I hope you’ve all had a joyous holiday season and found stockings full of concert tickets for 2024. The year’s live music roster is starting off strong with some excellent picks slated for stages around central Pa., many of which are worth driving beyond county lines to hear and groove to.
GET ON YOUR FEET
Low Cut Connie, 1/19, Appell Center for the Performing Arts
If you’ve had a chance to watch Low Cut Connie perform live, you know what an absolute thrill it is to see Adam Weiner command the stage with his ever-evolving lineup of rock ’n’ roll musicians. Hailing from Philadelphia, the band is among Sir Elton John’s favorite emerging rock acts here in the states, and the Jan. 19 show is slated to be a unique performance, following a screening of Weiner’s new hybrid documentary/concert film that shares a name with the band’s 2023 album, “Art Dealers.”
WORTH THE DRIVE
Black Opry Revue Ft. Sug Daniels & King Jester, 1/6, Zoetropolis
Sug Daniels! King Jester! For those of you who love soul and R&B performances, this show should be at the top of your list. Daniels has been one of my favorite musicians to watch over the last year, with her unique fusion of folk and soul influences. Her easy going demeanor and sunny voice bring a jovial playfulness to tracks such as “When I’m Gone” and “Lightning in A Bottle (feat. John Faye).” Similarly, slide guitarist King Jester delivers warmth and lyrics with depth on his songs recorded with the Mighty Acorns, such as “The Game” and “Give It Away,” and takes a much moodier, bluesy shift on “Grandma Said.” This Black Opry Revue show is not to be missed.
POPS OF HARMONY
HU Presents Joseph, 1/26, XL LIVE
The indie group Joseph, comprised of three sisters—Natalie Closner Schepman and her twin sisters, Allison and Meegan Closner—are touring in support of their fourth full-length LP, “The Sun,” released in April. Their pop tendencies and intricately harmonized voices are truly arresting. You may be familiar with their songs “White Flag” and “Green Eyes,” which have enjoyed a bit of commercial success over the last few years.
FRESH AS FOLK
Cinder Well and Cumberland Honey, 1/26, Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Amelia Baker, who performs under the moniker Cinder Well when joined by a changing cast of other Celtic music mainstays, including different members of Lankum, Blackbird Raum and Vradiazei, makes her central Pa. debut on Jan. 26 (rescheduled from an original performance date in November). Her lovely voice, classically trained in the styles of western Ireland, is complemented by rich music that has haunting undertones of doomfolk and punk, most audible on her earlier works like “The Unconscious Echo” and “No Summer,” though there are still discernible influences of those genres on her most recent effort, “Cadence.” For starters, check out Cinder Well’s song “Overgrown.”
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Battle of the Bands,1/6, Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
Escuela Grind, 1/12, Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
Lotus, 1/12, XL Live
Megan Hamilton, 1/12, H*MAC
Jill Barber, 1/19, H*MAC
Sunsquabi, 1/20, XL Live
Fit For A King & Devil Wears Prada, 1/26, H*MAC
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