Blues, Bluegrass and Blue October
Columbia’s music scene looks pretty blue this week. There are three “blue” events to choose from: the Congaree Bluegrass Festival, the Carolina Downhome Blues Festival and Blue October. Here, find the right “blue” music experience for you.
Blue October
The ’90s alternative rock band Blue October is decidedly less emo now than in its “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean” days.
The Texas outfit released its eighth studio album, “Home,” in April, and frontman Justin Furstenfeld seems to have traded in his guyliner and self-loathing for sobriety and optimism. The songs are still solid, showing just how far the band has come from those angsty beginnings.
8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Music Farm, 1022 Senate St. $25 if over 21, $28 if under. www.musicfarm.com
Congaree Bluegrass Festival
The city of Cayce’s ninth annual Congaree Bluegrass Festival will feature a larger show after the one scheduled for last year was canceled because of historic flooding.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is the headliner on Saturday, Oct. 1, with performances by the Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry, Wilson Banjo Co. and Slope Valley.
Sunday, Oct. 2 is dedicated to gospel bluegrass music, featuring The Southern Gospel Express, Left Lane and The Thomas Family.
“Gospel music has always had a tremendous influence on bluegrass, and we hope to pay tribute to that by adding a day to our festival that is devoted to gospel music and fellowship,” event chairman Danny Creamer said in a news release.
The festival also will have artist booths, a tent for impromptu musical jam sessions and food vendors.
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 at Historic Columbia Speedway, Cayce. $10 on Saturday; Cayce residents and kids 12 and under get in free; Sunday is free to all. www.cityofcayce-sc.gov/cbf
Carolina Downhome Blues Festival
For its 20th year, the Carolina Downhome Blues Festival is offering 22 artists in 17 venues in three days. Big acts are Paul Oscher, former harmonica player for Muddy Waters; blues sax veteran Terry Hanck; guitarist and singer Joe Louis Walker; and Drink Small. Small, a world-renowned blues legend, received the National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts last year.
Other acts are: AJ Ghent Band, The Sauce Boss, Vanessa Collier, Packrat’s Smokehouse, Lightnin’ Wells, The Prestage Brothers, Gail Storm, Robert “Top” Thomas, Shrimp City Slim, Ceasar, Kara Grainger, Professor Bottleneck & Harmonica Frank, Blues Line, Walter Liniger, BLUES deluxe, Jeff Liberty, Rusty Davis & Floyd Callen, Robert Gibbs and Power.
Venues include the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County’s Bassett Gallery, Shull Pavilion and Wood Auditorium, Lugoff-Elgin High School, The Town Green, Books on Broad and Davis & Sons Guitar Shop.
5:30 p.m.-midnight Thursday, Oct. 6, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Friday, Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-midnight Saturday, Oct. 8 at various venues in downtown Camden. $5 Thursday, $10 Friday and Saturday. www.fineartscenter.org/events/2016/10/06/blues2016