Oh He Dead and Serafin Ensemble Come to Arden
This February, Arden Gild Hall furthers its reputation for featuring an eclectic variety of artists and bands.
In addition to bringing in Mdou Moctar, the “Hendrix of the Sahara,” for an acoustic performance on Monday, Feb. 10, the intimate North Wilmington venue will feature some soul for Valentine’s Day and classical winter music in the round.
D.C. soul band Oh He Dead will light up the stage for a special Valentine’s Day performance on Friday, Feb. 14, with Sug Daniels opening with her trio. Since performing at the Elkton Music Hall’s venue-opening in 2023, Oh He Dead has garnered the attention of regional tastemakers such as the Washington Post and Philly’s WXPN, where the band performed a Free at Noon show in November.
Then on Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Serafin Ensemble will perform with the Arden Gild Hall audience encircling them. The band performs works for flute, oboe, strings and harpsichord and will feature the Delaware premiere by Arden’s own Peter Compo.
— Visit ArdenConcerts.com
The Rock Orchestra Performs Phil Collins
Last year, The Rock Orchestra brought the music of Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, and Chicago to The Grand. On Saturday, Feb. 15, they’ll be celebrating the catalog of one of rock’s most notable multi-instrumentalists and chart-toppers: Phil Collins.
From his first solo album, Face Value, to his penultimate release, 2002’s Testify, the show will feature Collins’ rollicking, horn-driven hits, his romantic ballads, and several deep cuts.
The Rock Orchestra was formed in 2017 by Joe Trainor and Matt Urban. For each of the 16 notable artists and band they have covered — from Jethro Tull to Talking Heads — Trainor and Urban have recruited a different line-up of area musicians to help bring those songs to life.
— Visit TheGrandWilmington.org
Jeff Daniels Headlines at Elkton Music Hall
Actor-and-musician Jeff Daniels visits Elkton Music Hall on Friday, April 4, bringing with him a friend he’s known since 1976 — a Guild D-40 acoustic guitar he bought in Herb David’s Guitar Shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before moving to New York City to chase a dream.
The Daniels show underscores an ambitious season for the venue, which sees Southern-rock legends The Outlaws bring their triple-guitar goodness on Tuesday, March 4.
On Thursday, March 20, WXPN welcomes Low Cut Connie, whose performances the Los Angeles Weekly has described as “unmatched in all of rock right now.”
Then, on Saturday, April 12, Richard Thompson brings his Ship to Shore tour to town. The folk-rock hero will be joined by local hero Michael “Kid” Davis, who opens the show with an acoustic set.
— More at ElktonMusicHall.com
Shine A Light will Rock A to Z
If you haven’t seen it for yourself, the Shine A Light concert is unlike most music fundraisers.
Not only does the event showcase local musicians (last year more than 70), but each song performed features an entirely new line-up of singers and backing musicians.
On Saturday, March 1, the Shine A Light organizers decided to add more elevation to the annual high-wire act. Whereas in previous years, the show’s theme focused mainly on songs from specific years, organizers have revealed this year’s theme will be “Shine A Light A to Z.”
“Shine A Light 2025 will feature songs from the ‘60s to the 2000s, but with a twist: all the song titles will start with, in order, each letter of the alphabet,” the event’s website states.
For 12 years the Shine A Light concert has raised money for youth music programs. In 2024, the event helped provide grants totaling over $65,000 to seven area organizations that focus largely on Delaware’s underserved youth.
As the organizers write: “When we improve the outcomes for our young people, we uplift entire communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.”
The Shine A Light concert has sold out every year.
— Tix & info at LightUpTheQueen.org
Ladybug Music Festival Returns this Spring
Last month, Gable Music Ventures announced that the Ladybug Music Festival will be returning to Wilmington on Friday, May 30.
Presented by Chase Bank, Ladybug began in 2012 and has since become the largest celebration of women in music. Each year, the multi-genre festival showcases a 100% women-fronted lineup.
— More at TheLadybugFestival.com
