Wednesday, March 4

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike

Thursday, March 5

Death Ray Robin, Stillhouse: First Thursday On Main

Desiree Richardson, stage name Death Ray Robin, performs at the Boyd Plaza stage as part of this month’s First Thursday activities on Main Street. Stillhouse will play in front of Mast General Store.

Jazz Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

Milah, Doozy, Jade Adu, Karena Dykes: Live From the 803, Koger Center 2nd Floor Gallery 6 PM

Another in the Black Nerd Mafia series of shows featuring local talent in the hip-hop, R&B, funk and soul scene, this one focuses on women artists.

Chris Reed: Timberlake Country Club, 6 PM

Sincere Sessions Open Jam - Hosted by Eezy Olah: Uncle Festers, 8 PM

Friday, March 6

Dirt Road Disciples: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Exhumed, No/Mas, Oxygen Destroyer: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

Thrash/death metal legends Exhumed just put out a new album, “Red Asphalt,” check out their gory, pummeling sound from the first single “The Iron Graveyard”:

Get the Led Out: Township Auditorium, 7:30 PM

Led Zeppelin tribute band.

King Nothing, lowercase gods, Cutthroat Suzy: Art Bar, 9 PM

King Nothing is a Metallica tribute band.

Open Stage and Bluegrass Jam: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

Opus & the Frequencies: Finlay Park, 6 PM

Podunk Ramblers: Hazelwood Brewing, 7 PM

Maddie Rean: Boho Pizza, 6 PM

Chris Reed: Chubby’s Burgers, 6 PM

Riverstone: Steel Hands Brewing, 6 PM

Tauren Wells: Mt. Horeb Church, 7 PM

Coley Williams: J’s Corner, 6 PM

Shiloh Woods: Murphy’s Grill, 6 PM

Saturday, March 7

Emory Lee Band: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Danae Hays: The Senate, 8 PM

Michael Jackson Tribute Show: Luxe Life (6729 Two Notch Rd), 7 PM

Jon Michaels: Hazelwood Brewing, 4-7 PM

Oort Patrol, Chunx, Small Doses, Forty Two, Billy & Charlie: La Isla Bonita (Percival Rd), 5 PM

NC guitar rockers Oort Patrol take Sci-fi and puns as seriously as they do their angular indie slabs of melodic noise.

Ordinary Boys: A Tribute To the Smiths and Morrissey: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

Charles Page & Company: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Maddie Rean Band: Bubbas Pub N Grub, 9 PM

Throttlerod, Five Ohm, Firenest: Art Bar, 9 PM

This will be a massive show, worth it for the return of previously local stoner rock gods Throttlerod alone. But you’ll also get a couple more of the area’s finest heavy rock acts in the post-grunge Five Ohm and heavy instrumentalists Firenest.

Tokyo Joe: Boho Links, 7 PM

Eddie Watkins, Jr.: Unity of the Midlands (1801 LeGrand, Columbia), 6 PM

Sunday, March 8

Cola Jazz / Cayce Pop Up Jazz: Cayce Art Lot 1908 State Street, 5-7 PM

Featured musical act this week is the Soda City Brass Band.

Freeway Music Showcase: Tin Roof, 2 PM

Jazz Jam Session: Curiosity Coffee, 4 PM

Prettier Than Matt: Hazelwood Brewing, 3-6 PM

A great midafternoon chance to see one of Columbia’s favorite musical acts. Have you heard their latest single? “See You in 22” video below:

Virago, Open Mike: Uncle Festers, 3 PM

Monday, March 9

Open Jam, Open Mike Sessions: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

A three-tiered open mike night with full band jam upstairs, Eezy Olah with the hip-hop open mike in the mezzanine, and acoustic open mike downstairs.

Tuesday, March 10

Open Mike Night: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM

Kelly and Brodie Porterfield have been performing as the Water Kickers for a while now, but a four piece version of the band is a bit newer; this is the first studio recording with JA Graham on bass and drummer Steven Harrod included in the mix.

