Wednesday, Feb 18

INZO: The Senate, 8 PM

If you’re into the EDM scene, you know INZO. If not, and you’re curious, check out the full set below from a recent Red Rocks performance:

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike. Featured poet this week is Madison Woodle, featured musician is Josh McGill of the band This Machine.

Thursday, Feb 19

Jazz Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

Chris Reed: J’s Corner, 6 PM

Ella Thomas: Hazelwood Brewing, 7 PM

this is part of Hazelwood’s weekly “Brew-Grass” series, hosting different bluegrass acts every Thursday. Ella is a young but already accomplished local fiddle player.

Paisley Marie, Tyler Gordon, Katie Gandy, Desirée Richardson: Uncle Festers, 8 PM

This is part of the monthly Writers in the Round series at Uncle Festers, and it’s a loaded lineup this time around. Paisley Marie is or was part of a number of local indie rock acts, from her own Paisley and the Birdwalkers to Sweetheart City and Homemade Haircuts. Tyler Gordon comes from the indie rock realm as well with his bands Barnwell and, currently, Hillmouse. Katie Gandy and Desiree Richardson take classic female vocalist styles and meld them to indie pop in KTG and Death Ray Robin, respectively. Check out the brand new song and video from KTG, “eeaao (I Do),” below:

Friday, Feb 20

Blackberry Smoke: Township Auditorium, 7:30 PM

Steeped in classic southern rock, they’ve been around long enough to have a “best of” compilation out (see below for a new, previously unreleased track from that); in concert they pay tribute to their rock ‘n’ roll roots by covering everyone from Bad Company and Thin Lizzy to the Atlanta Rhythm Section.

First Time Out; Ella Thomas & Friends: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

This is the featured band for the Friday night Open Stage and Jam event.

Harry and the Hootenannies, Sam Wise, Kevin K & the Bowery Kats, The Mystery Plan: Art Bar, 9 PM

It’s hard to believe that the off-kilter rock of local weirdos Harry and the Hootenannies has been around a decade already, but this is a “10 Year Anniversary” show, so it must be true. To acknowledge this, here’s a clip of the band playing “Not Going” in the Spaze nine years ago:

Honestav, Jayy Wick: The Senate, 7:30 PM

Honestav is one of those contemporary singer-songwriters who’s cramming too many words into his songs like a rapper, but he’s singing earnest, strummy shout along anthems with a 90s Everlast vibe.

Lucky Wednesday: Charter 803 Bar and Grill, 6 PM

Messenger Down, Death Ray Robin, Mr. Morning: Cat’s Kettle, 8 PM

Jon Michaels: Live Dinner Cruise on Spirit of Lake Murray, 6 PM

Sam & Illia Band: Hemingways, 8 PM

Reggie Sullivan Band: Finlay Park, 6 PM

This is the kickoff of a new free concert series at the updated Finlay Park.

Take 6, After 7: Koger Center, 8 PM

This is the yearly “Legends Of” benefit concert for the Auntie Karen Foundation; this year’s show features two classic R&B vocal groups. I wonder if they did the 6-7 thing on purpose, though?

Visceral Bleeding, No Sign of Life, Dr. Blood’s Orgy of Gore, Volvulus, 762 FAFO, Outhouse Murder: The Spaze, 6 PM

Coley Williams: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Saturday, Feb 21

Randy Atwood: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Briscoe, Jack Blocker: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

This Texas duo combines elements of country, bluegrass, and roots music to arrive at an enjoyable hybrid sound that should appeal to fans of all of the above and more.

The Bunchquitters: TOL Coffeehouse, 6719 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC

Daddy’s Beemer, Mantra, Leverpuller, DJ Sets from DJ Tiny, Patty Mills, Baby Cousin Tay Tay, DJ Roselle: Art Bar, 9 PM

Vincent Neil Emerson: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

Another in the “earnest, heartfelt Americana/country songwriter” scene, Emerson’s better than most of that crowd even if you haven’t heard his name much yet.

Tony Exum, Jr.: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Maddie Rean: Boho Pizza, 7 PM

Chris Reed: Homeland Craft (Leesville), 6 PM

Riverstone: Hazelwood Brewing, 4-7 PM

Sent By Slaughter, Thrashator, Thrystix: The Spaze, 7 PM

Celebrating the life of Benjamin Bowling, Goth Afterparty by DJ Dorian Mode

Sunday, Feb 22

Mike Hollon: Hazelwood Brewing, 3-6 PM

Koger Center Jazz Heritage Festival: Koger Center, 7:30 PM

The first night of a three-day run of jazz performances at the Koger, this one features alumni from the USC Jazz Studies program.

Pop-Up Jazz Concert at the William J. Cayce Grocery Site – End of State Street, at Frink Street: 5 PM to 7 PM

The City of Cayce is partnering with ColaJazz to offer a series of pop-up jazz concerts. All events are free and open to the public, with different ColaJazz related musicians appearing at each event. This week’s show features the Reggie Sullivan Trio.

St. Juventad: Uncle Fester’s, 3 PM

This is part of Uncle Fester’s regular open mike series, St. Juventad is the featured artist and host for this one.

Monday, Feb 23

Koger Center Jazz Heritage Festival: Koger Center, 7:30 PM

The second night of a three-day run of jazz performances at the Koger, this one features Vincent Gardner with USC Jazz Faculty.

Tuesday, Feb 24

Koger Center Jazz Heritage Festival: Koger Center, 7:30 PM

The third night of a three-day run of jazz performances at the Koger, this one features John Faddis and Friends.

Open Mike Night: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM

Mardi Gras Columbia: Saturday, Feb 14th 12-7 PM

Putting this one up top because it’s such a huge event with tons of local bands playing throughout the day at the City Roots property in Rosewood. Here’s the music and stage lineup for the event, with my brief explanations of what you’re in for during each set:

Ya Ya Stage (Street Stage):

• 12:00 p.m. — Kimber : Solid, traditional rock ‘n’ roll, female fronted band

• 12:55 p.m. — Richard and the Twins : Classic power trio rock

• 1:50 p.m. — She Might Get Loud : classic covers

• 2:45 p.m. — Admiral Radio : Americana act with folk and old-time harmonies

• 3:40 p.m. — The Accused : classic covers

• 4:35 p.m. — The Runout : Americana rock with stellar songwriting

• 5:30 p.m. — E.Z. Shakes : Rootsy indie rock

Tom Hall Stage (Back Porch Stage):

• 12:30 p.m. — Capital City Playboys : Rockabilly

• 1:30 p.m. — The Podunk Ramblers : bluegrass

• 2:30 p.m. — The Plowboys : Americana free-for-all

• 3:30 p.m. — Buck Stinson : original and classic trucker country

• 4:30 p.m. — Mustache Brothers : Bluegrass

• 5:30 p.m. — 48 Fables Roots rock

Barn Stage:

• 12:00 p.m. — Jelly Roll & Delicious Dish : Roots rock

• 1:00 p.m. — Stillhouse Dead-leaning hippie rock vibes

• 2:00 p.m. — Whiskey Tango Revue : Swinging roots rhythms

• 3:00 p.m. — Gentle Jack : Even more Dead-centric tunes

• 4:00 p.m. — This Machine : Rock with a purpose

• 5:00 p.m. — Dylan Hayes Band : Classic and alt-country sounds

The rest of the week looks like this:

Wednesday, Feb 11

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike

Thursday, Feb 12

American Aquarium, River Shook: The Senate, 7 PM

Blues Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

Nick Brewer: 2123 College St, 7 PM

This is part of the ColaJazz series “Keys and Conversations,” this one featuring local keys player Nick Brewer, who’s done jazz, funk, rock, and more.

The Millhands: Hazelwood Brewing, 7 PM

Friday, Feb 13

Brand New Eyes: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

This pre-Valentine’s Emo Night includes a live set from Brand New Eyes and DJ sets from Olive Arden.

Demola Live!: The Senate, 7 PM

Marty McKoy Band: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Open Stage and Bluegrass Jam: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead: Township Auditorium, 7:30 PM

Sam & Illia Band: Breakers, 11 PM

Jamie Wright: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Saturday, Feb 14

Hunter Flanagan: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Mardi Gras Columbia: City Roots, 12 PM

Jon Michaels: Hazelwood Brewing, 4-7 PM

SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble: Harbison Theatre, 7:30 PM

This special Valentine’s concert will feature guest conductor Charlton Singleton and five different vocalists.

Nick Sweat and the Phantom Headlights, Olympic Goal, Kamikaze Copilot, Plaid Overdrive (Acoustic): The Spaze, 7 PM

Treaty Oak Revival: Colonial Life Arena, 7 PM

Brittany Turnipseed, David Glymph: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

This special Valentine’s Day show is SOLD OUT

Sunday, Feb 15

Kristin Caughman, Open Mike: Uncle Festers, 3 PM

Keely Faile: Hazelwood Brewing, 3-6 PM

Monday, Feb 16

Dreamscape Co-Op Presents the Weekly Open Jam: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

This is the full band open jam upstairs at NBT that happens every Monday night.

Tuesday, Feb 17

Open Mike Night: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM

Wednesday, Feb 4

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike

Thursday, Feb 5

Jazz Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

Ashley Pezzotti: Koger Center Live in the Lobby, 7:30 PM

A NYC jazz singer who’s performed with Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, and more.

