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We’re in the thick of the holiday season and and that includes plenty of live music, including a couple national acts, one local band pulling a back-to-back and another ringing in an anniversary.
Thievery Corporation
Dec. 3 @ College Street Music Hall
238 College Street, New Haven
8 p.m. All Ages
With Rob Garza and Eric Hilton as the creative nucleus, Washington, D.C.’s Thievery Corporation has been bending styles of music into a groovy sonic fusion since the mid-90s. Their live show features them performing with a full band while blending together elements of acid jazz, electronica, dub, hip hop, bossa nova and numerous others. Alt-pop artist Lucius Arthur will be kicking the night off.
The Alternate Routes
December 9 & 10 @ The Warehouse
70 Sanford Street, Fairfield
8 p.m. All Ages
Bridgeport folk-rock band The Alternate Routes have been a staple of the music scene around Connecticut for 20 years and they have a knack for putting on a unique live experience. Years ago I got to see lead vocalist and guitarist Tim Warren and guitarist and backing vocalist Eric Donnelly perform as a duo while using a tool box to fill out the low end and provide a steady beat. The first night of their back-to-back shows is sold out as of press time but tickets for the second night are still available with local rock and rollers Mountain Laurel as the opening act.
The Bouncing Souls
December 11 @ Toad’s Place
300 York Street, New Haven
7 p.m. All Ages
It’s crazy to think that New Brunswick, New Jersey punk icons The Bouncing Souls have been around for over 30 years, but it’s true. Songs such as “True Believers”, “Hopeless Romantic”, “Lean On Sheena”, “Anchors Aweigh” are some of my favorites of theirs and their music is absolutely timeless. Albany punks Prince Daddy & The Hyena will be starting things off for what should be a very fun time at the most legendary music venue in the state.
West End Blend’s 10th Anniversary Show
December 16 @ Infinity Music Hall
32 Front Street, Hartford
8 p.m. All Ages
10 years is a long time for any band, but it’s also a milestone that deserves to be celebrated. Hartford dynamic soul-funk act West End Blend are putting on a hometown party to ring in the special occasion and there’s going to be a lot of dancing. Fellow Hartford band Nikita are going to be setting the mood with their brand of psychedelic soul to start the festivities.
Kung Fu’s 12th Annual Toys For Tots Christmas Show
December 23 @ Park City Music Hall
2926 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport
9 p.m. 21+
New Haven funk dynamos Kung Fu have been waving the fusion music flag high for a decade now. They’ve grown beyond just being a local band, they’re a legit force all over New England and beyond. This annual show of theirs encourages fans to bring a gift to donate to Toys For Tots and they’ll be joined on stage with members from the Castleton, Vermont jam band Twiddle, Philadelphia & Denver based livetronica act Lotus and the New York City Pink Floyd tribute act The Machine.