Welcome to “Seven in Seven,” where each Friday we take a look at shows coming to the region over the next week. Whether your musical tastes are rock and roll, jazz, heavy metal, singer-songwriter or indie, there’ll always be something to check out in the coming days.
Here are seven of the best for the week beginning Feb. 11:
Celebrating David Bowie – Feb. 11 at The Keswick Theater
The death of David Bowie two years ago was an immense loss to the world of music. That’s why Celebrating David Bowie is so important in keeping the iconic singer’s music alive. It’s a global concert series of Bowie’s music created and led by musician Angelo Bundini and features Bowie friends, bandmates, and a massive ensemble of top recording and touring musicians from around the world, many of who worked in the past with the Thin White Duke. This run features Earl Slick, who played on classics like Diamond Dogs and Young Americans and Bernard Fowler, best known as a backing vocalist for the Rolling Stones since the late ’80s.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Feb. 13 at Merriam Theater
The highly acrimonious split of Oasis in 2009 can be looked at in the negative for sure, as the kings of Brit Pop are no longer providing musical brilliance. But there is a positive side of the coin, and that’s now we have Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel both putting out stellar projects of their own. Both released new albums last year, and it’s hard to say which is better. Noel was the brains and primary songwriter for Oasis, so he’d have to get at least a slight edge. This past November, he released his third High Flying Birds effort, titled Who Built the Moon? and until we get a reunion of his former outfit, it’s a suitable tide-us-over.
ZZ Ward – Feb. 13 at The Theatre of Living Arts
Born in nearby Abington, ZZ Ward moved to Oregon at the age of six, and was raised in a small town called Roseburg. She grew up listening to her father write and sing the blues and started performing with him in his blues bands when she was still a youngster. Falling in love with the sincerity of Etta James, the soul of Muddy Waters and the power of Big Mama Thornton. As Ward got older, she began writing hooks for with local rappers from Eugene, performing with them as well. Now on her own, she’s created a wild hybrid of the blues and hip-hop that may very well shape the future of music.
Patrizio Buanne – Feb. 14 at World Cafe Live – Downstairs
Patrizio Buanne spent his childhood living and traveling from an early age between his family hometown of Naples, Italy and Vienna, Austria, due to his parent’s restaurant business. That multi-cultural upbringing sparked in Patrizio an early passion for languages, and by the age of 17 he already spoke fluent Italian, German, English, French and Spanish. Originally attending university to become an interpreter, he thankfully went down a different path, and has become a star international crooner. The fact that he’s going to be in town for Valentine’s Day will only add to the romanticism of the evening.
Big Something – Feb. 15 at The Foundry
The Burlington, N.C. based six-piece powerhouse Big Something possess a sound that is both unique and timeless, blending elements of rock, pop, funk, and improvisation to take listeners on a journey through a myriad of musical styles. It’s no secret why the band has quickly become one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from the Southeast. Soaring guitars, synths, horns and captivating vocal hooks rise to the top of their infectious collection of songs and represent a sound that has caught the ears of such revered touring circuit stalwarts as Galactic, moe. and Robert Randolph, all who have all tapped them as direct support.
Enslaved – Feb. 15 at The Theatre of Living Arts
Back in 1991, Enslaved was formed in Norway by Ivar Bjornson and Grutle Kjellson, who put out their demo Yggdrasill in the following summer. Then, in 1993, the legendary mini-album Hordanes Land was released, and a new chapter in Norwegian extreme metal was penned. Late last year, the group released album number 14, simply titled E. It landed in the Top 15 in the band’s homeland, and now they’re bringing the tour in support of it to the States to shake things up on our shores.
American Nightmare – Feb. 16 at Union Transfer
To call American Nightmare an iconic hardcore band is an understatement. The enigmatic act may have only released two full-length albums since forming nearly two decades ago, but after temporarily losing their name, changing members and breaking up, they have risen from the ashes with a self-titled album that expands their legacy and reestablishes them as titans of the genre. The record comes out the day of their performance at Union Transfer, so expect a high energy show with even a bit more excitement.
Soundcheck
Listen to these tunes:
David Bowie – “Young Americans”
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds” – “Holy Mountain”
ZZ Ward – “Put the Gun Down”Patrizio Buanne – “A Man Without Love”
Big Something – “Love Generator”
Enslaved – “Storm Son”American Nightmare – “The World Is Blue”