GRACE POTTER @ DISTRICT LIVE | FRI MAY 19 | 8 PM
Touring ahead of the August 2023 release of her fifth album “Mother Road,” Potter warns y’all to “buckle the F up” and, presumably, enjoy the ride. Then again, it could have something to do with the unexpected gimp under the diner table in the title track video. Whatever the case, for the uninitiated, she’s a bit like Cheryl Crowe with a heap or two of twang and Southern sass. But it’s far from that one-dimensional introductory description. She’s had hit duets with Kenny Chesney and her version of the Stealer's Wheel 70s hit "Stuck in the Middle with You" was the theme song for the Netflix series Grace and Frankie with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Her own songs are deeply personal, played with passion, and after a break to have a baby boy, she’s ready to hit the road and play the new stuff.
PM TIGER + ROHNA + THE MAXINES @ EL ROCKO LOUNGE | SAT MAY 20 | 8 PM
End of SCAD Bash 2 features the strong harmonies and genre-bending synths that add the special sauce to PM Tiger’s indie rock sound. The Tampa outfit (pictured) counts Gordon Raphael of The Strokes and Tom Higgenson of Plain White T’s as fans, and a year after dropping their debut LP and the earworm single “Catfish Motel” last November, the band is clearly improving by honing their sound for longevity. A tad bit edgier, but no less emotionally connecting, the second Tampa band on this bill, Rohna, have a similar indie rock vibe. They expand their sound with alternatively prettier and harder music than their city mates. Savannah hellions The Maxines give audiences a grunge and hard rock workout, while the almost-models in fellow local act Nekromance sonically flirt with you vampire style.
CHRIS BROWN @ THE WORMHOLE | SAT MAY 20 | 8 PM
Let’s get one thing out of the way. No, this is not the Rihanna-punching cretin/singer Chris Brown, this is nice guy comedian Chris Brown. Based in New York, he was raised in Atlanta and spent a LOT of time in barbershops learning, among other things, to play the dozens. He must’ve liked it because he became a barber before stepping on stage. When he did, boy did he have a trove of life experience to draw from. His observational humor caught on quickly, being selected as a showcase comedian at the Motor City Comedy Festival in 2018. He also hosts his own monthly comedy show on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the “Funny By Default Comedy Show” where established veterans and up and coming comedians in New York come to perform. He’s so nice, he even refuses to rip apart hecklers with bad hair, two things he can do with ease — if he wanted to. Such restraint.
THE YACHT CLUB @ COACH’S CORNER | SAT MAY 20 | 7:30 PM
Imagine if Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Toto, Rupert Holmes, Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, Player and Ambrosia all got together in the same room. World leaders would be crapping themselves silly with worry of far too much smoothness for the masses to handle. At the same time, regular people wonder if there is such a thing as “too smooth.” If you’re a fan of the genre, you know that’s as absurd as claiming a soft rock hit is somehow encumbered by an overabundance of Rhodes electric piano or saxophone licks. Utterly preposterous. So don the captain’s hat (even if you aren’t clinically insane), have a fruity vodka cocktail, and set sail for the smoothest show you’re going to see all year with The Yacht Club. No membership required.
MATT ECKSTINE @ JAZZ’D TAPAS BAR | SUN MAY 21 | 6PM
Easy-living Southern cities like Savannah have to be reluctantly thankful for the slow motion, heart-wrenching decay of Rust Belt cities like Cleveland. The drear of the industrial Midwest supplies cities like ours with a constant stream of talent fed up with bad weather and nonfictional dystopia. One form is music, and Matt Eckstine is a perfect example. He came to the Hostess City about 20 years ago, formed a band known as The Accomplices, and proceeded to become the premier local Americana act, winning Best Band award from Connect in 2015 and 2016, and selling out shows regularly. Branching out from the genre into a more developed solo singer/songwriter format, Eckstine was recognized again last year as Best Local Americana/Folk/Roots Band/Artist. Think John Prine, Steve Earle, and Jack Johnson, and you get the idea. His Savannah show is right in the middle of an ambitious 20 shows in 20 days stretch, so expect him to be in the zone, doing his thing. Not bad for a Sunday evening closeout to another weekend in our relative paradise.
