- By Katie Clapp
- Entertainment
Print 
This Boston-based band is a staple of Rounder Records, and their 2004 release, A Fix Back East, has been critically acclaimed by Rolling Stone Magazine. In 2001 the band toured with legendary Led Zeppelin front-man, Robert Plant, and in 2002 their self-titled debut CD was featured on the BBC’s list of the year’s top ten albums. Expressing the need to follow the musical traditions of hillbilly music and Delta blues reinterpreted towards the modern world, they have been compared to alt-country favorite Wilco, and are a great match for Ithaca’s music loving crowd.
The Downtown Summer Concert Series, which runs through August 30th, has evolved into an Ithaca summertime tradition. This year’s series, presented by M & T Bank and Performance Systems Contracting, features a diverse selection of artist from Latin Jazz to Swamp Blues.
Bill Kirchen, the Grammy nominated rockabilly legend behind the hit “Hot Rod Lincoln” will be another Series highlight on June 21st. Ménage, who graces the stage on July 5th, hails from Asheville, North Carolina and has been praised by critics as a mix of Patsy Cline and Neil Young. Local favorites The Horse Flies will perform their own brand of science fiction bluegrass funk on August 16th, and the “End of the Summer Blow-Out” featuring the Dave Matthews Tribute Band on August 30th will bring the Summer Concert Series to a close.
All concerts are free and take place on the Commons from 7pm to 9pm Thursday nights except for a few which occur on Wednesday nights. Parking in downtown is free evenings and weekends at the City garages and at the meters. Many shops on the Commons maintain later hours on Thursdays as well, so people can come early to shop, dine, and enjoy the music.
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