THU 03/23
Key Glock
Memphis rapper Key Glock had a hit right out of the gates with his 2017 debut, Glock Season, which yielded the single “On My Soul.” Since then, he’s delivered four solo mixtapes as well as Dum and Dummer, a collaborative effort with Young Dolph. With support from fellow Memphis native Big Scarr, Glock performs tonight at 7 at House of Blues.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
This blues singer-guitarist’s 1998 sophomore effort, Trouble Is…, went platinum, yielding such radio hits as “Blue on Black,” “True Lies” and “Somehow, Somewhere, Someway.” To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Shepherd will play the album in its entirety at tonight’s show at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage. The concert begins at 7:30.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
FRI 03/24
Sammy DeLeon Latin Jazz Sextet
A master timbales player, Sammy DeLeon has appeared in New York, Chicago, Miami, San Juan and many points in between. Formerly the musical director of Impacto Nuevo, he’s led his own group since 1996. Equally adept in Latin jazz, salsa and merengue, DeLeon is a local treasure. Tonight at 8 at Market Garden Brewery, this local Latin jazz band plays a special concert to celebrate spring. Tickets cost $15.
1947 West 25th St., 216-621-4000, marketgardenbrewery.com.
The Irish Tenors 25th Anniversary Tour
Since their debut some 25 years ago, the Irish Tenors have worked classic songs such as “My Heart Will Go On” (from Titanic), “Fairytale of New York” (previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues) and Jimmy Kennedy’s “South of The Border (Down Mexico Way)” into their repertoire alongside classics such as “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Fields of Athenry.” Tonight at 7:30 at Connor Palace, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra joins the group for this special concert celebrating its quarter century mark.
1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Learning Curve Single Release Show
Tonight at 7 at Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood, this local indie band celebrates the release of its new single and music video “Reaper,” a Death Cab Like-like tune that seamlessly mixes piano and electric guitars into an evocative meditation on death. Formerly Candice, As Well and Jimmy Lo Fi open the show. Tickets cost $10.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
Toward a Different Kind of Horizon
This concert is presented free through contributions from Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Music, Center for Popular Music Studies, Baker-Nord Center for Humanities, Writers House, Department of English, African and African American Studies Program, and from Cleveland Museum of Art and the Oberlin College and Conservatory. It takes place at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Wishgarden Album Release Show
Lead singer Tony Paparella wrote the songs on Wishgarden’s debut album when his two sons were still young. Now, after years of performing together as Wishgarden, the father-son trio has teamed with other musical friends and professionals to record these songs with a contemporary vibe. The band celebrates the album’s release tonight at 7 at the Rialto Theatre in Akron. Singer-songwriter Chrissy Strong opens the show.
1000 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, 234-525-1956, rialtotheatre.com.
SAT 03/25
Tom Dark
When Robert Griffin, who now lives in Cleveland and runs the indie label Scat Records, decided to dig into the vaults to re-release songs by the Dark, a Cleveland metal/punk/Goth band from the early ’80s, on his Scat Records as a vinyl and digital download dubbed Dressing the Corpse, singer Tom Dark suggested some version of the band play a release party. Griffin agreed and will reunite to play a few songs with Dark at tonight’s Beachland Tavern show. Tufted Puffins, Kill the Hippies and Muzzle open at the show. It all starts at 8 p.m.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Indigo Girls
The Grammy-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls are known for their beautifully crafted songs that “revel in spirited simplicity,” as it’s put in a press release. Originally released in 1989, “Closer to Fine” remains an inspiring anthem about self-awareness. The duo performs tonight at 7:30 at the Goodyear Theater in Akron.
1201 East Market St., Akron, goodyeartheater.com.
John Mayer
In the early 2000s, John Mayer established himself a singer, songwriter and guitarist of some stature. His solo albums became big hits thanks to radio fodder such as “Your Body Is a Wonderland.” Then, in 2015, three former members of the Grateful Dead joined with Mayer and two other musicians to form the band Dead & Company. The group toured regularly, keeping Mayer busy until this year when he announced his solo acoustic tour. He’ll perform without a band when he plays at 7:30 tonight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Instead, he’ll alternate between guitar and piano during his first-ever solo arena tour.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.
