Clockwise from top left, photos by: Courtesy IMBD.com, Courtesy matisyahuworld.com, Courtesy old97s.com, Ebru Yildiz
Oh, hello, new year. Thank Satan you’ve arrived. We’ve passed that arbitrary invisible line between the horrors of the previous year and the endless promise of the next. This one can still be anything we want it to be, and that includes so many shows (or events or whatever you want to call them) it can be hard to keep track.
“It’s only the tip of the iceberg, baby,” says promoter Jamie Lenfestey from nonprofit imprint Lensic360, a new venture launched by last year the Lensic Performing Arts Center. “Santa Fe is having a moment, and I think there’s definitely more happening in town; it just feels more alive and vibrant and relevant.”
Part of that, of course, is events selling out with the speed of a billion unfettered horses before we even get into the new-new in earnest. Thus, SFR figured it might help to spread the word about some things happening in the coming first few months of the year—just don’t say no one told you. And maybe cut this out and put it on your fridge or something.
Leo Kottke @Lensic Performing Arts Center
211 W San Francisco St., (505) 988-1234
Saturday, Jan. 13; $39-$49
Don’t be shocked to see numerous events from promoters Lenfestey and Tim Franke of Lensic360 on this list—between the two of ‘em, they’ve booked some of the city’s most memorable shows of the last 20 years. For one of their first biggies of 2024, the duo brings folky/bluesy guitar fingerpicking master Kottke to town to wow the six-string fans among you. We know “folk guitar” isn’t something some of you might think of as “big,” but it is, so deal with it. Case in point? Last we heard, tickets were running out. Kottke has a Taos show on Jan. 10, though, if you’re hard up. Visit lensic360.org for more..
Matisyahu @Meow Wolf
1352 Rufina Circle, (505) 395-6369
Wednesday, Feb. 14; $50.50-$145.50
There’s almost certainly a broad contingent of locals who’d love to spend Valentine’s Day with the celebrated Old Testament-lovin’ reggae artist/MC that came out swinging in the mid-aughts and never stopped a-rocking. Matthew Paul Miller is just one of those performers who seems to please so many disparate music fans with his intersecting spiritualism and hip-hop beats. This one will likely sell out, too.
Portugal. The Man @Sunshine Theater
120 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque, (505) 764-0249
Tuesday, Feb. 6; $43
Don’t act like you weren’t straight-up boppin’ to Portugal. The Man’s iconic 2017 jam “Feel it Still.” Don’t act like you didn’t bop it all summer long. But, as is the case with many bands and acts, these Alaskan musical masters actually have a whole bunch of songs. They’ve also been coming around New Mexico for years and years, which some big bands don’t often do, so it’s for sure worth the drive to ABQ in the spirit of reciprocity.
Gregory Alan Isakov @Kiva Auditorium
401 2nd St. NW, Albuquerque, (505) 768-4575
Wednesday, March 13; $29-$47
The Colorado-based indie-folk singer-songwriter returns to New Mexico on his epic rise to superstardom. Hyperbolic? Maybe, but the last couple times homeboy has come through, shows have sold out so fast that I kept seeing people online all like, “If only I’d known sooner!” You’re reading this in January, which gives you two months. Another from the Lensic360 folks.
Found Footage Festival @Meow Wolf
1352 Rufina Circle, (505) 395-6369
Saturday, March 23; $25
Nick Pruuher and Joe Pickett are the Found Footage Festival, a touring act that presents the best in video finds from thrift stores, yard sales, the internet and wherever else they can find ‘em. The guys did some pretty amazing YouTube stuff during the height of the pandy, too, and even featured SFR in an episode (full disclosure? I gave ‘em $50 to do it, but it was still cool). Catch them live and laugh like mad.
Neko Case @Lensic Performing Arts Center
211 W San Francisco St., (505) 988-1234
Saturday, March 30; $41-$66
Though Case doesn’t super have a home base, the singer-songwriter who transformed an early love of punk rock into some of the most gorgeous tunes you’ll ever hear certainly comes to Santa Fe often—and always sells out. Fairly warned be ye, says I. Guess who booked this one? Yup. Lensic360.
Old 97s @Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery
2791 Agua Fría St., (505) 303-3808
Wednesday, April 3; $25
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Tumbleroot has really become a badass venue for everyone from locals of all stripes to the Old 97s, that country-ish rock band you love from the mega-hit “Question,” but which has so many other jamz it’s absurd. It’s Lensic360, it will absolutely sell out if you don’t get it together soon.
Of course, this doesn’t get into the no-doubt many excellent local shows coming up, nor does it touch upon the upcoming Railyard Concert Series or the Summer Bandstand (submissions for the latter of which opened this week). You’ll find many upcoming shows have multiple dates, too, and/or go down in multiple towns. Just know that this is going to be the year you stop begging for last-minute tickets online like a little pleb. This is the year you’re going to live.
