There’s a lot of great music coming to the Seacoast this weekend, with local and touring acts performing at venues new and old. Here are a handful of the highlights.
Xiu Xiu with Lillith
Xiu Xiu is not easy listening. The California-based trio, founded by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, has an experimental sound peppered with hints of electro-pop and irreverent humor. Their latest album, “Forget,” comes on the heals of their 2016 release, “Plays the Music of Twin Peaks.” On Friday, April 14, Xiu Xiu comes to 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, where they’ll get support from local favorite Lillith. The show starts at 8 p.m.; tickets are $15, available here.
These Wild Plains & Town Meeting
These Wild Plains
Massachusetts-based bands These Wild Plains and Town Meeting have much in common. Both have an alt-country sound, both released debut albums last year, and both will perform at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Friday, April 14. Both have also supported national acts, with These Wild Plains opening for Deer Tick, Futurebirds, and the Sadies, and Town Meeting supporting Willie Nelson, Sturgill Simpson, and Bob Dylan. The show starts at 10 p.m.; tickets are $5-$7, available here.
Green Bullets album release
There is much to celebrate at Teatotaller in Somersworth on Saturday, April 15. For one thing, it’s the café’s first birthday at its current location on High Street. For another, local indie rockers The Green Bullets will unleash their self-titled debut album with a live performance. And they’ll get support from two opening acts, Tom Ayer and Marvel Prone. Teatoller will be partying all day; the concert starts at 8 p.m. For more information, click here.
Sean Rowe with Jim Rioux
Singer-songwriter Sean Rowe’s ragged baritone voice got a jolt of recognition last fall when his song, “To Leave Something Behind,” appeared in the film “The Accountant,” starring Ben Affleck. The New York native, an outdoors enthusiast, released his latest album, “New Lore,” just last week. He’ll share his songs at The Word Barn in Exeter on Saturday, April 15, at 8 p.m., following local singer-songwriter Jim Rioux. There is a $20 suggested donation; learn more here.
Latchkey Speakeasy
Latchkey is the swanky new whiskey bar occupying the former site of Birdseye Lounge in Portsmouth’s Vaughan Mall. The venue is holding its soft opening this weekend, and among the festivities is a speakeasy-style show featuring nine-piece regional cover band Groove Alliance, which will play rock and soul hits from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. The event takes place Saturday, April 15, beginning at 9:30 p.m. There is no cover charge; find more information here.