FRIDAY, DEC. 13
Emily Hackett
After she released The Raw EP in 2015, country singer-songwriter Emily Hackett moved in a different musical direction and found herself once again wanting to draw from the classic rock of her childhood. “Nostalgia,” the first single she cut in the wake of The Raw EP, mixes rock and pop. Hackett speaks/sings over rattling drums and a buzzing bass riff. It became the lead song on last year’s By the Sun, and the rock/pop approach carries over onto this year’s By the Moon. They're two terrific releases that establish Hackett as a significant talent. The music industry has taken notice too. Hackett was named one of CMT's Next Women in Country (a program that helped launch the careers of artists such as Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini). Hackett's a Cleveland native so expect some friends and family members to be on hand for tonight's show. (Jeff Niesel) 8 p.m., $12 ADV, $14 DOS. Beachland Ballroom.
Lottery League Record Release Party
Local musician/artist/poet and four-time Lottery League veteran Bob Olexa, better known as Robert Darkmatter, has put together a special Lottery League reunion and record release event that will take place tonight and tomorrow night at the Happy Dog. The event will showcase bands from past Lottery Leagues. A tri-annual music festival, the Lottery League places local musicians at random into new bands (with the requirement that none of the musicians have ever performed or written together before). Those bands then have two months to come up with an identity and ten minutes worth of material. All bands perform at a “big show.” Tonight's event will serve as a record release party for all 2019 bands that chose to release some kind of product. Tomorrow's event will feature a reunion of past Lottery League bands. (Niesel) 9 p.m., $5. Happy Dog.
Whiskey Daredevils
One of Cleveland’s best local acts, the Whiskey Daredevils have just released their latest effort, Bonafide. Locally based Gotta Groove Records pressed the album on gold vinyl, and the disc is the first to feature guitarist Hector Mattos. The record was recorded earlier this year at Rust Belt Recording in the same room where the hard rock act Greta Van Fleet had just cut its album. With twangy tunes such as "Favorite T," the album emphasizes the country and rockabilly side of the band's sound. (Niesel) 8:30 p.m., $10 ADV, $12 DOS. Beachland Tavern.
Zach Deputy/Of Good Nature/Quasi Kings
Known for his tangles of guitar melodies looping across themselves, Zach Deputy is that unique musician who comes off sounding like he’s actually several musicians in one body. His beachy guitar work blends into a melange of hip-hop beats, dancehall and neo-soul. Check out his Bandcamp page for live sets from the past few years; you’ll gather a sense that Deputy’s a fun-loving cat who laces his dedication to his instruments with wit and personal savvy. He has described his sound as “island-infused drum 'n' bass gospel ninja soul.” We like to think of it as the soundtrack to a backyard party where the steaks are rubbed with chief, and the sun shines oh so warmly. (Eric Sandy) 8 p.m., $20. The Kent Stage.
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
11th Annual Cleveland Metal Holiday Show
A terrific benefit concert that occurs during the holiday season each year, WJCU's 11th annual Cleveland Metal Holiday Show returns tonight to the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern. It’ll again feature some major metal talent. The local glam metal act Priscilla, who had a commercial radio hit on WMMS back in 1989 with "Wake Up the Neighborhood" and had three songs chart on the popular heavy metal satellite radio station Z-Rock, will reunite to perform at the event. Other bands performing include Nunslaughter, Chemikill, Olathia, Hostile Omish, Vandallus, Kurnugia, Dead Earth, Sparrowmilk, Vadiat, Dying Desolation and the Iron Maiden tribute Maiden Voyage. Chemikill and Vandallus will both celebrate their respective new releases and Vadiat, a band featuring Terror’s Brian Sekula, will make its live debut. Chris Emig will return as the show's MC and also perform with her band Olathia. (Niesel) 5 p.m. Beachland Ballroom.
Jim Brickman
A Northeast Ohio native, singer-pianist Jim Brickman routinely brings his Christmas tours to town in December. This year is no different. Brick man's "A Christmas Celebration" comes to Playhouse Square tonight. It promises to offer "an entertaining evening of special guests, songs of the season and Jim’s catalog of hits." Tickets start at $35. (Niesel), 8 p.m., $10-$75. State Theatre.
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
Bill Rudman's Christmas Cabaret
For tonight's annual Christmas extravaganza, Bill Rudman has put together a show of more than 30 songs, blending Christmas standards and novelties. The set list draws heavily on Great American Songbook composers like Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. Expect to hear classics such as "Winter Wonderland," "Let It Snow," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and tributes to Rudolph, Frosty and Mr. Grinch. Yep, you can bring the grandparents to this gig. (Niesel), 7 p.m., $35. Nighttown.
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