The forecast is in, and we’re seeing some heavy concert bills on the horizon. So, don’t sleep on prepping for the upcoming show season. Hydrate, get your shoes comfortably broken in, order those ear plugs. You’re going to be happy you took every measure possible to take in all the sweet music coming our way.
UNDER THE RADAR
6/1, Sir Chloe, H*MAC
I’m so impressed with what I’ve been hearing from the infectious Sir Chloe, an androgynous five-piece from Vermont that has a thrashing lofi/grunge sound. Upon hearing them, I picked up influences from The Cranberries and St. Vincent. And, while I’d heard the viral track, “Michelle,” on social media a few times, the band’s 2023 album, “I Am The Dog,” is just extraordinary. I’m disappointed I missed it in my 2023 album of the year roundup. Really excited to catch this show—maybe I’ll see you there.
NOT YOUR DAD’S ROCK ’N’ ROLL
6/6, Mdou Moctar, The Abbey Bar
Nigerian rock quartet Mdou Moctar is currently touring their freshly released album, “Funeral for Justice,” which delivers an incredibly interesting presentation of traditional rock influences infused into Tuareg-style guitar that oozes with energy and passion. The front person, Moctar, is known for his grassroots style of music distribution that kicked off with mp3 networks in West Africa in the mid-aughts. What listeners will experience from this album—and show—is completely evolved beyond what that teenager, doing cool stuff with autotune and synthesizers, dreamed up. This might be one of the most unique concerts Harrisburg has ever welcomed to one of its stages.
FRENETIC & FUZZY
6/17, Kurt Vile & the Violators, H*MAC
“Pretty Pimpin” has been perpetually stuck in my head since it was released in 2015, but the Philly-based guitarist’s psychedelic melodies and somewhat stream-of-consciousness-inspired work is some of my favorite music to vibe out to, whether driving, writing or just hanging out with friends. You might know Vile as the former guitarist of The War on Drugs, but he’s cultivated a sound all his own over the last two decades, most recently releasing 2023’s massive album, “Back to Moon Beach.”
BANG, BANG ON THE WATER
6/21, Harrisburg University Presents Jenny Lewis, Riverfront Park
Harrisburg University is kicking things off with an explosive set of shows the third weekend of June at the riverfront, starting with indie darling Jenny Diane Lewis. For those of you who haven’t been following her since the days of Rilo Kiley and The Postal Service, expect to listen to her light up the stage with her sassy, timeless and, at times, endearingly uneven songs. Her music can’t really be categorized because she breaks down boundaries and expectations with equal amounts of surprise, intelligence and groovy nonchalance, a certain SoCal air she carries so well that I feel shines best on work like her 2014 album, “The Voyager,” or even 2023’s “Joy’All.” Catch my interview with her in this issue, where you’ll also find a preview of the shows headed to Harrisburg University’s Riverfront Park series this summer.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
6/1, The Floozies, XL Live
6/6, The Menzingers, H*MAC
6/7, Easton Corbin, H*MAC
6/14, Shemekia Copeland, XL Live
6/22, Xavier Rudd w/Bobby Alu, XL Live
6/22, GZA & Kota The Friend, H*MAC
6/23, HU Presents Fleet Foxes, Riverfront Park
6/26, HU Presents KingFish, XL Live
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