The first time I ever got to see Bob Mould play live, he was on tour for his album “Black Sheets of Rain.” His latest release is the more invitingly titled “Sunshine Rock,” and Mould appears at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Tuesday, January 21, at 8 p.m. Opening the show is Will Johnson (best known for his band Centro-matic.)
Ever since the days of his band Husker Du, Mould has had a way with both rage and euphoria. (If you need some quick uplift, check out that band’s loud and loving cover of the theme from the Mary Tyler Moore show, “Love Is All Around.”)
The new record is being called a return to the poppier rock of Mould’s ‘90s band Sugar, and there are some great moments, most especially the catchy charging rocker “What Do You Want Me to Do,” which immediately goes on my “fave Mould songs” playlist. The album-ending “Western Sunset” feels both wistful and optimistic, with some orchestral strings added to the crashing, amplified guitar rock. Also on the record is a fevered cover of “Send Me a Postcard” by Netherlands superstars Shocking Blue.
Setlists from Mould’s solo electric tour last fall found him playing songs from all of his bands and solo records, so prepare for a hit-filled night. And bring earplugs!
Singer/songwriter Cheryl Wheeler returns to the Iron Horse in Northampton for shows on Friday, January 17, and Saturday, January 18, ay 7 p.m. Kenny White is the special guest for both nights.
Valley singer/songwriter Jake Manzi is weeks away from moving to Los Angeles, but before he relocates, he’ll headline a night at the Parlor Room in Northampton on Friday, January 17, at 7:30 p.m. Kimaya Diggs is also on the bill.
Pianist Miro Sprague, guitarist Jason Ennis and bassist Marty Jaffe are old collaborators with a new ensemble, playing original compositions influenced by Brazilian sounds, classical chamber music, funk and more. At Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Friday, January 17, at 7:30 p.m.
Local power trio Galvanizer brings their “PsycheDublic Funk” sounds back to Progression Brewing Company in Northampton on Friday, January 17, at 8 p.m.
The Leafies You Gave Me, Perennial, Another Hospital (from Philadelphia) and When the Sun Sets We Will Sing To the Darkness make up the quadruple bill at Flywheel in Easthampton on Saturday, January 18, at 7 p.m. All ages.
Maria Bamford is a comedian who creates brilliant and colorful material from deep dark anxious thoughts. Her one-woman one-camera 2007 web series The Maria Bamford Show was homemade and hilarious, and about a decade later, with a bigger budget and the reach of Netflix, she created the acclaimed series Lady Dynamite, which allowed her visions to reach surreal new heights. Bamford takes the stage at the Academy of Music in Northampton on Saturday, January 18, at 8 p.m,
West End Blend are a funk/soul band from Connecticut led by vocalist Erica T. Bryan. They play Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Saturday, January 18, at 8 p.m.
If you don’t already have the blues, west coast guitarist Junior Watson has you covered at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Sunday, January 19, at 7 p.m. Local blues man Wildcat O’Halloran starts off the night with his band.
The Amherst Jazz Orchestra is a long-running 17-piece big band led by trombonist Dave Sporny. All this year they have a monthly residency at the Union Station Grand Ballroom in Northampton, and their first big brassy 2020 gig (with guest vocalist Ethel Lee) is on Monday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Hartford-based vocalist Linda Ransom is the guest soloist with the Green Street Trio at this week’s Northampton Jazz Workshop at City Sports Grille inside Spare Time Northampton on Tuesday, January 21, at 7:30 p.m. The open jazz jam follows at 8:30 p.m.
Primitive Heart (synth-pop project from producer and visual artist Dani Mari), Chronophobia 5000 (experimental sounds from Northampton) and Omega Vague (the “etherial rock project” of Hartford musician Craig Douglas) make up the triple-bill at 10Forward in Greenfield on Thursday, January 23, at 9 p.m.
Ken Maiuri can be reached at tunedincolumn@gmail.com.