The Mica-Sev Project @ The Dolphin Striker, Portsmouth New Hampshire, 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 18: Ken Macy; Bucks Whiskey and Burger Bar; Worcester Massachusetts. 8:00 p.m.
October 18: NEC’s Jordan Hall. Program of Bernstein classics is part of NEC’s fall celebration of the great composer, conductor, and educator’s centennial including an exhibition of more than 150 Bernstein artifacts. https://necmusic.edu/events/nec-jazz-orchestra-presents-tonight-music-leonard-bernstein
October 18: Jennifer Tefft solo; Heritage of Sherborn 7:30 p.m.
October 19: Jennifer Tefft solo; Heritage of Sherborn 7:30 p.m.
Local 23
October 19: Local 23; The Claddagh Pub; Lawrence, Massachusetts.
October 19: The Conniption Fits; Claremont Firefighter’s Ball; Claremont, New Hampshire.
October 19: Blair Leavitt; 7 Central; Manchester By The Sea, Massachusetts.
October 19: Lisa Bastoni; Harmony House Concerts, Yarmouth Port 7:00 p.m.
October 19: MoGuitar at Makris Lobster & Steak House in Concord, New Hampshire, 8:00 p.m.
October 19: Ken Macy; Quinn’s Irish Pub; Worcester, Massachusetts. 9:00 p.m
Tom Davis, Kim Riley
October 19: Kim Riley & Tom Davis; Country Tavern; Nashua, New Hampshire. 7:30 p.m.
October 19: Jim Trick; Me & Thee Coffeehouse; https://meandthee.org/concerts/jim-trick-fall-2018/
October 19: Boneshakerz; Asian Breeze, Hooksett, New Hampshire.
October 19: The Mica-Sev Project @ York Harbor Inn (Ship’s Cellar Pub), York Maine, 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Jaded Past, Uncle Eddies flier
October 20: Jaded Past; Uncle Eddie’s; Salisbury Beach; Salisbury, Massachusetts. https://www.evensi.com/jaded-returns-uncle-eddie-salisbury/265922056
October 20: Philip Hamilton; Caron Theatre at Medford High School; 489 Winthrop Street, Medford, Massachusetts. https://www.facebook.com/events/323391858428562/
October 20: Lola Sweet Band at Maynard, Massachusetts Country Club
October 20: The Conniption Fits; Derryfield; Manchester, New Hampshire.
October 20: Jennifer Mitchell Band; Polish American Citizens Club Claremont, New Hampshire. 8:00 p.m.
Sugarcones album cover
October 20: Sugarcones, PA’s Lounge,
October 20: Decades Night; at Area 23; Concord, New Hampshire.
October 20: D-Comp Trio; Martingale Warf; Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
October 20: Arthur James solo @ Lawrence Library, 15 Main Street, Pepperell, Massachusetts. 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
October 20: Star Power; at The Claddadh; 399 Canal Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Cara Here, lead vocalist of Down Cellah
October 20: Down Cellah; Last Call; Old Orchard Beach; https://www.facebook.com/events/206273816688933/
October 20: Lisa Bastoni; @ Rose Garden Coffeehouse, Mansfield, Massachusetts, co-bill with Grace Morrison 8:00 p.m.
http://rosegardenfolk.com/music/shows/grace-morrison-lisa-bastoni-split-bill-oct-20-2018/
October 20: Rick Drost; Linda Marks Music Salon 6:00 p.m. with Ric Allendorf and Colette O’Connor.
October 20: Beyond The Blur rocks Danny Sullivan’s; https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2079653708740948&set=p.2079653708740948&type=3&theater
October 20: Rick Drost, Colette O’Connor and Rick Ric Allendorf at the Music Salon. Linda Marks opens. Waltham, Massachusetts. 6:00 p.m.
Jennifer Tefft Band live
October 20: Jennifer Tefft Band Barn Concert at Barn 81 in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/jennifer-tefft-band…
October 20: Just Like That; The Fan Club; East Wareham; 9:00 p.m. (Just Like That has been nominated for Best Of Cape Cod Entertainment. Winners will be announced on October 7 at Bartender’s Ball).
