Labor Day weekend music lineup ushers out summer season at beach
The last hurrah of the summer season is upon us. Beach nightspots will be packed to the rafters throughout the Labor Day weekend as tourists enjoy one last gasp of our party scene — and locals welcome the coming of fall.
In Ocean City, reggae-rock fans will flock to Pickles Pub at 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 for the final OC appearance by the group Pasadena; admission is free. While the quartet hails from Baltimore, it has played its original music here so much in recent years that it has amassed a hefty following. The band will play its last show ever at Baltimore Soundstage on Sept. 15 before disbanding to pursue other interests. The following day, vocalist Joey Harkum will launch a nationwide solo tour in North Carolina.
With the celebratory nature of the holiday weekend, the vast majority of bars will be forgoing concerts and instead highlighting DJs, Karaoke or cover bands so that patrons can sing along with their favorite songs. But venue owners and booking agents have already scheduled a full slate of concert events for the rest of September.
One such business is the Dogfish Head brewpub in downtown Rehoboth Beach, which is still glowing in the aftermath of last weekend's double bill featuring Los Straitjackets and Marshall Crenshaw.
Looking ahead, Dogfish will present a free concert by alternative-rock favorite Guided by Voices at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8. Dogfish owner Sam Calagione booked and promoted a successful GBV show at the Milton Theatre a few years ago; the expansive size of his new brewpub building will now allow him to bring the band to Rehoboth Avenue.
In Dewey Beach, Bottle & Cork owner Alex Pires last week announced a free mini-festival that will take place there at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. The Cliff-A-Palooza show was organized by Pires as a salute to my own brother, singer-songwriter Cliff Hillis. Cliff will close out the event with his current backing band, the Forward Thinkers — after reunion performances by some of the other pop-rock groups he has played with in the past such as Mystery Machine, The Name and Starbelly.
Looking ahead, the Cork will feature Christian music performer Matt Maher on Friday, Sept. 15 ($20) and country star Lee Brice on Friday, Sept. 22 ($50).
E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
This Week's Must-See List
Pasadena's farewell show at Pickles Pub in Ocean City at 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 2. Free
Kristen & the Noize at The Starboard in Dewey Beach at 10 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3. Free
Sam Grow at the Cowboy Coast Saloon in Ocean City at 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1. $10
Lower Case Blues at High Stakes Bar & Grill in Fenwick Island at 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1. Free
The 19th Street Band at Bethany Blues Lewes on Route 1 at Midway at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1. Free