WHAT: Passion Pit
WHERE: The Assembly Hall (prices vary)
WHEN: Wednesday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m.
I’d never heard of Passion Pit before they were announced to play at the Assembly Hall. Apparently, the kids go crazy for them. Further evidence that I’m losing touch. There’s no point in being coy here — the songs I’ve heard are terrible. Absolutely terrible. I’m ashamed of the Berklee School of Music and the Postal Service for somehow unleashing this unto the masses. But it’s the Campus Compassion tour (or something like that), so good for the kids.
WHO: Tim Eriksen
WHERE: Knight Auditorium Spurlock Museum ($7 students, $10 everybody else)
WHEN: Thursday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m.
This is in a cool venue. And instead of rewriting a press release about a musician I know nothing about, here you go: Tim Eriksen is “widely regarded as the best ballad singer of his generation” (BBC Radio). He combines hair-raising vocals with savvy arrangements for fiddle, banjo, guitar and banjo sexto, transforming American tradition with a “northern roots” Americana sound that embraces old New England murder ballads, “shape-note” gospel and haunted originals alongside Southern Appalachian and Irish songs.
WHO: Bob Dylan
WHERE: The Assembly Hall
WHEN: Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m.
If you don’t know anything about Bob Dylan than there’s no point in talking about him here.
WHO: Brother Ali, Harsh w/DJ Belly, S.Words w/LEGTWO
WHERE: The Highdive ($13)
WHEN: Friday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Coming out of the reliable Rhymesayers collective in Minneapolis, Brother Ali has grown his audience carving a separate niche from label mate Atmosphere. Instead of “emo” rap, Ali’s reputation has been built on rhymes with a socially conscious approach to the world and to himself— and he’s got the chops to back it up. I’m not sure if the recent death of label mate, fellow Minneapolitan and good friend Eyedea will affect this show. However, if Brother Ali performs, expect an emotional night.
WHO: Beat Kitchen
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)
WHEN: Saturday, October 23 at 10 p.m.
Beat Kitchen has been a local staple for so long that it’s pretty easy to take the proto-funk for granted. But by doing so you are denying yourself a night of some intense fun.
WHO: Randal Bays and Davey Mathias
WHERE: UCIMC ($20, students and seniors $10)
WHEN: Sunday, October 24 at
There’s nothing quite like the sound of an Irish fiddle, especially when the player is as incredibly talented as Randal Bays. Bays has been at this for a long time, playing with some of the most well respected Irish musicians in North America. Another great local opportunity to see a master musician at work.