2024 Summer Concert Series
ticket links to eventbrite in each artists’ description. we look forward to welcoming you to our Barn this summer!
Chris Ross
Award-winning Maine singer-songwriter Chris Ross is a native of Hancock and 2014 winner of the "Songwriter of the Year" award at the New England Music Awards. Known for his cinematic lyrics and sharp humor, Ross' wit matches his musical talent. "I try my damnedest to make you feel feelings," he says, " occasionally even pleasant ones."
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Story Songs of the 70s - Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, and Harry Chapin
Tom DiMenna and friends resurrect some of the 70s greatest story songs from two of the era's greatest singer/songwriters. This devoted review will feature Maine based singer/songwriter Tom DiMenna, whose tribute shows have sold out opera houses up and down the Maine coast. With him on bass is Eddie Holm, and Frank Fotusky on guitar, providing plenty of toe tapping for this very special show.
DiMenna's impressive vocal range and guitar style artfully channel both of these revered artists, and will surely satisfy their most die hard fans. This is your chance to see what all the buzz is about. You may even be moved to sing along, or at least hum! The legend lives on!
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Travis Cyr
“Hypnotizing Psych Folk, kinda like John Prine from outer space."
Travis Cyr has been nurturing and cultivating his own, unique, homegrown music for years. Based in the great Northern Maine woods he has spent the last 25 years writing and performing an original voice of cerebral roots and Spacey folk music. Honest, vivid and poetic lyrics drenched in cosmic Americana and the rural beauty of life and nature that surrounds us daily. Coupled with aggressively precise yet delicate guitar playing, every TC performance is honest and genuinely relevant. He never serves the same dinner twice. He has released 15 albums of all original songs, played over 2,000 shows and is the founder of the Arootsakoostik Music Festival which has championed Maine Artists since 2006.
Travis is accompanied by longtime bass player Jed Bresette (Tricky Britches, Bad Combo) and they will be celebrating the rel ase of a brand new studio CD, "In The Valley of the Sun.”
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 7:00pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $15 general admission. The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Casey Neill - a WERU Benefit Concert
Casey Neill is a songwriter from Portland, Oregon performing high energy indie folk, infused with haunting melodies and weather beaten narratives. A prolific road warrior since the late 90s, Neill tours throughout the USA, Japan, and Europe, performing at venues such as Town Hall in New York, San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, and the Newport Folk Festival. Two new albums of his songs are out in 2023 - one by his band Casey Neill & The Norway Rats (Sending Up Flares) and a solo CD of acoustic songs titled time zero land. A self-produced collection of bedroom recordings, time zero land leans into the American folk and traditional Scots/Irish influences that have often underscored his songwriting craft and guitar work. The songs on Sending Up Flares and time zero land offer a lifeline to a world in need of balance, shot through with stories about resolve, resilience, and wonder.
Critic Marco Rivera described it best for music blog Splendid: “Be it through raucous rockers, fragile acoustic ballads, soulful touches of Irish folk, Neill's narrative talent and concern for real people's struggles stand out. The results are so evocative, you'll be tempted to steep further in these memories, the better to share Casey Neill's particular blend of personal and historical experience.”
Learn more at www.caseyneill.com
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:00pm. $25 general admission. The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
The Clements Brothers
The Clements Brothers are George and Charles Clements, identical twins from New England. They’ve been playing and writing music together for as long as they can remember and ‘The Clements Brothers’ marks their first project together since playing in the internationally touring grass-roots band, ‘The Lonely Heartstring Band’ with whom they put out two albums on Rounder Records. With roots, rock, bluegrass, jazz, and classical influences, George (on guitar) and Charles (on bass) aim to capture their singer-songwriter sensibilities in a unique blended voice, at once enthralling and intimate, groovy and serene. The duo is a fusion of each brother's unique musical journey, and the result is a music all its own, filled with vocal harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, and a genuine love of song.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
The Teri Roiger Trio - featuring Bill Ware on vibes and John Menegon on bass
The Trio of Teri Roiger on vocals, Bill Ware on vibes, and John Menegon on bass will be making their return appearance at Barncastle on July 13! They will be performing a combination of Jazz Standards from the Great American Songbook, selections from Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, as well as songs associated with Billie Holiday, songs written by Abbey Lincoln, and some original compositions! This will be an exhilarating evening of music not to be missed. Their interplay is spontaneous and flawless, with a variety of music that will take you on a memorable musical journey!
“Teri has an intuitive laid-back sense of time reminiscent of Abbey Lincoln and Betty Carter but with her own uniqueness.” Jack DeJohnette (legendary jazz drummer & 2012 NEA Jazz Master)
"Roiger is one of the great though unheralded vocal artists and lyricists of her generation, a living link to giants like Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln." Thomas Staudter (Music Journalist | Downbeat)
Bill Ware has “…the touch of a resilient, serpentine stylist, a master of quiet spectacle.” All About Jazz
“New York bassist John Menegon is in the line of George Mraz and Michael Moore; a harmonically sophisticated bassist with technical facility who swings hard when it’s called for.” -- Kirk Silsbee | Downbeat
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:00pm. $15 general admission / $20 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Stolen Gin
“We're Stolen Gin, a band from New York City. We're known for our high-energy live act and avid improvisation — we never play songs the same way twice. We met as students at New York University, and first came together playing college parties on NYC rooftops. Our goal then was the same as it is now: to make every gig feel like a party, and to keep people dancing.
