Winter 2017 Concert Roundup

Happy International Bluegrass Music Appreciation Day! So December 12 was named in 2012 by banjo player Lee Marcus. We’re here to keep the young tradition of Bluegrass Thanksgiving alive with a list of 10 shows you may want to ‘appreciate’ in Philly this winter. And as always, watch the frequently-updated calendar (phillybluegrass.com/calendar) and/or our Twitter feed for updates on shows featuring Philly’s local and regional acts.

December 14: The Stash Band at World Cafe Live

This might be the loudest act to grace the World Cafe Live Upstairs stage this year, to wit: the opening track from Stash’s 2015 solo disc is called “Acoustic Metal Party.” If you saw Stash shred with Tony Trischka’s band at Tin Angel last month you’re probably intrigued to hear his solo act, too.

December 14: The Ghost of Paul Revere at Boot & Saddle

The State of Maine’s The Ghost of Paul Revere has been generating serious buzz recently, performing with Anders Osborne, the Infamous Stringdusters, and others–while garnering press mentions in the Boston Globe and the Washington Post. With Ladybird and the White Cheddar Boys. Grab tickets.

December 16: The Stray Birds at World Cafe Live

The Stray Birds played a “Free At Noon” show this summer at World Cafe Live while in town to perform at the 55th Philadelphia Folk Festival. On December 16 they will headline an evening show at World Cafe Live. Downstairs, with Miss Tess & The Talkbacks.

December 31: Cabinet at the TLA

If you’re a bluegrass/roots music fan in Philly, this is your New Year’s Eve plan. Tickets still available as of this writing. With the Blind Owl Band and Mountain Ride.

January 28: The Infamous Stringdusters at World Cafe Live

The ‘Dusters packed them in at World Cafe back in April, when they had special guest Nicki Bluhm on vocals, and ran through some of the band’s “Ladies & Gentlemen” record, which featured an all-female lineup of lead singers. This time, the band will be on the road in support of their newest record, “Laws Of Gravity,” due out on January 13 on Compass Records. The first single, “Gravity,” dropped last Friday.

February 1: Greensky Bluegrass at Union Transfer

Almost exactly one year to the day after bringing a jam-heavy set to Union Transfer, Greensky Bluegrass makes their return on February 1. Given the size of the crowd a year ago, don’t be surprised if this one sells out.

February 2: The Philadelphia Folksong Society Presents the HillBenders at Tin Angel

It looks like the venerable Tin Angel has a few more shows left in it. That’s good news for bluegrass fans, as we know how great this room is for acoustic music.

February 2: The Wood Brothers at Union Transfer

Hard to believe that 2016 marks 10 years of the Wood Brothers. Brothers Chris and Oliver formed the band in 2006 following their successful careers with Medeski, Martin & Wood and King Johnson, respectively. Help the Woods celebrate their Tin anniversary at Union Transfer. With T Sisters.

February 26: The Hackensaw Boys at World Cafe Live

The Hackensaw Boys’ new record “Charismo” (Free Dirt) is their first full album of new material in more than a decade. The album’s title pays homage to the homemade percussion instrument/attire that is played/worn by the band’s Brian Gorby. With Who? What? When? Why? & Werewolves? Tickets.

March 8: Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge at Johnny Brenda’s

Two of the best young American guitarists ripping tunes on their pre-war Martins in one of Philly’s more intimate rooms for music. I’ll be the guy up front studying Critter’s pick angle. See you there.

