The Iowa City Live Music Blog

Country Music Festival in Chicago

highplainshootenanny — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:41:53 +0000

I don’t normally post about events outside of the greater Iowa City area, but I wanted to take a moment to publicize an upcoming music festival at The Hideout in Chicago (1354 W Wabansia) , promoted by Lawrence Peters. It’s called A Day in the Country and features Freakwater, Kelly Hogan, The Lawrence Peters Outfit, The Blue Line Riders, Brett Eugene Ralph’s Kentucky Chrome Revue, Gin Palace Jesters, Fulton County Line, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader String Band, Hoyle Brothers, The Golden Horse Ranch Band, and Tangleweed. Tickets are only $10 and are available in advance at www.hideoutchicago.com.

I’m Back

highplainshootenanny — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:27:22 +0000

It’s been a little while since I updated the calendar and posted to the Iowa City Live Music Blog, but I’m back, refreshed after a visit to Twangfest last weekend (by the way, if you haven’t heard Dolly Varden‘s latest, then you should check it out along with The Figgs), and looking forward to more good music this summer in Iowa City.

There are a number of musical highlights coming up in the next month or so – The Honeydogs, Pieta Brown, Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear, and John Doe, just to name a few.

The music calendar is updated, so check it out and see what’s happening tonight!

So get out and enjoy some live music!

Carrie Rodriguez, Tim Easton coming to CSPS

highplainshootenanny — Wed, 23 May 2007 21:07:38 +0000

Well, it looks like CSPS has managed to pull in another great act towards he end of their season – fiddler Carrie Rodriguez and singer/songwriter Tim Easton (formerly of The Haynes Boys). These two are on their way to Twangfest and will be stopping by our neck of the woods on Sunday, June 3. Tickets are $12 in advance ($15 day of) for the 7pm show.

Not sure? Check out CSPS’ write up of the show here.

Friday Night Focus

highplainshootenanny — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:10:51 +0000

It’s going to be a particularly plentiful weekend of live music in Iowa City this weekend – hope you’re going to get out and enjoy the weather and listen to live music.

There are so many good options out there that it’s difficult to pick one show as a highlight – though one show to stop by and check out is Grand Champeen, Two Cow Garage and Sam Knuton at The Mill. I’ve always heard Grand Champeen described as “Replacements-eque” and I guess that is an apt comparison – they play straightforward rock ‘n’ roll with fantastic pop hooks. Two Cow Garage continues the classic alt.country sound of Uncle Tupelo and Slobberbone. Jim Musser had a nice write-up about these acts in his weekly column. Doors open at 9pm and tickets are $6 – a steal if you ask me.

If you’re heading over to The Picador, check out Animal Collective. Doors are at 6pm with $12 getting you into this all ages show.

Another stellar option at The Picador on Friday night are two artists with Iowa City connections – Des Moines’ roots rockers Brother Trucker and pop-rocker Dick Prall, most recently of Chicago. Doors are at 10pm.

And you know summer in Iowa City has arrived as the Friday Night Concert Series kicks off tonight with the City High/West High Jazz Bands performing on the Ped mall. Best part – it’s free. By the way, the Saturday Night Free Movie Series also begins this weekend with the movie Grease.

On Saturday night, I’d definitely get out and see former Iowa Citian Kelly Pardekooper in what promises to be a rollickin’ good time, sure to get you up and dancing! Tickets are $6 for this 9pm show.

Richard Thompson Coming to the Englert

highplainshootenanny — Tue, 15 May 2007 21:46:04 +0000

While I was away, the ever-insightful Jim Musser broke the news that Richard Thompson is coming to the Englert Theater on June 12. Tickets are on sale now and are $28.

Additionally, on June 15, singer-songwriters Edie Carey and Ben Schmidt are performing at the Englert. Tickets are $10.

Excellent Week of Music in River City

highplainshootenanny — Tue, 15 May 2007 04:39:18 +0000

Yes, it’s only the first week of summer (at least for a few of the readers out there)…but that only means that a fantastic week of shows is on its way. Starting Tuesday (5/15), check out Iowa City’s own Shame Train opening for Eric Nassau @ The Mill. On Wed. again venture to The Mill to check out Mike & Amy Finders perform some fantastic bluegrass from 7-1pm, all for $5.

The highlight of the week – in my opinion – is Friday night when Austin, TX rockers Grand Champeen and the pride of Columbus, OH Two Cow Garage tear up The Mill with their incendiary mix of rock and a little bit of twang. Sam Knutson opens – all that for $6.

Or on Friday night, you can also check out Iowa’s finest roots rock with Brother Trucker and Dick Prall at The Picador.

To top off the week, the ever fabulous Kelly Pardekooper is performing Saturday night @ The Mill – all you need is 6 clams and plenty of energy.

Market Music

highplainshootenanny — Fri, 04 May 2007 02:47:13 +0000

The first signs of spring and the impending summer are here in beautiful Iowa City – starting with the return of the Iowa City Farmer’s Market last evening. With the Farmer’s Market comes Market Music on Wednesday nights during the summer – click here for the listing of acts playing at the Farmer’s Market.

Summer of the Arts Events

highplainshootenanny — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:51:01 +0000

The schedule for the Iowa City’s Summer of the Arts, including the Friday Night Concert Series, Saturday Night Free Movie Series, Arts Fest, and Jazz Fest is available on the SOTA website. The Friday Night Concert Series begins on May 18 with the City High/West High Jazz Ensembles. The Saturday Night Free Movie Series begins on May 19 with the 1978 John Travolta/Olivia Newton John Classic, Grease. Arts Fest will run June 1-3, with Nanci Griffith and The Subdudes headlining. Jazz Fest is June 29-July 1, featuring the Derek Trucks Band. Here’s to the start of summer!

The Bottlerockets coming to Eastern Iowa

highplainshootenanny — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:34:25 +0000

One of my favorite bands – The Bottlerockets - will be making the trek to Eastern Iowa in the near future. On May 5, they will be at the Redstone Room in Davenport, IA. Doors are at 8pm, the show starts at 9, and tix are only $10.

Whitmore featured at Twangfest

highplainshootenanny — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:43:26 +0000

One of Iowa City’s favorite musicians, William Elliott Whitmore, is going to be performing at one of my favorite annual music festivals, Twangfest. He will be opening the Wednesday night show at The Schlafly Tap Room in St Louis on June 6, with Backyard Tire Fire and Centro-matic following him that night. Some of the other performers for the 4 nights include a reunited Blue Mountain, Tim Easton, Two Cow Garage, Graham Parker, Dolly Varden, Slaid Cleaves, and The Figgs. Check out the schedule here.