– Jackson, Evan, Will, Josh and Sawyer”
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $25 general admission / $30 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
The Mallett Brothers Trio
The Mallett Brothers Band is an independent rock and roll / Americana / country band from Maine. Their busy tour schedule since forming in 2009 has helped them to build a dedicated fanbase across the U.S. and beyond while still calling the state of Maine their home. With a style that ranges from alt-country to Americana, country, jam and roots rock, theirs is a musical melting pot that's influenced equally by the singer/songwriter tradition as by harder rock, classic country and psychedelic sounds.
Texas Hill Country Explore Magazine calls them “New England’s wildly eclectic crew of genre rebels.” Bill Copeland Music News says “Combining their authentic roots rock sound with a reflective lyrical style that perceives stories on the level of epic myth, it’s like William Faulkner has been resurrected with an electric guitar in hand.."
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $30 general admission / $35 limited reserve seating / $40 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Darlin' Corey
From the northern reach of the Appalachian Trail comes the musical trio Darlin’ Corey. Drawing on the many threads of North American folk music, their elegant harmonies are the beating heart of their sound, in both their original music and the traditional Folk, Old Time, and Bluegrass music they regularly showcase. In Darlin’ Corey’s singing and playing, you can feel the many years of dedication to these celebrated musical traditions.
Erica Brown’s fiddle-playing is at turns virtuosic and completely unpretentious. Matt Shipman is an ideal counterpart as his versatility on a dizzying array of stringed instruments (guitar, Irish bouzouki, 5-string banjo, mandolin) blend seamlessly, never timid or overpowering. Add to that Kris Day’s steady and tasteful bass playing and together they create an engaging performance of thoughtful originals and traditional songs and tunes that have influenced them along the way.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
The Ed Cherry & Dan Nicholas Quartet
Dan Nicholas is a guitarist, composer and bandleader currently splitting time Blue Hill Maine and New York City. Nicholas became involved in jazz under the guidance of legendary pianist and teacher Dr. Barry Harris. From 2001-2020 he was based in the Netherlands and worked all throughout Europe in such venues as Ronnie Scotts in London, Duc Des Lombards in Paris, and A Train, Berlin. He has performed with artists such as Grant Stewart, Gary Smulyan, Phillip Harper, Mike LeDonne, Jeremy Pelt, Willie Jones III, Dado Moroni, Leon Parker, and many more.
Ed Cherry is one of the most authentic and soulful voices on the guitar today. In addition to fourteen years of experience playing with Dizzy Gillespie, he has also worked with Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Smith, Big John Patton, Paquito D'Rivera, and Henry Threadgill. He is currently of the most in demand players on the NYC jazz scene, and plays and tours extensively internationally.
The Quartet will also feature Raul Reyes on bass and Anwar Marshall on drums.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Lara Herscovitch & The Highway Philosophers
Lara Herscovitch is a singer-songwriter-poet-performer-author gem, joining with her terrific trio the Highway Philosophers for their debut at Barncastle. As described in The Boston Globe, she brings "a luminous voice and a buoyant stage presence... big-hearted lyrics embrace the sum of life... Herscovitch's music blows on the embers of a lagging spirit or a dormant creative life." Lara leads with authenticity, integrity, humor and heart. Sound Waves Magazine described her music as "expertly written prose... songwriting at its best... good for your ears AND your soul." Acoustic Live in New York City added, "She possesses not only a huge reservoir of musical talent and a voice with a bell-like clarity, but a keen sense of global concern and a fierce intellect... It might seem too good to be true, but true it is." LaraHerscovitch.com
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Sara Trunzo & Friends - a Songwriters' Round
Four musicians converge on the Barncastle Stage to perform in the Nashville tradition of a “songwriters’ round,'' in which a group of writers perform in a round-robin style sharing original songs and some of the stories behind them. A variety of voices will be represented in this offering: Maine artists Sara Trunzo and Seth Gallant plus Jack McKeon and Amelia Ransom who are on tour from Nashville.
Seth Gallant grew up in a mill town to a family that played music on the front porch on almost any occasion. These traditions of folk, country, and Acadian music would shape the music that Gallant writes and performs today. Gallant is currently writing an album of songs based on the lives of those who came to settle the industrial towns of New England.
Sara Trunzo is a singer-songwriter, community organizer, and creator and host of “Country & Northeastern” on WERU Community Radio. Lonesome Highway said her last record, Cabin Fever Dream, was “loaded with truly touching lyrics and provide[s] a glimpse of an unquestionably talented artist.” Trunzo has collaborated with Darrell Scott and Mary Gauthier; shared stages with the likes of Suzy Bogguss, Carlene Carter, and Malcolm Holcombe; and played venues such as The Bluebird, Rockwood Music Hall, Club Passim, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. She has been a Joseph A. Fiore fellow, a Music to Life juried artist, and has received recognition from Maine Songwriters Association, International Acoustic Music Awards, New England Songwriting Competition, Tennessee Songwriters’ Week, and Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest. As an organizer, she co-founded food security organizations Veggies For All and Waldo County Bounty, and has worked on energy democracy and other social justice campaigns in Maine.
