Live Reviews

Laura Vecchione

Laura Vecchione took her talent out for a spin at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge

Laura Vecchione has an animated presence on stage. Always in motion, Vecchione rocks to her rocking music and she never runs out of energy. That’s a necessity, as she’s an artist whose songs move with the manic motions of something that could last forever. Everyone in attendance at last Saturday night’s show at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts seem glues to her every move.

photo credit: Staci Antonelli

The Cannibal Ramblers prove interesting and entertaining at Salem’s Mercy Tavern

The Cannibal Ramblers are not your typical blues band. With only a guitarist and a drummer, Boston and Providence-based Cannibal Ramblers whipped up some tasty, old fashioned dye in the wool blues with their own special compositions at Mercy Tavern in Salem, Massachusetts last night. There’s never a dull moment when these two guys are in a room, and last night’s grand opening of the Mercy Tavern on Derby Street was no exception.

Max Capistran, Sasha Dubyk of Damn Tall Buildings

Damn Tall Buildings rocked Chevalier’s final OnStage! Concert

Damn Tall Buildings made a fine headlining act at this season’s final OnStage! Show at Medford’s Chevalier Theatre last Saturday night. With their speedy, breakneck pacing, Damn Tall Buildings kicked all of their songs into high gear while displaying their highly skilled individual strengths and their highly disciplined ensemble work.

Dave Birkin handling two saxophones

Dave B & The Hot Shots kept it lively at John Harvard’s Brewery

Dave B & The Hot Shots played a coupe of lively sets at John Harvard’s Brewery in Cambridge, Massachusetts last Saturday night. Lead by saxophonist-lead vocalist Dave Birkin, the four piece made their merry way through familiar blues and R&B standards, their sound traveling well through the spacious venue.

Ed Gerhard

Ed Gerhard intrigued OnStage! audience in Medford, Massachusetts last Saturday night

Ed Gerhard’s appearance last Saturday night at the OnStage! Concert Series at Medford’s Chevalier Theatre found the New Hampshire instrumental guitarist offering a lot of his finger style techniques and interesting arrangements. Never using a set list, Gerhard simply played whatever came to mind, often telling the audience the background stories surrounding his song selections.

Jennifer Tefft

Jennifer Tefft Band rocked Franklin’s Black Box Theatre with Cutting For Stone CD Release Party

The Jennifer Tefft Band rocked the Black Box Theatre in Franklin, Massachusetts last Saturday night. It was the Tefft group’s CD Release Party for their new Cutting For Stone disc, and they left their most diehard fans feeling

Laura Cortese

Irish Music Night at Chevalier was a huge success

Irish Music Night was a success on many levels. First, this latest offering from OnStage! Concert Series at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Massachusetts was sold out. Second, each of the three acts were very strong. Finally, the variety of Irish and Celtic music offered was richly rangy. As usual, this kind of music, when played by the right musicians, can stir something deep inside of a listener.

Angel Chisholm, Deon Mose, Shun Ng

Shun Ng And The Shunettes dazzle OnStage audience

Shun Ng And The Shunettes can make it look easy to put on an impressive show of acoustic guitar virtuosity and complex vocal arrangements. Performing in the Onstage series at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Massachusetts last Saturday night, Ng and his Shunettes received a few standing ovations before keeping their audience in a further […]

Susan Cattaneo, Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall

The Boxcar Lilies displayed their rangy talents at Chevalier’s OnStage concert

The Boxcar Lilies have become a staple of the Americana and folk music scene after years of recording and touring. With new member Susan Cattaneo rounding out the trio, their lead vocals, harmonies, and melodies are as strong as they’ve ever been. Appearing at the OnStage series at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Massachusetts last Saturday night, they gave an appreciative audience a fine sample of their musical gifts.

Matt Stubbs & The Antiguas

Matt Stubbs & The Antiguas dominated The Sinclair

Matt Stubbs & The Antiguas opened with a bang their new Monday night residency at The Sinclair in Cambridge, Massachusetts last night. The Antiguas had a solid turn out for the end of a holiday weekend. The audience was fully engaged and enthusiastic about what this four piece instrumental band was laying down. Calling each Monday night’s event DownBeat Mondays, the band is sure to become as much a fixture there as they were at their last residency, which lasted over a year.