Live music in Durham, NH

Settle in for live music on the patio at OTTO Pizza in downtown Exeter. If the weather does not cooperate, the performance moves upstairs to The Perch, a new bar and lounge on the second floor.

Reggae takes center stage at The Stone Church Music Club with performances by Mighty Mystic and The Riki Rocksteady All-Stars. Mighty Mystic is the performing name of Kevin Mark Holness, a reggae artist and producer born in Jamaica and rooted in Boston, and a key voice in the East Coast reggae scene.

Two-time GRAMMY winner and six-time nominee Nicole Zuraitis brings her powerful voice, vivid songwriting and expressive piano to Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club. A singer, composer, producer and arranger, she earned Best Jazz Vocal Album at the GRAMMY Awards for How Love Begins, a set of all original music that she wrote and arranged, co-produced with Christian McBride. Her live album Live at Vic’s Las Vegas received two GRAMMY nominations, and her inventive arrangement of Dolly Parton’s Jolene also earned recognition from the Recording Academy. She has led both intimate groups and large ensembles, served as the featured vocalist with the Birdland Big Band, and appeared at leading festivals and renowned New York venues such as Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Blue Note, the Carlyle, 54 Below and the 55 Bar. Her wide-ranging collaborations include work with Christian McBride, Tom Scott, Keyon Harrold, Cyrille Aimée, Antonio Sanchez, Javon Jackson and Bernard Purdie, along with featured performances with orchestras and big bands. She is an educator on the vocal faculty at NYU and Litchfield Jazz Camp and holds an honorary doctorate from Post University. The club offers a complete dining experience with food and drinks available for purchase during the performance, including service at your table and an award-winning wine and spirits program.

The Music Hall welcomes Here Come The Mummies, an eight-member funk rock powerhouse known for high-energy shows and a fully wrapped, ancient Egyptian aesthetic. Expect tight grooves, a punchy horn section, cheeky humor, and a performance crafted to keep the crowd moving. The group’s track record includes supporting sets for P-Funk, Al Green, Mavis Staples, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Cheap Trick, along with appearances at Super Bowl Village, recurring spots on The Bob and Tom Show, a feature on That’s My Jam with Jimmy Fallon, and performances at major festivals including Summer Fest, Summer Camp, Bluesfest Byron Bay, Musikfest, and Suwannee Hulaween. The lineup features Mummy Cass on guitar and vocals, Eddie Mummy on drums and vocals, K.W. TuT on bass and vocals, Spaz on keys and vocals, The Pole! on bass, Midnight Mummy handling baritone and tenor sax, keys, percussion, talk box, and vocals, Dr. Yo on saxophones, vocals, and tambourine, Highlander on tenor sax, and HPOD, the High Priest of Death, on trumpet. Tickets are available at $39, $45, $55, and $65. This performance is presented as part of a music series supported by McFarland Hyundai, Raka Creative, and 92.5 The River.

PMAC Jazz Night returns to the sounds of the 1980s for a second volume inspired by last year’s warm reception. Vocalist Taylor O’Donnell teams with faculty from Portsmouth Music and Arts Center’s Jazz Institute for an evening of reimagined synth-pop, soaring rock ballads, punchy new wave, and other genre-crossing staples that shaped the decade. Expect a set that pairs beloved hits with nostalgic rarities, presented with the flair that has made PMAC Jazz Night a favorite year after year. Tickets are $35 and available through The Music Hall Lounge.

Roland’s Basement returns after a sold out 2025 debut with a fresh edition of Sounds of the 70s, amped up with more groove and a mix of beloved hits, deep cuts, and nostalgic TV nods. This live music showcase salutes the artists, styles, and stories of the decade across disco, soft rock, funk, and soul, blending big sing along moments with slow jam favorites. Expect an updated setlist, dance ready disco highlights, tight band chemistry with standout vocals, tidbits and pop culture callbacks, plus the group’s signature surprises, costumes, and feel good vibes. Ideal for longtime fans of the era and anyone who loves a great groove, this celebration brings the 70s to life at Epping Community Theater.

The Dance Hall hosts Feet Keep the Beat, a showcase of percussive dance traditions from around the world with live musical accompaniment. This program highlights how rhythm and movement carry cultural stories, with dancers and musicians bringing distinct styles to life onstage. Flamenco blends song, dance, and instrumental artistry, rooted in Andalusia and linked to regions such as Murcia and Extremadura. Kathak, a classical form from northern India, shares narratives through intricate footwork, expressive gesture, and elegant movement. Tap, an American tradition that grew alongside jazz, reflects the meeting of Black American and Irish step dance influences. Before the evening performance, a free workshop and sharing session welcomes the public to explore the history, culture, and steps of these forms. Participants study with three Feet Keep the Beat artists, spending about 30 minutes with each style, and experience how shared rhythm can build community. Registration for the workshop is handled separately to reserve a spot. Feet Keep the Beat is a signature program created by The Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville, Massachusetts. Arts at the Armory serves as the fiscal sponsor for the touring program, and Ryan Casey is the Artistic Director and Tour Manager.

NERD DADS OF ROCK return with a set that spans the last 50 years, blending rock, pop, and country with a few unexpected picks along the way. Bring a dance partner and enjoy plenty of tunes to move to.

Whitney brings a North American tour stop to 3S Artspace with special guest Emma Ogier. The Chicago band, formed by Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek, returns in support of its fourth album, Small Talk, sharing new material alongside longtime favorites. Their debut, Light Upon the Lake, featured the single No Woman and received Pitchfork’s Best New Music recognition, and their performances are frequently praised for a sound that balances warmth with melancholy while feeling both timeless and personal. This is an all ages, standing concert. Tickets are $32 for members, $35 for general admission in advance, and $40 on the day of the show. Early ticket access is available to Supporter-level members and above using a member code at checkout.

World-renowned violinist Joshua Bell appears with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra at The Music Hall to perform Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole. Celebrated for his virtuosity and expressive playing, the Grammy Award-winning artist brings the vibrant character of this work to the stage alongside the orchestra. Bell’s career spans nearly four decades and includes leadership as Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Tickets are priced at $99, $125, $175, $225, and $250.

UB40 kicks off the fall run in Portsmouth with a classic theater show at The Music Hall, where the intimate, focused acoustics complement the band’s melodic sensibilities. Signature songs come through with crisp clarity as the crowd echoes each familiar chorus. The set flows at a measured, smooth pace, making Portsmouth a polished opening chapter for this leg of the tour.

Auspicious Brew hosts a welcoming open mic where musicians can share their songs and listeners can discover local talent. Sign-ups take place before the performances, and admission is free. The series returns twice each month, with one edition guided by Jon-Erik and another hosted by The Jerritones.

The Bill Charlap Trio brings a mesmerizing live jazz performance to Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club for an unforgettable evening of music.