COLUMN WRITTEN BY MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER
For Digital First Media
Welcome to ‘Seven in Seven,’ where each Friday we’ll be taking a look at shows coming to the region over the next week. Whether your musical tastes are rock and roll, jazz, heavy metal, singer-songwriter or indie, there’ll always be something to check out in the coming days.
Here are seven of the best for the week beginning Dec. 11:
Aimee Mann – December 11 at Union Transfer
Many people remember Aimee Mann for her time fronting ‘Til Tuesday in the mid- to late-’80s. Since then though, she’s been a wildly prolific singer/songwriter in her own right, putting out eight solo albums since the early ’90s. Friday she’ll be in town with her collaborator in The Both, Ted Leo. And while the two will be doing their own respective sets, don’t be surprised if the two get together at some point to share the stage, especially as the duo have a Christmas single titled “You’re a Gift” coming out on Dec. 18.
Evan Dando — Dec. 11 at World Café Live Upstairs
Another artist best known for their time in a group that rose to prominence in the late-’80s is Evan Dando of The Lemonheads. And while the frontman is likely sick to death of the notoriety that came with the band’s cover of “Mrs. Robinson,” it’s given him the ability to explore his own solo career, which has featured some incredibly powerful compositions over the years. Dando splits his time as a Lemonhead and a solo act these days, with this show being the final gig for the latter this year.
The Get Up Kids — Dec. 11 at The Trocadero
When pop punkers The Get Up Kids announced their breakup in 2005, emo kids everywhere had a real reason to be upset. Thankfully, the group reconvened just three years later and have been going strong ever since. And while the Kansas City quintet hasn’t released a new album since 2011, this tour is something special in that it’s a celebration of their 20th anniversary. Let’s hope they can keep it together for 20 more.
Mannheim Steamroller – Dec. 11 at Santander Performing Arts Center
Way back in 1984, the new age synthpop collective Mannheim Steamroller changed the game when it came to holiday albums with the album entitled, simply, “Christmas.” It wasn’t long after that the group became synonymous with the holiday season, sort of a more chilled out version of Trans-Siberian Orchestra before that band even existed. For many, it’s the official kickoff to the holiday season, and will no doubt get all those in attendance in the mood to deck the halls and hit the malls.
Andrea Bocelli — Dec. 12 at Wells Fargo Center
Classical Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has become one of the most compelling artists to see since his rise in the early 90s. Having lost his eyesight as a child, he overcame the disability and turned out to be one of the most appealing crossover acts in the history of classical music. Very few others of his ilk could come close to filling a venue the size of the Wells Fargo Center. This time around, Bocelli has a brand new production that is garnering rave reviews.
Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience — Dec. 15 at The Electric Factory
To say it’s difficult being the son of a music legend is putting it lightly. Take a look at the trials and tribulations that have beleaguered the likes of Julian and Sean Lennon, Lisa Marie Presley, Wolfgang Van Halen and Jeff Buckley. Some handle it much better than others, perhaps none more so than the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham’s son Jason. Not only has the talented in his own right stickman sat in for his father on Zep reunions over the years, he’s carved out his own career as the go to drummer for acts like Foreigner and U.F.O. He’s also dedicated a tour to his dad’s legacy, which will be on full display at the Electric Factory Tuesday.
The Struts — Dec. 17 at The Theatre of Living Arts
We’ve been talking about UK exports The Struts for months now, and if you didn’t hear about the buzz before now, ask anyone who was at the band’s slot a few months back at the Made in America Festival. Following a headlining small club tour, the group is making an extremely brief run of dates on the east coast before closing out the year as openers for Motley Crue’s final shows ever in Los Angeles. This will without a doubt be the last chance to catch them in a venue the size of the TLA again.