Jack McKeon – A Nashville-based singer-songwriter with an honest, plainspoken vocal, an eclectic-roots sound and a knack for bringing crystalline characters to life, Jack McKeon is a different sort of musician. A student of the greats drawn to the timeless, rather than the trendy, he hails from Chatham, New York and harbors a deep love for the written word. First inspired by literary music icons from Hank Williams and Guy Clark to Tom T. Hall and John Hartford, McKeon arrived in Nashville in 2021 and has since established a reputation for his own message-drive lyricism – a value which shows up in its full sonic serenity on his 2024 album debut, Talking to Strangers.
Amelia Ransom is a multi-instrumentalist/songwriter who grew up near Boulder, Colorado, and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee. After studying classical violin for about five years, she saw a PBS special about bluegrass music, which introduced her to a world outside of her classical studies. The show included performances by Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Nickel Creek, and so many other amazing musicians. After that, bluegrass and folk music quickly became her passion, and within a few years she had added mandolin, guitar, and many other instruments to her “arsenal.” Fast forward to present day–she is living in Nashville, TN where she splits her time between touring/recording (in the same band with her brother and sister), working in the “biz” on Music Row, and hiring out for gigs/sessions with other artists in Music City.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:00pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
The Sugar Snaps
The Sugar Snaps are a high-energy 8-piece R&B band from midcoast Maine. Featuring powerhouse vocals and a classic horn section, the Snaps bring to life the rich back catalog of lesser-known funk and soul tunes sprinkled with occasional popular hits by artists like Maceo Parker, Sharon Jones, Stevie Wonder, Ann Peebles, Al Green, and the Meters.
https://molotman.com/the-sugar-snaps/
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Colby Darling & Andy Lees
Colby Darling is a local musician native to the Bangor area, but he grew up in rural Maine. He enjoys spending time with family, reading, especially the works of local authors, and tries to spend as much time on the coast as possible. Colby has performed throughout Maine and incorporates the simple and elegant nature of the state into his performances. Expect stripped down examples of songs new and old, some with a few personal touches.
Andy Lees is a Maine-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. With over 20 years of experience as a performer, Andy is just as comfortable on the stage as off (maybe more comfortable). Andy grew up the son of a Baptist Preacher in rural George and his music is heavily influenced by the struggles of poverty, family, religion, and life in The South. His live performances have been described as “an emotional blend of storytelling, music, and comedy.”
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 7:00pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $15 general admission / $20 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Lucy Wijnands
"Lucy has it — something not easy to define in words, but the innate ability to marry notes and words to convey emotion with a down-to-earth authenticity." -JazzLives 2023
By the time she blew out the candles for her recent 25th birthday, Lucy Wijnands had toured all over the world, completed a 16-week residency singing with the world-famous Birdland Big Band, became a regular at Manhattan jazz clubs, won the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald competition, and graduated from SUNY Purchase's Conservatory of Music as a President's Award recipient.
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Chris Ross
Award-winning Maine singer-songwriter Chris Ross is a native of Hancock and 2014 winner of the "Songwriter of the Year" award at the New England Music Awards. Known for his cinematic lyrics and sharp humor, Ross' wit matches his musical talent. "I try my damnedest to make you feel feelings," he says, " occasionally even pleasant ones."
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE! Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Chris Ross Live! at the Barn at Barncastle
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!
Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $25 general admission / $30 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Chris Ross has spent the better part of a decade tucked away on the coast of Maine developing his voice as a writer. Inside the arsenal of tracks he’s penned, one finds dangerous, hard-hitting reflections; stories of love, life and longing, appealing because they’re so real. Tinted with an appetite for self-destruction, his writing style is smooth and eloquent while remaining sincere to genuine grit of experience.
Come enjoy our final concert of the season with Chris - an evening of good vibes, good people, and great music.
WERU Presents: Maine Songwriters Round Live! at the Barn at Barncastle
Join WERU and the Maine Songwriters Association for an amazing night of music from four incredible Maine-based songwriters, at Barncastle Inn and Restaurant in Blue Hill!
Doors open at 6:00pm to access the bar and seating, and the show begins at 7:00pm. There is no food in the barn itself - we recommend making a reservation for dinner in the restaurant beforehand! Call 207-374-2330 to book a table for dinner, and use the link above to purchase tickets to the concert.
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Artist, activist, advocate, adventurer and true to her ancient name (meaning The Faithful One), Mehuman's songs invite the listener into her fearless transparency. Mehuman's signature sound, "folk hop for hip folk" is Affrilachia - Americana, rooted in the traditional rhythms of Gospel, Jazz, and Blues. With keening spirit-filled melodies enveloping folky lyricism, Mehuman sings from her soul with a sacred conviction that lovingly ministers to troubled and despairing hearts with one tested truth, "There is always Hope." In times when the world needs more grace, and a lot more love, both are found in rare abundance in Mehuman's life and music.
