What are you up to this month? Or maybe next month? Not sure, huh? Well, want to do something fun and exciting out in the Seattle-Tacoma area?
That’s what I thought. Here are a few music-inspired ideas for the wonderful, musical place in which we live.
When was the last time you got all dressed up, had some hors d’oeuvres and enjoyed a sultry and classy evening of jazz? Probably not recently enough.
If you want to correct this, look into seeing the wonderful Mr. Kurt Elling at Dimitrou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, Oct. 5-7. A little blast from the past is good for us all now and again, and Elling’s soothing voice and impeccable talent will leave you wishing you were born a couple of decades ago.
If you’re looking for something a little more down-home, you could go see The Head and the Heart on Friday, Oct. 12 at the Viking Union Multi-Purpose Room in Bellingham. Not too long of a drive for this folksy Seattle-based group, who will sweep you away with their charming lyrics and catchy melodies.
Perhaps you want something a little more exotic than a locally based band? Well, then you might want to go investigate Frightened Rabbit, a delightful, soulful group from Selkirk, Scotland. Do not miss this chance, because they may not be back anytime soon. They’ll be at the Triple Door Theater in Seattle on Oct. 15, waiting for a little Logger love to welcome them to the States.
Did you see that great movie Once? About the musician who plays music on the streets of Dublin? Well, you could see the real thing: Glen Hansard, both the actor and basis for that character. He will be at the Moore Theater in Seattle on Oct. 3. His raspy voice and guitar expertise will be hard to top, and you get a quick trip to Dublin with the mere 45 minutes it will take you to get to the Moore. That’s hard to beat.
Oh, you want something you can dance to? Well you should have said so. Two Door Cinema Club will be coming to the Showbox SoDo in Seattle on Oct. 20. This three-piece indie rock group puts on quite the show, and their bouncy beats and peppy lyrics will be sure to get you moving.
Or you could try the New York based indie/electric duo Matt & Kim, who will also be sure to get everyone up and dancing. Just two wonderful artists with a new album Lightning dropping Oct. 2, it would be hard to miss their unique sound and energetic performance at the gorgeous Neptune Theater in Seattle on Oct. 30. Head over there and be one of the first to experience their new album firsthand.
Or if you’re into some rhymes, there’s A$AP Rocky at the Showbox SoDo on Oct. 21. Go see the icon in person and see how he compares to his cohort Atmosphere, who just graced the Showbox stage last week. Now is also the perfect time to catch this performer, because he’ll be releasing a new album on Oct. 31, so you’re likely to hear some of his new stuff before it’s released.
Want a smaller, classic indie-rock show? Head to Pike’s Place Market for a lovely afternoon in Seattle and then just cross the street right to the Showbox at the Market for Imagine Dragons on Oct. 2, or Beach House on Oct. 3. This smaller and perfectly located theater is a wonderful place to see these two up-and-comers.
And for you Seattle faithfuls, there is of course the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at the Showbox on Oct. 12. So go pop some thrift store tags and get yourself down there for one of Macklemore’s unforgettable performances.
And if none of that sounded good to you, there’s always Open Mic Nights on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the Metronome Café (6th and Union) and at 8 p.m. in the Diversions Piano Lounge every Thursday to satisfy your musical needs.
