Practice at Presents brings us Yule Fest, featuring 17 local bands performing at three venues across two nights – and it’s all for a great cause, to benefit Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County. Also, Nectar celebrates Phestivus at Deep Dive, the NRE Space hosts a grand opening, Iron Horse marks its 16th anniversary, and the Walsh Family and Friends Holiday Show returns to Hopshire!

Hayley Jane and Annie in the Water join forces to perform Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ (and also collaborate on their original music) at the Range, five local bands team up at Deep Dive to pay tribute to Pink Floyd at a benefit concert for REACH, and Pile’s Rick McGuire comes to Angry Mom Records. Plus, celebrate the season with holiday concerts featuring Doolin’ O’Dey, the Delaney Brothers, and the Diana Leigh Quartet!

The Mountain Goats make their long-awaited return to Central New York for a sold-out show in Homer. Led by singer-songwriter John Darnielle, the band is touring to promote its latest album, “Jenny from Thebes,” a sequel of sorts to its 2002 album, “All Hail West Texas.” Bassist Peter Hughes, who lives in Rochester, spoke with The Route earlier this week.

GA-20 and Black Joe Lewis come to Homer, The Mountain Goats play a sold-out show, Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots return to the Range, and the Be Right Backs make their debut! Plus, holiday concerts abound around the area this weekend, including Taste of Ireland’s Celtic Christmas at the State Theatre!

Kilamanzego headlines a Microtones show at Forest Lodge 180, Sungazer and Sirintip join forces at Deep Dive, and KENMUJO tops an Ithaca Underground bill at Sacred Root Kava Bar.

Max Childs gets ready to record a live album, Joe Crookston returns for a homecoming show, Kevin Kinsella brings back his old-school John Brown’s Body tunes, and Grateful 4 B.I.G. mashes up the Dead and Biggie Smalls! Plus, a bunch of local bands are in action in the coming week, including on Thanksgiving Eve – traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year! And several Ithaca roots-rockers invade Rochester on Saturday night to pay tribute to Tom Petty.

Acclaimed British blues guitarist and vocalist Joanne Shaw Taylor comes to Geneva on Saturday night to perform at the Smith Opera House. A native of England’s West Midlands (aka “the Black Country”), Taylor has been living in the United States for 15 years and is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. She’s touring to promote her latest album, 2022’s “Nobody’s Fool.”

Canadian singer-songwriter Abigail Lapell comes to the Trumansburg, roots troubadours Chris Smither and the Suitcase Junket return to Ithaca, local favorites Anthony Kannon and Johnny Dowd host album release shows, and British blues rocker Joanne Shaw Taylor plays Geneva. Plus, Vicious Fishes mark the five-year anniversary of their debut album and Transpose: Ithaca Queer Singers Alliance will present a wide-ranging concert.

Friday’s +LIVE+ show at the State Theatre has been postponed due to covid, but there are still plenty of other cool shows to check out this weekend! Drag City recording artist P.G. Six performs at Angry Mom Records, Neighbor comes to the Range, and the Cornell Concert Series welcomes Frank Vignola and Tessa Lark to Bailey Hall. Plus, Deer Tick returns for a sold-out Sunday night show in Homer followed by Mat Kearney on Monday night. And don’t miss “50 Years of the Hip Hop DJ,” a free roundtable discussion featuring four legends of the genre Saturday night at Deep Dive!

It has been more than 28 years since +LIVE+ played at Cornell University’s Barton Hall. Frontman Ed Kowalczyk will bring the current version of the popular 90s alt-rock band to the State Theatre of Ithaca on Friday night (Update: this show has been postponed!) Also, Tail Light Rebellion returns from Wisconsin, loadbang continues its residency at Cornell, Neighbor comes to the Range, and the Cornell Concert Series welcomes Frank Vignola and Tessa Lark to Bailey Hall.