If you had any doubts in the beginning of the year, 2023 is here and is going full steam ahead with some great live music this week – and it seems like every day we’re seeing more and more huge names being announced for the summer time, so you can bet this is going to be a good year for live music in Portland.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, this week is bringing a master of the Stratocaster, a punk rock milestone, and plenty of local music to catch around the city.
Don’t forget that you can always check out our Live Music Tonight calendar for the full list of live music in Portland!
THE HEADLINER
If you have a passion for music and an appreciation for raw talent, then you need to get to the State Theatre on Monday, February 27th for Cory Wong featuring Victor Wooten, with support from Trousdale, all apart of Cory’s Power Station Tour.
It’s going to be a night of extraordinary musicianship, featuring two of today’s absolute greatest on guitar and bass. If you like funk, rock, jazz, and overall feel good tunes, you’re sure to have a good time at this all-out jam sesh.
In fact, more than guitarist, composer, or producer, Wong likes to think of himself as a “hype man,” first and foremost. His job is to bring energy to the crowd through his guitar-playing, and he takes his work seriously. Don’t expect any poetic lyricism at this one. Wong lets his Fender Stratocaster do ALL the singing.
Get your tickets for this collection of music masterminds. The show starts at 8:00PM.
LIVE & LOCAL
Get a little grungy this Saturday, February 25th at Gritty McDuff’s with local four-piece Faceplant.
These guys have kept themselves busy this year rocking out all across southern and central Maine, and now they’re bringing the show to the Gritty’s pub. You can expect a night of popular rock songs ranging all the way back from the 60s to today. Popular artist covers include Nirvana, Green Day and Sublime, but they love to mix it up with some surprises from way back when.
Catch these locals hitting the stage at 9:30PM, and rocking the house way past midnight. Best part about Gritty’s – there’s never a cover to get in!
MID-WEEK MUSIC
For even more Maine-made music this week, head over to One Longfellow Square on Wednesday, February 22nd, or Thursday, February 23rd for two nights with Maine native Lyle Divinsky.
Born right here in Portland, Lyle earned his chops in the subway stations of New York City for five years before his first, self-released album earned him global recognition, including radio play across four continents, and the number two spot on the UK’s Soul Charts.
After his literal slingshot from subways to stardom, Divinsky joined the Colorado-based funk powerhouse, The Motet, and he has been playing legendary venues and festivals since, including Red Rocks and Madison Square Garden.
5 years, and over 600 shows later, Lyle is returning to his roots and coming back to his hometown for two nights of intimate solo performances. Thursday night’s performance is already listed as sold out, but tickets are still available for Wednesday’s 8:00PM show with this smooth, soft-rocking native Mainer.
STAFF PICK
For those punk rockers out there, Geno’s Rock Club will be home to a special event this Wednesday, February 22nd, with two members of the Minneapolis-based Off With Their Heads.
The eclectic collection of hardcore punk rockers have just surpassed twenty years of headbanging music, and to celebrate, members Ryan Young and Kevin Rotter have hit the road as “A Wandering Duo,” putting on OWTH shows stripped down to guitar, vocals and drums, but just as raw, high-energy and mosh-ready as always.
Their Portland stop is near the end of the second leg of this long 20th anniversary celebration, and you can bet they’ll be looking to finish up in style, so get ready to let loose on a Wednesday night (before the snow keeps us all indoors), and let’s show these rockers a good time. Get your tickets now for the 7:00PM show.
There’s so much live music happening around the city at any given time that we’d never have the time to list them all here.
Check out our Live Music Tonight page for a full calendar of live events happening in Portland, Maine.
