Trust me, fellow Sactowners…in about six or seven weeks, we’re going to be yearning for this.
It’s June 5, and in what should have been our first full official weekend of summer, everyone seems to be deadlocked in collective melancholy over the “WTF!” of late season rains (for these purposes, “WTF” will be officially dubbed as “weather that fails”).
We will get our sun. We will get our heat. And it’s summer, which means, we will get our shows. Here’s a look at some of the summer’s can’t miss shows in Sacramento. Cheers!
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt – You can say whatever you want about Lyle Lovett, like his ballyhooed relationship with Julia Roberts or the fact that he bears a slight resemblance to many a Tim Burton movie villain. But the fact remains that the man is a songwriter, in the purest sense of the word. I’d like to see anyone listen to “Nobody Knows Me” and not get a wee bit misty-eyed. Ditto for John Hiatt, a similarly gifted songwriter and performer but without quite as much acclaim and clout at Lovett. But when the two team up for a solo acoustic evening at the always glorious Radisson outdoor garden venue…hold onto your emotional knickers! June 10. Radisson Hotel Outdoor Grove, 500 Leisure Ln. $49-$59. All ages. www.radissonsac.com.
Deftones – It seems that the horrific car accident that nearly claimed the life of Deftones bassist Chi Cheng in 2008 has almost become “oh right, that whole thing” sort of news, but the founding member of the venerable Sactown metal outfit remains in a minimally conscious state, and despite having shown significant signs of improvement, is still undergoing major rehabilitation and therapy. The Deftones have labored on without him, but are still fighting the good fight to help their fallen comrade. This sure-to-be raucous hometown show is being held as a Chi Cheng benefit (hence the price), and will also feature Dillinger Escape Plan and Le Butcherettes. June 14. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $50. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com; oneloveforchi.com.
Airborne Toxic Event – To quote “A Mighty Wind,” if I may… “wha’ happened?!” There was a time when this burgeoning rock outfit was in line to be the next Strokes or next Killers (or both at the same time), but they seemed to all but drop off the map after a would-be breakout in 2009. But they appear to be clawing back with April’s release of “All at Once” on Island Records, and the mildly new wave stadium rock sound appears to back in gear. June 16. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $18. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com.
Marc Broussard – It appears the time is now for this Southern gent from Louisiana, with the pending June release of his self-titled album. Broussard, a rising star for the last several years, fuses a down home blues and jazz persona (the type you’d expect to find down on the Bayou) with explosive soul and urban flare, running the gamut of influences from Stevie Wonder to Otis Redding to Brian McKnight. June 22. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.
Paul Oakenfold – Yep, you read that right! Get your tickets ASAP, they’re going fast for the downtown appearance from arguably (well, not really) the world’s foremost DJ. June 23. District 30, 1022 K St. $30. 21+. www.district30sacramento.com.
Davis Music Festival – Details are still being ironed out for this first-ever event, but a mix of downtown Davis venues will be hosting headliner, Truth & Salvage Co., which has been described as “a freight train ride down the Route 66 of American music”…by this reporter. Also performing are Shayna & the Bulldog, the Blank Tapes, the West Nile Ramblers, Jake Mann & the Upper Hand, and several more. Venues will include Odd Fellows Hall, Sophia’s, Delta of Venus, and Little Prague. June 25. For info, visit davismusicfest.wordpress.com.
Alison Krauss and Union Station – Whether wailing away with Robert Plant, or doing the “her own thing” that has been tried and true for years, Krauss is an absolute gem of a singer and performer. Ticket prices for her shows these days indicate that she has been made aware of that, but for that voice, we’ll give her a pass. June 26. Mondavi Center at UC Davis. $59.50-$125. www.mondaviarts.org.
American Idols Live – Just seeing if you’re paying attention.
The Greencards – Twangy, slippery, sharp, sweet and funky are the bluegrass-driven Americana acoustic rock tunes of this fast rising outfit. They’ve got a fresh perspective on a genre that’s making a massive comeback in popularity these days (Marcus Mumford and Seth & Scott Avett, thank you very much!). July 9. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $17.50. 21+. www.harlows.com.
The Silent Comedy – One of the quickest ways to judge a band’s growth is by the progression of venues they headline when coming to a particular city. With a boat load of shows under their belts at Shady Lady and Old Ironsides, it appears that San Diego’s tent-revival, gospel garage punk rockers have officially become a Sactown favorite. Everybody in the bar say A-MEN! July 14. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $10. 21+. www.harlows.com.
Langhorne Slim – It’s been a full three years since this delightful punk rocker/singer songwriter hybrid has performed in Sacramento, and this will make it only his second time ever. Somewhere between Bo Diddley, Mike Ness and Bob Dylan lies Langhorne Slim – exactly who would want to escape from that triangle? July 21. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. $10. 21+. www.bluelamp.com.
Agnostic Front – Bring earplugs, it will get crazy in there when one of the unsung heroes of hardcore invade Midtown for a show they’ll probably hear as far away as Zocalo. From the East Coast, to the West Coast…gotta gotta gotta GO! Sept 10. The Distillery, 2017 L St. Cover TBA. 21+.