Tom Peabody is a multi-instrumentalist songwriter based in Portland, Maine. His songs about love, loss, and moving on combine memorable melodies with thoughtful lyrics that seem both familiar and new. Tom released his debut album, Snow Geese, in 2021 and will put out a second EP this Fall.
Andre Lascoutx is a singer-songwriter based primarily out of Nashville, TN.
Connor Garvey is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Portland, Maine, with the amiable presence of an entertainer, the lyrical depth of a poet, and the enchantment of a storyteller. Garvey leaves audiences uplifted and inspired through a positive message delivered in a way proves you can be optimistic and self-aware without being boring. First time listeners often are drawn to Garvey’s engaging performance style, accomplished musicianship, and memorable melodies. But his lyrics project a depth and sincerity that allow the observant listener to find meaning beyond the catchy hook. “Connor isn’t afraid to tackle some heavy-duty subjects” writes Americana Highways.
Bill Ware Trio, Live! at the Barn at Barncastle
Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $15 general admission / $20 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand! Come enjoy the Trio at the Barn at Barncastle - an intimate venue with good vibes, good drinks, and beautiful surroundings.
BILL WARE (Jazz Vibraphonist, Composer)
Bill Ware has "...the touch of a resilient, serpentine stylist, a master of quiet spectacle." -- All About Jazz
Bill Ware is a vibraphonist, composer and producer known for his three years with Steely Dan, and as a founding member of the Jazz Passengers, and Groove Collective. He has also led dozens of bands featuring his own works and has performed with Deborah Harry, Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Scott, Cuba Gooding, Bob Dorough, Marc Ribot, and others. As a sideman, he's appeared with Bobby Previte's New Bump Quartet, the Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet, and Mickey Bass's New York Powerhouse Ensemble. Ware is a graduate of Montclair State University and studied jazz at the Harlem Jazzmobile Workshop under Barry Harris. Ware is also known as an innovator of the use of electric effects on the vibraphone, creating a unique sound, which he integrates into many of his projects. As a composer Ware has diverse and prolific interests, including contemporary classical symphonies, multiple concerti, numerous film scores and soundtracks and several hybrid classical/jazz projects.
TERI ROIGER (Jazz Vocalist, Pianist, Lyricist)
"Teri has an intuitive laid-back sense of time reminiscent of Abbey Lincoln and Betty Carter but with her own uniqueness." – Jack DeJohnette (legendary jazz drummer & 2012 NEA Jazz Master)
An American jazz musician, vocalist, pianist, songwriter, lyricist, educator, and producer, Teri lives in New York City and in the Hudson Valley. Her first recording was made with the legendary stride pianist Butch Thompson, and since then she has recorded with Jack DeJohnette, Kenny Burrell, John Menegon, Frank Kimbrough, Gil Goldstein, Steve Williams, Matt Wilson, Pete Levin, Joel Frahm, Jay Collins, Nanny Assis, and many others. Her five albums as a bandleader have all met with critical acclaim, as have her performances at festivals and top New York jazz spots. Her recordings show her uncommon knowledge, appreciation, and deep love for the artistry of Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, and Thelonious Monk. In 2013 her recording of Abbey Lincoln's music was featured as one of the five best tribute releases in NYC Jazz Record. Teri & John's first collaboration, MISTERIOSO, includes jazz legends Jack DeJohnette and Kenny Burrell, and Teri was given permission to publish her own lyrics to Monk's iconic composition "Misterioso." They will be releasing a re-mixed and mastered vinyl edition in 2024. "Teri is made for those who still understand the meaning of the term the real thing." -- Stanley Crouch (Author & Cultural Critic)
JOHN MENEGON (Bassist, Composer, Arranger)
"New York bassist John Menegon is in the line of George Mraz and Michael Moore; a harmonically sophisticated bassist with technical facility who swings hard when it's called for." -- Kirk Silsbee, Downbeat.
Menegon is a jazz bassist, but is also a guitarist, arranger, and composer. He began his career as a musician in Montreal playing in groups with the great guitarist Nelson Symonds, as well as pianist Vic Vogel and guitarist Sonny Greenwich. After relocating to New York City, he played bass for over ten years with two legendary tenor saxophonists, Dewey Redman and Texas Tenor David "Fathead" Newman. This experience provided a solid foundation for Menegon to continue his explorations as a bandleader, composer and arranger, and he has been composing and arranging music throughout his career. Menegon has released five CDs as a bandleader featuring Dewey Redman, Frank Kimbrough, Joel Frahm, Matt Wilson, David "Fathead" Newman, Joe Lovano, Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, Teri Roiger, John Di Martino, John Gunther, and many others. He currently plays with jazz legend Joe Lovano's "Classic Quartet" as well as numerous other stellar musicians. His latest ensemble "Sound Embrace" features pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, saxophonist Chet Doxas and drummer Jim Doxas playing John's brilliant compositions. As an educator, he spent several years teaching in the Jazz Departments of SUNY New Paltz, Williams College, Bard and Bennington Colleges.
