Whether you stay local or hit the road to catch artists playing throughout the region, Harrisburg is in for a month of excellent music. As for me, I’m planning to get to the beach as often as I can. Hit me with your recommendations for songs I should add to my summer playlist (new or old), and I’ll make a collaborative summer song playlist to share in my column come August.
WORTH THE DRIVE
7/10, Son Little, Appell Center for the Performing Arts
Son Little is a phenomenal talent. I’m honestly really surprised he hasn’t become a household name. I was lucky enough to see the Philadelphia R&B artist, whose real name is Aaron Earl Livingston, in concert about 10 years ago on tour with Leon Bridges, and his performance was just as memorable as Bridges’ set. “Lay Down,” “O Me O My” and “bend yr ear” are among my favorites. Livingston has an earnestness in his songwriting skills and a rich voice that could sing anything with an ingenuity that few possess. I cannot recommend this show highly enough—go, go, go!
SINGER-SONGWRITER TAKEOVER AT THE STADIUM
7/18, Thomas Rhett and Niall Horan, Hersheypark Stadium
A friend of mine maintains that Zayn Malik is the most talented ex-One Direction band member. I have to politely disagree and say it’s 1000% Harry Styles, but Niall Horan is a close second. The Irish singer-songwriter is on a double headlining tour with American country rock artist Thomas Rhett, whose songs, “Beautiful as You,” “Die a Happy Man” and “Make Me Wanna,” you’ll likely recognize. I’m also going to suggest you arrive early enough to catch opening act Kashus Culpepper, an Alabama crooner, who I hope will be a headliner for shows of this scale soon enough.
SMOOTH ‘N’ SUNNY
7/31, Lake Street Dive, Riverfront Park
The jazzy, fun and thrilling sounds of pop outfit Lake Street Dive are a perfect complement to Riverfront Park’s incredible atmosphere. Frontwoman Rachael Price’s strong vocals over the pop group’s upbeat songs will have you dancing in no time. Even the band’s saddest lyrics can be deceptively joyful with the spellbinding fun that you’ll hear in songs like “Bad Self-Portraits” and “Stop Your Crying.” I also heavily encourage you to check out some of my favorites like the insanely catchy “Good Kisser,” “Call Off Your Dogs” and “You Go Down Smooth.” See you in the crowd.
If you’re a musician and/or promoter, or a fan of a local artist, and you’d like to share upcoming shows with TheBurg, drop me a line at [email protected].
HONORABLE MENTIONS
7/5, Folk Punk Flea, Phantom Power
7/8, Sam Bush, XL Live
7/10, Tiny Park Concert Series presents Sons of Pitches, Coronet Park
7/11, Tim McGraw, Hersheypark Stadium
7/17, Songwriter Showcase, The Abbey Bar
7/17, Ruiness, Capital City Music Hall
7/19, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Riverfront Park
7/25, Born This Way: Pride After Party, Capital City Music Hall
7/27, Tori Amos, Hershey Theatre
7/31, “Weird Al” Yankovic, GIANT Center
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