By Tom Huntington
ARTS CORRESPONDENT
When the temps start to dip, it’s a sure sign that the live music action in nightclubs and concert halls starts to heat up — pandemic be damned — and this fall’s lineup has been delivering a plethora of pop music options. Here’s a look at some noteworthy shows happening this week:
Thursday, Oct. 21The Record Company: The Grammy-nominated blues-rock trio performs in support of its third studio album, “Play Loud,” released last week on Concord Records.
NPR called it “the band’s biggest and most dynamic record to date.” Added American Songwriter: “With a gritty, hi-fi swagger, ‘Play Loud’ lives up to its name, offering sizzling alt romps, irresistibly bluesy hooks, and explosive bursts of rock ’n’ roll.”
Lake Superior, a bluesy Montpelier garage rock trio, opens the show.
Higher Ground Ballroom, S. Burlington, 8 p.m. $25 (all ages); call 888-512-7469 or go online tohighergroundmusic.com.
Saturday, Oct. 23Omega Jade’s Rhyme and Unreason: Born in Arizona and raised in San Diego, Omega Jade — who moved to Vermont in 1999 — has been garnering a growing buzz in Burlington hip-hop and comedy circles in the past five years. The Queen City MC and comedian, 43, brings her “beautiful mix of hip-hop and comedy,” as she describes “Omega Jade’s Rhyme and Unreason,” to the big stage.
The unique concept was born at Jade’s well-received pre-pandemic series at the intimate Light Club Lamp Shop in Burlington, which featured a freewheeling mashup of standup comedy and freestyle rap that showcased the hardworking artist’s multiple talents as rapper, comic and producer.
“There are always four-five comedians along with the same number of rappers/MCs,” Jade explained via email. “The comedian does a 7-10-minute set of their material. And the rapper/MC has the test of interpreting the comedian’s jokes in the same amount of time.”
Comedians include Meredith Gordon, Ryan Kenyon, King-Sha-Mecca-Blaze, Joel Kline and Tarzan Jenkins. MCs/rappers include Sedone, Jobu, Rajnii and Mister Burns. DJ Ron Stoppable spins beats provided by Rico James.
The show begins and ends with a freestyle cypher, or group rap session, among the rappers/MCs, according to Jade, who said she is “very excited for this opportunity.”
Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, 7:30 p.m. $25 for in-person, $10 for live-stream; call 802-760-4634 or go online tosprucepeakarts.org.
Angelique Kidjo: Global pop star Angelique Kidjo, a four-time Grammy winner known for her powerhouse performances, headlines the Flynn’s grand reopening celebration.
The jam-packed soiree also features special guest performances by acclaimed violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) in tandem with storyteller Ferene Paris Meyer and singer Nicole Nelson & the Resistance Revival Chorus VT, performing a short new work created for the occasion.
Kidjo, 61, recently named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” performs in support of her new album, “Mother Nature,” released in June.
Flynn, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $125 (Flynn benefit event); call 802-863-5966 or go online toflynnvt.org.
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