PORTLAND, Maine — Have you already made plans for New Year’s Eve? If so, good for you. If not, we’re here to serve.
Aimsel Ponti, the music writer for the Portland Press Herald, joined us on 207 to talk about where to catch live music in Maine this New Year’s Eve. Here’s her list—now go forth and party.
SHOW: The Awesome
WHEN & WHERE: 8 p.m. at Bayside Bowl in Portland
COST: $30 in advance, $40 day of show, 21-plus.
TICKETS & INFO: Here.
DETAILS: Regardless of what the calendar says, '80s music is alive and well, and you’ll hear a whole ton of it played by local act The Awesome. There are few decades of music that can ignite an instant dance party and sing-along faster than the '80s, and literally every song will be a nostalgic banger. The Awesome covers Pointer Sisters, Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, Prince, Eddy Grant and Men Without Hats, to name just a few. You will indeed rock down to Electric Avenue while doing The Safety Dance. My Gen-X heart holds a special place for '80s music. Who’s with me?
SHOW: Guerilla Toss with Jeff Beam
WHEN & WHERE: 8 p.m. at Oxbow Blending & Bottling in Portland
COST: $25 in advance, $30 day of show.
INFO & TICKETS: Here.
DETAILS: Art rock band Guerilla Toss out of upstate New York will be ringing in the new year right here in Portland, with an opening set from local psychedelic rocker Jeff Beam. Due Season Sounds from the record shop Moody Lords will be spinning vinyl throughout the evening. Every ticket comes with a glass of Oxbow’s New Year’s Eve-inspired beer called Regards For Everyone. Guerilla Toss will be playing two sets of tunes. "Famously Alive" is the latest album from the band, and you’ll feel the track "Cannibal Capital" in your ribcage when they play it live. Singer and lyricist Kassie Carlson said her band’s sound is an ever-changing landscape of art rock music and dancy punk. "It’s fun with tons of ear worms."
SHOW: Primo Cubano & Revelry: A Havana Nights New Year’s Eve Bash
WHEN & WHERE: 9 p.m. at One Longfellow Square in Portland
COST: $65 in advance, $75 day of show
INFO & TICKETS: Here.
DETAILS: Spend the night dancing to the sounds of traditional Cuban music by local band Primo Cubano. Got two left feet? Not to worry, because the evening’s festivities include a salsa dance lesson. Also, bring your sweet tooth, because there will be a chocolate fountain and other desserts to enjoy. Primo Cubano is Paul D’Alessio on tres Cubano guitar and vocals, Marc Chillemi on trumpet, percussion and vocals, Lenny Hatch on congas, bongo and bell, Duane Edwards on upright bass, and Eric Winter on timbales, percussion and vocals. They’ll be ready to party. Will you?
SHOW: Slane
WHEN & WHERE: 5:30 p.m. at the Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland
COST: $20 in advance, $25 day of show, VIP packages available.
INFO & TICKETS: Here.
DETAILS: The doors open early for the New Year’s Eve party at the Maine Irish Heritage Center because Ireland is five hours ahead of us, and there will be a live countdown to midnight over there. Happy hour starts at 6 p.m. with a set by Troy Bennett and Travis Cote from Bailey’s Mistake on guitar, whistle, and pipes. Then it will be time for the headliner. U2 may be right, maybe nothing changes on New Year’s Day. But you can still enjoy hearing a ton of their songs played superbly well by local U2 tribute act, Slane. You’ll hear the hits you know and love as well as some deeper album cuts by a band that is as passionate about U2 as I am. Singer Barry Dodd lays down vocals that even Bono would be impressed by.