Looking for ideas on some good music this weekend? ShindigMusic has you covered, with our list of recommended shows around Arkansas. Following are what we think are the best options out there (sorted by metro area).
THE NEATEST MUSIC EVENT IN ARKANSAS THIS WEEKEND:
“Bayard Guitars Presents,” a new concert series at Stage Eighteen, kicks off Friday, Aug. 18. The evening starts with a meet-and-greet for luthiers and guitar enthusiasts, where we’ll be showcasing some of the gifted Bayard Blain’s newest instruments.
Live music will include a solo set from Bayard, followed by a full set from perrenial local Ozarks-meets-world-sounds folk duo, Still on the Hill.
Kelly and Donna Lynn Mulhollan of Still on the Hill have played around the globe but are proud to call Arkansas home. They’ve been described as “Ambassadors of the Ozarks” for the work they do to preserve a rich and storied culture. As award-winning, story-telling songwriters, the Mulhollens embellish their songs with a host of unique instruments from the hills they call home (including a fine Sitka/Indian Rosewood 12-fret 00 from Bayard’s shop).
Tickets are $10 for ages 21+, $15 under 21, and are available online and at the door. Under 18 patrons welcome if accompanied by adult, the venue says.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS LIVE MUSIC PICKS
Thursday, Aug. 17
Here Come the Mummies – an 8-piece funk supergroup that one critic described as a melting pot of “Idris Muhammad, George Clinton, Ohio Players, and Earth, Wind & Fire” – headlines at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville starting at 9 pm; tickets are $30 and available online. Doors at 7, show at 8 pm.
Dickson Street Pub hosts powerful folk-blues-jazz singer/songerwriter duo Melody Pond, which consists of Candy Lee and Emily Rowland each with multiple instruments, starting at 8:30 pm, no cover. Melody Pond has been compared to modern indie-folk artists Rising Appalachia, First Aid Kit, and The Ditty Bops.
Friday, Aug. 18
Alt-pop-vaudeville-sound and very gifted showman Randall Shreve performs a solo show at Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville starting at 9 pm. The show will be recorded for future release by Shreve. Tickets, available online now, are $10 in advance or at the door. There will be a cash bar.
Five-piece, high-speed bluegrass group Grassfed performs at Chelsea’s Corner Cafe & Bar in Eureka Springs starting around 9 pm. Cover is $5; ages 21+.
It’s heavy metal night at Nomad’s in Fayetteville, as metal standard-bearers Vore headlines a three-act show, with Fetal Autopsy and Twisted Ritual opening. Tickets are $5 in advance online and $8 at the door (if it doesn’t sell out). Show starts around 7 pm.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Multi-genre DJ and producer Wick-It the Instigator – named #5 on Billboard’s Next Big Sound chart and one of the most widely streamed pages on Soundcloud in its history – headlines at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville starting at 9 pm. Tickets are $15 and available online now. Ages 18+.
Classic blues and rock fans should head over to Eureka Springs for 3rd Saturday Music in the Park at Basin Spring Park featuring a free show by the Cate Brothers Band, from 5 to 7 pm, all ages, family-friendly.
Heavy-metal rockers HELLYEAH headline at Fort Smith’s The Sound Room starting at 7 pm. Tickets are sold out, but you can try to win some by stopping by BRC Bike Works today or Friday before the drawing, set for 5 pm Friday.
Sunday, Aug. 20
Nonprofit DIY music/arts/events venue The Syc House is hosting its first “public wedding & concert” featuring party-rockers Cadillac Jackson. Doors at 5 pm, wedding ceremony at 5:30, music at 6. As is the norm at The Syc House, It’s free, BYOB, ages 18+. Parking is at Woodland Junior High Gym lot or uber/carpool requested if possible.
Widely popular American-ized reggae act Rastasaurus – infusing reggae roots with elements of funk, rock and roll, improvised jamming, and dub – headlines at George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, starting at 8 pm, with opener Meesh, an up-and-coming EDM producer out of Fayetteville. Tickets are only $5 and available online now or at the door if it doesn’t sell out. Ages 18+.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
The UofA Jazz Jam with the Jake Hertzog Trio invites musicians and fans to join them for a swinging night of jazz at Stage 18. The Jake Hertzog Trio kicks off the evening with a full set, before they open the stage for an open jazz jam. Bring your ears and your instruments for the opportunity to sit in with some of the finest musicians in the region. All ability levels encouraged to participate. Show the house band some love with a $5 cover at the door for 21+, under 21 is $10. Venue says under 18 welcome when accompanied by a legal guardian.
Genre-bending folk-pop-jazz duo Handmade Moments performs at Botanical Garden of the Ozarks starting at 5 pm. Admission is free; all ages, family-friendly.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIVE MUSIC PICKS
Thursday, Aug. 17
Austin-based Leopold and his Fiction, and alt-pop outfit that spices its folk-inflected rock ‘n’ roll with heavy doses of garage and bits of psych, performs at Stickyz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack in downtown Little Rock starting with opener New Motto of Little Rock at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $10, available online or at the door. Ages 18+.
Friday, Aug. 18
Soul standouts and award-winners Dazz & Brie and the Emotionalz headline at Ron Robinson Theater for an album-release show for their second effort “Can’t Chase Girls & Your Money Too,” starting at 7 pm; tickets are $10 and available online.
The summer party of the year appears to be the Summer Soulstice 6: Afrobeat Dance Party + Velvet Kente Archestra, at White Water Tavern, beginning at 9 pm, admission $10. The Velvet Kente Archestra includes Jamaal Lee, Ryan Hitt, Joshua Asante on vocals, guitar, keys, Norman Williamson on saxophone, keys, Judson Spillyards on guitars, Ryan D. Davis on percussion, and Jose Holliday, trumpet. Featured vocalists will include Adam Faucett, C.C. Mercer, Big Piph, Dazz & Brie, Osyrus, Bolly, Jen Shaw, Samarra Simone, Hope Dixon, and Jeremy Brasher. Ages 21+.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Popular party-rockers Tragikly White headlines a fun night of covers from the ’70s to the 2000s at Rev Room in downtown Little Rock, starting at 9:30 pm. Admission is $10, tickets are available now online. Ages 18+.
For some jamband and folk-rock sounds and a great cause, attend the Celebration of the Life of Jason Adams, the Mojo Depot/Weakness for Blondes drummer who recently passed unexpectedly, at White Water Tavern, beginning at 7 pm.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
Mark Currey, roots-rock and classic country singer/songwriter, performs a free happy hour set at Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro, 6-8 pm. No cover.
Urban Pioneer, a continent-traversing, Texas-meets-Tennessee, fast-ass, raucous bluegrass trio, performs at White Water Tavern starting at 9 pm. Admission $5.
Wednesday, Aug. 23
“Beach goth/shoegaze” four-piece and Red Rocks and Vans Warped Tour veteran Whole Milk performs at Stickyz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack starting at 9 pm. Tickets are $5. Ages 18+.