Hip-hop and what not
NOW PLAYING | Tom Irwin
Sometimes there’s so much going on that the only way to properly discuss events comes from the shotgun approach of blasting away willy-nilly. Let us proceed with vain aim to hit all.
I’ve been amiss lately in lauding the efforts of those running, organizing and hosting the Torch Tuesday hip-hop happening held at Bar None every Tuesday night. For several years now, Torch and friends have established the event as the “longest running, premier weekly hip hop show in the Midwest.” Things stay fresh by using an open mic format for a time, having special concert series weeks, hosting Torch Tuesday awards and occasionally bringing in a national touring act. By the time this comes out you’ll have missed last week’s show of Uncanny hosting an hour of scheduled open stage from 9 to 10, followed by Trizzle, Fatt Daddy and the G.O.G. Camp, Springtown Records’ own Chris G, plus one of Decatur’s up and coming artists, Jacc Breezy. Get yourself to TT’s Facebook page and find out what is happening when or just show up on Tuesdays at Bar None for a face to face find out.
Originally Torch started out with an open mic to encourage local talent to bloom and blossom, so don’t forget your various other open mic nights throughout the week listed in our Pub Crawl. Most of these require you to bring an instrument (generally an acoustic guitar), sign in with the host for a time slot and perform a few songs. It’s a great way to break into the scene, meet fellow musicians and work on material in front of a live audience. Karaoke, as something like an open mic for vocalists who don’t play an instrument, fits in here, too. There seems to always be a karaoke night somewhere, and part of the pleasure of participation comes from finding the one that fits your musical style, and that goes the same for the open mics. It’s all music and it can be all fun and hopefully all good as well.
The weekend is shaping up nicely in a classic Springfield way, mixing mostly local artists at area clubs with a couple of big names that might surprise you. On Friday check out singing sensation Johnnie Owens with plenty of good friends backing him at Robbie’s in the early evening. Around 8, the always entertaining Murder of Crowes venture into the rathskeller known as Norb Andy’s, now under new ownership dedicated to keeping the venerable venue on the path. Riverboat 5+1 does darn good Dixieland and jazz at Lime Street Cafe, while Rogers & Nienhaus come up from St. Louis to perform their exquisite, acoustic folk-rock guitar duo at Long Bridge Golf Course Club House. To finish off the night just right, the great and legendary country entertainer Tanya Tucker tears down the house at Boondocks joined by The Tucker Yochim Band, a young, Nashville-based group schooled in the old ways of Southern rock, country and blues.
Saturday brings us Lowder and Manning at Julia’s Kitchen, combining tasty food and music in a delectable combination with Mark Cherry at the Barrel Head serving up a similarly conceived concoction. Bands are everywhere on Saturday night, but none as nationally famous as the Supersuckers over at Homespun Republic. These rowdy ramblers have rode the raucous road since 1992 and come in doing their country show made popular by the mid-90s release, Must’ve Been High. Joined by our very own country classics, the Wolf Crick Boys, fronted by Lucky Patterson and his beard, this should be a very special show.
Enough with the gibberish! It’s time to go see what you can hear.
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected].
