Atlanta
George Acosta
Meniscus Pick:
Widespread Panic
Philips Arena
If its been awhile since you’ve seen the southern boys take
the stage, now is your chance to get the adrenaline pumping and
set the bar high for a fantastic 2004. The drastic metamorphosis
of the band’s sound, since the untimely passing of guitarist
Mikey Houser, will leave you refreshed and invigorated. And let’s
face it, if you’re going to be in Atlanta for New Year’s
Eve, where else you gonna go?
Cadillac Jones,Smith's Olde Bar
Austin
The Gourds, The Parish (Mercury @ Jazz)
Boston
Meniscus Pick:
It is times like this that I am glad that I will not be in Boston
for New Year’s Eve. There are two great bands playing this
NYE: Addison Groove Project and Pete Pidgeon and Arcoda.
Addison Groove Project, Paradise Rock Club.
Addison Groove Project is hot off of a fall tour which has taken
them throughout the South and Midwest. Their jazz, funk fusion is
sure to set the fans at the Paradise grooving all night long. The
AGP crowd can feel at times more like a family than a fan base,
which can make the scene feel more like a party than a concert.
This band has worked its way up through the ranks on the Boston
jam scene and beyond and will be guaranteed to play a slammin’
show for the home town crowd.
Pete Pidgeon and Arcoda, Bill's Bar
Pete Pidgeon and Arcoda are having a phenomenal 2003. Their first
studio album “…at first sight” was released last
spring and has opened many doors for this Boston based quintet.
The addition of horns during live performances gives the band the
volume they need to get the dance floor groovin’. The funk
inspired live flavor brought forward by Adam Beamer on keys and
Seth Rivers on bass, only adds to the party vibe. Of course, Pete
is guaranteed to deliver those vocals and intricate lyrics that
makes Arcoda stand out from pack.
Two bands; two venues; one tough decision.
Chicago
Meniscus Pick:
String Cheese Incident
Auditorium Theatre
String Cheese Incident is on fire right now and playing better than
ever. Like many casual SCI fans, I sometimes doubt the cheese only
to be slapped in the face by the incredible talent of Michael Kang
, Michael Travis, Bill Nershi, Kyle Hollingsworth, Keith Moseley
and told to “Wake up, wake up!” If you will be in Chi-town
for NYE, there is no other place you ought to be to celebrate the
holiday. Whether they pull out the old classic grooves, songs from
their new studio release, or even cover a Bob Marley tune, the love
and celebration will be surging through the Auditorium Theatre.
Just imagining the energy that SCI will put forth makes my hair
stand on end, and it’s only November! If you have a ticket
to this show, you truly have the “Golden” ticket.
Aretha Franklin, Chicago Theatre
The White Stripes, Aragon Ballroom
Denver
Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Fillmore Auditorium
Steve Kimock Band, Gothic Theatre
Jay Farrar and Yonder Mountain String Band, Paramount
Theatre
Houston
Houston Symphony, Jones Hall
Little Brother Project, Dean's Credit Clothing
Las Vegas
Reo Speedwagon/Styx, Aladdin Resort and Casino
Metallica, Hard Rock Hotel
Meniscus Pick:
Insane party in the streets.
There is nothing quite like New Year’s Eve in Vegas. Be sure
to exit the Casinos at 11:00-11:30 to check out the scene on the
strip. The Las Vegas police actually shut down the strip to car
traffic and hand out plastic party cups to party-goers walking the
strip with beverages. The only thing that they discourage is glass
containers. Even hanging from the traffic lights is taken lightly.
Millions of party-goers crowd the two mile long strip, all in search
of a great time. Yes, 95% of the people stranding in the middle
of the street yelling, screaming and making out with strangers have
had their fair share of champagne, but it keeps with the classic
Vegas style. Word of Wisdom: Don’t get separated from your
friends and if you do, meet at O’Sheas. They have the cheapest
beers on the strip and it is wedged right between the big casinos.
Los Angeles
The Reverend Horton Heat, The Ventura Theatre
New Year Reggae Boat Party, Star Party Cruises, Long
Beach (Seaport Village), CA
Miami
Meniscus Pick:
Phish
American Airlines Arena
You’re either a phan or your not. If you are, you know what
I’m talking about when I say you need to be at the American
Airlines Arena on New Years. There’s nothing like four shows
leading up the unveiling of 2004 to get your pulse soaring. No one
on the planet will convey the same energy as the twenty year-old
Vermont quartet. Even if you don’t have a ticket, you must
believe! Get down there and get that finger in the air, you won’t
be disappointed!
B.B. King, Jackie Gleason Theater
Particle, The Ice Palace (late night show)
DJ Le Spam & the Spam Allstars, I/O Lounge
Donna The Buffalo, The Coliseum, St. Petersburg,
FL
Nashville
Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, Gaylord Entertainment Center
New Orleans
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, The Parish @ House
of Blues
New York
New Years Eve with Soulive and the Radiators, B.B. King Blues Club
& Grill
Soulive and the Radiators-Second show, BB King Blues
Club & Grill
Disco Biscuits, Hammerstein Ballroom
Gov't Mule, Beacon Theatre
Big Apple Circus : Carnevale, Big Apple Circus At
Lincoln Center
Meniscus Pick:
Only in New York would there be such an amazing selection of music
on NYE. Since New York is the city that never sleeps, I would try
and see it all, including Times Square. Good luck to you!
Philadelphia
Moe, Tweeter Center At the Waterfront, Camden, NJ
Portland, OR
The Big Island Shindig, Conan's
The Foghorn Stringband, The Moon and Six Pence
Jackstraw, White Eagle
San Francisco
The Dead, Oakland Arena
Tea Leaf Green, Elbo Room
Seattle
Seattle Symphony Gerard Schwarz-Conductor New Year's Eve, Benaroya
Hall - S. Mark Taper Auditorium
Minneapolis/St. Paul
How To Talk Minnesotan: the Holiday Musical, Plymouth Playhouse,
Plymouth, MN
Louie Anderson, Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel, Morton, MN
Other
Mountain of Venus, Chester's Place, Fayetteville, AR
|