If you are a fan of folk and any variation thereof, you are in luck this week. Big time names like Chris Stapleton, Dawes, and Holly Miranda are all making Oklahoma stops in the next seven days, each having released some of the most acclaimed Americana-adjacent records of 2015. But you’ve also got grunge legends Alice in Chains and indie rockers Cymbals Eat Guitars performing, along with a pair of local artist release shows and one fond farewell in this week’s most notable Sooner State concerts.
Sports with Prettyboy and Delphino
Thursday, July 30
Foolish Things Coffee Company | Tulsa
Sports just released a very good album last week, and it’s being properly celebrated with a hometown release show that would only be better if a pool was involved.
Alice in Chains
Friday, July 31
Brady Theater | Tulsa
Along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, Alice in Chains was essential to the Seattle grunge explosion of the early ’90s. A new chapter began in 2006 when William DuVall assumed the frontman role that Layne Staley left behind with his 2002 passing. The band is prepping their sixth studio album, due for release sometime this year.
Holly Miranda
Friday, July 31
Blue Door | Oklahoma City
Detroit singer-songwriter Holly Miranda restarted a solo career in 2008 when her bandmates in The Jealous Girlfriends decided to take a break. She’s since recorded with Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio), toured with Tegan & Sara, The xx, Florence + The Machine, and just released her third LP in May.
Chris Stapleton with Jacob Tovar and the Saddle Tramps
Friday, July 31
Cain’s Ballroom | Tulsa
Stapleton has been a, well, staple of the country music scene for some time as a songwriter, penning hit songs for Kenny Chesney, George Strait, and Darius Rucker. Now he’s allowing himself to bask in the spotlight, releasing his debut album Traveller to widespread critical acclaim in May.
Update: Stapleton’s show has been postponed due to illness. He’ll come to Cain’s on Friday, September 11 instead.
Ripple Green with Helen Kelter Skelter and Rachel Brasher
Friday, July 31
51st Street Speakeasy | Oklahoma City
Ripple Green spent a transformative semester abroad, studying at ACM@UCO’s satellite location over in the United Kingdom last year. Their new EP might be considered a thesis of sorts, showing just what exactly they learned over that time.
[Peach] with Adam & Kizzie and Pidgin
Saturday, August 1
City Pres | Oklahoma City
Bracketed Oklahoma City piano-pop act [Peach] is calling it a wrap, calling on the R&B stylings of Adam & Kizzie and jam band Pidgin to help send them off to great white beyond.
Cymbals Eat Guitars with See Through Dresses, Windmark, and Tonne
Sunday, August 2
89th Street Collective | Oklahoma City
The Staten Island band came into its own with 2014’s LOSE, capitalizing on all the promise of their prior work in Lenses Alien and Why There Are Mountains, with an emo-leaning set of catchy, angsty rock songs highlighted by choice cut “Warning.”
Dawes with John Moreland
Wednesday, August 5
ACM@UCO Performance Lab | Oklahoma City
California export Dawes has long been a favorite of the alt-country and folk rock crowds, and their latest effort, All Your Favorite Bands, has only served to reaffirm their status. Having one of the buzziest names in folk (and an Oklahoma favorite) and John Moreland on the bill makes it a hot ticket indeed.
