The holidays are over, and the buzz of the new year is past us. So what do we have to jump-start our energy? Music. I don’t know about you, but live music always gives me a jolt of life. There’s always a vibrancy added to your day/night after going to a show. It’s such a special feeling, standing in a concert venue, surrounded by people with similar musical tastes, and shouting along to the lyrics. If you read last month’s issue (and I hope you did), you know that my new year’s resolution is to listen to more live music, and this month’s lineup will make that very enjoyable.
Flipturn, 2/11, H*MAC, 7 p.m.
Listening to Flipturn’s music, you can tell this band originates from Florida, as their songs bring to mind an endless summer. Flipturn got their start in 2017, starting their musical journey from a bandmate’s garage. Since then, they’ve steadily gained momentum with a growing fanbase, sharing stages with more-established bands like Mt. Joy and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the acoustic version of their song, “August,” on repeat, a tune with a nice mellow tone over indie angst. I’ve been following Flipturn since they were a small, independent band, before they began to tour major festivals like Bonnaroo. Personally, this is a show I don’t plan on missing.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters, 2/17, XL Live, 8 p.m.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters has been around quite awhile, getting their start in 1986 in Colorado. To date, this rock band has recorded 13 studio albums, with one, “Sister Sweetly,” going platinum in the United States. Their top song, “Bittersweet,” has over 17 million streams on Spotify, and for good reason. The smooth guitar blends with effortless drumming, and Todd Park Mohr’s voice has a classic feel to it. After digging into their discography, I could tell why they’ve been an established band since the ‘80s. It’s obvious how comfortable they are with each other in their music. Everything ebbs and flows together nicely. The sound is pure. It reminds me of listening to classic rock in my dad’s car on the way to any destination growing up. Big Head Todd and the Monsters is definitely a must-see this month.
Elle King, 2/25, XL Live, 8 p.m.
Elle King made her musical debut in 2015 with her first album, “Love Stuff.” Her single, “Ex’s & Oh’s,” quickly climbed the charts and got her nominated for two Grammy awards, perfectly demonstrating her signature blend of country, rock and blues. In 2018, she released her second album, “Shake the Spirit,” with her band, The Brethren. Her latest single, “Tulsa,” is from her highly anticipated new album released just last month, “Come Get Your Wife.” King gives her whole heart in her songs, as she digs down deep to mix her soulful voice with bluesy guitar. When King was a kid, her stepfather gave her an album by The Donnas, which sparked her love for fast-paced rock. You can definitely hear this influence in her songs.
Mentionables
- The Four Horsemen, Feb. 11, XL Live
- Highly Suspect, Feb. 16, XL Live
- Within Destruction, Feb. 16, Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
- Yonder Mountain String Band, Feb. 18, XL Live
- Soulfly, Feb. 25, Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
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