The chill settling into the air practically begs for a flannel and a pair of combat boots—and carries the faintest strum of a banjo—while heading out to a show, whether you’re checking out stages in the city (see our overview of the brand-new Capital City Music Hall) or catching a show in the suburbs. Coincidentally, such an outfit is a perfect complement to all the folk-ish music that’ll be finding its way into local venues this month. If that sounds like your kinda scene, keep reading.
WORTH THE DRIVE
11/8, Matt Pond PA, Anya Marina & Bathtub Cig, West Art
I don’t often recommend West Art shows in back-to-back columns since it’s a bit of a hike, but I’ve been so impressed with the booking there over the last few months. Philadelphia via Hudson Valley singer-songwriter Matt Pond, who has at different periods performed with various bandmates under the moniker Matt Pond PA (and at other times, released music as The Dark Leaves or The Natural Lines, often with frequent collaborators Chris Hansen and cellist Hilary James) is a true joy to watch live. His 2013 performance at XPNFest lives rent-free in my brain, and I’m definitely going to try to catch this show as well. If you decide to go, be sure to arrive early enough to catch tourmate Anya Marina. Her voice is breathtaking, and her delicate cover of TI’s “Whatever You Like” is among my favorite relics from college mixtape days.
HAUNTING HARMONIES
11/9, The Crane Wives, XL Live
The Crane Wives is bringing its tour supporting “Beyond Beyond Beyond” (2024) to XL Live this fall, and I couldn’t be more excited to see them. Known for their haunting sound and emotional lyrics, the indie Americana band’s roots in the 2010s folk boom has given them a strong foundation for the daring rock direction taken on their more recent albums. If you need a good primer on the band’s talents, check out “The Moon Will Sing” or “The Well”—another favorite to listen to is “Curses.”
ALT FOLK
11/21, Rivers, The Abbey Bar
Harrisburg outfit Rivers has been entertaining crowds in the region for more than a decade with its rollicking mix of upbeat lyrics and energetic beats. Rivers, made up of Joe Schaefer and Vincent Yarnell, are tough to categorize but a blast to watch. The band’s been teasing something different in the works on its social media over the summer, and I have a feeling we’ll start hearing some new tunes at this show as the band continues to home in on its new era as a duo, following the departure of the band’s longtime percussionist earlier this year. See you there!
If your friends or favorite local band have a show coming up or you’ve caught word of a cool gig that should be on our radar, drop me a line at [email protected].
HONORABLE MENTIONS
11/1, Anthrophobia, Capital City Music Hall
11/2, Susquehanna Folk Music Society Presents Hubby Jenkins, Champions
11/4, Blues Traveler, Capital City Music Hall
11/14, Go Go Gadjet, XL Live
11/21, Aortic Valve, Strawberry Square
11/23, Susquehanna Folk Music Society Presents Seán Dagher, Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
11/23, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, GIANT Center
11/26, Yam Yam & Minka, XL Live
11/29, Solar Federation, Whitaker Center
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