A wide assortment of concerts have been announced over the past couple days, here's a quick run down:
**Fresh from playing opposite each other at the Basilica Block Party this past weekend, Father John Misty and ZZ Ward have both announced gigs in October. FJM will return to First Avenue on Oct. 11, his fifth or sixth local gig in about a year and a half, but this one will be a solo/acoustic gig. Tickets ($25) go on sale Friday at noon. Ward will perform at the Skyway Theatre a night later, Oct. 12, tickets for which ($18.75) go up Saturday at 10 a.m. Ward had about twice the crowd size that FJM did, by the way, so hers could sell out fast (as will his).
**With the Lowertown Roots Music Fest on tap for next weekend, Mears Park will play host to another cool – and free -- music marathon on Aug. 10 dubbed the Lowertown Guitar Festival. Atmospheric six-string ace Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Medeski, Martin & Wood) will come to town for the event alongside Scott Henderson (Tribal Tech), Fender technician Greg Koch and local favorites Pat Donahue and Dean Magraw. McNally Smith College of Music is putting on the event and hosting clinics for aspiring guitarists.
**After selling out two nights at First Avenue in April, Prof will join the select crew of local acts invited to headline the Cabooze Plaza on Sept. 7 (see also: Atmosphere, Trampled by Turtles, Polica). Evidence, Fashawn, MaLLy and more will join him at the big outdoor gig, which goes on sale Friday at 10 a.m. ($20).
**After releasing the best album of his career – and the best album of 2013, period (says me) – Jason Isbell will perform at the Varsity Theater on Oct. 25. Those tickets ($20) are on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Even though the 400 Unit is not featured on Isbell's record, "Southeastern," he will have the hand with him on this tour.
**More First Ave gigs for the fall going on sale this weekend: Har Mar Superstar with his "Bye Bye 17" band on Sept. 20; Man Man on Oct. 12; and Walk the Moon on Oct. 29.
**Two big gigs from the Cedar Cultural Center already on sale: Billy Bragg will return with his full band for a Sept. 26. show at the Cedar Cultural Center. The Cedar crew will also host a special intimate show Aug. 14 at the Woman's Club Theatre with Laura Marling, the rising British folkie now in steady rotation at the Current.
