Here is a listing of area live music and online music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, December 29 through Thursday, January 4.
New Year’s weekend has arrived, and there is no shortage of live music events throughout Sunday, New Year’s Eve, to help ring in New Year 2024. Browse the listing below to see the many options available – including State College’s annual First Night celebration, the annual Celebration Johnstown festivities, and lots of nightspots and restaurants providing live bands and performers as well. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC this weekend and throughout 2024! And if you plan on celebrating a lot on Sunday night, consider calling a taxi or an Uber so you – and everybody else – make it home safely to enjoy New Year’s Day and 2024!
(Listings in chronological order by event start time.)
FRIDAY 12/29:
“Last Friday” with George Byich & Zach Bodolosky at Ethnic Social Club (Heritage Discovery Center), Johnstown (starts 5:30 p.m.)
Bree Gearhart at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Kevin Quinn at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Harley Rae at Stone Town Tavern, Huntingdon (starts 6 p.m.)
Biscuit Jam at Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
The Evergreens at Asiago’s Tuscan Italian, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
River Lee at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
The Jaded Lips at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Samantha Press at Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford (starts 7 p.m.)
The Guitar Brothers at Pine Grove Hall (downstairs), Pine Grove Mills (starts 7 p.m.)
Dean Rumsey at Coal Country Brewing, Ebensburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Justin Garman at Fetz’s Sports Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Matt Smolko at Molly’s Pub, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Sam Lowe (acoustic) at The Grove, Strongstown (starts 8 p.m.)
Tony & Stacy at Patton Eagles, Patton (starts 9 p.m.)
Sundae Driver at Southmont Gardens, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
The Holy Gift (Tool tribute) at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 10 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Phyrst, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
Lowjack at The Brewery, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
SATURDAY 12/30:
The Rusty Shackles at Classic Elements, Johnstown (starts 4 p.m.)
Coltt Winter Lepley at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Matt Smolko at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
Ted & Molly at American Ale House, State College (starts 6:30 p.m.)
Kenny Jubas at Levity Brewing Co., Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Buster Crow at Mayfield at the Capitol Hotel, Hollidaysburg (starts 7 p.m.)
The Silver Linings at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Mountain City Acoustic Trio at Dead Canary Brewing Co., Philipsburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Quasi Quintet (jazz) at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 7 p.m.)
Second Street (acoustic) at Woody Lodge Winery, Ashville (starts 7 p.m.)
Andy Lubert at the Old Gray Mare, Carrolltown (starts 7 p.m.)
Bazooka Joe acoustic (Pat & Jai) at Trixie’s Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Jason DeWitt at Fetz’s Sports Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Hex Highway Blues Band at Elk Creek Cafe, Millheim (starts 7:30 p.m.)
White Shadow at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Blazing Arrow Hook & Ladder Fire Co., Tyrone (starts 8 p.m.)
Samantha Press at Argonne Cafe, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Asher Fieni at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 8 p.m.)
Wild Desire at Moonshine Mine Saloon, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
Frequency at Windber Moose, Windber (starts 8 p.m.)
Kiara Smith Band with Hot Take at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
Ed N’Born at Bellwood Eagles, Bellwood (starts 9 p.m.)
Mine 40 at Windber Hotel, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
“NYE Eve Party” with Undercover at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 10 p.m.)
The Pines at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10:30 p.m.)
Lowjack at Phyrst, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
John Solo (John Cimino) at The Brewery, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
ONLINE: Servello Family livestream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
SUNDAY 12/31 (NEW YEAR’S EVE):
First Night State College, downtown State College:
– University Baptist & Brethren Church: Fraser Street Saxes (1:30 p.m.), Black Cat Belly Dance (3:30 p.m.), OK Otter (5 p.m.), John “JT” Thompson (6:30 p.m.), Andy Tolins with Steve & Kristi Jean (8:30 p.m.)
– Sanctuary, State College Presbyterian Church: Allegheny Ukulele Kollective (2 p.m.), Natascha & the Spy Boys (4 p.m.), Callanish (7 p.m.), Joy Marie & the Gill Street Band (9 p.m.)
– St. Paul’s United Methodist Church: Altoona Brass Collective (2:30 p.m.), The Pines (5 p.m.), Tierradentro (8 p.m.)
– Faith United Church of Christ: Tussey Mountain Moonshiners (3 p.m.)
– Downsbrough Room, Schlow Centre Region Library: Mr. Music, Lenny Tepsich (3:30 p.m.)
– St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church: Ted & Molly (3:30 p.m.), Below Centre (5 p.m.), Revamped (6:30 p.m.), Eric Ian Farmer, Ady Martinez and Naty Martinez (8:30 p.m.)
– 3 Dots Downtown: Singer/Songwriter Showcase (4 p.m.)
– State Theatre: Steel City Calypso (7:30 p.m.)
Celebration Johnstown, downtown Johnstown (starts 5:45 p.m.)
– First Presbyterian Church: Jazz In Your Face (6 p.m.)
– Cambria County Library: Rosie & the Jammers (7:30 p.m.)