Caroline Cotter, Live! at the Barn at Barncastle
Doors open at 5:30pm, show begins at 6:00pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Throughout the years, Caroline Cotter has found a true home on the road and on diverse musical stages internationally, with audiences captivated by her vulnerable vocal quality which belies her insightful and award-winning songwriting. Caroline's third national release, "Gently as I Go," takes listeners around the world, back home, and deep into the human heart. Since her debut album, "Dreaming as I Do," which was the number five CD of the Month on the FAI Folk DJ Charts in 2015, Caroline has performed over 1000 shows in 45 states and 14 countries, with a follow-up release in 2018, "Home on the River." "I've got roots that go deep and grow deeper the more I leave my home," Cotter sings in the title cut of her sophomore album. "Gently as I Go," to be released in August 2023, pulls the listener in; exploring travel and connection, empowerment and creative practice, love, life and death, nostalgia and growing up, loss and gratitude. For this special album release show, Caroline will be joined by Ben Cosgrove on piano, Ryan Blotnick on guitar, Beau Lisy on percussion, and Jonathan Henderson on bass. www.carolinecotter.com
Danie Ocean, Live! at the Barn at Barncastle
Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand! Come enjoy the Danie & friends at the Barn at Barncastle - an intimate venue with good vibes, good drinks, and beautiful surroundings.
Danie Ocean is an American singer/songwriter with jazz, folk, and neo-soul roots. Danie’s soul-filled voice is warm and supple and their music is interesting yet familiar evoking their native Philadelphian roots in every delicious performance. Winner of several art achievement awards Danie’s 20 years of performance is a delight and a true art-filled experience to new fans and old. For more information visit Danie’s Facebook, Instagram, or Tik-Tok.
Casey Neill, Live! at the Barn at Barncastle - a WERU Benefit Concert
Doors open at 5:00pm, show begins at 6:00pm. $25 general admission. (The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food)
Casey Neill is a songwriter from Portland, Oregon performing high energy indie folk, infused with haunting melodies and weather beaten narratives. A prolific road warrior since the late 90s, Neill tours throughout the USA, Japan, and Europe, performing at venues such as Town Hall in New York, San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, and the Newport Folk Festival. Two new albums of his songs are out in 2023 - one by his band Casey Neill & The Norway Rats (Sending Up Flares) and a solo CD of acoustic songs titled time zero land. A self-produced collection of bedroom recordings, time zero land leans into the American folk and traditional Scots/Irish influences that have often underscored his songwriting craft and guitar work. The songs on Sending Up Flares and time zero land offer a lifeline to a world in need of balance, shot through with stories about resolve, resilience, and wonder.
Critic Marco Rivera described it best for music blog Splendid: “Be it through raucous rockers, fragile acoustic ballads, soulful touches of Irish folk, Neill's narrative talent and concern for real people's struggles stand out. The results are so evocative, you'll be tempted to steep further in these memories, the better to share Casey Neill's particular blend of personal and historical experience.”
In 1997 Casey Neill began a run of three songwriter albums for acoustic label Appleseed Recordings as well as contributing tracks to their Pete Seeger Tribute along with Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg, and Bonnie Raitt. A compilation of his material entitled Memory Against Forgetting was released by Indigo Girl Amy Ray's Daemon imprint in 2005. Following a few years treading the boards in New York City, Neill moved back to the thriving music community in Portland, Oregon. In 2007, a far more electric record Brooklyn Bridge was released and The Norway Rats were formed to support it with members of The Decemberists and Eels. Neill is a frequent member of power pop band The Minus 5 along with Scott McCaughey and Peter Buck of R.E.M. Casey Neill & The Norway Rats recorded three records across the 2010's - the dreamy Americana of Goodbye to the Rank and File the art rock collection All You Pretty Vandals and the electro-folk and pop explorations of Subterrene. It’s been five years since their last album and Sending Up Flares is the sound of a band rallying together, turning the genre-bending range of its influences into the group's most cohesive, cathartic album yet.
"(Neill's) songs mask their complexities beneath a simple, singalong-worthy surface... these swimming waters have serious depth." - Rolling Stone
"These are songs with stories well told" - Steve Earle
Learn more at www.caseyneill.com
Sorcha Cribben-Merrill with Special Guests, Live! at the Barn at Barncastle
Doors open at 6:00pm, show begins at 6:30pm. $15 general admission / $20 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand! Special guests include: Mesa Schubeck (keys/vocals) & Bob Merrill (keys/vocals) & Emma Stanley (trumpet)
Hearing Maine songwriter Sorcha Cribben-Merrill sing is at once stirring and soothing. Her lush vocal jazz charm and powerful presence draw you into bluesy grooves, haunting ballads, and intricate vignettes. Sorcha’s songs speak the truth as much as they spark the imagination.
Raised on the ocean in rural Maine, Sorcha is equally at home performing in folk festivals, rock clubs, intimate listening rooms, and on sailboats. She has opened for Grammy-nominated mandolinist Matt Flinner, folk music icon Tom Rush, and celebrated cellist/multi-instrumentalist Leyla McCalla, formerly of the Carolina Chocolate Drops – often fueled by artist collaborations. Sorcha has performed at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (Emerging Artist), Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, ME, and The State Theatre in Portland, ME.
