Welcome to Seven in Seven, where we look at shows coming to the region over the next week. As always, whether your musical tastes are rock ’n’ roll, jazz, heavy metal, R&B, singer-songwriter or indie, there will always be something to check out.
Here are seven of the best on the docket for the week of Feb. 17:
Billy Strings — Thursday through Saturday at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
If you find yourself in Atlantic City this weekend, be sure to look up Billy Strings, who is doing three shows at Hard Rock Live. Raised in Michigan and now based in Nashville, Strings is known as one of music’s most compelling artists. Since his 2017 debut, he has been awarded Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd Grammy Awards, Artist of the Year at the 2022 Americana Music Awards, Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Awards — and that’s just scratching the surface. These performances add to yet another landmark year for Strings, who released “Me/And/Dad,” the first album he’s recorded with his dad, Terry Barber, back in the fall. The product of a longtime dream, the record features new versions of 14 bluegrass and country classics that the two have been playing together since Strings was a young child.
Bush + Candlebox — Friday at Ocean Casino Resort
Also in A.C., on Friday night, there’s an excellent chance to catch a double-bill of ’90s post-grunge as Bush are playing Ocean Casino Resort with support from the criminally underrated Candlebox. While both came out of the aforementioned era, they are still putting out strong material. Bush dropped “The Art of Survival” last fall, while Candlebox put out “Wolves”’ in 2021. Most importantly, the two still bring it live, and whether you’re seeking some ’90s nostalgia or are a hardcore fan from day one, you’ll walk away satisfied.
The Winery Dogs — Friday at The Keswick Theatre
It’s been, well, a literal dog’s age since the powerhouse supergroup trio known as The Winery Dogs marked their recording territory with new music. But following a seven-year break from the studio, guitarist/singer Richie Kotzen, drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Billy Sheehan are back in full force with their aptly named third album “III.” Back in 2015-16, the group hit the road hard together to showcase their mettle as hardcore road dogs to build upon the success of their well-received 2015 sophomore studio effort, “Hot Streak,” by touring across the globe. Eventually, though, they returned to their respective corners to focus on various other projects. But that live itch needed another scratching, and the three are back onstage again.
Julia Wolf — Saturday at The Fillmore
Indie-pop singer-songwriter Julia Wolf — aka WOLF — was born and raised in New York, developing her lyrical style with a unique and captivating tone. She began releasing short freestyles and snippets of her music on social media at the end of 2019 and saw an almost immediate heavy buzz from early fans and industry professionals alike. Most striking is that in just over a year, WOLF has accumulated over 40 million streams and has developed a passionate and rabid fan base — all from out of her bedroom in Queens, N.Y. Come Saturday those fans will be singing along to every word.
Res — Saturday at City Winery Main Stage
Res (pronounced Reese) released her debut album, “How I Do,” in 2001, featuring a unique mixture of hip-hop, rock and soul. Born and raised on the Main Line, she sang on GZA’s “Beneath the Surface” and performed guest vocals for Talib Kweli & Hi Tek’s “Reflection Eternal.” After a label shakeup put her career in flux, Res eventually made her way back to Philly and reclaimed her artistry, which will be on full display on the City Winery’s Main Stage.
Elvis Costello & The Imposters — Thurday, Feb. 23, at Wind Creek Event Center and Saturday, Feb. 25, at Ovation Hall
The day after he completes a 10-night run at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre, Elvis Costello will reunite with his band The Imposters to bring “The Boy Named If & Other Favourites” show on the road for the last time in the states with 11 concerts up and down the East Coast. The gigs kick off in Bethlehem at Wind Creek Event Center next Thursday and continue that Saturday in Atlantic City at Ovation Hall. “The Boy Named If” is the title of the band’s album released a little over a year ago to rave reviews with the general consensus that it ranks among his very best.
Cory Wong — Friday, Feb. 24, at The Fillmore
Recently named by none other than virtuoso six-string slinger Steve Vai in Guitar World as one of “5 Contemporary Guitarists Who Are Taking the Instrument to the Next Level,” Cory Wong is currently traveling North America performing a typically varied array of live dates, including headline shows, festival sets and such. At the Fillmore next week, he’ll be headlining “The Power Station Tour” featuring Victor Wooten. The shows mark the biggest U.S. headline shows to date for the Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and guitarist extraordinaire.
Soundcheck
• Billy Strings: “Long Journey Home”
• Bush: “Sound of Winter”
• Candlebox: “Crazy”
• The Winery Dogs: “Mad World”
• Julia Wolf: “Dracula”
• Res: “They Say Vision”
• Elvis Costello: “Magnificent Hurt”
• Cory Wong: “Crisis”
Source: Berkshire mont
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