– Franklin Street Church (Sanctuary): The Rusty Shackles (6 p.m.), Striped Maple Hollow (7 p.m.), Whiskey River Panhandlers (8:15 p.m.)
– Franklin Street Church (Hall): Kulani (West African dancers, 6:15 p.m.), Irish Pretenders with Ellory Dabbs (dancer) (7:30 p.m.)
– Visit Johnstown: Tom Katz (6 p.m.), Hard Rock, Koko & Joe (7 p.m.), Bo Moore (8:30 p.m.)
– State Theater of Johnstown: Rachel Allen (6 p.m.), Matt Otis & the Sound (7 p.m.), Christ Centered Community Church (choir) (8:30 p.m.)
“New Year’s Eve Brunch” with Denise Baldwin at Jim & Jimmies, Johnstown (starts 9 a.m.)
“Brunch” with Samantha Press at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 11 a.m.)
“New Year’s Eve in Fiji Party” with Dumm at Huntingdon Elks, Huntingdon (starts 11 a.m.)
Kevin Briggs at Pisano Winery, Millheim (starts 2:30 p.m.)
Kevin Kutz at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 3 p.m.)
Biscuit Jam at Pine Grove VFW, Pine Grove Mills (starts 5 p.m.)
Strings & Bellows at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Coltt Winter Lepley at the Union Hotel, Everett (starts 6 p.m.)
Anchor & Arrow at HiWay Pizza Pub West, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
“Classical & Candlelight” with Herrera-Register Duo at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 6 p.m.)
“3rd Annual Masquerade Ball” with The PennSoulvanians at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Almost Famous at Everett American Legion, Everett (starts 7 p.m.)
Samantha Press at Dead Canary Brewing Co., Philipsburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Altoona Grand Hotel, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Generation – Acoustic Duo at Alexandria American Legion, Alexandria (starts 8 p.m.)
Nick Miller Project at Juniata Brewing Co., Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
“All That Glitters New Year’s Eve Celebration” with R-Dubs Music Experience at Cresson American Legion, Cresson (starts 8 p.m.)
Backlash at Huntingdon Moose, Huntingdon (starts 8:30 p.m.)
Bone Jacked at Catholic War Vets, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
Autumn Rising at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
7th Virtue at Bavarian Aid Society, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
“Rocking New Year’s Eve” with the Pines at Bull Pen Restaurant, Tyrone (starts 9 p.m.)
100 Proof at Williamsburg American Legion, Williamsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
Krazy Kat Daddies at Bedford Moose, Bedford (starts 9 p.m.)
“New Years Eve Party” with 3rd Ave. at Kennell’s Mill Sportsmen’s Club, Hyndman (starts 9 p.m.)
Big Daddy Bangers at The Arena Bar & Grill, State College (starts 9 p.m.)
Donny Burns & the 3rd Degree at We Are Inn, Philipsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
Hitchcock Railway at The Eureka, Houtzdale (starts 9 p.m.)
“New Years Eve Rager” with GoatSmoker and The Whatleys at The Bar, Boalsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
From Within at Smithmill VFW, Janesville (starts 9 p.m.)
White Shadow at Coalport VFW, Coalport (starts 9 p.m.)
Zac Grace Band at Sokols Club, Lilly (starts 9 p.m.)
Stacy & the Rejects at Nanty Glo Polish Club, Nanty Glo (starts 9 p.m.)
“New Years Party” with John & Jason and Strings Radio at Hastings Firemen’s Club, Hastings (starts 9 p.m.)
Freedom Rocks at Beaverdale Legion, Beaverdale (starts 9 p.m.)
“Despoes New Years Eve” with The Desperadoes at Southmont Gardens, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
“New Years Eve Countdown” with Time Zone at Fetz’s Sports Pub, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Havoc at Conemaugh PNA, East Conemaugh (starts 9 p.m.)
Half Tempted at Blue Knob Conference Center, Blue Knob All Seasons Resort (starts 9:30 p.m.)
JR Mangan Band with Veronica at Cafe 210 West, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
The SuperAlrights at Trixie’s Pub, Johnstown (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Rust at Windber Slovak Club, Windber (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Giants Of Science at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)
DD and the Pub Crawlers at Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)
The Boomers at Turner Hall, Johnstown (starts 10 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Phyrst, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
MONDAY 1/1 (NEW YEAR’S DAY):
(NO SHOWS ANNOUNCED)
TUESDAY 1/2:
“Open Mic Night” with James Grove at D’Ottavio’s Gran Sasso, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Donny Burns Duo at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 1/3:
Jam Night at Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night with The Frick Brothers at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night at Dively’s Tavern, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Donny Burns Duo at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
THURSDAY 1/4:
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Happy Valley Brewing Co., State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Troll 2 with Coltt Winter Lepley at ArtsAltoona Center, Altoona (all ages, starts 8:30 p.m.)
ONLINE: Bob Helbig Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(NOTE: More shows may be added to this list as information becomes available. Feel free to check back.)
To report additional shows or corrections to this listing, email information to jptheprofessor@gmail.com. Deadline to submit information for the initial posting is each Friday morning at 9 a.m.