This Fall’s 10 Must-See Bluegrass Shows

It’s officially fall here in Philadelphia. That means it’s time to take stock of the touring acts coming through town this season. Luckily for us, there are too many for just one post, but don’t fret; the Philly Bluegrass Calendar has you covered with a full list. Or you could make scheduling easy on yourself and win the Bluegrass Passport Contest, which will award to one winner a pair of tickets to five hot bluegrass shows at the Ardmore Music Hall this fall. Prefer to order a la carte? Here are 10 tasty options for your consideration:

October 7: Sam Bush at the Ardmore Music Hall

The man often credited with originating the “newgrass” genre kicks of the Ardmore Music Hall’s stacked lineup of bluegrass shows, touring behind his new record, “Storyman” (Sugar Hill). Don’t forget to enter the Bluegrass Passport Contest by Friday, September 30 for a chance to win a pair of tickets to this and four other shows!

October 14: Sierra Hull at Tin Angel

Sierra Hull, who played World Cafe Live this summer, returns to Philly with two sets at Tin Angel, one of our favorite rooms for bluegrass music in the city. If you haven’t seen her perform lately, don’t miss the chance to see her and her incredible band, which features Edgar Meyer pupil Ethan Jodziewicz on bass and the multi-talented Justin Moses on, well, everything.

October 16: Yonder Mountain String Band at Ardmore Music Hall

Yonder Mountain String Band may be going on 18 years together, but the band is keeping it fresh, recently adding mandolin virtuoso Jake Jolliff (Joy Kills Sorrow). Yonder and the Ardmore Music Hall’s jam-friendly scene should make this one a hot ticket. Make sure not to miss the opener, Billy Strings, who is rocking the bluegrass world lately with his blazing-fast guitar picking. [**Bluegrass Passport show**]

October 22: The Grateful Ball feat. The Travelin’ McCourys + Jeff Austin Band at Ardmore Music Hall

The Travelin’ McCourys and Jeff Austin make AMH the third stop of their new “Grateful Ball” tour, which grew out of a successful experiment in St. Louis in June, according to JamBase. The plan is for each band to perform a set of their own, and then come together to perform a set of Grateful Dead songs. You can get a taste of what to expect below, with the McCourys performing “Cumberland Blues,” a studio recording of which they also just released. [**Bluegrass Passport show**]

October 28: Mipso at World Cafe Live

Mipso may not be as well-known a name in the bluegrass world as Bush or McCoury, but that just means you can catch Mipso in the intimate World Cafe Live Upstairs before they totally blow up. The band was nominated for an International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Band Momentum Award last month, and more accolades are almost surely in their future. Soul-ster Sam Lewis opens.

November 2: Chatham County Line at Tin Angel

There’s more great bluegrass at the Tin Angel this fall, when Chatham County Line passes through on November 4. Tight harmony vocals, well-crafted songs, and a wry sense of humor make these guys a ton of fun to watch. And their condenser mic setup should be a great fit for Philly’s famous listening room.

November 4: Mandolin Orange at Boot & Saddle

Mandolin Orange drops their new record this Friday, September 30. But if you’re like me you’ve already been listening to it for the past week on the Wall Street Journal‘s music blog, Speakeasy. And you’ve probably already scored tickets to this show.

November 6: Tony Trischka’s Early Roman Kings: The Music of Bob Dylan

Bela Fleck banjo mentor Tony Trischka (banjo, pedal steel), Stash Wyslouch (guitar, vocals),  Sean Trischka (drums, vocals), and Jared Engel (bass) play Bob Dylan songs. At the Tin Angel. What more do you need to know? Grab tickets here.

December 4: Dirk Powell & Riley Baugus at Crossroads Music

On December 4, the Crossroads Music series presents two masters of the old-time music genre in Dirk Powell and Riley Baugus. The pair met at a fiddler’s convention back in the 1980s, and continue to collaborate to this day, perhaps most notably on the soundtrack for the 2003 film Cold Mountain.

December 7: Front Country at World Cafe Live

Once known as the Bay Area’s favorite bluegrass band, Front Country recently decamped for Nashville, and was just named Nine Artists To Watch For At AmericanaFest 2016 by NPR Music. On December 7, they’ll be another example of a young, genre-pushing bluegrass band to visit World Cafe Live Upstairs, following Mipso’s October show.