Music Forecast: Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Darlingside, Joe Diffie and the Band That Fell to Earth

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

Everybody likes a good underdog story, and Nathaniel Rateliff has one for the books. Last August, the Hermann, Missouri, native — along with his band, the Night Sweats — released a self-titled record, featuring lead single “S.O.B.” Something about that song and the spirited, rough-voiced way Rateliff yells his chorus — Son of a bitch, give me a drink — hit a nerve with listeners. It seemed to carry all of Rateliff’s career frustrations that he’d held onto while trying to make a go of it since 2007. At last, we can see this underdog at the top: Monday’s show has been moved from the Riot Room to the Midland. Tickets are still available.
Monday, February 1

The Midland, 1228 Main

Darlingside

There’s something about Darlingside’s September-released album, Birds Say, that seems just a touch nostalgic. Maybe the album would have been huge if it were released, say, five or so years ago, with all of the uplifting folk songs à la the Lumineers and Fleet Foxes. That’s not to say the band is a throwaway — it’s just an anomaly on the current landscape. Perhaps that’s what gives these four young Massachusetts men, with their tender four-part harmonies and refined violin and cello parts, an edge. Birds Say is delicate and purposeful — easily one of the most underrated albums of last year.
Friday, January 29

Tank Room, 1813 Grand

Joe Diffie, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt

The Kauffman Center goes country Friday, with a trio of top headlining talent. Joe Diffie has had more than a handful of hits in his 27-year career. (Surely there are a few out there who recall the epic 1994 song “Pickup Man.”) Lorrie Morgan — daughter of country music legend George Morgan, and a Grand Ole Opry queen in her own right — is slated to release Letting Go … Slow, her first solo album in five years, on February 12. And the deep-voiced Mark Chesnutt, a chart force since his 1988 debut, takes you back to old country and honky-tonk.
Friday, January 29

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway

The Band that Fell to Earth: A David Bowie Tribute

It seems right that the unmatchable David Bowie would not have wanted us to spend too much time mourning his death, but instead celebrating his marvelous life and work. The Band That Fell to Earth hopes to help you do so Sunday at Knuckleheads. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as the saying goes, and the L.A. tribute act has perfected its imitation — so much so that perhaps you can feel the spirit of Bowie warming your heart on this night. (Note: As of press time, this show is sold out.)

Sunday, January 31

Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

More Shows

Thursday 1.28

Tech N9ne: Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Buhu, Small Waves, Of, The Coyote: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Chasing Morgan, Second to the Left, Tread Lightly: Davey’s Uptown, 3402 Main

Grupo Aztlan: The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Kris Lager Band with Kerry Pastine and the Crime Scene: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Friday 1.29

Truckstop Honeymoon, Eddy Green: The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Carnage: Midland, 1228 Main

Pink Royal: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Air Supply: Ameristar Casino and Hotel, 3200 North Ameristar Drive

Atlantic Express: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Roger Wilder Quintet: The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7: Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Babe Hammer, C-Rex, Wick and the Tricks, Sister Mary Rotten Crotch: Davey’s Uptown, 3402 Main

Saturday 1.30

Ben Miller Band, Sky Smeed: The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Doug Talley Quintet: The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

The Time Traveler’s Ball: Davey’s Uptown, 3402 Main

Madeon: Midland, 1228 Main

The Bel-Airs: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Brody Buster Band: Tank Room, 1813 Grand

Monday 2.1

Rural Grit 17th Anniversary: The Brick, 1727 McGee

Alison Wonderland: The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Tuesday 2.2

Lamb of God: The Midland, 1228 Main

Queensryche with Halcyon Way and Meytal: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Guster: Madrid Theatre, 3810 Main

Keelan Donavan, Megan Davies, Run With It: Davey’s Uptown, 3402 Main

Tribe Society, Yes You Are, Karma Killers: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Wednesday 2.3

Yo La Tengo: The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Brillz & Party Favor: The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

The John Jorgenson: Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester