New Orleans’ Mia Borders Headlines Ladybug On May 30
In her hometown of New Orleans, Mia Borders has earned plenty of praise, being called “studiously cool,” by The Times-Picayune and, according to the town’s OffBeat, an artist of “great music and great intensity.”
Area music fans can see and hear Borders’ show for themselves on Saturday, May 30, when Borders headlines the annual Ladybug Music Festival in Wilmington, the nation’s largest, free women-led music festival. The festival features more than 30 performers on seven stages between the 400 and 700 blocks of Market Street.
Among her influences, Borders cites Chuck Berry, Bill Withers, Etta James, Irma Thomas, and The Meters.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Mia Borders as this year’s headliner. She brings an incredible blend of soul, funk, and storytelling that embodies what Ladybug stands for, which is powerful, authentic voices,” says Dr. Dan Young, this year’s head organizer for the festival. “She’s the kind of artist who doesn’t just perform but connects, and that’s what this festival is all about.”
— More at TheLadybugFestival.com
John Gallagher, Jr. Returns To Elkton Music Hall On May 7
The first artist to play to a live audience at Elkton Music Hall back in the summer of 2023, John Gallagher Jr. makes a return visit this month. The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, Tony Award-winning actor, and Delaware native will be joined by Hannah Winkler and The Good God Damn Trio.
Born into a family of folk musicians, Gallagher Jr. describes his current sound as “emo folk rock” as informed by John Prine, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul Westerberg.
Area music fans might also be familiar with The Good God Damn Trio, which features Laura Beth Jewell on fiddle, Desiree Sky on cello, and JD Webb on vocals and guitar.
— More at ElktonMusicHall.com
GILROD Springfest Marries Black Party With Music Fest
The Wilmington block party known as GILROD will return Saturday, May 16, with more than a dozen bands performing on four stages.
The line-up includes Katie Dill, Bullette, Cait Dempsey, Chodes, Community Chapstick, Mighty Joe Castro and The Gravamen, Nikki and the Chill Pills, Penny Death, Quickchange, Red Birds, Northern Liberties, St. Gorgeous, Townies, and Von Holden.
GILROD Springfest will start at 11:30am at the intersection of Gilpin Avenue and Rodney Street (hence the event’s name) with the 1500 block of Gilpin being blocked off completely. Expect food trucks such as Pizza Metro, Taco Jardin, and Brandywine Coffee Roasters along with vendors such as Smalls Music.
— For more information follow Gilrod Productions on Facebook
