Maine tribute acts pay homage to Joni Mitchell, U2 and The Smiths
Tribute acts celebrating Joni Mitchell, U2 and The Smiths are bringing the music of three iconic artists to Maine over the next few weeks.
For fans like me, tribute bands offer something more than a night of familiar songs. They provide a chance to experience music by artists who rarely tour, no longer perform or command ticket prices that put shows out of reach.
These aren’t casual cover bands playing a few hits. They’re accomplished musicians devoted to faithfully recreating the music, and in some cases the look and stage presence, of the artists who inspired them.
Katie Pearlman of The Joni Project. (Photo by Steve Sandick)
First up is The Joni Project, which is performing Friday in Ogunquit. The Long Island, New York, tribute to Joni Mitchell is fronted by talented singer Katie Pearlman.
Mitchell, thankfully, is still with us, but while she has returned to the stage for a handful of performances in recent years, a full-scale tour — especially one that stops in Maine — seems highly unlikely.
But you can hear a whole bunch of her songs performed by The Joni Project. Along with Pearlman on guitar and vocals, the band features guitarist Dave Berg, Dan Ehrlich on bass, drummer Alan Lerner, Mark Mancini on keys, percussionist Steve Finkelstein, Premik Russell Tubbs on sax and flute and backup vocalist Victoria Faiella.
Advertisement
One of the most notable things about Mitchell is her unique guitar tunings, which Pearlman emulates effectively. Coupled with a stellar band and Mitchell’s many contributions as an esteemed songwriter, this is a can’t-miss show.
IF YOU GO
The Joni Project — Celebrating the Music of Joni Mitchell, 8 p.m. Friday. Jonathan’s, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit, $42.50-$83.50. jonathansogunquit.com.
Maine U2 tribute act Slane. (Photo courtesy of Barry Dodd)
Barring a miracle, Irish rock band U2 is never going to perform in Maine. Local U2 tribute act Slane, fronted by singer Barry Dodd, helps fill the void.
The rest of the band is drummer Terry Patterson, Ed Porter on bass and guitarist Chris Loughran. They’re based in Gorham, Westbrook and Belfast.
The Saturday performance at The Land in North Anson is an outdoor show. For a nominal fee, you can camp there.
The members of Slane don’t look or dress like Bono, Edge, Adam or Larry, but that doesn’t matter. They play hits and deeper album cuts that will remind you why U2 is such an important band.
Advertisement
Slane’s repertoire includes deeper cuts like “Out of Control,” “40,” “A Sort of Homecoming,” “Running to Stand Still” and “Van Diemen’s Land.” But if you’re more of a hits person, you’ll love Slane’s take on “I Will Follow,” “New Year’s Day,” “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “Angel of Harlem.”
IF YOU GO
Slane U2 Tribute, 7 p.m. Saturday. The Land, 420 Weeks Drive, North Anson, $20 in advance, $30 at the gate, free for 12 and under with adult, $10 for camping add-on. thelandlive.com.
Singer Seanissey of The Smiths Tribute NYC. (Photo by Ania Fedisz)
Due to irreconcilable artistic differences between singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, The Smiths broke up in 1987. That’s where The Smiths Tribute NYC come in.
The Smiths formed in Manchester, England, in 1982. The other two members were bassist Andy Rourke (1964-2023) and drummer Mike Joyce.
In the ’80s, The Smiths were the voice of disaffected youth in the United Kingdom during a period of high unemployment. Songs like “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,” “The Queen is Dead” and “Panic” captured the emotional angst of the times, including the band’s loathing of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
As a teenager, I didn’t have an educated handle on politics across the pond, I just knew I was obsessed with literally every song by The Smiths. If Morrissey wasn’t singing about strife in England, he was singing gloriously depressing love songs. “There is a Light That Never Goes Out,” “Well I Wonder,” “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” and “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” immediately come to mind. To me, the songwriting team of Morrissey and Marr rival Lennon and McCartney.
Advertisement
And let’s not forget the defining ’80s alternative rock song “How Soon is Now?,” with its signature Marr guitar riff and this refrain:
You shut your mouth
How can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does
Since 1987, Morrissey has released several solo albums and still tours, as does Marr. Both include Smiths songs in their sets and both have also made it clear a Smiths reunion will never happen.
That’s why I’m glad The Smiths Tribute NYC exists and have a show in Portland later this month. The band’s stage names are Seanissey (as Morrissey), Ravi Marr (as Johnny Marr), Fredo Rourke (as Andy Rourke) and Flax Joyce (as Mike Joyce).
I watched a handful of performance clips on Youtube, including a cover of “How Soon is Now?” and it passes muster. Seanissey has Morrissey’s mannerisms and look down, and while no one sounds like quite like the original, Seanissey’s vocals are in the ballpark.
The band will be performing “The Queen is Dead” album in its entirety. The set will also include “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and “This Charming Man,” among other of the group’s songs.
IF YOU GO
The Smiths Tribute NYC, 8 p.m. Aug. 20. Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St., Portland, $25 in advance, $30 day of show, 21-plus. portlandhouseofmusic.com.
Copy the Story Link
Tagged: Soundbites
Aimsel Ponti is a music writer and content producer for the Portland Press Herald. She has been obsessed with – and inspired by – music since she listened to Monkees records borrowed from the town. More by Aimsel Ponti
