Last Updated on December 8, 2024, 1:10 PM | Published: December 3, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY — It’s easy to assume that the local scene would pump the brakes around year’s end, enjoying some well-deserved rest and ceding the stages to the many holiday concerts and winter parties.
But this year, OKC’s local venues are lighting up like a city-sized Christmas tree with some of the scene’s biggest names in rock, folk, country, and more all setting fire to the long, cold nights and bringing their sounds to keep the party going all December long.
Some of these acts are returning to Oklahoma stages triumphantly, having recently headed home from major tours or gearing up for a breakout year in 2025.
Others are returning to the stage after a long absence.
And some are simply capping off a busy year at their favorite venues, rounding out 2024 with one more high-energy, electrified set.
The month’s concert calendar is stuffed like a stocking, so let’s take a look at some of the best shows December has to offer.
Johnny Manchild & The Poor Bastards w/ Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists – Resonant Head – December 6th
The undisputed king of emo-driven Oklahoma jazz-rock, Johnny Manchild, has been criss-crossing the country with his Poor Bastards supporting Cat Ridgeway for months now, with “The Sprinter Tour” kicking off all the way back in October.
And in between tour legs, they even shipped up to Boston for what’s probably the biggest and most affirming moment yet in the band’s career: opening for dual-headlining, underground legends Gogol Bordello and The Dresden Dolls.
So Johnny and the boys will be enjoying something of a hero’s welcome when they bring their heart-swelling piano-rock back to their hometown stage at Capitol Hill’s Resonant Head early this month.
This one is bound to get wild, so you want to dance, jump, and belt out some singalong indie jams to burn off the Thanksgiving calories, this is where to do it.
For showtimes, tickets, and more, visit resonanthead.com.
heartspace w/ Modeling, Sky Hemenway – Resonant Head – December 12th
Right back to Resonant Head now for the evocative, emotional electro-minimalism of heartspace.
It’s been more than a year and a half since OKC scene mainstay Madelyn Faith brought her alter ego heartspace to the stage, focusing instead in that time on collaborations and her striking eye for photography.
So when she finally re-arrives at Resonant Head on the 12th, you can expect it to be just as cathartic for her as it’s sure to be for the audience.
Plus, she’ll be supported by the recently exploding Sky Hemenway, one of the locals most poised to breakout big in the coming year.
For showtimes, tickets, and more, visit resonanthead.com.
Gonzo Lebronzo / Tadpole / Lunar Division – 51st Street Speakeasy – December 14th
If you’re looking for some headbanging, fist-pumping rock to warm yourself in the dead of winter, then this is set to be the can’t-miss December show for you.
Three of the city’s best straight-up rockers banding together for a Saturday night on what may well be the city’ best rock n roll stage at The Speakeasy is an offer you can’t refuse.
The Gonzo guys are recurring characters in this column, always bringing the fiery, deeply intense hard rock, and Lunar Division have made just as many appearances for their hook-driven grungy sound.
But if you don’t yet know Tadpole, you likely will soon. The rock ensemble matches their wall of heavy-riffing guitars with keyboards and even some electric violin, elevating their jammy, stomping hard rock far above the “noise rock” designation they declare.
Be sure to bring a new, unwrapped gift toy for donation and they’ll even waive the cover charge for the night. You can’t beat that.
For showtimes, tickets, and more, follow @the_speak on Instagram.
John Moreland – Blue Door – December 27th and 28th
It takes a pretty monumental talent to warrant back-to-back nights at OKC’s venerable “listening room,” The Blue Door.
John Moreland is undeniably that monumental talent.
The singer-songwriter is tying a bow onto a major 2024 that saw the release of newest album, “Visitor,” collaborations such as his Ken Pomeroy duet “Coyote,” and a nationwide tour that took him into some of the best theaters and ballrooms in the country.
These OKC spots will come hot on the heels of similar back-to-back nights at Tulsa’s Mercury Lounge, and are set to feature some awesome support from R.R. Williams on the 27th and Mallory Eagle on the 28th.
For showtimes, tickets, and more, visit bluedoorokc.com.
Jason Scott & The High Heat present “The Loser’s Ball” – Beer City Music Hall – December 28th
Easily one of the biggest recent breakouts from OKC, Jason Scott and his High Heat have been cavorting all across the country in recent months with the likes of Silverada and major country-rockers Blackberry Smoke.
But while 2024 has been a whirlwind, 2025 is already set to be bigger, with Scott and the boys lined up with high billing on some massive festivals that’ll see them sharing stages with headliners like Kacey Musgraves, Midland, The Lumineers, and Kings of Leon.
So it’s no wonder that they can head home and headline their own bespoke December event at Beer City, with “The Loser’s Ball” bringing all the raucous outlaw country and Southern-rock you can handle right back to the hometown that inspired it.
For showtimes, tickets, and more, visit beercitymusichall.com.
New Year’s Eve with Lincka – Resonant Head – December 31st
There’s no shortage of New Year’s Eve shows, parties, and events around town this year, but if Lincka is holding court on the Resonant Head stage, then the odds are good that’s the one party you don’t want to miss.
If New Year’s is all about dancing, getting wild, and shaking off the past year’s woes, then Lincka is going to get you shaking like no one else can, and she won’t be doing it alone.
There’s a slew of supporters rounding out the night with some serious soul, including Keathley, Metra, and Bella Burns, and DJ duo FACE2FACE will be getting the jams coming as well.
If you’re looking to get out on the town on New Year’s Eve, you’d be hard pressed to find a better time in the city.
For showtimes, tickets, and more, visit resonanthead.com.
You can find out about local music and performance happenings in the OKC metro weekly in this music column by Brett Fieldcamp. | Brought to you by True Sky Credit Union.
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.