The transformative power of music underscores her work. Sorcha regularly brings music to memory care audiences, she has supported songwriting programs at the Center For Grieving Children, and she partners with The Lullaby Project. Original songs from her 2016 release Quiet are featured in LIGHT, an award-winning documentary film by Caroline Treadway, and her forthcoming fourth studio album promises to further highlight “the crazy range of one of Maine's most versatile troubadours” (Downeast Magazine).
The Mallett Brothers Trio
The Mallett Brothers Band is an independent rock and roll / Americana / country band from Maine. Their busy tour schedule since forming in 2009 has helped them to build a dedicated fanbase across the U.S. and beyond while still calling the state of Maine their home. With a style that ranges from alt-country to Americana, country, jam and roots rock, theirs is a musical melting pot that's influenced equally by the singer/songwriter tradition as by harder rock, classic country and psychedelic sounds.
Texas Hill Country Explore Magazine calls them “New England’s wildly eclectic crew of genre rebels.” Bill Copeland Music News says “Combining their authentic roots rock sound with a reflective lyrical style that perceives stories on the level of epic myth, it’s like William Faulkner has been resurrected with an electric guitar in hand.."
Come enjoy the Trio at the Barn at Barncastle - an intimate venue with good vibes, good drinks, and beautiful surroundings. Doors open at 6:30 to access the bar and seating, and the show begins at 7:30pm.
The Dan Nicholas Quintet
The Dan Nicholas/James Austin Quintet (featuring Josh Lee) is a collaboration between some of finest jazz musicians on the NYC scene today as well as Blue Hill’s own, guitarist Dan Nicholas. Collectively, the group members have played with the likes of Barry Harris, Cecile McLaren Salvant, Lalah Hathaway, The Count Basie Orchestra, Johnny O’Neal, Russel Malone, Willie Jones III, and many more. An evening of grooving and soulful music is guaranteed.
Doors open at 6:30pm, show begins at 7:30pm. $20 general admission / $25 day-of door price (if available). The Barn is stocked with a bar, but no food - we recommend making a reservation at our restaurant adjacent to the venue beforehand!
Hymn for Her, Live at The Barn @ Barcastle!
TICKETS click HERE: $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
Hymn for Her have been busy touring across the country and abroad over the past few years, injecting juiced-up backwoods country blues with a dose of desert rock psychedelia that has been described as “Hell’s Angels meets the Amish,” and “Hillbillies with electronics opening Pandora’s Box.”
*Doors open at 7pm, show begins at 7:30
*We highly recommend reservations for dinner if you're interested in dining with us before the show. Call 207-374-2330. If you intend to try walking in, we suggest a Plan B as our space is a cozy one!
Chris Ross - Live at Barncastle
Tickets On Sale Now!
Chris Ross has spent the better part of a decade tucked away on the coast of Maine developing his voice as a writer. Inside the arsenal of tracks he’s penned, one finds dangerous, hard-hitting reflections; stories of love, life and longing, appealing because they’re so real. Tinted with an appetite for self-destruction, his writing style is smooth and eloquent while remaining sincere to genuine grit of experience.
General Admission. Purchase tickets HERE !
Chris Ross, Live at Barncastle
Tickets On Sale Now!
Chris Ross has spent the better part of a decade tucked away on the coast of Maine developing his voice as a writer. Inside the arsenal of tracks he’s penned, one finds dangerous, hard-hitting reflections; stories of love, life and longing, appealing because they’re so real. Tinted with an appetite for self-destruction, his writing style is smooth and eloquent while remaining sincere to genuine grit of experience.
Get Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chris-ross-live-at-barncastle-tickets-418293556287
Destroy Them My Robots
Tickets On Sale Now!
"Destroy Them My Robots" is a band trapped in the 1980's with no intention of ever leaving. Playing classics by legends such as The Cars, Styxx, Billy Idol, A-Ha, Prince, Duran Duran, and more, they can transport an audience back to 1985 faster then a DeLorean with a functioning Flux Capacitor. DTMR was founded in 2010, when the ghost of Mr. Roboto demanded they bring these hit songs back to the people of Downeast Maine.
POSTPONED : Noel Paul Stookey Live at Barncastle!
We are very sorry to announce that due to unforeseen circumstances this Saturday's concert - An Evening with Noel Paul Stookey - is POSTPONED.
We hope to announce a new date soon!
Ticketholders may choose a full refund via the Eventbrite website or keep their existing seats for a rescheduled show, date to be announced. In the event that we are unable to reschedule this concert a full refund will be issued automatically to remaining ticketholders via their original point of sale.
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Join us for an intimate evening with Noel Paul Stookey!
*** All ticket holders will receive a complimentary copy of his new CD, "FAZZ:NOW&THEN"
Noel has been altering both the musical and ethical landscape of this country and the world for decades—both as the “Paul” of the legendary Peter, Paul and Mary and as an independent musician who passionately believes in bringing the spiritual into the practice of daily life. Funny, irreverently reverent, thoughtful, compassionately passionate, his voice is known all across this land, from the “Wedding Song” to “In These Times.”