Smoke Screen Album Release/Farewell Show
After celebrating its 15th anniversary last year, this local hip-hop group will play one last show at the Grog Shop before moving to L.A. Tonight’s show also serves as a release party for its latest album. The concert will feature opening sets by band members’ respective solo projects, Broken Keys and Mooke Da God. This is the first show to feature all three acts on one bill. Doors open at 9 p.m.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
SUN 03/26
Florence Dore
A former Clevelander, singer-songwriter Florence Dore recorded her latest album with Canton-based Don Dixon and producer Mitch Easter, the same team that worked on early R.E.M. records. She performs tonight at 7:30 at the Beachland Tavern.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
TUE 03/28
The Church
The ’80s alt-rock act out of Australia comes to town tonight as part of a tour in suport of its first new studio effort in six years. The lineup has shifted slightly since its inception, but the group still includes its anchor, singer-bassist Steve Kilbey. The concert begins at 6:30 tonight at the Kent Stage. Tickets cost $35 to $45.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
The Furious Bongos
The members of Furious Bongos, a tribute act to the late, great Frank Zappa, have some serious musical credentials. A self-proclaimed “freak of nature,” drummer Filip Fjellstrom can play just about anything, including a toilet seat. Keyboardist Kevin Bents toured with Frank Zappa’s son Dweezil Zappa and worked as Jewel’s musical director at the height of her career. Bassist and band leader Conrad St. Clair has worked with people like Mick Fleetwood and Yo Yo Ma, and singer Jenna Paulus has a Master’s from Boston Conservatory. The band comes to the Beachland tonight at 8. The group is shifting its annual schedule, and this will reportedly be your only shot at seeing it play in Cleveland this year.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Masego
Grammy-nominated artist Masego returns to the States from a European tour in support of Studying Abroad: Extended Stay, the deluxe edition of his acclaimed EP, which earned a nod for Best Progressive R&B Album. The North American tour has just announced an extensive North American tour supports his latest single, “You Never Visit Me,” a Sting-like slow burner that features soulful vocals and ratcheting percussion. The multi-instrumentalist performs tonight at 7 at the Agora.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
WED 03/29
The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields, a terrific indie rock band led by singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt, will bring its “orchestral-pop experience” that features cello, piano, ukulele, and other acoustic and electric instrumentation, to Music Box Supper Club tonight. The concert will cover much of the band’s catalog and also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band’s 1992 EP, The House of Tomorrow. The show begins at 7:30.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
THU 03/30
Robyn Hitchcock
When Robyn Hitchcock played Music Box Supper Club back in 2014, we wrote that his “famously oddball stage banter started out light — one bizarre, hilarious turn of phrase after the other balancing passionate performances of ‘The Wreck of Arthur Lee’ and ‘Only Stones Remain.'” Expect something similar when the veteran British singer-songwriter returns to the venue tonight at 7:30.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
SAT 04/01
DVSN
This Toronto-based duo featuring producer Nineteen85 and vocalist Daniel Daley is best known for delivering slow jams. The group put out its second album, A Muse in Her Feelings, last year. It includes cameos from Future, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Popcaan, Buju Banton, Summer Walker, Jessie Reyez, Snoh Aalegra, Ty Dolla $ign and Shantel May in 2020. The tour that rolls into House of Blues tonight at 7 supports the new album, Working on My Karma. The tour will be the first time the duo performs the majority of the songs in front of a live audience.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
An Evening with Cowboy Junkies
In 1988, Cowboy Junkies made their mark with The Trinity Session, a beautifully recorded release that relied on a combination of folk, blues and rock. Some 30 years on, the Canadian band is still at it. In 2022, it released Songs of the Recollection, an album of covers of tunes that influenced it early on. The Canadian pop-rock band plays tonight at 8 at Music Box Supper Club.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
Steve Forbert
Singer-songwriter Steve Forbert comes to the Beachland Tavern tonight in support of his acclaimed album, Moving Through America. A cancer survivor, he’s been on major labels and indies and had his songs covered by people like Rosanne Cash and Keith Urban. He survived being labeled the “new Dylan” and once famously passed on being on the cover of Rolling Stone. Filled with character portraits and quirky insights, the album “unfolds like a mosaic of modern-day American life delivered by someone who’s been crisscrossing the country for nearly half a century,” as it’s put in a press release.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
Grand Funk Railroad
This version of the classic rock band includes original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer, and singer of the, band’s big hit, “We’re an American Band”) and bassist Mel Schacher along with some seasoned musicians who’ve played with the likes of Billy Squier and KISS. The veteran rock band performs tonight at 8 at the Goodyear Theater in Akron.
1201 East Market St., Akron, goodyeartheater.com.
Jill Scott
In 2020, the pandemic cut short Jill Scott’s 20th-anniversary tour celebrating her breakthrough album, Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. I. Earlier this year, Scott resumed the tour, which will find the singer-songwriter playing the album in its entirety. The concert begins tonight at 8 at MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com/en.html.
MON 04/03
The Bobby Lees
The Bobby Lees come to the Beachland Tavern tonight at 8 on their first national tour in support of the recently released album, Bellevue. Guitar World described the co-ed quartet as “deliciously sleazy garage rock… that recalls the spit and vigor of CBGBs in the ’70s.” Henry Rollins, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Mike Patton and so many others have been vocal supporters of the young Woodstock, NY-based outfit.
Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
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This article appears in Mar 22 – Apr 5, 2023.