Podunk Ramblers: Hazelwood Brewing, 7 PM

Chris Reed: Cantina 76 on Main, 6 PM

Sweetheart City: Boyd Plaza at Columbia Museum of Art, 6:30 PM

Part of the monthly First Thursday on Main event.

Friday, Feb 6

Live from the 803 feat. PuffIsLove, Chrisso, & Comedian Pudgee: Koger Center 2nd Floor Gallery, 6 PM

Lucky Wednesday: Gather Cola, 6 PM

Open Stage and Bluegrass Jam: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

Featured band this week is The Blue Iguanas.

Karen Peck & New River: Mt. Horeb Church Lexington, 7 PM

One of the most popular and enduring voices in southern gospel music, Karen Peck is a 10-time Dove awards winner.

Pickens Creek Band: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Sam & Illia Band: Prohibition, 10 PM

Sweet Sweet: Steel Hands Brewing, 6 PM

Saturday, Feb 7

Marcel Anderson: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Sam Barber, Wild Horses, Waylan Wyatt: Township Auditorium, 7:30 PM

A young phenom songwriter who has blown up online in the past few years, his music is in line with the Zach Bryan school of sensitive country dudes, but he’s more Phillip Phillips than Tyler Childers. Title track from his new EP is below:

Robbie Cockrell Band: Skyline Club, 9 PM

John Lakin and Friends: Harbison Theatre, 7:30

Longtime local gospel musician and choir leader John Lakin’s “Redemption Song” will present gospel songs that helped many overcome and survive the struggles of life.

Lucky Wednesday: Hazelwood Brewing, 4 PM

Sunday, Feb 8

Chris Reed: Boho Pizza, 4 PM

Three Mile Railroad: Hazelwood Brewing, 3 PM

Monday, Feb 9

Tuesday, Feb 10

Open Mike Night: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM

Simple Gifts with Amos Hoffman and Michael Rubin: Columbia Friends Meeting (120 Pisgah Church Rd, Columbia)

This event pairs Israeli poet Michael Rubin with Israeli jazz guitarist and Oud player Amos Hoffman.

Brittany Turnipseed: 701 Whaley, 6:30 PM

A show from Cola Jazz and 701 Whaley, part of a new listening room series. This one features the powerful voice of local jazz and soul singer Brittany Turnipseed.

Wednesday Jan 28

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike.

Tokyo Joe: Polliwogs, 7:30 PM

Thursday Jan 29

Jazz Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

Friday Jan 30

Alex Eubanks: Skyline Club, 9 PM

William Green: Chayz Lounge, 7:30 PM

Open Stage and Bluegrass Jam: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

Picken Pearls are the featured act this week at Bill’s Friday night jam.

Tessellatum: Violist Nadia Sirota and cellist Gabriel Cabezas present Donnacha Dennehy’s epic, microtonal string mosaic Tessallatum, playing live with pre-recorded viols (by Liam Byrne) and violas (Sirota). With projected animation by Steven Mertens. USC School of Music Recital Hall, 7:30 PM

CC Whitt: Steel Hands Brewing, 6 PM

Saturday Jan 31

Letron Brantley and Friends, The Sade Experience: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Fire From the Gods: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

Myke Terry of Volumes took over lead vocal duties in this Austin, Texas rap-metal act last year, resulting in a new slant to their sound that’s more screamo mixed with their remaining commercial Breaking Benjamin style metal. New track just released in a video below:

Hellfire 76, Thunderwell, Leaving Echoes: The Spaze, 7 PM

Josh Hilley Band: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Stankface, North By North, The Industry: Art Bar, 9 PM

Great, diverse lineup for this one. Stankface is a local funk/soul combo fronted by the multitalented Cat Galan (also of Boomtown Trio); North By North is a Chicago husband and wife rock duo who put on a fun, intense show.

Weir Grateful, Honoring the life of Bob Weir: J’s Corner, noon-3 PM

Members of Stillhouse, Gentle Jack and Wolfman String Band will play a few songs, followed by an open mike.

Jack Williams: Tree of Life Coffeehouse, 7:30 PM

(RESCHEDULED FROM LAST WEEK) He hasn’t lived in South Carolina for a good while, but there’s still plenty of the region to be found in the bluesy folk songwriting of Jack Williams. For over 60 years he’s been a touring musician, with the latter half of his career concentrated in evocative storytelling songcraft. This is a solo acoustic show from Williams.

Sunday Feb 1

Nick Brewer: 2123 College St, 6 PM

Part of the Cola Jazz office live music series featuring piano players, “Keys and Conversations,” this one features local legend Nick Brewer, a piano, keyboard, and organ player who has performed with both rock and jazz acts of all kinds.

