Picks of the Week
On Friday, Feb. 11 Seattle-based trio Naked Giants will be at the Wild Buffalo with their high-energy blend of garage rock and punk. Their sound reminds me a lot of the Stooges, only they’re more melodic.
Saturday, Feb. 12 brings English folk/rock legend Richard Thompson to the Mount Baker Theatre. The cult hero singer/songwriter started out in Fairport Convention back in the 1960s and has been touring and recording ever since. His guitar style synthesizes blues, rock and traditional folk into an absolutely unique blend, and he’s got a huge catalog of songs to draw from.
If you don’t want to attend that big of a show, consider seeing local singer-songwriter Sarah Goodin at the Honey Moon.
Also on Saturday, blues fans might consider heading to the Conway Muse for the energetic electric blues of Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method.
The Shakedown is hosting a great rock show Sunday, Feb. 13. The show was originally scheduled for New Year’s Eve. Daikaiju plays surf-style instrumentals with a Japanese sci-fi/horror aesthetic, and is notorious for its chaotic live shows. Don’t be surprised if you end up helping carry the musicians above your head. Openers include local punks Proud Failures and a Murder City Devils tribute band of local all-stars.
Monday, Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day, and you’ve got two great choices for date-friendly live music. At Boundary Bay Brewery, Miles Harris will be turning his regular Monday night dinner gig into something extra romantic. That same night, Free Harmony is bringing their classic pop covers and gorgeous harmony vocals to Kulshan. I don’t think you would go wrong bringing your special someone to either of those gigs.
Big News
The Summer Meltdown Festival is coming back this year! The beloved local festival has had to move, however, taking place at Sky Meadows Park in Snohomish July 28–31. No lineup announcements are in yet, but I know there are a lot of folks out there who will be excited to have this to look forward to this year. Tickets are on sale now, so act fast to secure cheaper tickets and camping spots.
Speaking of festivals, the big news this week is that the City of Bellingham has announced a request for proposals for a new music festival. They are looking for people with previous experience producing large events, and are interested in “big, bold, creative ideas.” The hope is to have the first festival take place in the winter of 2023 and to have it become an annual event that brings in overnight visitors from around the region. Imagine something that would have an impact similar to that of Ski to Sea, but for music lovers. I don’t necessarily know who the right people would be to launch something like that, but I suspect whoever they are, they are likely to be reading this column. So think big and get those proposals in by March 25!
Live Music Listings for Feb. 10–14
Thursday, Feb. 10
Lil’ Twang, 6 p.m., Twin Sisters: country
Natalie Fedak, 8 p.m., Honey Moon: folk
Friday, Feb. 11
Side Hustle, 6 p.m., The Beach at Birch Bay: classic rock
Free Harmony, 7 p.m., Fireside Martini Bar: classic pop and rock covers
Cat Positive, Bradley Lockhart, 8 p.m., Honey Moon: indie singer-songwriter
Heiress, Melancholia, Blightmaker, 8:30 p.m., the Shakedown: metal
Naked Giants, Enumclaw, Jackie, 9 p.m., Wild Buffalo: rock
Saturday, Feb. 12
Three Radicals, 4 p.m., The Beach at Birch Bay: classic rock
The Atlantics, 6 p.m., Firehouse PAC: classic rock
JP Falcon Grady, 7 p.m., Skylark’s: folk/ rock/ country
Richard Thompson, 7:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre: English folk/ rock
Swindler, Glyf, 8 p.m., Wild Buffalo: jam band
Sarah Goodin, 8 p.m., Honey Moon: folk
Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method, 8 p.m., Conway Muse: blues
The Replayzmentz, 9 p.m., Main Street Bar and Grill: classic rock
Akrasia, King Youngblood, Checker Bloom, 9 p.m., the Shakedown: rock
Sunday, Feb. 13
The Harris Twins, 5 p.m., Kulshan Brewing Co.: rock and R&B covers
Daikaiju, Whatcom County Angels, Proud Failures, 8 p.m., the Shakedown: surf rock/ punk
Monday, Feb. 14
Dinner concert with Miles Harris, 6 p.m., Boundary Bay Brewery
Free Harmony, 6 p.m., Kulshan: classic pop and rock covers
