SceneSC December Concert Calendar

December is typically one of the slowest months for touring artists, and this month is hitting Columbia especially hard. Compared to calendars across the Southeast, local concert listings are especially thin this holiday season. Touring acts skipping Columbia has been a growing problem for years, and one that needs a real solution. We don’t have the answer here, but after watching the music scenes in cities across South Carolina ebb and flow, the Capital City’s DIY nature will keep grinding and finding its way in the coming year. Last month’s events showed that we have a passionate community of music fans when we’re all engaged.

Local

Sean Thomson Sitar | Saturday, Dec. 6 at Curiosity Coffee | A few years ago, Thomson said, “What’s something no one has asked for? More sitar in Christmas music.” Since then, it’s become a holiday tradition, which brings together locals like Jeff Gregory, Adam Corbett, Saul Seibert and more to accompany the holiday tunes performed on the classic Indian stringed instrument. It’s part of the Uptown Holiday Hop, so you can get some shopping done at the same time.

Christmas on the Mount | Sunday, Dec. 7 at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church | Celebrating its 20th year, the annual concert put on by music critic Kevin Oliver brings together some of the best songwriters in the area to perform traditional holiday songs along with non-traditional originals. Admiral Radio, Danielle Howle and Josh Roberts lead the charge for the concert that benefits Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity.

Robert Lester Folsom | Saturday, Dec. 13 at New Brookland Tavern | A Redditor who discovered the music of Folson a few months ago described it as “very familiar music that you’ve never heard before.” Too accurate a quote not to use here for the legendary Georgia-born singer-songwriter and his breezy 70s lo-fi jams. He’s found a new life recently, thanks to syncs on shows like Outerbanks, Gossip Girl, and a wave of younger fans on social media.

New Year’s Eve Cover Show | Wednesday, Dec. 31 at New Brookland Tavern | Let’s go girls. The sounds of Shania Twain will ring in the new year at the Five Points club along with Demi Lovato, ABBA, and Beastie Boys. The annual cover show is a music scene staple that always features some of the best local musicians honoring their favorite artists with cover sets.

New additions

Art Bar

FRI 12/05 — Bedlam Hour, Soda City Riot, Scout’s Honor with DJs Rob Reeves & Kenny Breakz, Dynamic Pressure. Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM — $10

SAT 12/06 — RNR Mfer’s, The Eyebrows, The Transonics, The Neon Peach, Mean Wiener, Kid Anthem, Dr. Baroog. Doors 6 PM / Music 7 PM — $12

SAT 12/13 — Mantra, Pinkie, Leverpuller, DJ Maya Wang. Doors 8 PM / Music 9 PM — $8

FRI 12/19 — Insomniac, Shun, Stegotor. Doors 8 PM / Music 9 PM — $8

SAT 12/20 — The Jam Room Christmas Party with Buck Stinson, lowercase gods. Doors 8 PM / Music 9 PM — $6

SAT 12/27 — Severed by Dawn, Force Fed Lead, Goon. Doors 8 PM / Music 9 PM — $8

BlueTile Columbia

Sat 12/20 — Secret Guest with MIDS

Regional

Bonnie Prince Billy | Wednesday, Dec. 3 at The Grey Eagle, Asheville | Will Oldham, the man behind Bonnie Prince Billy, has a unique view on the music he creates. It’s a form of artistic expression in which he uses many of the same techniques he employs in his film career to write his albums. His most recent album, “The Purple Bird,” captures scenes in each song, especially on “London May” and “Boise, Idaho.”

Jake Xerxes Fussell and Twain | Concerts in Greenville, Asheville and Charlotte | Jake Xerxes Fussell is a leader in folk music, keeping the tradition alive and reviving forgotten Appalachian songs. It’s ingrained in his Southern roots thanks to his father, Southern folklorist and artist Fred Fussell, who wrote “Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina.”

Magnolia and Johnson Electric Co. | Friday, Dec. 12 at The Grey Eagle, Asheville | Seminal Americana songwriter Jason Molina passed away in 2013, but his music lives on through his band, featuring fellow songwriter Will Johnson, who is also a member of Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit. The group is touring in support of their latest 7-inch vinyl release, featuring three live tracks that capture the band’s energy and spirit.

Heyrocco with MIDS | Friday, Dec. 19 at The Royal American, Charleston | Bust out your mom jeans and your Levi’s 511s — Heyrocco is returning for a 10th-anniversary show celebrating their album “Teenage Movie Soundtrack.” Now based in Los Angeles, the former Charleston band has since rebranded as Chemical Therapy and expanded its sound to include elements of hip-hop in its indie-rock roots.