Amidst the season’s “Album of The Year” countdown listicles and modern takes on holiday tunes of yore, I hope you’ll find some time this month to enjoy live music too, whether you’re just out enjoying caroling from passersby or dancing at a concert.
I’m equally as pumped to catch a few gigs live as I am to spin “A Very Special Christmas” on vinyl, which I scored at a yard sale after noticing the signature Keith Haring cover of the record—a fave find of this year’s adventures. Wishing you all a joyous season with lots of great tunes!
SEE YOU ON THE DANCE FLOOR
HU Presents The Maine, 12/7, XL Live
Emo dance rockers The Maine are bringing their latest tour to Harrisburg for a night of pop punk goodness early this month. They’ll probably flash back to a few goodies from their skater sound of 2008’s “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” but the five-some did release their ninth studio LP earlier this year, so I imagine you’ll hear some bangers from that record, including “dose no. 2” and “blame.”
FA LA LA LA FOLK
Girl Named Tom, 12/8, Hershey Theatre
Girl Named Tom, a folk pop trio of siblings, hits the stage at Hershey Theatre on Dec. 8 for an evening of hypnotic harmonies on the “One More Christmas” tour. You may recognize the group from “The Voice,” where they held the distinction of being the first group ever to win the competition during Season 21. They released their first original single earlier this year, “What A View,” and, according to their website, more original tunes are on the way.
FOR CONSIDERATION
Start Making Sense, 12/29, XL Live
I normally wouldn’t add a tribute band to this roundup, but Start Making Sense is as close to the Talking Heads as you’ll see shy of catching David Byrne playing a surprise gig somewhere. The New Wave icon’s Broadway show, “Here Lies Love,” will have taken its final bow by the time this column hits print.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Jazz Is Dead featuring Alphonso Johnson, Steve Kimock, Pete Lavezzoli & Bobby Lee Rodgers, 12/1, XL Live
The Egyptian Lover, 12/8, H*MAC
Straight No Chaser, 12/10, Hershey Theatre
Susquehanna Folk Music Presents An Irish Christmas with John Doyle & Mick McAuley, Dec. 15, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York
The Dirty Sweet & Friends, 12/15, XL Live
From Ashes to New, 12/16 & 12/17, H*MAC
Cirque Dreams Holidaze, 12/21, Hershey Theatre
Observe the 93rd Album Release Show, 12/30, XL Live
YAM YAM, 12/31, XL Live
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