Article
Shows at The Cut Live selling out before it opens
Gail McCarthy, Gloucester Times
GLOUCESTER TIMES
January 4, 2024
The Cut Live is on the cusp of its launch date and already two local bands have sold out their upcoming shows in advance of the Main Street venue’s grand opening in downtown Gloucester.
The inaugural event will be Willie Alexander’s Birthday Bash on Saturday, Jan. 13, with a packed line-up of musicians as well as surprise guests. The Gloucester singer-songwriter and keyboardist has a career spanning a half century. He has been immersed in innovative music-making from the days of early punk with groups such as The Lost and Velvet Underground to his own unique sound with his bands Persistence of Memory Orchestra and the Fisheye Brothers.
The local bands, Safety and Captain Jack and the Strangers, are both sold out. But there are many more coming in the line-up, including The Brother Brothers with Jax Hollow and Vapors Of Morphine later this month.
The venue, which has a capacity for up to 500, will feature a mix of local, regional and national talent.
More locals are featured in upcoming gigs, such as Mile 21 who co-headlines alongside Void Union with Dave Hillyard on Feb. 8. Two days later, Gloucester’s Henri Smith is part of a Mardi Gras Party with Brass Fed Nation on Feb. 10. and there is a CD release party for the Gloucester-based Soul Rebel Project on March 23, and a week later, the Cape Ann Big Band Swingtet performs on March 30.
Gloucester’s Liam Anastasia-Murphy, who books the local and regional talent, is eager for the public to experience the new music venue.
A singer-songwriter himself, Anastasia-Murphy returned to his hometown six years ago and embarked on his own recording projects, and later was glad to become part of The Cut Live team.
“We are super pleased that it is about to open and we are eager to have people check out the new space,” said Anastasia-Murphy. “We want to book acts that we are excited about and that we think the community will enjoy. This is the driving force.”
In another offering in the restaurant, there is Wednesday Night Vibes, featuring a rotating cast of musicians from the area performing instrumental music.
Written by Gail McCarthy for the Gloucester Times
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