Welcome to Seven in Seven, where we look at shows coming to the region over the next week. As always, whether your musical tastes are rock ’n’ roll, jazz, heavy metal, R&B, singer-songwriter or indie, there will always be something to check out. Here are seven of the best on the docket for the week of Oct. 11:
Johnny Marr + James — Friday at Franklin Music Hall
It’s a double dose of English greatness as ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr comes to town with James as part of a co-headline tour from two of the most enduring and influential British artists of the last four decades. The two are teaming up for the first time since 1985 when James opened The Smith’s on a tour to support the latter’s sophomore LP, “Meat is Murder.” Expect Marr to liberally dip back into his catalog of jangle pop while James will deliver their hits “Laid,” “Say Something” and cuts from this year’s excellent record “Yummy.”
Fake Fruit — Friday at Foto Club
Oakland, Calif.-based Fake Fruit are touring in support of their new album, “Mucho Mistrust,” a collection of propulsive energy that stretches the limits of indie rock and reflects the band’s eclectic tastes. It’s an adventurous effort that’s the result of a resilient band coming together no matter what. But as daring and righteous as the LP gets, there’s still an inviting core that never takes itself too seriously. From the ripping “Cause of Death,” which self-deprecatingly takes aim at anxiety and indecision, to the searing title track, Fake Fruit always infuse their songs with humor and heart.
Dayseeker — Saturday at Franklin Music Hall
Southern California’s Dayseeker has steadily built a buzz over the last several years. First, they became a scene standout with 2019’s critically acclaimed “Sleeptalk,” a post-hardcore effort that’s since gone on to accumulate over 125 million streams. Then 2022’s “Dark Sun” catapulted the group beyond the scene’s stratosphere. Now the group is on the road celebrating this year’s acoustic effort “Replica,” which sees stripped-down renditions of familiar fan favorites that highlight the band’s songcraft and allow listeners to experience Dayseeker in an entirely new way.
Oh He Dead — Saturday at Tellus360 and Wednesday at World Café Live
The origins of Oh He Dead run deep, forged from the years-long relationship between frontwoman CJ Johnson and manager/collaborator Claire Newbegin, which started when the latter taught Johnson in high school history and musical theater. Once the lineup was rounded out, the band recorded the groovy “Lonely Sometimes” at guitarist Alex Salser’s studio, The Lily Pad, located in a converted barn in the wilds of Virginia. After submitting the video to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, the track went viral, attracting fans far beyond their beloved D.C., where the group is still based. Currently on the road to celebrate their third studio album, “Ugly,” the indie soul outfit makes two area stops: Saturday in Lancaster at Tellus360 and then Wednesday at Philly’s World Café Live. As for that unique name? When asked what happened to a cheating man who was shot by his lover in an early song of hers, Johnson responded bluntly, “Oh, he dead.”
Hazlett — Sunday at Union Transfer
Hazlett was born and raised in Australia, but if the past few years are anything to go by, he’s very much bloomed in Sweden. Everything crystallized in Stockholm after finding the chemistry in collaborating with now close friend Freddy Alexander. Late last year he released the first part of “Goodbye to the Valley Low,” which was recorded in an off-grid cabin in the middle of Scandinavian nowhere. A stripped-back collection of delicate indie-folk songs brimming with personal anecdotes told through Hazlett’s polished introspective songwriting, it was produced by Alexander and soon resonated with listeners worldwide. The singer/songwriter was soon inspired to revisit the cabin, knowing there was more to explore, resulting in an EP of six new tracks. Dubbed “Goodbye to the Valley Low (Side B),” it completes this project and now sees Hazlett shine the spotlight on both halves of it live.
The The — Tuesday at The Fillmore
Formed by the main creative force Matt Johnson in 1979, the music of The The inhabits a wing of the post-punk genre of its own, featuring long shadows, high hopes, channeled anger, and sweetly disturbing poignancy. Their new album, “Ensoulment,” is the first in a quarter century and finds the band focusing on topics ranging from love and sex, war and politics, life and death — all of what encompasses being human in the 21st century. Characteristically unafraid to tackle the emotional complexity of the human condition, Johnson peers deep into intimacy in an age of alienation with a deep dive into the rise of AI, yet with a clear sense of hope. It’s also worth noting that this will be the first time The The have played the region since a show at the TLA in 2000.
Illuminati Hotties + Daffo — Next Thursday at First Unitarian Church
Indie punk rockers Iluminati Hotties are enough of a draw to start the weekend early next Thursday, but be sure to arrive early enough to catch opener Daffo — aka Gabi Gamberg — who originally hails from Montgomery County but is now based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Having first started writing songs after taking up guitar at age 9, they shaped an intimate yet frenetic sound by playing countless DIY shows in backyards and basements. These days, in such a short career, Daffo exudes poetic specificity that cuts right to the heart. Don’t be surprised if it gets more difficult to see them in such small venues.
Soundcheck
• Johnny Marr: “Easy Money”
• James: “Say Something”
• Fake Fruit: “Cause of Death”
• Dayseeker: “Neon Grave (Acoustic)”
• Oh He Dead: “Strange Love”
• Hazlett: “Do You Haunt Me”
• The The: “Cognitive Dissident”
• Illuminati Hotties: “Power”
• Daffo: “Good God”
