Arts & Entertainment - Music

October 2008

MUSIC

Blues & Boogie Woogie Festival: Friday (Oct.3) is devoted to boogie woogie, featuring Allen Toussant, Bob Seeley and others, while blues night follows with Otis Clay, Bobby Rush, and other performers. 8 p.m. Oct.3-4. Call for tickets. Music Hall, 350 Madison, Detroit; 313-887-8500.

Carrie Underwood: Winning American Idol is a pretty good career move. It’s like being named employee of the month, but everyone in the U.S. knows, and then you go on to sell multi-platinum records and win Grammys. Underwood did just that and is now a star. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4. $35-$55. Joe Louis Arena, 600 Civic Center Dr., Detroit; 313-983-6606.

Slim Cessna’s Auto Club: It’s a country show, it’s a Southern gospel show, it may be a little Americana but, whatever it is it’ll get your feet stamping and your hands clapping. Part of that “Denver Sound,” Slim Cessna’s Auto Club delivers an American Gothic country show not to be missed. 8 p.m. Oct. 6. $10. Pike Room (The Crofoot Ballroom), 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

Alanis Morissette: “You Oughta Know” who Alanis Morissette is by now. In 1995, the album Jagged Little Pill hit the radio, MTV, and just about everyone’s ears like a ton of jagged little pills. She went on to win enough awards to sink her home country of Canada. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7. $49.50-$87.50. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor; 734-668-8097.

Ben Folds: He’s an energetic fellow. And, as a pianist, that’s not easy to accomplish. Ben Folds hit the big-time with his group, the Ben Folds Five. Funny thing is, there were only three of them. In 2000, the trio broke up and Benjamin went solo. As an acclaimed pianist and songwriter, his songs dial up elements of pop, power pop, and alternative rock. And who can resist songs like “Zak and Sara”? 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9. $27.50-$35. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5450.

The Misfits: It’s October, nearly Halloween, and the Misfits are swooping into town again. But it’s All Hallows Eve year-round for the boys in this punk band. But seriously, they’re scary — and scary good when it comes to power-chording their way through melodic songs about zombies and blood and skulls. Don’t forget Glen Danzig (of Danzig fame) was a founding member. But if you’re a Misfits fan, how could you not know that? 6 p.m. Oct. 11. $20-$25. Harpo’s, 14238 Harper, Detroit; 313-824-1700.

Celtic Thunder: Five Celtic male soloists walk into a bar… Well, it sounds like the beginning of a good joke, but it’s not. Instead it’s Celtic Thunder — five guys of all ages who sing Celtic adult contemporary music. Their show is quite a spectacle and a little over the top. 8 p.m. Oct. 14. $37.50-$57.50. Fox Theatre, 2211 Woodward, Detroit; 313-983-6000.

Zappa Plays Zappa: Musical mad scientist Frank Zappa has been dead for nearly 15 years, but his music lives on. Not only in his cult following and continued record sales, but also through his son Dweezil’s tour, Zappa plays Zappa. The next best thing to seeing Frank jam out some experimental jazz-rock on a guitar is seeing Dweezil. 8 p.m. Oct. 20. $35-$45. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor; 734-668-8097.

The Who: The word “legends” is used way too loosely, but Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, John Entwistle, Roger Daltrey are all rock royalty. From songs like “My Generation” and “Pinball Wizard” to the mega-hit album-turned-musical Tommy, someone could get bowled over by their rock greatness. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21. $39.50-$350. The Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

Method Man and Redman: This hip-hop duo has transcended music and found themselves in a movie (How High), in a sitcom, and commercials for deodorant. Method Man got his start with the powerhouse group Wu-Tang Clan and Redman with Def Squad. 8 p.m. Oct. 23. $25. The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac; 248-858-9333.

Danzig and Dimmu Borgir: There will be more metal on the stage of the Fillmore this night than in the mouth of that nerdy kid you went to high school with. Danzig (Glen Danzig’s joint) and Dimmu Borgir (which means “Dark Cities” in Old Norse) are going to hammer your eardrums with some of the hardest, metaliest, darkest tunes you’ve ever heard. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24. $25. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-5450.

David Byrne: Byrne fronted the Talking Heads from their 1974 inception until they split in 1991. He’s gone solo and has stayed just as irreverent as his former project by dabbling in world beat and experimental genres. He also played himself on The Simpsons. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24. $45-$99.50. Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor; 734-668-8097.

John Tesh: Not many can make the transition from Entertainment Tonight host to acclaimed New Age, contemporary Christian music composer. However, John Tesh can. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24. $23-$97.50. Ford Community Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-943-2350.

Gwar: These guys are a spectacle. It’s like going to see the comedian Gallagher smash watermelons. But imagine Gallagher dressed in an insane demon outfit, add a thrash metal band behind him (also dressed in insane demon outfits), and turn a smashed watermelon into ooze that’s thrown into the crowd. 6 p.m. Oct. 25. $20-$25. Harpo’s, 14238 Harper, Detroit; 313-824-1700.

New Kids on the Block: Back in the early ’90s, millions of girls across the country — and the world — were losing their minds and hearts to five kids from Boston. Well, they may not have the same pizzazz as they had 15 years ago but NKOTB are back. Older, wiser, and, well, you can be the judge on whether or not they’re cuter. 8 p.m. Oct. 25. $38-$78. The Palace of Auburn Hills, 4 Championship Dr., Auburn Hills; 248-377-0100.

Insane Clown Posse: It’s that time of year again for that infamous ICP Halloween show. Juggalos and Juggalettes converge for a night of Faygo-drenched T-shirts, smeared clown makeup, and an earful of some of the craziest hip-hop you’ll hear. 6 p.m. Oct. 31. $30. The Fillmore, 2115 Woodward, Detroit; 313-
961-5450.

This article appears in the October 2008 of Hour Detroit.
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