We’ve got some great local live music around Portland this week, including a national touring act that calls Maine home, a showcase of local hip hop artists, and a veteran to the music scene you may remember from your high school days. Add in some kings from the metal world, and you’ve got some great live music options ahead of you!
We’ve highlighted four of our top picks for this week, but you can always check out our Live Music Tonight calendar for the full list of live music in Portland.
THE HEADLINER
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Hugely popular kings of the metal world, Machine Head are heading out of their garage and hitting the road with their Electric Happy Hour (Live) Tour!
During COVID, Machine Head stayed in touch with fans by hosting weekly anything-goes online shows from their homes, and as the world opened back up, they took their no-holds barred show off line and on the road with a Scotland tour. With the huge success of those shows, they’re now bringing Electric Happy Hour (Live) to the US, and Portland!
This Thursday, December 1st, at Portland House of Music & Events, don’t miss your chance to see these titans of the metal world on stage in a beer-drenched, head-banging, free-wheelin’, no-set-list, anything goes extravaganza. You could hear oldies, newbies, covers, whatever mood strikes the band and crowd in the moment!
The show changes every single night, so get your tickets now for what will be a once-in-a-lifetime performance! Show starts at 7:00PM.
LIVE & LOCAL
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Any local millennial who went through an emo phase in high school will recognize Toby McAllister as the guitarist and back-up vocalist for Maine’s own Sparks the Rescue way back when.
Now, despite the fact that we’re growing older and our hair isn’t as long, Toby is continuing to play music all across the state as a solo artist, as well as in several different projects, and you can find him singing and strumming at bars, weddings and private functions all across the state.
This Friday, December 2nd, Toby will be bringing his solo act to Après for a performance from 7:30-9:30PM. You can expect to hear some of Toby’s newer songwriting endeavors, which point to his growing older and maturing life experiences in a stripped down, acoustic rock sound.
Don’t miss this free performance from a true veteran of the Maine music scene.
MID-WEEK MUSIC
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Break up the monotony of the work week with the return of Flask Fest at Flask Lounge this Wednesday, November 30th, beginning at 9:00 PM.
Flask Fest 3 is a showcase of local hip hop artists put on by New England and Oregon-based media company Bars Over Bars, as well as Portland’s own Beyond the Mic media company.
Just $10 gets you through the door for this huge collection of local talent.
Spend your Wednesday night supporting local music at the return of this hip hop festival hosted by Flask Lounge.
STAFF PICK
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Maine is known to a good chunk of names that hit big on the music scene, and one of the biggest on the current circuit is The Mallett Brothers Band, who will be playing a home show at the State Theatre this Saturday, December 3rd.
These Americana country-rockers have built a dedicated fanbase across the US since forming in 2009, but they always save time to return home and rock out with the ones who started their stream of success in the music world.
Known for their genre-defying, upbeat jam heavy shows, they always know how to bring home a party. If you haven’t seen these local boys do what they do best, now is your chance.
Get your tickets now for the 7:00PM show.
There’s so much live music happening around the city at any given time that we’d never have the time to list them all here.
Check out our Live Music Tonight page for a full calendar of live events happening in Portland, Maine.