50 States in 50 Weeks…Week 26: New Hampshire

posted in: Features

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Fun Facts: State Flower: Purple Lilac, State Insect: Ladybug, State Song: Old New Hampshire and New Hampshire, My New Hampshire.

Home of: Ray Lamontagne, Mandy Moore, Steven Tyler,  Brian Viglione, Adam Sandler, John Irving, Sarah Silverman

The Venues:

The tents at Great Waters

The tents at Great Waters

Designed to appeal to both fans of classical music and popular music is the Great Waters Music Festival located in New Hampshire’s lakes region. They have stuck to that mission to this day, hosting performers such as Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Arlo Guthrie, Glen Miller Orchestra and many more. Over the past 14 years, attendance has grown from 325 visitors for 1 classical performance to over 7,000 guests witnessing 8 different programs and 2 educational offerings.

Meadowbrook at Full Capacity

Meadowbrook at Full Capacity

Perhaps one of the most magnificent outdoor concert venues in the entire country is New Hampshire’s Meadowbrook Pavillion. Also located on the peaceful shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, this sprawling venue is a converted family vacation paradise. The great lawn officially opened its gates in 1996, and have since played host to everyone from Willie Nelson to The Offspring, earning a nomination for Venue of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2007.

The Music:

Gypsy Jazz Trio Ameranouche

Gypsy Jazz Trio Ameranouche

Following in the same vein as eccentric guitarist Django Reinhardt, New Hampshire’s own Ameranouche defines their sound as Gypsy Jazz. Consider it an unrestricted blend of Americana, folk, and jazz ”three diverse genres combined for universal appeal. The trio has an impressive resume on OurStage, with 2 showcases and title as New Hampshire’s Best in 2008 by the readers of NH magazine. Their rhythm guitarist, Ryan Flaherty, has his own side project on OurStage, check him out here.

Rockin' out acoustic

Rockin' out acoustic

Opting to structure their rhythm with only the organic sound of hand percussion is New Hampshire’s The Whatnot. Easy going acoustic rock has proven a successful breed in New Hampshire, as this 6-year-old trio demonstrate with opening gigs for Willie Nelson, O.A.R. and Ben Kweller, and nearly 300 shows up and down the East coast. The guys are not shy when it comes to discussing their lyrical content, a fact that makes paying attention to their storytelling even more enjoyable!

Did we mention their typeface shatters too?

Did we mention their typeface shatters too?

Shatter this World exploded on to the New England metal scene like a blistering hurricane with unrelenting power and aggression. We couldn’t have said it any better. Between the barbed three-pronged guitar hooks, machine like drumming and vicious vocals, five piece Shatter this World brings pretty much everything to the metal table. When all the above talents lock in sync with one another, the sound is unmistakable. Produced by John Fay of grindcore band The Red Chord, their most recent album is loaded with both breakdowns, melody and double bass making it a killer collection.

Check out these acts and other great New Hampshirite artists in the playlist below! Who are your favorite Ourstage New Hampshirites? Where do you like to see music in New Hampshire? Let us know in the comments!