The Sweetwater Performance Pavilion is at it again with the announcement of the modern country act the Eli Young Band on Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m. The Texas-based act has been going strong for nearly two decades and is currently out in support of their fourth major label release, Fingerprints.

Opening the show will be Mason Ramsey, the 12-year-old internet sensation whose foot-tapping video of the youngster yodeling in a Walmart went viral.

Tickets for the Eli Young Band go on sale Friday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m. at the Sweetwater campus and online at eventbrite.com and sweetwaterpavilion.com.

Spring forward with new downtown event

Birds chirping, flowers blooming, and clocks turning forward are a few signs of spring. The weather may not show it, but spring will be here before you know it. The fine folks at the Embassy Theatre are doing their best to get us in the spirit with the launch of Spring Forward Fest. The concept won the Downtown Improvement District’s “new events contest.”

The Spring Forward Fest will be a multi-venue music and arts event happening downtown on Saturday, March 9, from 6-10 p.m. There will be three different locations to visit during that time which will each include live music, food, and drinks.

The locations include the Embassy, featuring live music by Bloody Tambourine and the Musical Mafia; Ash Skyline Plaza, featuring DJ Adam Meyer with light projections by Alec Johnson; and Parkview Field, featuring music by James and the Drifters followed by fireworks to culminate the evening.

Patrons are encouraged to walk between venues but a free trolley will also be available.

The Illegals march to beat of new drummer

The past year has been quite a ride for local rockers The Illegals. The band won 98.9 The Bear’s Houseband Search, had their music played on local airwaves, and opened for some heavy hitters including Jack Russell’s Great White, Jackyl, and Rival Sons.

The band recently hit a speed bump when drummer Ben Walker announced he was leaving and is now settling into a new life in Cleveland. His last show with the band was a couple weeks ago at Carl’s Tavern in New Haven.

Going forward, The Illegals have recruited drummer Nick Tamez from the band Sum Morz. How do you break in a new drummer? You book more shows, of course. The band have a number of dates in the books, including O’Sullivans on Feb. 16, Carl’s Tavern on March 1, Latch String on March 8, and a St. Paddy’s show at the Eclectic Room on March 16.

Pope Paul from santa ana to rock the Rail

Not to be confused with The Illegals, Pope Paul & The Illegals is a three-piece act from Santa Ana, Calif., that brings a hard-hitting mix of rock n’ roll, swing, country, surf rock, and rockabilly to the table. Comprised of Pope Paul (guitar/vocals), John the Bassist (upright bass), and Fat Sal (drums), their high-energy shows get crowds dancing, drinking, and having a good time.

You can catch this well-oiled machine on Wednesday, March 6, when they perform at the Brass Rail with local up-and-comers Uncle Muscle. This will be Pope Paul & The Illegals first time performing at the Rail, so let’s do our best to welcome them to the Summit City.

Out and About covers Northeast Indiana’s most interesting music and arts events. Send your announcements to info@whatzup.com.