“Six Picks.” our weekly column highlighting the best in area music returns this week. From Woonsocket to Westerly, North Smithfield to Newport, we cover Rhode Island and beyond. This week, we’ve got a pop superstar, a jazz legend and whole lotta’ rock and roll.
McLaughlin/Herring Sunday
John McLaughlin is one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He excels in multiple genres, and has won accolades in jazz, world music and rock. Sunday night, he’s joined on tour by Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic, Allman Brothers, The Dead), himself a widely recognized guitar hero. The show is being billed as McLaughlin’s farewell to the US tour, and will feature music from the legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra. Very few tickets remain – click here for details.
Turkuaz and the Suffers Saturday
Brooklyn based Turkuaz is a self described “Power-Funk” band and a major part of the neo-Soul movement that’s swept indie music in recent years. The band has been described as the “musical love child of Sly & the Family Stone and Talking Heads.” We’ll take that. They’ll be joined by another favorite, Newport Folk Festival regulars The Suffers, a band from Houston, TX featuring vocalist Kam Franklin. Check both out Saturday night at Fete. Details here.
The Wood Brothers Saturday
The Wood Brothers, a band known for rich lyrics and high energy performances, return to Providence Saturday night. They last appeared in RI in July when they shared a bill with Hot Tuna and the Tedeschi-Trucks Band at PPAC. (Check out our interview with Oliver Woods here.) Expect a more intimate show Saturday in the comfy confines of the Columbus Theatre – details here.
Pump House Music All Weekend
It’s a busy weekend at the Pump House Music Works in Peacedale. Friday features an impressive line up of RI based singer-songwriters when John Faraone, Sara Azriel, Ava Callery and Ant Savino appear. Saturday, rock out to The Furries, led by RI native and former Third Eye Blind backup singer/instrumentalist Lee Moretti. The all-female band brings together artists from Providence, Boston and NYC for a grooved out rock sound. Details here.
Matthew Stubbs Saturday
Our free show pick of the week goes to Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas appearing at Nick-a-Nees in Providence Saturday night. The Boston based band is known for their high-energy psych-rock sound, played in the style of Duanne Eddy, Link Wray and Booker T. Music begins around 9:30. Details here.
Janet Jackson Tuesday
Grammy Award winning superstar Janet Jackson stops at the Dunkin Donuts Center Tuesday on her “State of the World” tour. She was originally expected in last year but postponed her 2016 tour due to the birth of her son. has been getting great reviews and tickets are still available for Tuesday’s show. Tickets start at $40 – Details here.
