This summer’s been too dang hot to leave the house much (at least we have a new season of “The Bear” to binge, right? Send me a DM to let me know what your favorite track from the season three soundtrack is). I will put in a humble plug for the Susquehanna Folk Festival, though, as I was honored to be a part of the selection panel for contestants performing at the Emerging Artist Showcase on Aug. 10 at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts. The event is going to feature some truly amazing talent on the stage, and being a part of this committee was a great reminder to get the heck out there and support your local music scene. Here are some shows worth abandoning your air conditioner for.
DELIGHTFUL DISCOVERY
8/3, Harrisburg University Presents Arlo Parks, XL Live
If you want to have a lovely evening and leave with a very cool “I knew her when” story, you should plan to see singer-songwriter Arlo Parks when she plays XL Live (I would 10,000% be there if it weren’t the same weekend as my best girl’s wedding). Parks’ 2021 debut album, “Collapsed in Sunbeams,” is a joy to listen to. There is a brightness in her delivery, even through sometimes heady and melancholic lyrics, and a real unpredictability to her melodies that create such a beautiful surprise in every song. Highly recommend starting with “Black Dog” and “Eugene” from “Collapsed” or “Weightless” and “Devotion” from 2023’s “My Soft Machine.” Please give her a shot. I promise you won’t regret it.
DANCE FLOOR THERAPY
8/24, Pitbull, Hersheypark Stadium
Mr. Worldwide, Mr. 305—Pitbull’s got a lot of nicknames, but, after catching his 2022 concert in Hershey, I’d also like to add motivational speaker to the mix. His setlist was nothing but bangers, with club hits from “Timber,” “On The Floor,” “Fireball,” “Give Me Everything,” “Hotel Room Service” and so much more. The entire time was a blast, transporting the tens of thousands of fans in attendance right back to their favorite memories on the dance floor. Pitbull has an excellent way with words and a production script that segues his thumping hits from song to song with encouragement and positive vibes the whole way through. It makes for a night as energetic and fun as it is uplifting.
ALBUM RELEASE
8/24, YAM YAM with Muscle Tough, The Abbey Bar
Harrisburg’s sauciest live act, YAM YAM, is celebrating its third album, “slurp slurp,” with an album release show at The Abbey Bar this month with support from Muscle Tough. The jammy jazz/funk group has been inviting audiences all over the midstate to get down and groove with them for nearly a decade, and this communion between local live music lovers and the ‘Yams is sure to be a great night.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
8/3, New Kids on the Block, Hersheypark Stadium
8/9-8/11, Susquehanna Folk Festival, Appell Center for the Performing Arts
8/10, Green Day, Hersheypark Stadium
8/16, Tophouse, The Abbey Bar
8/18, Harrisburg University Presents Brothers Osborne, Riverfront Park
8/21, Joe Bonamassa, Hershey Theatre
8/23, Boys Of Fall, H*MAC
8/29, Daniel Donato, XL Live
8/30, Coheed and Cambria, XL Live
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