Morgan Wade, Wilderado, Flatland Cavalry among August's standout concerts in Columbia
August in Columbia boasts a sneaky-good concert calendar.
With permanent residents and students trickling back to settle in, venues are mingling rising stars with veteran acts who have established exhilarating sounds. The Tribune has covered — or will — exciting August dates from acts like Old 97s and The Breeders. Here's the best of the rest.
More: New Missouri rock from Tidal Volume, Dark Below, The Many Colored Death
Aug. 14 Morgan Wade at Rose Music Hall
Taste of Country compared the Virginia native to "a hardened Sheryl Crow," and that's not far off. Wade writes where the loping rock of artists such as Crow and Tom Petty intersects with pure country; Wade's lyrics pull no punches, but the slight catch in her voice hints at deep wells of soul. Matt Roy shares the bill; $15-$20. Visit https://rosemusichall.com/ for details.
Aug. 20 Yellow Ostrich at Rose Music Hall
Seven years after calling it quits, Alex Schaaf revived the Yellow Ostrich name on 2021's "Soft," a refined pop record that glides along quietly but never meekly. Label Barsuk Records described the set as reflecting Schaaf's "drive toward vulnerability and tenderness as core tenets of his being." Bathtub Cig and Penny Marvel share the bill; $12-$15.
Aug. 21 Abby Hamilton at Rose Music Hall
Hamilton, a Lexington, Kentucky singer-songwriter, threads the needle between modern and classic country, delivering hard-luck anthems with a voice that suggests she'll be vindicated — eventually — and offering lovely moments of romantic respite. In addition to Hamilton's original material, a four-song EP of U2 covers yields real delight. Forrest McCurren shares the bill; $12-$15.
Aug. 23 Wilderado at Rose Music Hall
AllMusic's Timothy Monger characterized this Tulsa band's sound as "expansive indie rock" which "fuses soaring vocals and rumbling guitars with an open-road, Americana-inspired feel." Indeed, the band's self-titled 2021 album uses giant choruses and earthy arrangements to draw compelling horizon lines, then suggest reaching them is possible. Michigander shares the bill; $15-$18.
Aug. 26 Flatland Cavalry at The Blue Note
The Lubbock, Texas band mingles megawatt charisma and earthy songwriting to create a country sound that offers something both for genre purists and outsiders. Flatland Cavalry records pop and sizzle in a way that practically begs to be heard live. Boy Named Banjo shares the bill; $15. Head to https://thebluenote.com/ for more information.
Aug. 31 El Ten Eleven at Rose Music Hall
For 20 years, Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogarty have used the tools at their disposal — bass, a bass/guitar combo instrument, drums and a variety of loops and effects to create what AllMusic calls "inventive, complex music ... their chiming, heartfelt melodies combined with upbeat rhythms result in songs that are touching yet energetic, even danceable." Telepathy Club shares the bill; $15-$18.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Morgan Wade, Wilderado among August's standout concerts