Chris Reed: Hazelwood Brewing, 3 PM

Monday Feb 2

Dreamscape Co-Op Presents the Weekly Open Jam: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

This is the full band open jam upstairs at NBT that happens every Monday night.

Tuesday Feb 3

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo: Township Auditorium, 7 PM

Nostalgia show for 80s kids? Perhaps, but Benatar still has the pipes to pull off her hits and more, with her guitarist husband aboard they’ll hit you with their best shot. See below for a preview of what they look and sound like currently:

Open Mike Night: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM

Jeff Pitts: O’Haras, 6 PM

Wednesday January 21

Mind Gravy: Cool Beans, 7 PM

Weekly original music and poetry open mike. This week’s poetry feature is Loli Molina Muñoz, with music feature Ben Gar.

Thursday January 22

Bayker Blankenship, Slater Nalley: The Senate, 8:00 PM

A great example of the impact social media has had on country music, now twenty-something Bayker Blankenship went viral with a clip of his song “Maxed Out” back in 2021 and he’s still at it nearly five years later. It’s not groundbreaking, edgy, or extraordinary music, but it’s solid contemporary country and Blankenship both looks and sounds like the average country music fan these days.

Blues Night: GROW Cafe, 7 PM

Dick Goodwin Big Band: Chayz Lounge, 7 PM

One of the elders of traditional jazz in Columbia, this is a rare chance to catch Dick Goodwin and his traditional big band ensemble in an intimate space.

Lonesome Grit: Hazelwood Brewing, 7 PM

Friday January 23

Cassie Ramone, Colleen Green, Coma Cinema: Art Bar, 9 PM

Coma Cinema is the long-running moniker of South Carolina native Matthew Lee Cothran, a DIY indie rock band that has released multiple albums of his tortured yet beautiful tunes over the years. “Grand Delusion” in spring 2025 was his first under the Coma Cinema name in eight years, and then in December he released another studio project and flim, “The Honey House Is Empty.” It may well be, but the well of creativity that is Matthew Lee Cothran is apparently still full of new ideas.

Trey Duncan: Gather Cola, 6 PM

William Green: Chayz Lounge, 7:30 PM

William Green shares music from his new album Good To Go and delivers smooth jazz and soul classics, too.

Open Stage and Bluegrass Jam: Bill’s Music Shop, 7 PM

Chris Reed: Lucky’s Burger Shack (Irmo), 6 PM

Brandon Roberts: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Sam & Illia Band: Schooners, 9 PM

Saturday January 24

Logan Blizzard: Hazelwood Brewing, 4 PM

Candlelight Tribute to Fleetwood Mac: Harbison Theatre, 6:30 PM

Candlelight Tribute to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons: Harbison Theatre, 8:45 PM

These are interesting shows in a stylized concept—a string quartet playing familiar songs from the listed artists, with a setting lit by lots and lots of candles. If you’re a fan of the Mac, or Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, it’s a different way to experience their music.

Five Ohm, The Accuser, Firenest: Art Bar, 9 PM

A triple shot of local and regional heavy rock. Five Ohm added Mark Skeen on lead vocals in 2025, and the first single from an upcoming new full length came out in late December, “Singularity"…check it out below:

Lola Grace: Steel Hands Brewing, 5 PM

King Nothing, Sent to Slaughter, Hell’s Maid, Thrystix: Art Bar, 9 PM

Headliners King Nothing are a Metallica tribute act but get there early for the original local content; support acts for this show include a trio of Columbia bands: thrash metal from Sent To Slaughter, hard 90s style rock from Hell’s Maid, and heavy metal from Thrystix.

The Lonesome Outlaws: Skyline Club, 9 PM

Carter Lybrand: VFW 8378 (Cedarcrest Dr), 7 PM

Tokyo Joe: Boho Pizza, 7 PM

Jack Williams: Tree of Life Coffeehouse, 7:30 PM

He hasn’t lived in South Carolina for a good while, but there’s still plenty of the region to be found in the bluesy folk songwriting of Jack Williams. For over 60 years he’s been a touring musician, with the latter half of his career concentrated in evocative storytelling songcraft. This is a solo acoustic show from Williams.

The WillieKens: Wings and Ale, 8 PM

Jamie Wright: Chayz Lounge, 8 PM

Sunday January 25

VIO-LENCE, Deceased, Nunslaughter: New Brookland Tavern, 6 PM

Monday January 26

Dreamscape Co-Op Presents the Weekly Open Jam: New Brookland Tavern, 7 PM

This is the full band open jam upstairs at NBT that happens every Monday night.

Tuesday January 27

Open Mike Night with Hey I Know Her: Quaker Steak and Lube, 7 PM