THU 12/18
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Led by renowned finger picker Reverend Peyton, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band returns to the Kent Stage tonight at 6:30. The group embraces roadhouse blues on its latest effort, the grunge-y Honeysuckle. The alt-country group performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage.
175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.
Straight No Chaser: Holiday Road Tour
Since forming in Indianapolis nearly three decades, this cappella group has become an international sensation and has sold more than three million albums worldwide. Two years ago, the group performed in more than 50 cities across the US with multiple sold-out shows, including a record-breaking run in Indianapolis. It brings its holiday show to the State Theatre. The concert begins at 7 p.m. The group also performs on Dec. 22 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 12/19
John Vincent III & Michael Marcagi
The two singer-songwriters from Ohio team up for this show at the Agora. During the pandemic, Vincent III famously packed up his Ford Transit van and just drove for eight months, writing the songs that would become 2023’s acclaimed Songs for the Canyon. Co-produced by Vincent with Tom Elmhirst (Adele, David Bowie) and featuring production from Tony Berg (boygenius, Taylor Swift), Ryan Hadlock (the Lumineers, Brandi Carlile), and Jonathan Gilbert (Mt. Joy, Pete Yorn), the album features alt-country songs such as “Highway Woman,” “Bluebird Singing” and “Dandelion.” One dollar from every ticket sold will be dedicated to Cleveland Providence House for Children. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
SAT 12/20
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas
The singer-songwriter brings his holiday show back to the Hanna Theatre for performances at 2 and 8 p.m. He’ll perform again at 2 p.m. at tomorrow at the venue. He has admitted it’s a challenge to keep his Christmas tours fresh and exciting, but he tries to infuse the performances with joy and happiness as he covers tunes such as “Feliz Navidad” and “Joy to the World.”
2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Chimaira Christmas
Shortly after forming in 1998, local metal band Chimaira signed a deal with Roadrunner Records that effectively launched the group’s career. It achieved national and international fame with 2003’s The Impossibility of Reason, an album that’s every bit as heavy as anything by Slayer or Metallica. The group was on Ozzfest in 2003 and joined the European Road Rage tour that same year. Even after parting ways with Roadrunner in 2006, the band was still a major draw on the metal circuit and its albums still sold well. Two years ago, it reunited to celebrate the 29th anniversary of The Impossibility of Reason, and the band will reprise its annual Christmas show at the Agora. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and 200 Stab Wounds and Nunslaughter open.
5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com.
SUN 12/21
Apostle Jones’s A Holiday Special
The local funk/soul/rock group plays a special holiday show that’ll feature Cleveland artists and performers such as Hayden Grove, Esther Fitz, TobyRaps, James Begin (of Tropidelic), Henry LoConti and Malana Broom. It begins at 6 p.m. at Globe Iron.
2325 Elm St., globeironcle.com.
Ohio City Singers at Winterloo on Waterloo
As part of a ticketed event separate from the free Winterloo on Waterloo festival, the Ohio City Singers perform at 6 p.m. at the Treelawn Music Hall. Led by singer-songwriter Chris Allen, the ensemble just released two new holiday singles, “Santa, Won’t You See Me Tonight” and “Christmas Card from Heaven.” The live shows are always engaging affairs that feature the more uptempo tunes in the band’s repertoire.
15335 Waterloo Rd, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com.
TUE 12/23
The Boys from the County Hell
When local rockers the Boys from the County Hell first got together in the late ’90s as a Pogues cover band, they were just supposed to play once and call it a day. But after selling out their first show at the now-shuttered Euclid Tavern, the group’s popularity escalated, and it’s been going strong ever since., The group has performed in Las Vegas and in Thailand and has become a St. Patrick’s Day staple here in Cleveland. It brings its annual Christmas show back to House of Blues. The concert begins at 6 p.m.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
THU 12/25
Annual X-Mas Night Latke Party
Blue Lunch’s annual Christmas show at the Beachland Tavern feature guest singer Evelyn Wright. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with festivities kicking off with DJ Pete London spinning blues, soul and R&B vinyl. The band takes the stage beginning at 7:30. As usual, the usual array of food and beverages, along with homemade latkes, will be available for sale.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
FRI 12/26
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The prog band Savatage originally recorded “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24” in 1995. The song would reappear on Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s debut, 1996’s Christmas Eve and Other Stories and launch the band into the behemoth that it is today. The band has deep ties to Cleveland, which was one of the first cities to embrace the group and its imaginative take on holiday music. It brings its latest Christmas show, Ghosts of Christmas Eve, to Rocket Arena. The concerts take place at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
SAT 12/27
Hammy New Year 3: The 3 Peat
Local-turned-national punk rockers Heart Attack Man return to Mahall’s 20 Lanes in Lakewood for this NYE celebration that comes a few days early. Pet Symmetry, Home Safe, Save Face, Full Blown Meltdown, Light Years, Atomic Witch, Funeral Commercial and Lowspot share the bill. The show starts at 4 p.m.
13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com.
Red Wanting Blue
The alt-rock band out of the Columbus, OH area has made appearances on Letterman and NPR and gotten praise from the likes of Rolling Stoneand Esquire. On the heels of the release of its new album, Light It Up, the band performs at 7 p.m. at House of Blues.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
SUN 12/28
A Night of Holiday Soul with Will Downing, Leela James and Avery * Sunshine
Christmas may have come and gone, but these soul singers still have that holiday spirit. They’ll present a program of soulful holiday tunes at the State Theatre. The concert begins at 7 p.m.
1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
MON 12/29
Lotus
Straddling the line between the more traditional jam band ethos and the burgeoning world of electronic dance music, Lotus finds itself in a unique position with respect to its fan bases: They’re introducing one side to the other, and the blend has proven to be effective. By now, Lotus leans heavily toward the latter on most nights. Today, the band returns to the Beachland for the first of two shows. The group plays at 8 both tonight and tomorrow night at the club.
15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.
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