Live Music 101
by Alex Boyd at Good Tunes Hub
Let’s be clear about this – Hingham is no “Northampton, MA” with respect to its music scene [bet you didn’t know Northampton’s live music scene is arguably better than Boston’s, but that’s different “101.”] But we do enjoy close proximity to a lot of great live music, and following is a pretty tidy list of your seasonal options. To be clear, many restaurants / bars offer live music, and to list all of them would be less than helpful – the objective here is to provide realistic options when you find yourself in the following condition: 1] babysitter signed up, 2] batch of friends in a similar state of babysitterness, 3] seeking drinks and dinner out with said friends and some live music to make the night complete. The following list should provide a decent head start.
C Note - [R&B/Blues; shows through Spring, Summer & Fall] Located in the first series of retail shops on the left hand side as you enter Nantasket Ave. in Hull [10-minute drive], the CNote is all about R&B, blues and is a great place to have a few drinks, dance and enjoy some fairly well-known blues/R&B bands. The atmosphere is pretty old-school too – bar in the center, stage in the back, no frills and no need for them. My favorite shows here: two consecutive December shows by NRBQ – a blast and a half! If Young Neal & The Vipers, The Love Dogs, The Fat City Band or Jeff Pitchell & The Texas Floods are your thing, then the CNote is for you, as they are all performing there this summer. CNote, 159 Nantasket Ave., Hull, MA; Phone: 781-925-4300.
South Shore Music Circus- [all music types; shows through Summer/Fall] A mere 10-minute drive over the border on Route 3A, the Music Circus is a blast – if taken in context. Tiny, circular tent-like venue with a rotating stage - cool. Dinner and drinks with friends beforehand outdoors at the Olde Salt House at Atlantica in Little Harbor in Cohasset or any number of “pre-game” restaurants – getting warmed up. Hang outside in the sunshine before the show, run into numerous friends, neighbors, tennis teammates - almost there. Cap it off with a typical year’s schedule, which might include such random acts as Lyle Lovett, Tony Bennett, Counting Crows, Little Feat, Yes, Boz Scaggs, Lewis Black, Franki Valli, Brian Regan, Johnny Mathis, Huey Lewis, Aretha Franklin, The Beach Boys and finally, wait for it, Jack and The Beanstalk [yes, the children’s theatre production]. Score! Who books these shows!?!? But as long as you are over 40, and have retained some sense of humor, this can be a really fun night. South Shore Music Circus, 130 Sohier Street, Cohasset, MA 02025; Phone: 781-383-9850.
Old Ship Coffeehouse Off The Square- [Original Folk Artists; shows through Summer/Fall] It may be me, but file this one under “it’s nice, but could be SO much more….” Located right on Main Street just a few steps from downtown, the Old Ship Coffeehouse is a medium sized meeting room with small platform that features folk / singer songwriter artists through the Spring/Summer/Fall. Sip coffee at foldup tables, nibble on snacks/muffins and listen to compelling folk music. It’s a nice, quiet time. What could it be? Put me in charge of booking some more edgy, contemporary folk / singer songwriter performers, adjust the lighting and table/chairs / stage setup and allow BYOW [bring you own wine], and the room / experience would be transformed into a much warmer, engaging, relevant evening with more interesting music. My favorite show here? Seeing Bill Morrissey here with my 11-year old son. Average age at the show – 65. Old Ship Church Parish House, 107 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043; Phone: 781-749-1767.
Tosca- [Jazz; Fri & Sat nights, year-round] Tosca features small jazz groups [keyboard, horns, etc.] in the “Library” on weekends. Let’s be clear – with the density of seating, albeit cozy seating, and the din of cackling noise, you will not be able to hear the music, but visually I can assure you they are there and they do play their instruments. Some drinks at the bar or at a table, dinner [excellent food, and you pay for it] with music in the background – it’s a pretty nice, if not highfalutin’, way to go. Tosca, 14 North Street Hingham, MA 02043; Phone: 781-740-0080.
Salsa’s- [Singer songwriter-covers; Fri & Sat nights] Similar to The Snug, singer songwriters here tend to do the Jimmy Buffet [guy with an acoustic guitar] thing. Margaritaville, American Pie, Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown, blah, blah, blah…. But the guy I saw does ‘em well. Sample a margarita or three, relax in the bar area and socialize - it’s pretty fun environment. Food is mid-level Mexican – nothing to write home about. Salsa’s, 211 Lincoln Street, Hingham, MA 02043; Phone: 781-749-9094.
The Snug- [Singer Songerwriter-covers; Irish/Celtic; designated nights each week] Hingham’s favorite [only?] Irish pub offers a Traditional Irish Session on Monday nights, and singer songwriters on designated days each week. Grab your tin whistle, fiddle, harp and hammered dulcimer, pull up a chair, plant your Guinness and join the circle. The traditional Celtic [pronounce this with a “K”] music sounds great, and it’s good fun. Food is decent too – try the buffalo wings or steak tips. The Snug, 116 North Street, Hingham, MA 02043; Phone: 781-749-9774.
The River Club- [Unknown] I’ve never even heard of this place, so I thought I’d mention it. Seriously. But I do know that a talented singer songwriter, Ellis Paul, is playing at The River Club on November 27th later this year, so it’s a place I’d keep an eye on – who knows who else they’ll bring in? The River Club, 78 Border Street Scituate, MA 02066-1202; Phone: 781-545-1330; Website: Not operational….
Hingham Public Library- [Classical Guitar; see schedule] Occasionally, the library will feature classical flamenco/classical guitarists on weekend afternoons. The musicians are talented, it’s free, you can drop in and out as you please and it’s kid-friendly. Just pick up a schedule at the library front desk.
GoodTunesHub.com- [Rock, Folk, Alternative, Mellow Rock; 24-7] GoodTunesHub.com is not a restaurant or bar – it is a Hingham-based web site that caters to fans of creative, high-quality music. Anyone who enjoys learning about new artists [or veteran artists that may be new to them] is invited to visit the site and explore. You can sample songs from hundreds of selected albums, thousands of selected songs – if you like something, download mp3s or buy the CDs from Amazon.com. New CD recommendations are added daily, so visit frequently to see what new recommendations are posted. We are Hingham-based, and appreciate your support! GoodTunesHub.com. Phone: 617-842-6150.
Photo: Phil H.