This is a “3P”, an EP with only three tracks. Kelley takes the lead vocal on the opening number, “Give Me Some Lovin,” a plaintive, slow-plucked banjo driven southern gothic blues that recalls the best of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, equal parts ancient soundscapes and modern relationship problems.

“Heavy Heart,” is a 70’s throwback style tune that would have fit well on a Jesse Winchester or Randy Newman album, with Brodie taking lead vocals and electric guitars; “Couldn’t Help But Think Of You,” adds piano on a beautifully pastoral ballad where Brodie’s resigned, restrained vocal is accented by Kelley’s understated but essential harmony part as the lyrics describe things that make the singer ‘think of you,’ from “clouds like castles overhead,” “A scarf lost on a train,” and other impressionistic lines.

The expanded lineup enhances rather than overwhelms, adding texture to the tunes and depth to the melodies. The strength of the Water Kickers has always been the interplay between Kelley and Brodie, weaving banjo, guitar, and their two voices together. That hasn’t changed, but the full band arrangements allow more fully realized versions of the new material.

Wednesday, February 25

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike

Smush, Daundry, Leverpuller: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

Smush and Daundry both hail from Chicago’s rock scene, with drone-y riffs and Steve Albini-level noise quotients. If you like it loud, somewhat industrial, and intense…this show’s for you. locals Lever Puller open the night.

Thursday, February 26

Blues Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

McKenzie Butler: Wings and Ale Lexington, 6:30 PM

The Blue Iguanas: Hazelwood Brewing, 7 PM

Juventad, Rá, The Khidd, AtrixAlan: Uncle Fester’s, 8 PM

A part of the monthly hip hop sessions at Festers, dubbed “LAST CALL”, highlighted by the super-chill stoner hip-hop of Juventad—check out a laid back live clip below.

Jeff Lucero: Papa Tony’s, 6 PM

Ty Myers: The Township Auditorium, 7:30 PM

Myers will do two nights in Columbia, this is night one. He’s a rising star in the young country world, his next album “Heavy On the Soul” drops March 27th, check out the first single and video below:

Old Time Jam: The War Mouth, 6 PM

Friday, February 27

Robin Dixon: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Ben Marshall Duo: Steel Hands Brewing, 6 PM

Ty Myers: The Township Auditorium, 7:30 PM

Night two for Myers in Columbia.

Open Mike hosted by Chris Ash: Hazelwood Brewing,

Open Stage and Bluegrass Jam: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

Featured band this week is The Jordan River Band.

Riverstone: O’Haras, 6 PM

The Runout Duo: Gather Cola, 6 PM

Sam and Illia Band: Prohibition, 10 PM

Strings and Stories: A Nashville Songwriter’s Night: Harbison Theatre, 7:30 PM

A songwriter event featuring Chuck Cannon, Rob Crosby, James Dean Hicks, and Jon Michaels. SOLD OUT

The Water Kickers: Saluda Shoals, 6 PM

Saturday, February 28

Sadie Belle Dyer: Hazelwood Brewing, 4-7 PM

Eighth House, Applefield: Art Bar, 9:30 PM

Groove Masters Band: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Clay Johnson: Steel Hands Brewing, 5 PM

Cody Johnson: Colonial Life Arena, 7:30 PM

Another big country show in town this week, this time an established hitmaker in Cody Johnson.

Merc, Goatse, Victim Complex, Speedbag, Third Impact: The Spaze, 6 PM

Sam and Illia: Chubby’s Burgers, 6 PM

Stitcher: Bubbas Pub N Grub, 9 PM

Whiskey Run: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Sunday, March 1

Cola Jazz pop-up jazz concert: H. Kelly Jones Park – 2616 Riverland Drive, 5-7 PM

Demetrius Doctor: 2123 College St, 6 PM

Tony Opus, Open Mike: Uncle Fester’s, 3-6 PM

Chris Reed: Boho Pizza, 4 PM

Sound of Freedom Joy Fest: Colonial Life Arena, 5 PM

A multi-artist gospel music event featuring Kierra Sheard, Travis Greene, The Clark Sisters, Le’Andria Johnson, Jonathan McReynolds, Darryl Walls, and Zacardi Cortez.

