The Springfield Business Improvement District isn’t trimming any fat with its 16th installment this year. Rather, they’re leading off with it. Or, more specifically, the locally notable band of same name.
“FAT’s annual concert at Cityblock has always been about more than Springfield’s first and favorite rock band,” notes FAT frontman Peter Newland. “It is really about the city of Springfield and its people. This is the place where FAT started, these are the folks who cheered us on and who welcomed us with open arms when our run was over.”
FAT was signed to RCA records in 1970, played Madison Square Garden and opened for The Allman Brothers, Little Richard, and Grand Funk Railroad in the years that followed. This Thursday, June 30, they will kick off the free outdoor Cityblock concert series in Springfield at Court Square. The remaining eight Cityblock shows will move over to Stearns Square with former platinum-haired, platinum-selling Nelson brothers Matthew and Gunnar remembering the music of their fatheir Ricky July 7; tribute acts Forever Motown, July 14; and Pink Floyd duplicators The Machine, July 21; and fiddle phenom/Grand Old Opry veteran Natalie Stovall rounding out the month, July 28.
Terry Sylvester of The Hollies plays August 4, followed by veritable jam band royalty Max Creek, Aug. 11; Blessid Union of Souls, Aug. 18; and series closer The Shadowboxers, Aug. 25.
All Cityblock headlining acts begin at 7:30 p.m. For more info, visit springfielddowntown.com
None other than Noah Lis of The Voice notoriety is hosting the Listen Up! singing competition at Louie B’s in Southwick this summer. The all ages contest occurs each Friday through the Aug. 5 semifinals and Aug. 12 finals, and occurs between 7-9 p.m., followed by a performance by Lis. Cash prizes, $100-$500, are up for grabs for whoever belts it out the best. For more rules or to fill out the online entry application, visit the venue’s cyberhome at louiebs.com
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071, fax to (860) 394-4262, or email garycarra@aol.com.
