Four recent concert additions you should know about:
- Rock-turned-country singer Aaron Lewis (you know him best from Staind) is coming back to the Visalia Fox Theatre on Feb. 22. Tickets are on sale now, costing $25-$60. Get ‘em at foxvisalia.org. More info here.
- Alt-country/folk singer Steve Earle, a legend in his world, has added a Jan. 8 date at the Hanford Fox Theatre. Tickets: $32.50, on sale now. More info here.
- Upcoming at Fulton 55: The Original Wailers, the reggae band that can be traced back to Bob Marley. This incarnation of the band is led by Marley guitarist Al Anderson. It plays Nov. 16. Tickets: $12-$15.
- Fresno-bred guitar star Bruce Conte, best known for his work with Tower of Power, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. To help with his mounting medical bills, friends organized a benefit concert in Conte’s honor Nov. 24 at Tower Theatre. Conte will play, as will his friends. More details here. Tickets: $29 and $39.
As always, there’s some great music on the podcast that didn’t make the Sunday airing. Enjoy the podcast below and listen to new episodes of Ozmosis Sundays at 9 p.m. on New Rock 104.1.
Country legend Merle Haggard has lined up a May 23 show at the Visalia Fox Theatre. Haggard, who was sidelined by illness earlier this year, is back touring to support his latest album, “Working in Tennessee.”Tickets are on sale now and cost $50-$80.
Seventies rock band Toto is the newest addition to the concert calendar at Table Mountain Casino. The band, known for hits such as “Hold the Line” and “Africa,” will Sept. 17. Tickets cost $25-$45 and on sale starting Aug. 6.
Tex-mex rock trio Los Lonely Boys return to Fresno for an Aug. 3 concert at the Tower Theatre. The band is known for its hit “Heaven,” which won a Grammy in 2005. Tickets for the concert cost $48.50.
A few noteworthy comedy shows now on the concert calendar:
Jeff Dunham, a famed funnyman and ventriloquist, plays Table Mountain Casino on May 30. Tickets are on sale Monday, costing $25-$45. Act quick, as this oughta sell out.
Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam — a comedy tour organized by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal — is coming to Fresno’s Saroyan Theatre on May 25. Specific comedians haven’t yet been announced, but tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, costing $39.75-$63.75.
TONIGHT:Mat Kearney is at Fulton 55. The show was sold out, but a few tickets opened up. No guarantees now. But good for you, Fresno, selling out the show. It’s just the start of a great week of live music. Keep reading.
OH, AND FIREHOSE: Reunited ’90s rockers Firehose play Fulton 55 on Friday night before heading out to this weekend’s big Coachella music festival. Score another for Fulton 55!
1. BUY INTO THE BAZAAR
Saturday’s Fresno Handmade Bazaar at Fulton 55 is a good chance to connect with Fresno’s indie craft scene — and considering the popularity Etsy and Pinterest these days, it’s right on time. There are about 30 vendors, some DJs and speciality cocktails. So it goes without saying, this ain’t your grandma’s craft fair. Read the story behind the bazaar and how it’s an idea five years in the making. [Tickets]
On the nightclub scene, Aldo’s has a “Make it Rain” night planned, which has nothing to do with the weather outside. They’re just throwing money into the air apparently. How Pacman Jones of them.
Finally, for the civic-minded among us, there’s a public information meeting about the High Speed Rail project. It’s happening 3-7 p.m. at Tower Theatre.
I’ve heard mixed reviews of Aaron Lewis‘ past shows in the area. The Staind frontman has brought his acoustic solo show to Tachi Palace a few times in the past. I’ve heard people saying his stripped down shows were awesome, and people say one was a total mess.
If you’re a Staind fan, you’re probably keen on Lewis. But he ventures beyond just Staind material in his solo shows. He usually throws in some interesting covers.
When I interviewed Lewis in 2007, he said: “I don’t really ever know what they’re going to be. A lot of times people yell out for the same covers over and over and over again. So I end up playing a lot of the same covers, but that’s just because people are yelling for them, and they won’t shut up about it.”
This time around, Lewis is playing at the Visalia Fox Theatre. You can find more info and ticket details at The Fox’s Web site.
ELSEWHERE: It’s Indie Tuesday over at Starline, and Love the Captive has another lineup jam-packed with local rock talent. Beastmaker and Tokyo Death Match are joined by upstart band Otis (with ex-members of Murdoc).