October 20: Walter Sickert & The Army Of Broken Toys; The Town And City Festival; Lowell, Massachusetts. 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
October 20: Belle Of The Fall; Farmington Valley Acoustic Fest; Farmington, Connecticut.
October 21: Parker Wheeler’s All Star Blues Party presents: Biscuit Miller & The Mix; The Grog; Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Blues Music Award Best Bass Player 2012, 2017 Tickets $10 advance $12 door. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/biscuit-miller-the-mix-tickets-50665330367?aff=eivtefrnd
October 21: Tyler Morris Band; The Met; Rhode Island. 2:00 p.m. https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/7877771/feeling-alrighthealth-fair-concert-pawtucket-the-met?cobrand=themetri
October 21:Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomsen, The Hearing Room Lowell, Massachusetts. 7:00 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/119420658876910/
October 22: Kim Riley; Fratello’s; Nashua, New Hampshire. 6:00 p.m.
Walter Sickert & The Army Of Broken Toys album cover
October 24: Walter Sickert & The Army Of Broken Toys provide the soundtrack to silent era film The Man Who Laughs. Portsmouth Music Hall, 28 Chesnut Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 8:00 p.m.
October 26: Down Cellah, a Halloween Bash; Clipper Tavern, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. https://www.facebook.com/events/309676142905166/
October 26: Four Sticks 15th Anniversary Party; Fury’s Publick House; Dover, New Hampshire. 9:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish album cover
October 26: Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish; New World Tavern; Plymouth, Massachusetts.
October 26: Lola Sweet at Pho Dakao; Framingham Massachusetts. 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
October 26: Woodstock Station, Woodstock, New Hampshire.
October 26: The Conniption Fits; Salt Hill West Lebanon; West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
October 26: Andy and Judy Daigle, Allison Rose @ The Hearing Room 8:00 p.m.
The Lied To’s album cover
October 26: The Lied To’s; special guests of Crowes Pasture, with Sparrow Blue, Amazing Things, Framingham, Massachusetts.
October 26: Kim Riley; Nolo; Tyngsboro, Massachusetts; 7:00 p.m.
October 26: Ken Macy; Monument Tap Leominster MA 7pm Ken Macy Music
October 26: Terminal Velocity, Haluwa, Nashua, New Hampshire.
Shari “Shazz” Richardson, of Terminal Velocity
October 27: Terminal Velocity; Haluwa; Nashua, New Hampshire.
October 27: Glass Eyed Monkey; Chelmsford Elks, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
October 27: Mica’s Groove Train @ Lilac City Grille, Rochester New Hampshire, :8:00 to11:00 p.m.
October 27: Hipshot Band LLC; 39 West , Cranston Rhode Island; 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
October 27: Johnny Hoy & The Bluefish; The Blue Goose; Northport, Maine.
October 27: Noble Dust; Café Nine; New Haven, Connecticut. 9:00 p.m.
October 27: The Conniption Fits; Gaslight; Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
October 27: Jennifer Tefft solo: Raven’s Nest, Walpole, Massachusetts. 9:00 p.m.
October 27: Trusting Fate at The Hearing Room 8:00 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/331751054237818/
Kirsten Manville, album cover
October 27: Kirsten Manville, New Morning Songwriter Series, Wooodbury, Connecticut. 7:30 p.m.
October 27: Boneshakerz; The Village Trestle at 25 Main Street in Goffstown, New Hampshire for the annual Halloween Bash.
October 27: Hipshot Band LLC; 39 West , Cranston Rhode Island; 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
October 28: Clavis Brudon Band; Moose Club Halloween Party; Hillsborough, New Hampshire.
October 28 The All Stars Halloween Party at Parker Wheeler’s All Star Blues Party. The Grog; Newburyport, Massachusetts. Prizes & Surprises! $7
Maureen Medeiros, Tom West, Kevin Belz, Steve Monahan, Steve Bankuti, The Black Rose Brothers
October 28: Ariel Strasser; CD Release Party; with Nick Young & That One Eyed Kid; Burren Backroom Series; 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/2644658725758413/
Noble Dust flier, Halloween gig
October 31: Noble Dust; Lizard Lounge Cambridge Camebridge, Massachusetts. 9:00 p.m. (Noble Dust is my favorite new local band…B.C.)