The Water Kickers, Lang Owen, Elizabeth Leverton: (Private show, contact The Water Kickers for info)

Monday, March 2

Open Jam, Open Mike Sessions: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

A three-tiered open mike night with full band jam upstairs, Eezy Olah with the hip-hop open mike in the mezzanine, and acoustic open mike downstairs.

Tuesday, March 3

Open Mike Night: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM

Nick Sweat has been banging out songs in the Columbia, SC music scene since the 2010s; this is the debut from his latest ensemble, Nick Sweat and the Phantom Headlghts. Over four tracks recorded at the Jam Room, the band saunters through easygoing country-rock territory anchored by Sweat’s singular, strident voice.

Opening tune “Children of Wrath” sets the scene with a loping groove that would have fit perfectly on a Whiskeytown album; its confessional tale of a broken relationship seems to extend throughout the EP.

“Like Ghosts,” may have the best line here, in a slow-burning bluesy framework :

“Gotta destroy the sound, obliterate the clouds, if heaven's so God damn close then why the hell can't it be found?”

“Signal Fade” has some classic southern alt-rock riffs, like a cross between Jolene and Fables-era R.E.M., and again it extends the theme of a faded relationship as Sweat hits a higher, desperately pleading register on the chorus:

“See you always thought, the worst about me,
I guess I didn't make that too hard from the start.”

“Melting Point” may be the best track here, when Sweat and the band put it all together. There’s a churning drone-like sound created by bassist Roger Shattuck and drummer Marc Plaskie, stinging lead guitar from Charlie McLinden that kicks in at just the right moments, and Sweat’s own earnest vocal delivery.

If we’ve been privy to the issues in the relationship that formed the EP’s songs so far, this is the “Fuck it, I’m done,” finale set to music. He may have been the problem, as the EP title suggests, but he’s also going to be the solution, it appears:

“But you don't know a single thing about me,
I tried so hard but you never really opened up.
So we could sit here discussing our past,
But I'm so tired of putting you first and myself last.”

Bandcamp link below to listen and purchase:

Wednesday, Feb 18

INZO: The Senate, 8 PM

If you’re into the EDM scene, you know INZO. If not, and you’re curious, check out the full set below from a recent Red Rocks performance:

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike. Featured poet this week is Madison Woodle, featured musician is Josh McGill of the band This Machine.

Thursday, Feb 19

Jazz Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

Chris Reed: J’s Corner, 6 PM

Ella Thomas: Hazelwood Brewing, 7 PM

this is part of Hazelwood’s weekly “Brew-Grass” series, hosting different bluegrass acts every Thursday. Ella is a young but already accomplished local fiddle player.

Paisley Marie, Tyler Gordon, Katie Gandy, Desirée Richardson: Uncle Festers, 8 PM

This is part of the monthly Writers in the Round series at Uncle Festers, and it’s a loaded lineup this time around. Paisley Marie is or was part of a number of local indie rock acts, from her own Paisley and the Birdwalkers to Sweetheart City and Homemade Haircuts. Tyler Gordon comes from the indie rock realm as well with his bands Barnwell and, currently, Hillmouse. Katie Gandy and Desiree Richardson take classic female vocalist styles and meld them to indie pop in KTG and Death Ray Robin, respectively. Check out the brand new song and video from KTG, “eeaao (I Do),” below:

Friday, Feb 20

Blackberry Smoke: Township Auditorium, 7:30 PM

Steeped in classic southern rock, they’ve been around long enough to have a “best of” compilation out (see below for a new, previously unreleased track from that); in concert they pay tribute to their rock ‘n’ roll roots by covering everyone from Bad Company and Thin Lizzy to the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

First Time Out; Ella Thomas & Friends: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

This is the featured band for the Friday night Open Stage and Jam event.

