This week brings some big announcements relating to upcoming shows at the Mount Baker Theatre and next month’s NW Tuneup. Take note of what’s coming up, but also plan time for the great events happening this week — including a hip-hop showcase, a Zambian success story and a new band’s debut.
News
Mount Baker Theatre has announced its lineup for the next year. Highlights include Robert Cray (Oct. 19), Martin Sexton (Nov. 3), Midland (Nov. 16), Storm Large (Dec. 1), Los Lobos (March 24, 2023) and Postmodern Jukebox (June 9, 2023).
The schedule for NW Tuneup is also out. The Dip headlines Friday, July 8, Wolf Parade tops the bill on Saturday, July 9, and P.J. Morton closes it out on Sunday, July 10. They’ve also added a bunch more local bands, including Munch Ink, High Mountain String Band, Robert Sarazin Blake and Mount Saturn.
Picks of the week
Thursday, June 16, at the Wild Buffalo, Black Noise Records takes over for a showcase of its artists, which include most of the leading lights of our local hip-hop scene.
On Friday, June 17, Dusty 45s play a high-energy blend of rockabilly and swing and should have the Boundary Bay beer garden jumping. You could also take your dog to rock out with Laamb and Bird Senses Danger at Paws for a Beer that night.
W.I.T.C.H. definitely have the most interesting story of anyone playing this week. They formed in Zambia in the 1970s, playing rock, disco and funk mixed with traditional African styles. Many lineup changes and one long hiatus later, they are back on the road and will perform at the Shakedown on Saturday, June 18.
North Sound Soul is making its debut as a band but features lots of members you may have seen in other groups. They’ll be playing horn-heavy soul covers at Boundary on Saturday. If that’s not enough soul for you, catch the True Loves that same night at the Wild Buffalo.
Emily Asher’s Garden Party rounds out the weekend in style with some vintage jazz at Boundary on Sunday, June 19.
Live music calendar
Wednesday, June 15
Bar Cicotti: 6 p.m., Roger Yamashita and Zach Zenovi (jazz)
Big Stick BBQ: 5 p.m., Michael Dayvid (acoustic covers)
Boundary: 6 p.m., Aaron Guest on piano
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Open Mic
Juxt: 8:30 p.m., Invitational Open Mic
Kulshan Trackside: 7 p.m., Laguna Largo, The Groovy Nobody
Rockfish: 6 p.m., Joan Penney (jazz)
Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., PANDAmonium, Downlo, Blunthound (electronic)
Thursday, June 16
Blue Room: 6 p.m., Open Mic
Boundary: 5 p.m., Robert Sarazin Blake, 8 p.m. Bar Tabac, Von Wildenhaus
Firehouse: 7 p.m., Julian MacDonough Legacy Jazz Series
Honeymoon: 8 p.m., Bluesjazzical Guitar
Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., Lemon Creek (female-centric rock covers)
Twin Sisters: 6 p.m., Trisha Adams (folk)
That’s What I Like: 6 p.m., J.P. Falcon and Friends (folk/rock)
Wild Buffalo: 8:30 p.m., Black Noise Showcase w/Cash McClane, Estimate, Rhetorician, Nodalus and more (hip-hop)
Friday, June 17
Aslan: 8 p.m., A Tribute to Chet Baker (jazz)
Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., The Shananagins (classic rock)
Bellingham Axe: 7:30 p.m., Pure Halcyon (rock)
Blue Room: 8 p.m., Diego Romero (blues/funk), Pacific Twang (country)
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Norman Baker
Boundary: 6 p.m., The Sleepy Alligators (Grateful Dead tribute), 9 p.m., The Dusty 45s (roots rock)
Culture Cafe: 6 p.m., Walker Van Wingerden (singer-songwriter)
Farmstrong: 6 p.m., North of Somewhere (blues/rock)
Fireside: 7 p.m., Song Wranglers (acoustic Americana)
Greene’s Corner: 6:30 p.m., North Country Highway (country/rock)
Honeymoon: 8 p.m., I Love You Avalanche (indie folk)
Kulshan Trackside: 7 p.m., Alex Dunn Band, Coty Hogue Trio (folk)
Lighthouse: 7:30 p.m., Tim Volpicella and Marvin Johnson (jazz)
Paws for a Beer: 6 p.m., Laamb, Bird Senses Danger (rock)
Shakedown: 9 p.m., Holy Locust, Doom Scroll, guests (folk punk)
Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Badd Dog Blues Society
Thirsty Badger: 8 p.m., Paige Woods and the High Fives (folk/rock)
Vault: 7 p.m., Richard Rorex
Saturday, June 18
Beach at Birch Bay: 3 p.m., Midlife Crisis
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Crimson Skye (singer-songwriter)
Blue Room: 8 p.m., 49th Parallel, Kenshi Killzzz, Lobes & Haywire, Terra Nobody, Shane Diamanti (hip-hop/pop)
Boundary: 1 p.m., Diego Romero, 6 p.m., North Sound Soul, Spider Cult (soul)
Brown Lantern: 9 p.m., Johnny Lawhorn and the Pentagram String Band
Conway Muse: 8 p.m., The Walrus (classic rock)
Eagle Haven: 7 p.m., Cascadia Groove (jazz/funk)
Fireside: 3:30 p.m., Singers’ Saturday
Guemes Island General Store: 8:30 p.m., Ebb, Slack, & Flood (reggae/funk)
Honeymoon: 8 p.m., Salt Pine (alt country)
Lighthouse: 7:30 p.m., Adrian Clark (jazz)
Main Street: 8 p.m., Jack Benson Band (classic rock)
Make.Shift: 5 p.m., No-Fi Soul Rebellion, The Censors, The True Stars (rock)
Rockfish: 7:30 p.m., Stevie and the Blue Flames (blues)
Shakedown: 9 p.m., W.I.T.C.H., L’eclair, Michael Rault (Zambian rock)
Skylark’s: 5 p.m., East Coast Dave and the Midwest Swingers (acoustic Americana)
Station 49: 3 p.m., D’vas and Dudes (classic rock/pop)
Thirsty Badger: 8 p.m., D-Nice and Mark Urban (country/rock)
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., True Loves, Miles Harris & The Deep Cuts (R&B/soul)
Sunday, June 19
Beach at Birch Bay: 1 p.m., Arcade Cowboys (classic rock)
Boundary: noon, Emily Asher’s Garden Party (jazz)
Culture Cafe: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Gilkey Square (La Conner): 1 p.m., J.P. Falcon Band (blues/ folk/ rock)
Kulshan: 5 p.m., Bruce Shaw and Friends (bluegrass/old-time)
Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., Jimmy Wright Band (classic rock)
Skylark’s: 1 p.m., Jed Crisologo (singer-songwriter)
Station 49: 3 p.m., Mike Bonds
Monday, June 20
Boundary, 6 p.m., TBA
Kulshan: 6 p.m., E. Pruitt (solo bass funk/ jazz)
Tuesday, June 21
Aslan: 8 p.m., Jazz Night
Beach at Birch Bay: 6:30 p.m., Open Mic
Boundary: 6 p.m., Paul Klein on piano
Farmstrong: 6:30 p.m., Wes and Carly Jones
Wild Buffalo: 8:30 p.m., SiNns, Apology Wars, WMD
Before heading out to listen to live music, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
Jesse Stanton’s music column, The Beat Goes On, runs Wednesdays. Email: jsbhammusic@gmail.com or Twitter: @JSBhamMusic.