Having recently celebrated his 84th birthday and his 63rd year as a recognized activist singer/songwriter, Noel Paul Stookey continues his contribution to America's musical history with his most recent release FAZZ:NOW&THEN. With a title based on a term coined by the Dave Brubeck Quartet member Paul Desmond during a tour with Peter, Noel and Mary at the midpoint of the 20th century, the album contains 20 tracks, the major portion of them original and all of them quintessentially Stookey.
Reserved table and theater-style seating is available for this event. Venue doors open at 6pm, music begins at 7pm.
Danie Ocean - Live at Barncastle!
Danie Ocean is a uniquely talented singer/songwriter based in Philadelphia. Joining her at Barncastle are Dan Nicholas and Alex Drenga.
With early roots in RnB and soul, Danie has also explored rootsy folk and rock and roll. Her incredible new album “ALIVE” incorporates all these elements with jazz, hip-hop and avant-garde touches added to the mix.
Danie Ocean’s music is a marriage of an extraordinary and multi-faceted 3+ octave vocal range with a writing style that is wise, heartfelt, deeply personal and unflinchingly honest.
Gott Lunch? will be on site serving up delicious fare before and during the show, with additional light refreshments available from The Ramblin Rose Trolley, so come early and enjoy some great food and drink in the barnyard before the show.
Venue Doors and the Barn Bar open at 2:00pm, music begins at 3:00pm.
WERU FM Songwriters' Round
Tickets on sale now!
We are so very excited to be hosting WERU 89.9 FM's Songwriter's Round in our Barn Venue, this Saturday, August 20th!
Jenny Lou Drew, Adam Nordell and Viva take the stage at 7pm.
Gott Lunch? will be on site serving up delicious fare before and during the show, with additional light refreshments available from The Ramblin Rose Trolley, so come early and enjoy some great food and drink in the barnyard before the show.
Venue Doors and the Barn Bar open at 6:00pm, music begins at 7:00pm.
Merther
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
While sometimes giving audiences unique covers of both well known and obscure songs, Merther’s sets are more often than not comprised of mostly original music. Lyrics that speak to both the joys and the troubles of everyday life as human beings, about perseverance through pain and confusion, as well as embracing the joy of our happiest moments, are common themes within Merther’s music. Despite the sometimes serious nature of these lyrical motifs, you cannot listen to or converse with any of these boys without noticing a rich and unrelenting sense of humor which makes itself evident both musically and lyrically.
Altogether, Merther brings an energy of solidarity with and love for each other and ourselves. Their music resonates with people of all stripes and their shows are a great time.
Baked by Kara will be on site serving up delicious sweets before and during the show, with light fare also available from the Ramblin’ Rose Trolley, so come early and enjoy some food and drink in the barnyard. Venue Doors and the Barn Bar open at 6:00pm, music begins at 7:00pm.
Down East Dead
Tickets On Sale Now!
As we head into the Days Between this Summer, Down East Dead brings us an afternoon of jams from the Grateful Dead catalog and more!
DED features current/former members of Skyfoot, Working Dead, Hambone, Lazy Lightning, and Band Beyond Description. Guaranteed to shake your bones!
Gott Lunch? and Baked by Kara will be on site serving up delicious sweet and savory fare before and during the show, so come early and enjoy some food and drink in the barnyard. Venue Doors and the Barn Bar open at 2:00pm, music begins at 3:00pm.
Ed Cherry & Dan Nicholas
Ed Cherry is one of the most authentic and soulful voices on the guitar today. With fourteen years of experience playing with Dizzy Gillespie, he’s one of the most in demand players on the NYC jazz scene.
Dan Nicholas is currently based in Blue Hill after many years spent in Europe. He’s performed in Paris, Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Rome, and Stockholm, and has worked with such artists as Mike LeDonne, Gary Smulyan, Grant Stewart, and many others.
Willy Martin & The Woods
FREE CONCERT / ALL AGES WELCOME!
Willy Martin & The Woods pull inspiration from traditional folk music as well as modern alt- country. From slow, sad songs that mix images of lonesome back woods and coast lines, to up beat foot stompers that plunge into the dark side of living in a rural landscape, Willy Martin and the Woods have established an extensive cannon of original material that is entertaining yet thought provoking.
Gott Lunch? will be on site serving up delicious fare before and during the show, so come early and enjoy some food and drink in the barnyard. Venue Doors and the Barn Bar open at 2:00pm, music begins at 3:00pm
One More Saturday Night!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW !
The ‘One More Saturday Night Live Dead Band’ is back! Reach & Friends notch their 33rd(!) show at Barncastle as Lindsey Montana joins Geoff Neal, Ted Yoder and Isaac Robbins for an evening of original songs paired with selections from the Grateful Dead catalog and beyond. Way beyond.
Gott Lunch? will be on site serving up delicious fare before and during the show, so come early and enjoy some food and drink in the barnyard. Venue Doors and the Barn Bar open at 6:00pm, music begins at 7:00pm.