Harry and the Hootenannies, Sam Wise, Kevin K & the Bowery Kats, The Mystery Plan: Art Bar, 9 PM

It’s hard to believe that the off-kilter rock of local weirdos Harry and the Hootenannies has been around a decade already, but this is a “10 Year Anniversary” show, so it must be true. To acknowledge this, here’s a clip of the band playing “Not Going” in the Spaze nine years ago:

Honestav, Jayy Wick: The Senate, 7:30 PM

Honestav is one of those contemporary singer-songwriters who’s cramming too many words into his songs like a rapper, but he’s singing earnest, strummy shout along anthems with a 90s Everlast vibe.

Lucky Wednesday: Charter 803 Bar and Grill, 6 PM

Messenger Down, Death Ray Robin, Mr. Morning: Cat’s Kettle, 8 PM

Jon Michaels: Live Dinner Cruise on Spirit of Lake Murray, 6 PM

Sam & Illia Band: Hemingways, 8 PM

Reggie Sullivan Band: Finlay Park, 6 PM

This is the kickoff of a new free concert series at the updated Finlay Park.

Take 6, After 7: Koger Center, 8 PM

This is the yearly “Legends Of” benefit concert for the Auntie Karen Foundation; this year’s show features two classic R&B vocal groups. I wonder if they did the 6-7 thing on purpose, though?

Visceral Bleeding, No Sign of Life, Dr. Blood’s Orgy of Gore, Volvulus, 762 FAFO, Outhouse Murder: The Spaze, 6 PM

Coley Williams: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Saturday, Feb 21

Randy Atwood: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Briscoe, Jack Blocker: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

This Texas duo combines elements of country, bluegrass, and roots music to arrive at an enjoyable hybrid sound that should appeal to fans of all of the above and more.

The Bunchquitters: TOL Coffeehouse, 6719 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC

Daddy’s Beemer, Mantra, Leverpuller, DJ Sets from DJ Tiny, Patty Mills, Baby Cousin Tay Tay, DJ Roselle: Art Bar, 9 PM

Vincent Neil Emerson: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

Another in the “earnest, heartfelt Americana/country songwriter” scene, Emerson’s better than most of that crowd even if you haven’t heard his name much yet.

Tony Exum, Jr.: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Maddie Rean: Boho Pizza, 7 PM

Chris Reed: Homeland Craft (Leesville), 6 PM

Riverstone: Hazelwood Brewing, 4-7 PM

Sent By Slaughter, Thrashator, Thrystix: The Spaze, 7 PM

Celebrating the life of Benjamin Bowling, Goth Afterparty by DJ Dorian Mode

Sunday, Feb 22

Mike Hollon: Hazelwood Brewing, 3-6 PM

Koger Center Jazz Heritage Festival: Koger Center, 7:30 PM

The first night of a three-day run of jazz performances at the Koger, this one features alumni from the USC Jazz Studies program.

Pop-Up Jazz Concert at the William J. Cayce Grocery Site – End of State Street, at Frink Street: 5 PM to 7 PM

The City of Cayce is partnering with ColaJazz to offer a series of pop-up jazz concerts. All events are free and open to the public, with different ColaJazz related musicians appearing at each event. This week’s show features the Reggie Sullivan Trio.

St. Juventad: Uncle Fester’s, 3 PM

This is part of Uncle Fester’s regular open mike series, St. Juventad is the featured artist and host for this one.

Monday, Feb 23

Koger Center Jazz Heritage Festival: Koger Center, 7:30 PM

The second night of a three-day run of jazz performances at the Koger, this one features Vincent Gardner with USC Jazz Faculty.

Tuesday, Feb 24

Koger Center Jazz Heritage Festival: Koger Center, 7:30 PM

The third night of a three-day run of jazz performances at the Koger, this one features John Faddis and Friends.

Open Mike Night: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM