Live Music: October 4-9, 2011

Fresh Picks: This Week In Music

• UA Jazz Ensemble                                                                                                   Tuesday October, 4                                                                                                        Guzzetta Recital Hall                                                                                                      Tix: Free event

The University of Akron’s Jazz Ensemble will perform a free event Tuesday.  Jazz music is one of “The Founding Fathers” in regards to music genres like progressive rock and jam bands.  Today, many modern artists who experiment with improvisational chord structures and different melodies share the same values as Jazz.  This event is free, so there’s no loss!

• Pretty Lights                                                                                                                    Tuesday October, 4                                                                                                      Stage AE (Pittsburgh)                                                                                                    Tix: $33

Derek Vincent Smith, better known as Pretty Lights, is an experimental electronic musician pushing Live Music to new levels of performance.  Evoking the same values as many jam bands today, Smith will improvise both lights and sound during a show.  He flips triggers and turns nobs, taking the crowd through genres of dubstep, jazz, hiphop, rock, R&B, and a bit of everything, all while dazzling the eyes at the same time.  If you like a good light show, you’re in for a treat.  If you can’t make it to the show, all his music is available for free as an mp3 download – with the option to donate, here.  Although the performance is in Pittsburgh, I’d say it’s worth the ticket price and drive.  I’ll be posting a review from his performance at the LC Pavilion in Columbus soon.

• Zach: Love in Action w/ The Bright Lights                                                                  Wednesday October, 5                                                                                                   Akron Civic Theatre                                                                                                         Tix: $24-students $31.10-Adults

Zach Freidhof will perform with The Bright Lights at Akron Civic Theatre Wednesday in part of Akron Peace Week.  Interweaving soul, rock-n-roll, pop and acoustic genres, Freidhof envelopes a very relaxing experience live.  There will be appetizers, other local artists, and a multimedia performance.

• STS9 w/ Archnemesis                                                                                                     Thursday October, 6                                                                                                        House of Blues                                                                                                                Tix: $28

Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) will return to the House of Blues Thursday with supporting band Archnemesis. Mixing electronic music with drums, bass, guitar and keyboards, this 5-piece band lays out long jams with a dance synth sound.  If you’re into live electronica, STS9 is one of the leading bands today meshing live jams with electronic grooves.

• Primus                                                                                                                              Friday October, 7                                                                                                          Stage AE (Pittsburgh)                                                                                                    Tix: $45

Primus, the 3-piece band led by Les Claypool will perform at Stage AE in Pittsburgh Friday.  With a bass lead, Primus pumps out down-tempo songs that mix heavy rock, improvisation and experimental music.  Upon the release of their new album Green Naugahyde, Primus has continued to steadily tour around the country and announce further dates.  If you’re into an edgier sound with a tip to funk and psychedelia, Primus will surely make your feet stomp.

• Wish You Were Here                                                                                                      Saturday October, 8                                                                                                         House of Blues                                                                                                               Tix: $24.50 – $34

The Pink Floyd cover band, Wish You Were Here will perform The Wall musically, in its entirety Saturday at the House of Blues.  Along with other greatest hits, Wish You Were Here will bring the 1979 album by Pink Floyd to Cleveland.  Although the theatrical performance of this album is one Not To Miss, the music is just as moving.