Okee dokee folks… If you listen to music enough you can always find lines in a song or whole songs that relate to the world around you. Lately I have been elder-Ubering my parents more, and though I usually don’t listen to the radio, I do while I am waiting for them. The other day I heard Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole” and the refrain, “Bow down before the one you serve, You’re going to get what you deserve,” made me think of the sycophants in the mango moron’s administration, as well as the MAGAts who still support him. The phrase, “Following orders is not a defense,” has been circulating around a lot and The Nuremberg Trials have often been referenced.
Though I know Pink Floyd’s music well, the line “And the worms ate into his brain” from “Hey, You” stood out while I was enjoying the RI Philharmonic play their music the other night. I am sure you can guess who came to mind in relation to this one.
I love the musical Hamilton and one of the numbers, “You’ll Be Back,” popped up on YouTube the other day. In it King George sings, “And when push comes to shove, I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love!” as well as, “’Cause when push comes to shove, I will kill your friends and family to remind you of my love!” It always brings a moment of levity to the show. To me, it personifies the obese, demented, sociopathic, misogynistic, xenophobic, racist, felonious, thin-skinned grifter (did I forget anything?), who is currently destroying the United States. Doesn’t it?
It’s interesting how songs can be poignant and sometimes prophetic. People should REALLY listen to the lyrics of songs and not just pay attention to the catchy beat. Some songwriters do try to say something with their writing besides “I want you, I need you, I love you.” Read on…
I have said this before and I will say it again, a Weird Al concert is probably the most enjoyable show you will ever see on stage. Weird Al will return to the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Tuesday, July 14 as part of his massive Bigger & Weirder Tour. He last performed at PPAC in September 2016 during his Mandatory World Tour. His 2025 tour sold out most, if not all, of the shows. You really don’t want to miss this! Polka over to PPACRI.org for more.
Back in the mid-’90s Lilith Faire was making a splash for women artists across the country. It was a great concept and was hugely successful. I foolishly sold my tickets to Lilith Faire in the parking lot when it was at Great Woods. Long story. I actually wanted to see the show. If you haven’t watched the documentary on streaming, you should, it’s great. I have watched it a couple of times already and surely will again. Anyway, if you would like the Lilith Faire experience, locally, then get tix for the Providence interpretation on January 10 at the Parlour. This will surely sell out and is a fundraiser for Sojourner House. Scheduled to perform: Heather Rose, The Dust Ruffles, Jenn Lombari, Polly Bessette, and many others. Sarah McLachlan over to theparlourri.com for more.
The Narrows has a wide range of shows scheduled into the new year. Always a great place to catch a concert! You can see Donna the Buffalo, Bywater Call, Quinn Sullivan, Adam Ezra, Funky White Honkies, Pearly Baker, Albert Lee, Luke Winslow King, Riverstock, Entrain, Jesse Cook, Ward Hayden, Club d’Elf, Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, Colby James, Sam Grisman Project, Duke Robillard, Tom Rush, Henry Diltz, Eilen Jewell, ZZ Ward, Ally The Piper, and so, so, so many more coming up! Also don’t miss your chance at the Narrows Center 2026 Season Pass Raffle! Buy tickets online or in person at the Narrows Center. First prize is two free tickets to every concert at the Narrows in 2026! Drawing will be held on December 27, 2025. For more, squeeze over to: narrowscenter.org
I love comedy and the Little Rhody Laugh Riot is a great opportunity to keep the laughs going for days. Tickets for the March 26 – 29 shows are on sale now and there are some great comedians that you don’t want to miss! John Mulaney, Andrew Schulz, Bob the Drag Queen, Andrew Santino, Zarna Garg, Chelsea Handler, Mark Normand, Demetri Martin, Jessica Kirson, Kristin Key, and probably one of the most poignant comedians in the biz today, and one of my favorites, Marc Maron! For more, giggle over to LilRhodyLaughRiot.com
Please make a New Year’s Resolution to be more polite at shows! Be aware of your surroundings. Most of you are grown-ass adults and your actions can affect others. If you are going to a ticketed concert, get there on time. Start times do vary – check the show time. If you arrive late, you disturb the performance for those around you. I preferred when folks were not admitted to a performance once it started – they had to wait until intermission. Also, I have said this before, getting in and out of your seat constantly is annoying. Chill on the drinking and you won’t have to pee so much! Seriously, how many adult beverages do you need during a 2-hour show? And how can you afford the prices? People pay a LOT of hard-earned money to attend these events and your “oblivious of others” attitude can hinder someone’s enjoyment. Don’t be an asshole. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 😉
Keep getting those protest songs to me! I will keep putting them in the column. Speak your mind in song! Send a public link of the music, and a copy of the lyrics to: RISongwriters@yahoo.com
That’s it for now. You can listen to my podcasts at motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast and find my concert photographs at motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening.
John Fuzek
I wish you had added in your comments about being polite at shows that people should not have their phones on! It’s so damned distracting to see that light out of the corner of one’s eye or to have a screen held up in one’s line of vision while pics or videos are taken. People are way too addicted!