From Peach Pit to Guster, 5 can't-miss Rose Park shows this summer
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Summer is about soaking up every last drop of sun, then remaining outdoors through the early watches of the night to enjoy dusk's relative cool. Why not set all that sky-gazing and firefly-watching to live music?
A part of Rose Music Hall, Rose Park is one of the most consistent places to catch live music outside in the center of Columbia. There will be a number of solid shows at the green space this summer. Here are five of the most exciting on the calendar so far:
June 16: Caleb Caudle
Caudle, a North Carolina singer-songwriter with an Everyman voice that's more resonant than most men, attracts serious talent. Last year's "Forsythia" features contributions from the likes of Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and Carlene Carter; while 2020's "Better Hurry Up" folded in members of The Jayhawks, Wilco, The Civil Wars and Willie Nelson's band. Caudle's songs carry an inherent dynamic energy, drawing in listeners and collaborators alike. Tickets are $10-$12.
Listen before you go: "Forysthia" really is a star-studded gem that still shows off its main character.
June 24: Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country
The Nashville native joins crackerjack guitar playing and a lyric tenor to create country music that veers into the soulful and psychedelic corners of the honky-tonk. Donato's riffing will dazzle, while his band spins a calming groove like a spider's web; together they form a sound that is both reminiscent of the '70s and somehow timeless. Tickets are $18-$22.
Listen before you go: 2021's "Cosmic Country and Western Songs" offers a great sense of what Donato is up to.
July 31: Peach Pit
This Canadian outfit has dubbed its own music "chewed bubblegum pop," and there's something about knowing yourself. Guitar licks lope and loop back on each other, adorning the band's inherent momentum — sometimes propulsive in a forward sense, sometimes pogo-stick perfect — and framing dreamy, sad-eyed melodies just right for a midsummer night's show. Babe Corner shares the bill; tickets are $25-$28.
Listen before you go: Last year's "From 2 to 3" shows that the band has "found their winning formula and perfected it," ClashMusic's Neive McCarthy wrote.
Aug. 5: Guster
One of the most complete bands of the past 30 years, the Boston-forged act is the ultimate example of a college outfit that grew into its potential. Guster deftly mingles punchlines that will make you cry and the sort of heartache that will cause a laugh, literary lyrics and pop-culture preoccupations — all set to a dynamic, harmony-soaked union of folk and rock. Tickets are $31-$36.
Listen before you go: There's no wrong choice with Guster, so give "Omagah," the band's 2020 collaboration with the Omaha Symphony a spin to stretch back through their catalog.
Aug. 12: Fortune Fest IV
The fourth iteration of this one-day, fortune teller-themed fest will feature a headlining set from Louisville, Kentucky's White Reaper, the best classic-rock band to debut in the 21st century. Of the band's latest record, "Asking for a Ride," Slant's Steve Erickson wrote, "White Reaper’s music is far more spirited than their lyrics, they skillfully strike a balance between exuberance and introspection." More artists are to be announced. Tickets are $15-$25.
Listen before you go: "Asking for a Ride" is worth your time, and White Reaper's 2017 effort "The World's Best American Band" really captures the group's spirit.
Visit https://rosemusichall.com/events/ for more details on these and other shows.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: 5 can't-miss outdoor concerts at Rose Park, including Guster, Peach Pit
