Livewire: 10 of the Best Concerts to Catch in Cleveland in January

Cracker returns to the Beachland Ballroom. See: Friday, Jan. 10. Credit: Credit: Jason Thrasher

FRI 01/03

Annual Free Weekend
Each year at about this time, the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights opens ups its doors for a free weekend of shows. Tonight at 9, Liquid Images, Louse and PIZZ take the stage. Shows also take place tomorrow and Sunday with a different group of local acts. Consult the venue’s website for a complete schedule and more details.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.

Wish You Were Here
The locally based Pink Floyd tribute act plays tonight and tomorrow night at 7 at the Agora. The shows celebrate the group’s 30th anniversary as well as the 50th anniversary of the Floyd album Wish You Were Here.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.

SAT 01/04

’80s Night! Dance Party with The Sunrise Jones
The versatile local band Sunrise Jones performs at this ’80s-themed concert that takes place tonight at 8 at Music Box Super Club.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com/.

Maura Rogers & the Bellows
This local singer-songwriter writes autobiographical tunes that chronicle personal details from her life such as her health issues (she underwent a kidney transplant a few years back), and she regularly alternates between rock and folk. Lea Marra & the River Boys and Alec Stewart open. The show begins at 7:15 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom, and it doubles as a birthday party celebration.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

MON 01/06

Anthony Raneri
On tour in support of a new solo EP, Everyday Royalty, the Bayside singer performs tonight at 8 at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. Songs such as “I’ll Be Fine” feature jangling guitars and soft vocals as Raneri explores his softer side. Singer-songwriter Nate Bergman opens.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.

WED 01/08

The Lustre Kings
This rockabilly group led by guitarist Mark Gamsjager, a rockabilly devotee who’s taught for the National Guitar Workshop, brings its Elvis Birthday Bash tour to the Beachland Tavern. The show begins at 8 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

FRI 01/10

Cracker
Led by singer-songwriter David Lowery, Cracker formed in the ’90s after Lowery’s previous band, Camper van Beethoven, splintered. The alt-country-ish band had a few hits back then, but its catalog runs deep. The group just released a collection of re-recordings, demos, outtakes, collaborations and live tracks that presents an alternate history of the band (five tracks are previously unreleased and six are rare and long out-of-print). Expect the band to dive into it tonight at the Beachland Ballroom. The show starts at 8 p.m. Singer-songwriter Johnny Hickman, a member of Cracker, opens.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Nonpoint
On tour to celebrate the 20th and 25th anniversaries of its two most popular albums, To the Pain and Statement, respectively, heavy rockers Nonpoint will not only play songs that haven’t been heard in a long time but also songs that have never been played live when it performs at 6:30 p.m. at the Roxy at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.

Warren G
This g-funk pioneer had a big hit in 1994 with the single “Regulate (Featuring Nate Dogg),” a song that shows off his effortless flow. He also famously introduced Snoop Dogg to Dr. Dre, essentially launching the fellow Long Beach, CA-based rapper’s career. He performs at 7 p.m. at House of Blues.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.

SAT 01/11

Floyd Nation
Since Pink Floyd splintered when band co-leaders David Gilmour and Roger Waters could not work out their creative differences, tribute acts have sprouted up to keep the British psychedelic band’s legacy alive. Tonight at 8 at MGM Northfield Park, Floyd Nation will revisit all the Floyd classics as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the band’s album Wish You Were Here.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.

Lea Marra & the River Boys
Playing open mics in her tween and teen years opened up the experience of performing in front of people for local singer-songwriter Lea Marra. Connecting with other musicians in high school and befriending drummer Joe Linsky in school led to her first band, the indie outfit the Tom Katlees, which released one full-length before breaking up in 2019. Her next band, the Dream Catchers, evolved out of the Tom Katlees and delivered two albums. The bluegrass-influenced River Boys became her latest backing band; it’s the group that will back he when she returns to the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.

SUN 01/12

The Elvis Birthday Tribute Artist Spectacular Birthday Edition
Elvis impersonators will be on hand for tonight’s celebration of what would have been the King’s 90th birthday. The show will feature on the early years as well as the military years and the Las Vegas residencies. It all begins at 7 p.m. at the State Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave, 216-771-8403, playhousesquare.org.

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