Historically, Maine’s out-of-the-way location, small population, and lack of viable venues have combined to make our nation’s 23rd state an impractical stop for many touring musicians. As a result, music fans that live in the ‘North Country’ but want to see their favorite bands play live have come to accept long drives to New Hampshire or Boston as part of the deal. October 2010, however, is an aberration that finds numerous high-profile acts descending upon Maine. For a few short weeks locals can revel in the glory of seeing a multitude of musicians perform in their own backyard, and leaf-peepers from southern New England traveling north for a glimpse of the fall foliage will find ample reason to stick around after the sun goes down.
Harry Brown hosts numerous weekend camping events every year on his farm in Starks. The largest of those muddy and disheveled soirees, the Harvest Ball, runs from the 1st-3rd and will feature headlining sets from Melvin Seals & JGB (Friday the 1st) and the stalwarts of Maine’s music scene, pop-funksters Rustic Overtones (Saturday the 2nd).
Contrary to most musicians, guitar mavens Leo Kottke and Charlie Hunter always seem to have Maine on their radar. Having performed in Maine just last year, the light-touring Kottke returns on Thursday the 7th to showcase his unique finger-picking style at Jonathan’s, an upscale dinner/theater venue in the southern beach community of Ogunquit. Hunter, meanwhile, kicks off a week-long mini-tour in support of his new solo album, Public Domain, with a show at The Asylum in Portland. Although The Asylum is a rundown, non-descript, dimly lit basement with a bar, in the glow of the guitarist’s infectious enthusiasm and hearty jazz chops the place takes on the cozy feel of a Prohibition-era jazz joint. Charlie and his 7-string guitar will be there on the 22nd, flanked by frequent accomplice drummer Eric Kalb.
Soulive is another act that consistently shows Maine some love, making the trek north to play at least once a year. Having recently outgrown The Asylum, the band is booked for two weekend gigs (the 8th and 9th) at Port City Music Hall (PCMH), a 550 person venue with fantastic sound that has drawn numerous national acts into the market since they opened in Portland in 2009. Kras and the Evans brothers are sure to play numerous cuts from their new album Rubber Soulive, and guest appearance from saxophonist and Maine native Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce, Rustic Overtones) seems likely as well.
Maine is lucky to have SPACE Gallery, a “non-profit contemporary art space” located in the heart of downtown Portland. Deerhoof brings their special brand of melodic indie-rock to the unique venue on Monday the 11th, and glam-pop rockers Free Energy roll into town the following night (that’s the 12th) in support of their new James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) produced album. Those attending either show should expect a late night (even by SPACE standards) as each band headlines a triple bill.
Maine’s music scene might change for good with the re-opening of Portland’s historic State Theater. A Depression-era movie theater turned seated performance venue, Maine’s music scene took a big hit when the badly outdated 1500 person theater closed in 2006. The renovated and now up to code venue re-opens on a high note on Friday October 15th with a sold-out performance by My Morning Jacket, who visit Maine for the first time since they played the old State Theater in late 2005. Not content there, the venue has elicited help from moe., who will round out the weekend’s festivities with a performance on the 16th.
Saturday the 16th also marks the final date of the unfortunately titled “Sorry For Partying Tour”. The tour, which features The Brew, Kinetix and Roster McCabe, concludes at the normally staid Unity Center for the Performing Arts in Unity.
It’s always nice when Phish comes to Maine, and it’s even nicer when they don’t make concert attendees drive the entire length of the state to see them perform. The boys play the state capital, Augusta, on Tuesday the 19th. If that doesn’t interest you, or if you can’t score tickets to the sold out show, you can check out The Hold Steady. The critically acclaimed band from Brooklyn doles out chunks of straight-ahead rock at the aforementioned PCMH on the same night.
Los Angeles based pop-art rockers OK Go have become ubiquitous thanks to their inventive and amusing viral videos, and they’ve got two dates scheduled in Maine in October. They’ll play in Portland on Wednesday the 20th, then head north to provide the evening’s entertainment for PopTech 2010 in Camden on Friday the 22nd.
The State Theater continues to carve out its niche in the market place with a solid double bill (also on the 22nd) that features folk-rock songster Josh Ritter with support from soft spoken indie collective The Low Anthem. The following week, on the 27th, the venue will keep the indie vibe flowing by playing host to Portland resident Adam Gardner and his bandmates in Guster.
For those in need of a bluegrass fix, have no fear. Yonder Mountain String Band will be here to scratch your itch on Sunday the 24th; they’ll be playing at PCMH. If that doesn’t do the trick (or if going out on a Sunday is unappealing), relative newcomers/heavy-hitters Punch Brothers play two shows (early and late) at the intimate One Longfellow Square on the Friday the 29th.
Another option for music lovers on the 29th is to waltz over to PCMH where Hoots & Hellmouth – in all their rootsy, foot-stomping glory – are expected to set the bar high for headliner Steven Kellogg & The Sixers’ catchy folk-rock stylings.
Maine residents Toughcats fly under most people’s radar, but their banjo-laden Americana is likely to please those who attend their show at the Frontier Café in Brunswick on the 7th. The trio has a history of quirky, elaborate entrances, so those who arrive promptly could be in for an additional treat. New York City based The Wiyos blend elements of country, swing, and zydeco with vaudevillian theatrics to create a unique sound that harkens back to early parts of the 20th century yet still sounds current. They bring their steel guitar, stand-up bass, and washboard to One Longfellow Square on the 30th.
Also on the 30th, the winner of Relix’s 2008 Jam-Off, Rubblebucket, brings its intense blend of drum rhythms, searing horns, and spacey soundscapes to Portland for what’s sure to be a lively show at PCMH.
Maybe all the action in Maine this October is a signal that the winds of change are blowing; the State Theater re-opening and Maine’s own summer festival (Nateva) seem like solid indicators. But regardless of what the future holds there’s little doubt that the next few weeks will be a very enjoyable time for local and visiting music fans alike.
Shows in Maine in October
10/1 – Melvin Seals & JGB; Harry Brown’s Farm, Starks
10/2 – Rustic Overtones; Harry Brown’s Farm, Starks
10/7 – Leo Kottke; Jonathan’s, Ogunquit
10/7 – Toughcats; Frontier Café, Brunswick
10/8 – Soulive; Port City Music Hall, Portland
10/9 – Soulive; Port City Music Hall, Portland
10/11 – Deerhoof; SPACE, Portland
10/12 – Free Energy; SPACE, Portland
10/15 – My Morning Jacket; State Theater, Portland
10/16 – moe.; State Theater, Portland
10/16 – The Brew/Roster McCabe/Kinetix; Unity Center for the Performing Arts, Unity
10/19 – Phish; Augusta Civic Center, Augusta
10/19 – The Hold Steady; Port City Music Hall, Portland
10/20 – OK Go; Port City Music Hall, Portland
10/22 – OK Go; PopTech 2010, Camden
10/22 – Charlie Hunter; The Asylum, Portland
10/22 – Josh Ritter/The Low Anthem; State Theater, Portland
10/24 – Yonder Mountain String Band; Port City Music Hall, Portland
10/27 – Guster; State Theater, Portland
10/29 – Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers/Hoots & Hellmouth; Port City Music Hall, Portland
10/29 – Punch Brothers; One Longfellow Square, Portland (2 shows, Early & Late)
10/30 – Rubblebucket; Port City Music Hall, Portland
10/30 – The Wiyos; One Longfellow Square, Portland
