Bmore Music Picks is a weekly feature that highlights shows, concerts or events to check out in Baltimore (and the surrounding area). While it’s not a comprehensive events calendar, our picks are diverse and may highlight jazz, rock, folk, noise, punk, hip-hop, R&B, metal, experimental or just about any other sub-genre or style that helps make Baltimore’s music scene varied and vibrant.
For a more comprehensive events calendar, check out the Baltimore Fun Guide, Show Space, or Weekly.Citypaper.com.
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Tuesday, April 15th – PURE POP NIGHT – Joy Classic / Ne-Hi / Dungeon Kids / Surf Harp
Gold Bar, 1910 N. Charles St., 2nd floor doors at 8:30 PM – $8
Three out of the four bands on this bill are local, including the Pavement-esque Dungeon Kids, who are worth seeing based on energy alone. The quippy and conversational lyrics of lead singer Dan Windsor nicely compliment their lo-fi style, which is still catchy and melodic. Post-punker Surf Harp will bring a blend of heavy guitar fuzz and soft keys. Is it really pure pop? Probably not, but it’ll be pure AWESOME.
More info here.
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Wednesday, April 16th – Warm Wednesday Open Mic (hip hop & poetry)
5 Seasons Night Club, 830 Guilford Ave. at 8:00 PM – free
If you’re a local favorite or just want to try out your rhymes, the 5 Seasons Open Mic is for you. And as a spectator, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better spot to see Bmore’s best up-and-coming rappers and poets.
More info here.
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Saturday, April 19th – The Sam King Quartet
Phase 10, 885 N. Howard St. at 6 PM – $15
Soul food and jazz. That’s Caton Castle and it’s splendid. This slice of ole Baltimore is pillar in music history and Sam King is young but devoted to the craft. I recommend getting their early to snag a seat because the castle gets packed on Saturday nights.
More info here.
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Gold Bar, 1910 N. Charles St., 2nd floor doors at 8:00 PM – $8
Caleb Stine and Will Stratton are two very different folk singers. Stine comes from the Townes Van Zandt school of songwriting, crafting stark and pastoral images of America with a deep drawl and conversational tone while Stratton uses his soft voice to compliment a focused, fingerpicking guitar style that can be likened to Tallest Man on Earth. These two, plus Sweet Saro and 20,000 will grace Gold Bar on Easter and it’ll be transcendental.
More info here.
*Author Taylor DeBoer grew up in the Baltimore area and studied Writing and Sociology at Loyola University Maryland. He is a local writer, music lover, and edits a website that he co-founded, Manikmusic.net. Follow him on Twitter at TayDeBoer23