Not-to-be missed music news
Sinkane Brings International Sounds to Arden
Band plays jazz, funk, electro-rock
Ahmed Gallab, born in London and raised in the Sudan, Utah and Brooklyn, effortlessly blends krautrock (electro-rock), free jazz and funk rock with Sudanese pop in his band Sinkane. The band will play its feel-good music at Arden Gild Hall on Friday, Feb. 13.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $13 for members and $16 for general admission.
For more information, visit ardenconcerts.com.
Gaelic Storm Hits the Grand
Non-traditional Irish and Scottish band coming March 6
Gaelic Storm is back at the Grand for their fourth concert in five years, playing energetic renditions of traditional Irish and 
Scottish music on Friday, March 6, at 8 p.m.
The band also combines interests from rock, bluegrass, Jamaican, African and Middle Eastern music that may surprise those expecting purely traditional Celtic music.
Touring more than 200 days a year, the quintet produces a whirlwind of music. Their high-energy, foot-stomping, feel-good harmonies feature a signature acoustic sound with a new batch of crafted story-songs and driving instrumentals.
With sales of more than 1 million, the group has had four consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard World Albums Chart, including 2008’s What’s the Rumpus?, 2010’s Cabbage, 2012’s Chicken Boxer, and 2013’s The Boathouse.
The evening includes special guests We Banjo 3. Tickets start at $31.
For more information, visit tickets.thegrandwilmington.org.
Joseph Arthur Visits Arden
Singer-songwriter will play March 21
A singer-songwriter and artist from Ohio, Joseph Arthur is best known for his solo material and as a member of bands Fistful of Mercy and RNDM. Combining poetic lyrics with rock and incorporating distortion and loop pedals into his sound, Arthur has built his reputation over the years through critically-acclaimed releases and non-stop touring.
He’ll be at Arden Concert Hall on Saturday, March 21, at 8 p.m. for a WXPN Welcomes Show, with special guest Cliff Hillis Band.
Show-goers may be in luck: Arthur is known for recording live concerts and making them available to fans right after the show.
Tickets are $15 for members, $18 for general admission and $40 for VIP.
Expect to hear some of Arthur’s hits, including “In The Sun,” “Honey and the Moon” and “I Miss The Zoo,” as well as tracks from his concept album, The Ballad of Boogie Christ.
Also a poet and visual artist, Arthur frequently completes entire paintings while on stage. He’ll teach a workshop and curate a gallery of his work earlier in the day.
For more information, visit ardenconcerts.com.
Happy Birthday, Bob Marley
Spokey Speaky’s Fourth Annual Celebration is Feb. 13
Local band Spokey Speaky will perform their fourth annual Bob Marley Birthday Celebration on Friday, Feb. 13. Join them and special guest Splashing Pearls at World Cafe Live at The Queen for this show entirely dedicated to one of reggae’s legendary performers (whose actual birthday is Feb. 6).
Spokey Speaky has been spreading the positive sounds of Marley’s music for years, and many of his songs have become staples of their live shows. On this night they will focus entirely on paying tribute to the music and message of the one-time Delaware resident.
Doors open at 7 p.m.; tickets start at $12.
For more information, visit queentickets.worldcafelive.com.
An Evening of Ladyfingers
Four local female artists/groups perform Feb. 13
The Ladybug Festival presents Ladyfingers, an evening of music presented by the Ladybug Festival, at The Queen on Friday, Feb. 13. Four local female artists/groups will be 
featured: Alexandra Naples (of Lovebettie), Nalani & Sarina, Michelle Ley and Sarah Koon.
Recently named Rolling Stone’s “Band to Watch,” Lovebettie’s rock-pop neo-soul hybrid has landed the band an onslaught of exposure. Sisters Nalani & Sarina have been performing throughout the Northeast the past three years, being featured by XPN and Sirius XM. Michelle Ley, a 15-year-old singer-songwriter from Wilmington, began writing original music about a year ago. Focusing on experimental and ambient sounds, Sarah Koon released her most recent album, This Kind of Education, last summer.
The event, which starts at 8 p.m., is $10.
For more information, visit queentickets.worldcafelive.com.
