Whether you’re hip to the music of today or prefer that your rock be strictly classic, April has something perfectly suited to your tastes.
All three featured artists have something in common: quality. All have collected heaps of accolades throughout their careers and all are surely poised to put on powerful performances. So, this month, brave the seasonably rainy weather and take in one of Harrisburg’s fabulous shows.
ALVVAYS, 4/15, 9PM, LARSEN STUDENT UNION, MESSIAH COLLEGE, FREE
Messiah College may be a little outside the typical sphere for the “Musical Notes” column, but this was just too good of a show to pass up. Alvvays (pronounced “Always”) has been quickly garnering the attention of the music world’s literati. The band’s 2014 eponymous release charted at No. 36 on Rolling Stone’s year-end list and No. 5 on Paste’s. Sunny and surfy, this Canadian band provides the perfect soundtrack for the young spring. Vocalist Molly Rankin’s voice is simultaneously dynamic and haunting as she sings nimble melodies over jangly guitars. And considering that Messiah College is offering this show for free, it is certainly worth the short drive down Route 15.
TERRY REID, 4/17, HMAC, DOORS AND ADMISSION TBD
If young, new bands aren’t your thing, consider a well-known classic. Terry Reid has been a hot ticket for generations. You know you are in demand when you’re too busy to join Led Zeppelin. Reid was Jimmy Page’s first choice for heading up the new band that Page was forming. Due to touring and contract conflicts, Reid had to decline, but suggested that Page recruit a young Robert Plant instead. Spend one moment with Reid’s voice, and you’ll know why he caught Page’s ear. Like so many young rockers in the U.K. at the time, Reid sings with power and soul and has taken to the road in support of some of the greatest rock bands of all time, including Cream, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones.
OVER THE RHINE, 4/23, 8PM, MIDTOWN SCHOLAR, $20
Over the Rhine has also been doing their thing for a long time, though admittedly not as long as Reid. I first discovered their music when I was in college, more than 10 years ago, and they were already well into their career at that point. Yet their music doesn’t feel dated. The husband and wife duo met while in college in Ohio in the ‘80s, and they have been writing soulful folk music together since. Their music is smoky, dark and rich, driven by Karin Bergquist’s remarkable vocals that soar over Linford Detweiler’s masterful instrumentation. Tickets are available for presale and at the door. Make sure to get there early, because the show is not to be missed.
Mentionables: Beards, Bands and Brews Charity Event, 4/4, FedLive; Rivers, 4/10, Little Amps Downtown; Eilen Jewell, 4/19, Abbey Bar; The Stray Birds, 4/26, Abbey Bar
