Today is a date circled in red on many family calendars, but music fans have been anticipating it, too. The Ozark Empire Fair begins today, and on the Grandstand Stage tonight is a trio of country-rock heavyweights that will have ’70s radio-rock fans salivating: The Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet and The Atlanta Rhythm Section. The Fair goes on all day, but doors to the concert open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7. Tickets range from $15 to $30, depending on where you sit (not including Fair admission), and you can buy them in advance by clicking here. Not your cup of tea? Wait for another show night on the Grandstand Stage and you’ll see something totally different. Peep the full schedule here (Finger Eleven was added in the 8/5 spot after the linked post was written, btw).
The busy Friday night looks like this across the rest of SGF:
* The Seed, Echo Movement and Cindy Woolf at The Outland Ballroom. Reggae and country make strange bedfellows, but Woolf’s presence adds a lot of intrigue to this show. Not only will she be opening–with her full band, we’re told–but she’ll come onstage for a guest appearance during The Seed’s set, too. You won’t want to miss it.
* TAG Patio Party at Houlihan’s with host Jimi James and guest Melissa Harper. The voice and pen behind The New Monsters Collective joins us in our Friday kiss-off to the work week. If powerful vocals and compelling writing are your thing, this is your show. If you like come-hither drink specials ($4 Long Island pitchers, half-price beers, $3 wells, $6 apps), this is your party.
* The Paperclips, The Nautical West and Slapdash Science at The High Life Live Martini Lounge. The popular Kansas City-based rockers are back for their latest visit to SGF, joined by two distinct local takes on indie-rock style.
* Red Snapper at Patton Alley Pub. Supergroup time?! Bring it! Shawn Eckels (Speakeasy, Jah Roots Band) is joined by Brian Adams (Barefoot Revolution, Great American Taxi, Los Bastardos) on bass, Dave Harp (Shinebriter, pretty much every local bluegrass act you’ve ever heard of) on drums and Caleb Carter (Lunchbox All-Stars) on keys to improvise epic rock jams into the wee hours.
* Super String Theory, Fractured Dimension and Adam Showalter at Nathan P. Murphy’s
* Black Box Revue at The Outland
* Howie & The Hillcats at Harlow’s
* Agent 15, St. Dallas & The Sinners and Ryan Colvard at Lindberg’s
* Hamburger Cows at The Tipsy Turtle Pub
* Canto 17 at Trolley’s
* Sovereign and Enduval at The Ugly Mug Live Music Tavern
* Rustic Heart at Cartoon’s
* Classic Reunion at Archie’s Lounge
* Open Fire at Brighton Creek Bar & Grill
* Organic Soul at Springfield Brewing Company
* Pearl at Fusion Bar & Grill
* The Expectations at Mille’s Turn of the Century Cafe
* The Fabulous Unexpected at Three 20′s Club
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