A few weeks ago I went to see Wilco perform with Conor Oberst on the Maine State Pier in Portland. It was a wonderful show, with a capacity crowd and a happy and easy-going Jeff Tweedy, who joked with the audience and waved to passing boats as they made their way out of Portland Harbor. They played “Hate It Here” and “California Stars,” so I was a happy Emily.
The most surprising thing about the concert was the fact that for all four hours of the show, the rain held off. Amazing, I know. Considering the fact that the first half of this summer felt more like one extended April, it seemed as though Mother Nature was feeling bad for us downtrodden Mainers and let us pretend that it actually was summer.
Two weeks later and things are finally looking up. We’ve had more than three days in a row of sunshine, the temperature has stayed above 75, and my arms have gone from Robert-Smith-from-The-Cure-white to Britney-Spears-after-a-trip-to-Sun-Tan-City-brown. I’m feeling like taking my chances, so I’m going to do lots of activities that involve me being outside — like any of the great outdoor festivals and concerts all over the state in the coming months. I won’t even bring an umbrella. Take that, Mother Nature.
Baystock Music Festival, Maine State Pier, Portland
The annual Baystock Music Festival this year brings New England indie-pop group Guster to its stage, along with Portland-based American band Gypsy Tailwind. Rounding out the bill are local singer-songwriters Cindy Bullens and Jason Spooner. It all goes down Aug. 8; for tickets, visit www.porttix.com.
Heroes of Woodstock Concert, The Barnyard, Livermore Falls
Woodstock happened 40 years ago in 1969, so many of the acts that appeared at the original festival have banded together to attempt to recreate some of the magic. While, in reality, that seems unlikely, its nevertheless a pretty classic lineup: Jefferson Starship, Canned Heat, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Country Joe McDonald and Ten Years After will take the stage at the show, set for Aug. 9. For tickets, visit www.mainetix.net.
L.L. Bean Discovery Park, Freeport
Always very good about bringing bands to Maine, the flagship L.L. Bean store in shopping mecca, Freeport has invited loads of bands to play for free all summer. Blues Traveler is set to perform on Aug. 1, followed by Dar Williams on Aug. 8, the Wallflowers with special guest Wild Light on Aug. 15, and Maine natives Ellis Paul, Slaid Cleaves and Carol Noonan on Aug. 22. On Aug. 29, it’s zydeco king Terence Simien, on Sept. 5 it’s Celtic favorite Eileen Ivers. Asleep At the Wheel rounds out the season on Sept. 6.
The Station, Portland
One of the best all-ages venues in Maine, on Aug. 21 the Station will bring rockers Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. On Sept. 10, check out hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. And as always, there are tons of local band showcases. For information, visit www.myspace.com/thestationlive.
The Asylum, Portland
At the end of August, the Asylum is the place to be in Maine for hip-hop and reggae. There’s a heavy duty 1-2-3 punch coming, when on Aug. 20, De La Soul plays, followed by Lee “Scratch” Perry on Aug. 21 and Gregory Isaacs on Aug. 22. You get a five-day break before Talib Kweli plays with Hi-Tek and Slum Village on Aug. 27. A few weeks later, it’s Buju Banton on Sept. 17. For information, visit www.portlandasylum.com.
Port City Music Hall, Portland
It’s Portland’s newest music venue, and it’s already arguably its best. Filling as much of the void as it can that the State Theatre left in 2006, Port City Music Hall hosts Neko Case and Lucy Wainwright on Aug. 4, followed by Edwin McCain on Aug. 9. Phish-man Mike Gordon is set for Sept. 10, followed by Beausoleil and Michel Doucet on Sept 12. Then, it’s not music, but she comes close: comedian Margaret Cho will visit on Sept. 24. Finally, Assembly of Dust plays on Sept. 25. For information, visit www.portcitymusichall.com.
Space Gallery, Portland
In between all the art, film and lectures held here, there’s time for music too. The Space Gallery hosts indie pop band the Starlight Mints on Aug. 11. Hip-hop group Sollillaquists of Sound are set for Aug. 28, and folk chanteuse Jolie Holland will play on Sept. 16. For information, visit www.space538.org.
Merrill Auditorium, Portland
Most of the concerts here fall under the classical or theatrical banner, but tonight, July 31, Joan Baez performs. Two months later and the songwriter and all-around diva Rufus Wainwright plays on Oct. 1. For tickets, visit www.porttix.com.
