5 Live Music Musts: Friday, September 13th

Friday, September 13, 2013

Ken Abrams, GoLocalWorcester Music Critic

Les Sampou will be part of the action at the new Sturbridge Roots and Bluegrass Festival this weekend.

The weekend is here again. That means they are sure to be plenty of live music acts in the area over the next couple of days you'll want to check out.

Each week, GoLocalWorcester highlights five of the best concerts that weekend within an hour's drive (because we know music lovers will make the drive!). Here is the list for this weekend.

Sturbridge Roots and Bluegrass Festival

Saturday, there’s a new festival in the area –the Sturbridge Roots and Bluegrass Festival on the Sturbridge town common. The festival features well known local and national artists including the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass, Boston’s own Les Sampou, and banjo extraordinaire Tony Trischka. Best of all, it’s a free family festival with lots of activities for the little ones- the fun begins at 2PM on the green. Click here for the complete schedule.

Willie Nile

The Bull Run Restaurant continues its tradition of bringing great national talent to Shirley. On Saturday, be sure to check out rocker Willie Nile. The singer/songwriter recently released “American Ride,” a critically acclaimed album. On Sunday, Grammy winning country star Suzy Bogguss appears. Her new album, “American Folk Songbook,” is a great collection of American traditional tunes. Click here for ticket information.

Peter Wolf

Sunday, be sure to catch Peter Wolf and his band the Midnight Ramblers at Indian Ranch in Webster. The J. Geils Band front man will play a benefit show along with a motorcycle ride benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis & Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. The concert begins at 2PM - Tickets start at $35.

Local Bands at Ralph's Rock Diner

On Friday, Ralph's Rock Diner is the place to rock with four great area bands. Check out Cooling Towers, Control Group. Rotating Strawberry Madonas, and Ambush. The music starts at 8:00 and goes till late!

Southside Johnny and The Poor Fools

Finally on Saturday, head over to The Natick Center for the Arts for a special show from Southside Johnny and The Poor Fools. You’ll hear some Southside favorites plus other classics from the Great American Songbook. Pegi Young and the Survivors open – late breaking news of her famous husband joining them on stage in Boston should make this a sure sell out!