Miguel Espinoza Fusion Ensemble
TICKETS ON SALE NOW !
Miguel Espinoza Fusion twists jazz, flamenco, Cuban and classical Indian musical forms into intoxicating journeys that thrill audiences! Described by Guitar Player Magazine as “mesmerizing”, Miguel Espinoza has recorded and performed with Bela Fleck, Kai Eckhardt, Kitaro, Tuck and Patti, Rita Moreno and Ben Vareen. April 2022 saw the release of their third CD - Living in a Daydream - featuring Grammy-winning pianist and Hamonicist Howard Levy.
Visually and aurally stunning, with flamenco/jazz guitar, fiery cello, riveting salsa and Indian tabla, a Miguel Espinoza Fusion show is like nothing else!
Junesevere
A SUNDAY NIGHT SHOW!
Junesevere is a Portland, Maine-based Idie Rock band formed in 2021 and fronted by Brooksville native Estelle Poole with Dominic Grosso on bass and synth, Conor Linehan on guitar, Cory McWilliams on drums and fellow Brooksvillian Bridgette Semler on backing vocals.
Junesevere's music combines elements of jazz, synth pop, prog rock and folk, drawing inspiration from disparate themes: narure, existentialism, love, longing and hope.
Baked by Kara and The Ramblin’ Rose Trolley will be on site serving up delicious sweet and savory snacks before and during the show, so come early and enjoy some food and drink in the barnyard. Venue Doors and the Barn Bar open at 6:00pm, music begins at 8:00pm.
Mallett Brothers Trio
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
The Mallett Brothers Band is an independent rock and roll / Americana / country band from Maine. Their busy tour schedule since forming in 2009 has helped them to build a dedicated fanbase across the U.S. and beyond while still calling the state of Maine their home. With a style that ranges from alt-country to Americana, country, jam and roots rock, theirs is a musical melting pot that's influenced equally by the singer/songwriter tradition as by harder rock, classic country and psychedelic sounds.
RJ Miller & Ross Gallagher
Kick off your Memorial Day Weekend with RJ Miller & Ross Gallagher, Live at Barncastle, Friday May 27th. Tickets on Sale now at https://rj_miller-ross_gallagher_may27.eventbrite.com
Halloweekend Barndance with Reach & Friends
Our One More Saturday Night crew is back for their first and only appearance of the year! Reachers Geoff Neal, Isaac Robbins and Ted Yoder are joined by special guest and dear friend Lindsey Montana on keys. We’re looking forward to some spooky jams! Prizes for Best Costumes!
$10 in Advance, General Admission. Doors and Bar at 6pm, Music at 7pm.
Tickets on Sale Now: https://barncastle-halloweekend-2021.eventbrite.com
Chris Ross, Live at Barncastle
Chris Ross has spent the better part of a decade tucked away on the coast of Maine developing his voice as a writer. Inside the arsenal of tracks he’s penned, one finds dangerous, hard-hitting reflections; stories of love, life and longing, appealing because they’re so real. Tinted with an appetite for self-destruction, his writing style is smooth and eloquent while remaining sincere to genuine grit of experience.
Tickets On Sale Now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chris-ross-live-at-barncastle-tickets-169886794977
POSTPONED : Destroy Them My Robots
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this Saturday’s Destroy Them My Robots show at Barncastle has been POSTPONED. We’ll announce a new date as soon as we can!In the meantime, all current ticket holders will be automatically refunded via their point of purchase, and will have access to special pre-sale when a rescheduled date is confirmed.
We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, and we thank you for your understanding.
Best,
Team ‘Castle
Mallett Brothers Trio
The Mallett Brothers Band is an independent rock and roll / Americana / country band from Maine. Their busy tour schedule since forming in 2009 has helped them to build a dedicated fanbase across the U.S. and beyond while still calling the state of Maine their home. With a style that ranges from alt-country to Americana, country, jam and roots rock, theirs is a musical melting pot that's influenced equally by the singer/songwriter tradition as by harder rock, classic country and psychedelic sounds.
Tickets on sale now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mallet-brothers-trio-tickets-168165815481
Bill McHenry Live
We are delighted to announce that renowned jazz saxophonist Bill McHenry will kick off our Autumn Concert Series here at Barncastle!
"Those in the know recognize McHenry as one of the most distinct voices of his generation — one who possesses the rare ability to distill abstruse modern ideas into gorgeous, palpably warm music." - NPR
Bill will be joined by Asa Meyer-Waldo on bass and longtime collaborator RJ Miller on drums.
This is a limited capacity event with reserved theater and table seating, tickets $10/$12 in advance. Doors open at 4pm, with Bar Service in our new Barn Pavilion and Light refreshments available in the Trolley courtyard. Music from 5pm to 7pm. Please visit Barncastle.me/events for further info.
At present, State and CDC guidance calls for those not fully vaccinated to wear face coverings while indoors and in situations where social distancing is not possible. We appreciate you cooperation. Please note that we will post updated policies and protocols on our website should we receive further guidance from State Agencies and/or the CDC.