I *know* our calendar system deems January the start of a new year, but September always makes me feel excited and renewed for the season ahead. Maybe ingrained school year beginnings are to blame or my penchant for autumn and winter, but something about September has always sparked a particular joie de vivre in my soul.
This one kicks off with a real bang, as the New Cumberland Music + Film Festival, which I’ve helped plan over the last three years, is going to be a stellar time. Catch a variety of performances, including indie duo Griefcat at the West Shore Theatre on Sept. 7, with an opening set by the amazing country psych act, Nielsen Family Band. Or dance your tail off at “Indie Night” on Sept. 6 with Baltimore synthwave act, Swoll, with support from local shoegaze outfit Hometime warming up the night. Get all the details at www.musicandfilmfestival.com.
GOOD FOR THE SOUL
9/12, Allen Stone, XL Live
No less than four of my friends from out of the area have texted me with recommendations to catch this gig at XL Live, despite my being totally unfamiliar with Stone. I’m not one to ignore my friends’ musical endorsements, so after listening to his more popular songs like “Brown Eyed Lover,” “Consider Me” and “Sunny Days,” count me in. His 2024 album, “Mystery,” is quite different from the tracks I named above, but no less enjoyable, and I really dug “Sweet Little Rainbows,” “Can’t Explain This Love” and the newest single, “Closer.” The guy’s got a quirky, slightly retro style, but still feels fresh.
ROCK ON
9/17, Lucero + Jessica Lea Mayfield, Phantom Power
Country-twinged rock artist Jessica Lea Mayfield is such an underrated gift in contemporary music, and I’m excited to see she’s joined the bill for this gig in Millersville. If you go, you won’t be disappointed with her beautiful guitar skills, or the breezy way she conveys raw, emotional depth in songs that could be mistaken for upbeat folk rock/pop releases. She is a frequent collaborator of Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers, who even appears on Mayfield’s EP, “Choose Myself,” which came out in April and is a refreshing release after a spell without new music from Mayfield.
OTHERWORDLY TALENTS
9/19, Hozier w/Gigi Perez, Hersheypark Stadium
There is a shift in cosmic layers of sound when Hozier opens his mouth to sing, and boy, are we lucky to be alive in the same timeline. Obviously, the Irish musician is no newcomer to the scene, but I was lucky to see him last September during the “All Things Go” festival and *still* felt caught off guard, gob smacked by his show. The concert was this rich, ethereal experience that had intimate acapella moments, summoning Celtic spirits of lore into the amphitheater, as well as transcendent renditions of “Francesca” and “Eat Your Young,” and the inevitably rich and warm audience singalongs to tracks like “Nobody’s Soldier” and “Take Me to Church.” Take this from someone who was at the festival for other artists—I already want to see him again. Also, I cannot stress enough how magnetic opener Gigi Perez is. Her debut album, which came out this spring, is just gorgeous. Anyone who arrives early enough to hear her perform will be drawn by her unique, almost siren-like voice. If there are still tickets remaining by the time you pick up this magazine, I strongly suggest making time for this show.
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
9/6, Swoll and Hometime, Source the Space
9/7, Griefcat and Nielsen Family Band, West Shore Theatre
9/7, Falling in Reverse, Hersheypark Stadium
9/14, Dragonforce Warp Speed Warriors, H*MAC
9/19, The Jeremy Edge Project, Strawberry Square Music Series
9/20 Slayer, Hersheypark Stadium
9/21, Catbite, Phantom Power
9/27, Twenty One Pilots, Hersheypark Stadium
9/27, Barkley Cove, Beshore Hill Farm
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