ALO, Vince Gill, Sarah Jarosz, Of Montreal, Diamond Center, The Mirrors, Bonnaroo Webcast

As usual in the months of May & June, we begin our weekend at Friday Cheers on Brown's Island, this week with jam band ALO. It's $5 to get in and the show starts at 6:30 with local band, Former Champions. (If you miss Former Champions here or just want to see more, they'll be at The Camel Saturday night at 9, $8 cover and at Cary St. Cafe on Tuesday night at 10 PM for FREE.) The next night, ALO will be at Bonnaroo (more on that in a second). Here's what some people said about ALO:

• "SXSW 2012 Can't-Miss-Act" – Rolling Stone
• "They can improvise and jam as good as anyone I've ever seen. But they got these songs that really stick in your head as well." – Jack Johnson
• "Each member of ALO could easily be the musical star of their own band, so it's nice to see accomplished musicians like these stick together." – Associated Press
• "A funky blend of '70′s, R&B and jazz, with a whopping dollop of groove." – Keyboard Magazine
• "Little bit of funk, a little bit of pop, a lot of energy and a big dollop of dance-worthy music – that's the recipe that's brought ALO a fan base far and wide." – San Diego Magazine
• "Weaving jazz, blues and funk into a soulful California party blend." – Relix

Here's ALO's latest video, "Speed of Dreams":

I mentioned Bonnaroo earlier and they have a great webcast lined up on YouTube HERE. It will start at 1:30 EDT on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and looks like they'll have three channels going for your viewing pleasure. On Friday, check out tuneYards, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Laura Marling, Avett Brothers, Fitz & the Tantrums, Alabama Shakes, St. Vincent, Rodrigo y Gabriela, White Denim and Radiohead (at 11 PM EDT). On Saturday, Charles Bradley, Sam Bush, Dawes,  Red Hot Chili Peppers and Umphrey's McGee. On Sunday, Delta Spirit, Gary Clark Jr., ALO, Trampled By Turtles, Kenny Rogers (?!?), Ben Folds Five, Bon Iver, and Phish (both sets!). Just like being there except you'll be comfortable and there will be no line for the bathroom.

Here in Richmond on Saturday, The Mirrors will be at Current (the restaurant) @ The Hat Factory. Show will start at 8 and it doesn't look like there is a cover. Vega Omega and another band (tba) will open. The Mirrors play 60's style psychedelia and garage rock (think Beatles, Stones, Kinks, early Floyd).



Sunday, it's an early show at Strange Matter with Richmond garage psychedelic band Diamond Center. This will be one of the last four shows they play this year as they are going to take some time off from playing live to record their new album. Doors open at 4, show starts at 5 with openers Psychic Flowers and another band tba. Here's Diamond Center doing their song "Wax & Wane" in Memphis in April:



On Wednesday night, a bluegrass/country show at Groovin' in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens with Vince Gill and Sarah Jarosz. Gates open at 5:30, show starts around 6. Tix are $45. You can see Sarah on the YouTube Bonnaroo webcast this weekend. Here's Vince Gill and Sting doing "Whenever You Come Around" from the Crossroads show on CMT:



On the opposite end of the musical spectrum from Vince Gill, experimental, theatrical rock band Of Montreal will be at The National on Wednesday. Tix are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with opener Chappo. If you want a preview of the show, here they are doing "The Past is a Grotesque Animal". You can check out the full show from DC in April HERE but I couldn't embed it.



Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan