11-24-2023 7:42am

Live Music Spotlight on Macon

Nate Weeks Editor

DJ Clark after Dark at the The Green Man art show in Macon earlier this year (Photographer Nate Weeks)

This week the Macon Pops orchestra will perform a free concert to kickoff the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza, multiple tribute bands will be doing their best to replicate the iconic sounds of Prince, The Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, and the Oh Honey Baking Co. will become Club Honey with a performance from DJ Clark After Dark. The following are just a few of the live music performances taking place around Middle Georgia in the next few days.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24

MACON POPS CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR IN DOWNTOWN MACON (6 - 7:30 P.M.)

The Macon Pops Christmas Spectacular concert will officially begin the Macon Christmas Lights Extravaganza on Friday. The orchestra’s music will be synched up with all the Christmas lights displays. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and arrive early to find parking and a good place to watch the concert. This concert is free.

THE SHADE TREES, SHY COMPANY MATT MCMILLAN & THE CITY LIMITS, SWAIN, AND ASHTON ROWLAND AT THE HUMMINGBIRD (7:30 P.M. - 2 A.M.)

Multiple local bands will perform at the 10th Annual Roots and Rock Showcase at The Hummingbird. The Shade Trees, Shy Company, Matt McMillan & the City Limits, SWAIN, and Ashton Rowland will take part in this annual event. The Hummingbird will have a $5 cover charge for this show.

DJ CLARK AFTER DARK AT CLUB HONEY (OH HONEY BAKING CO.) (8 - 11 P.M.)

DJ Clark After Dark will perform at a Friendsgiving event at Oh Honey Baking Co. that will include refreshments from Middle Georgia Mushroom (MGM) and holiday shopping experience with MD Exchange and MGM. This unique event is free and open to the public.

PURPLE MADNESS: ULTIMATE PRINCE TRIBUTE AT THE SOCIETY GARDEN (9 P.M. - 12 A.M.)

Purple Madness is a Prince tribute band led by singer and entertainer Bobby Miller. This band has performed at The Society Garden multiple times in the past and they have built a fan base here in Middle Georgia. Tickets to see Purple Madness in concert start at $25 on eventbrite.com.

THE BEARCATS AT BILLY’S CLUBHOUSE (10 P.M. - 2 A.M.)

The Bearcats will be playing popular rock music at Billy’s Clubhouse late Friday night. Billy’s Clubhouse does not have a cover charge.

DJ BLAK JAK AT FRIENDS ON THE HILL IN WARNER ROBINS (10 P.M.)

DJ Blak Jak’s Drunk Turkey Afterparty is an after Thanksgiving party with music, giveaways, and freebies, according to Friends on the HILL. This show is for patrons 21 years old and older. There is no cover charge at Friends on the HILL.

CLAIRE VANDIVER AT JBA (10 P.M.)

Claire Vandiver is a singer and songwriter from Nashville who is now based in Central Florida. Her music blends the sounds of multiple genres including indie rock and modern pop and her voice has been described as angelic. Tickets to see Claire Vandiver perform cost $10.

Claire Vandiver released the music video for her song "Blue Moon" earlier this year

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25

ACOUSTICA UNPLUGGED AT LONGLEAF DISTILLERY (6 P.M.)

The Middle Georgia rock duo AcousticA, featuring Lewis Smith and Matthew Lang, will perform acoustic versions of hit rock songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s on Saturday. Longleaf Distillery does not have a cover charge.

SHANE BRIDGES, JOSH CARSON, AND ROB SUMOWSKI AT THE SOCIETY GARDEN (8 P.M.)

The annual Thanksgiving Acoustic Workshop Reunion Show will feature music from Macon musicians Shane Bridges, Josh Carson, and Rob Sumowski. The Society Garden will have a $10 cover charge at the door for this show.

ROAD TRIP: TRIBUTE: A CELEBRATION OF THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND AT THE GRIFFIN OPERA HOUSE (8 P.M.)

The Allman Brothers Band tribute band Tribute will be performing at the Griffin Opera House this Saturday. They have previously performed at venues like the Variety Playhouse, The Fox Theatre, and The House of Blues. Tickets start cost $27.75 on freshtix.com.

JONTAVIOUS WILLIS AND ROBERT LEE COLEMAN AT GRANT’S LOUNGE (9 P.M.)

Two legendary blues musicians will perform at Grant’s Lounge on Saturday. Jontavious Willis has toured throughout the U.S., as well as in Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Willis plays multiple styles of country blues and taught himself to play the harmonica and five string banjo as well. Robert Lee Coleman is a well-known Macon musician who has played with Percy Sledge and James Brown during his long musical career. Tickets to see Jontavious Willis and Robert Coleman cost $10 online or at the door.

PLETHRA AT THE HUMMINGBIRD (10 P.M.)

The rock band Plethra will be returning to perform at The Hummingbird Saturday night. The Hummingbird will charge a $5 cover for this show.

LITTLE WING EXPERIENCE AT BILLY’S CLUBHOUSE (10 P.M.)

The Little Wing Experience is a Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band. They will be playing the hits from these two iconic musicians at Billy’s Clubhouse. This bar and music venue never has a cover charge.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26

DJ CUSTOM AND KARAOKE AT BILLY’S CLUBHOUSE (8 P.M. - 12 A.M.)

DJ Custom will play and host this weekly karaoke event at Billy’s Clubhouse on Sunday. As usual, Billy’s Clubhouse will not have a cover charge.