The former Baystate Hotel in Northampton is now legendary for its long-running music scene, which featured numerous acts of all shapes and sizes over the years.
Back in the day before the venue closed in 2000, you might have seen such artists as Arthur Lee and Love, Fountains of Wayne, and Kevin Shields (of My Bloody Valentine).
Of course these days, the Sierra Grille now occupies the space where these shows took place. And although the venue brought back music on Thursday nights, the "Reanimate the Baystate" series understandably hasn't drawn that many high-profile acts. The shows are usually great, but iconic acts are usually not taking the stage there now that it's mostly a dining venue.
However, one of the more renowned artists who played there back it in its musical heyday will return to the venue on Thursday: Lou Barlow, who was a founding member of Dinosaur Jr as well as the main force behind Sebadoh. As a bonus, another member of Sebadoh's original lineup, Eric Gaffney, will also be on the bill with his latest band, Grey Matter. Also playing will be the Weeping Bong Band. Sierra Grille is at 41 Strong Ave.
Scouting Report
- This month's iteration of All Folked Up at The Thirsty Mind in South Hadley will take place on Nov. 24 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. the lineup will include regular host Michael Orlen, singer songwriter with roots in the Boston music scene of the late 1960s and early '70s. He was a frequent performer at legendary Boston venues including the Sword in the Stone and Turk1s Head. He will be joined by Kala Farnham, a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter hailing from Connecticut. Farnham Kala's songwriting has been described as a reinvention of the folk tradition made popular by artists such as Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, but with the added edge of classical undertones and a dose Broadway theatricality onstage, Her first full-length studio album, "Anahata: Wake Up Your Heart", was nominated for "Best Americana Album" at the Motif Music Awards. She also is an alumni of the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project and the winner of the 2017 Rhode Island Songwriters Association Performing Songwriter Contest. Also on the bill is Pete Nelson, local writer and musician who has two albums out on the Signature Sounds Label. The Thirsty Mind is at 23 College St.
- The Rendezvous in the Turners Falls section of Montague will feature psychedelic groove bad Vimana on Nov. 16.the club is at 78 Third St.
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