AMP Concerts - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Thanks To Our Sponsors!

There is a lot involved in putting on these events. We couldn't do it without our sponsors, McCune Charitable Foundation, Southwest Roots Music, 999dine.com, New Mexico Tourism, and Holiday Inn Select-Albuquerque Airport. We are happy to have sound support from Audio Excellence. Endless gratitude to these folks for providing exceptional goods and services. Contact neal@abqmusic.com if you'd like to discuss sponsorship options or learn about the AMP discount with our hotel sponsors: Holiday Inn Select and Rio Grande Inn.

AMP is happy to suggest great music and arts events around the region. This is not a complete list, but rather a personal selection of some of our favorite cultural options. Always verify with the venue to make sure none of the details have changed.

We'll highlight standout events, but first here is a list of organizations that are so reliable that we can wholeheartedly endorse everything they do. We're including ourselves since a lot of people find this page directly, and you should check out our shows before leaving!

AMP Concerts - The best folk, acoustic, Americana and world music in Albuquerque

Outpost Productions - All flavors of jazz, and a little of everything else.

FanMan Productions - Popular, traditional and world music.

The Southwest Pickers - Bluegrass performances, workshops and jam sessions.

Southwest Roots Music - Blues, roots, folk and more. Don't miss the Thirsty Ear Festival at the Eaves Movie Ranch every Labor Day.

Chamber Music Albuquerque has long been home to string ensembles working in the classical mode. They have also launced several interesting series, dubbed Americana and Chamber Music X, that focus on a more modern and eclectic repertoire.

There's always fun music going on during the summer. In Albuquerque, you can't go wrong with Summer Nights at the Botanic Garden, Zoo Music, and Jazz and Salsa Under the Stars at the Albuquerque Museum. You can also make the lovely day trip to Los Alamos for the Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series.

Albuquerque Folk Festival turns Expo New Mexico into a giant musical village every June. A great mix of acoustic preformers will be there, but the real treat of the fest is the hundreds of workshops on all levels of music and dance, from jaw harp to mandolin, African to Scandinavian. It's a great, interactive musical day.

FUSION Theatre Company - consistantly the best live theatre in the state of New Mexico. We can unequivalenty recommend ANY production that FUSION is responsible for.

And our pals at Tricklock Theater Company are always pushing the edges in the non-traditional theater front. Every January they put on the Revolutions International Theater Festival, which brings a variety of stunning cutting edge theater companies to Albuquerque for a brilliant frenzy of activity.

If you came here looking for rock and roll, you'll probably be disappointed. We don't do a lot in that area and it isn't a strong part of our local calendar. But Albuquerque has some great rock clubs. When we're in the mood, we'll drop by The Launchpad (temporarily closed, but coming back in July!), Burt's Tiki Lounge or the Atomic Cantina.

Our favorite radio

89.9 FM - KUNM - The only station in Albuquerque that regularly plays the kind of music we bring to town. Plus, they maintain one of the best arts and culture calendar in town.

Notable events

Despite our best efforts, we don't always manage to keep this page up to date. Sorry if you've checked in and we are behind again!

KBAC's July 4th Bash features a really cool band - Two Loons For Tea - at the Catamount in Santa Fe. TLFT have a jazzy, organic trip hop feel and write some beautiful songs. Meanwhile, Leon Russell brings his classic soulful blues to the Santa Fe Brewing Company, and, of course, there's the giant 4th of July celebration featuring fireworks, fireworks, more fireworks and Brave Combo and Blood, Sweat and Tears at the Balloon Fiesta Park.

Brave Combo freaks, and I know you are out there, can then drive up to Taos and see them again on Saturday, July 5th. And you may as well just spend the night, cause you won't want to miss Joan Armatrading up there on the 6th.

It's kind of mind boggling the good music that David Lescht has booked all summer at the Santa Fe Bandstand. For a strong night of local performers, check it out on July 7th when the Santa Fe All Stars and Jono Manson take the stage.

July 9th is our first visit to the Unitarian Church, for a night with two fiddling songwriters - Lissa Schneckenburger and Laura Cortese. They can be pretty, but they can also rock out a bit. There's a pretty wild video of Laura sitting in with Michael Frante and Spearhead on YouTube!

Billy Jonas has a way with garbage cans. He has a knack for making catchy, clever music out of odds and ends, and is a totally charming performer. Catch him at the Botanic Gardens on July 10th. Don't miss the way cool new Japanese Gardens!

Join us for two great nights of world music, outdoors at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. July 11 is Gnawan trance grooves from Morocco with Hassan Hakmoun, and July 13 is Chicano trad-rock in two flavors - locally based with Concepto Tambor and the LA-style with Quetzal. Both bands are in town as part of the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe. This is a stunning event, with artists from all over the world coming to town for the best shopping and browsing weekend of the year. It truly is a not-to-be-missed event.

James McMurtry brings a new CD and probably the same power and anger that have fueled his last few releases. Expect a rollicking good show at the Santa Fe Brewing Company on July 18. Meanwhile, jazz legend Pharoah Saunders will be at the Lensic as part of the NM Jazz Festival and the Claire Lynch Band brings a bluegrass swing to Albuqurque's Botanic Gardens.