Last Updated on November 9, 2022, 10:39 PM | Published: November 9, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY — It seems like there’s always a lot made about the summer concert season, and it’s true that this past summer saw some fantastic and memorable acts on stages all over town, but it’s looking like nothing can touch November for variety.
After all the work that our city’s best local promoters and bookers have put into creating a worthwhile scene and an unmissable tour stop, OKC is finally finding its place on the musical map. And with Beer City Music Hall now firmly established and cracking along almost nightly, there has maybe never been a better time to be a concert lover in Oklahoma City.
Whether the falling leaves have you feeling like crying or the city lights of the longer nights have you feeling like you need to dance, there’s something for everyone on stage this month.
Amanda Shires – Beer City Music Hall – November 9th
The old adage about there always being a woman behind every great man is especially true of country-soul champion Amanda Shires.
So much is made of the great Jason Isbell these days, but even by his own admission, he’d be nowhere without the love and support of his wife and songwriting co-conspirator Shires, who got him clean and inspired his best work.
In her own right, Shires is a formidable songwriter, showcasing a towering talent for combining honest vulnerability with palpable, impenetrable confidence.
If you’re a fan of Isbell or any of his modern “outlaw” ilk, such as Sturgill Simpson or (next addition on this list) Coleman Williams, you owe it to yourself to get out to Beer City and get on Shires’ soulful wavelength.
IV and the Strange Band – Blue Note – November 10th
As the son of Hank Williams III, Coleman Williams dutifully carries the moniker “IV” and continues the next logical step from his father’s combination of punk-and-metal-inspired hard-rock and country music.
Each of the Williams dynasty has discovered and explored their own corner of the country/western world, but in many ways, IV feels like he’s combining elements of them all, particularly with a singing voice remarkably close to his great-grandfather’s legendary warbling tenor.
If you’re a dedicated fan of the Williams clan, or if you’ve never heard how well classical country can mesh with the harder, heavier stuff, then don’t miss this chance to catch IV and his Strange Band in an intimate room like Blue Note.
SLANDER – The Criterion – November 17th
Thursday the 17th is set to be a wild, loaded night for music in OKC, and there’s looking like there’ll be nothing bigger than SLANDER at The Criterion.
The constantly evolving EDM duo is finally celebrating the release of their first-ever album after nearly a decade together and they’re touring it with their trademark spectacle: DJ-ing from inside of a giant, mechanical “eye” with stage-sized video projections behind them showcasing their own sci-fi scenery.
While SLANDER’s sound is built on future house, trap, and even a touch of dubstep, they keep it infused with a level of epic drama and emotion that continues to set them apart.
Dion Warlocke Album Release – Blue Note – November 17th
If instead you prefer some wacko hard-rock, or if you’d rather get out to support some deserving locals, then hit Blue Note on the 17th to help post-post-punks Dion Warlocke welcome their new baby into the world.
If you haven’t heard Dion Warlocke, you’re missing out on one of OKC’s best answers to the driving, grungey, headbanging legacy of the late-80s and 90s.
They’ll be debuting their new album on the Blue Note stage with support from Vehicles, Aztec Milk Temple, and Baileyboy.
Cory Wong – Tower Theatre – November 17th
Rounding out the stylistic roulette that is November 17th is recent fun-funk guitar maestro Cory Wong (feature photo) on the historic Tower Theatre stage.
Wong’s trademark blend of pop, jazz, R&B, and jam-band style funk-rock has made him a living legend in some guitar circles, and when he’s backed by his Wongnotes big band – featuring full horn section, keys, and extra percussion – it’s like a funky religious revival.
Flickerstick – Beer City Music Hall – November 19th
If you don’t know Flickerstick, then you never watched the best reality competition show ever: 2001’s “Bands on the Run” on VH1, pitting four unsigned bands against one another on a cross-country tour.
Despite never making as much money as their competitors, Flickerstick eventually secured the grand prize based on consistently winning audience favor with their energetic brand of Texas-tinged indie-rock.
After more than a decade apart, Flickerstick have finally reunited and will be taking the Beer City stage by storm on the back of the sweet recent resurgence of early-2000s indie.
King Cabbage Brass Band – Beer City Music Hall – November 25th
It’s the day after Thanksgiving. You need to get out of the house and get away from your extended family for a bit, and you probably need to dance off some of the previous day’s meal.
Beer City has you covered perfectly with OKC’s premier “second line”-style brass ensemble.
Anywhere the King Cabbage Brass Band goes, it’s a party, bringing booming, brassy renditions of every style imaginable and imploring you to shake it like you’re in The Big Easy.
If Thanksgiving is the quintessentially American holiday, then New Orleans-style brass band jazz is the quintessential American music. They go together like turkey and stuffing.
I can’t think of any better musical dessert for the holiday.
Brett Fieldcamp has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, writing for several local and state publications. He’s also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
