Posted: December 22, 2016
Live Music Lineup: Matisyahu, Mallet Brothers, Ellis Paul and Lettuce
Written by: Aimsel Ponti

Ellis Paul
8 p.m. Thursday. One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland, $22 in advance, $27 day of show. statetheatreportland.com
Singer-songwriter, folk troubadour and native Mainer Ellis Paul is both poetic and prolific, and his singing voice will hold you in the palm of its hand. This year's show marks a decade of holiday shows in Maine. Boston-based singer-songwriter Jim Trick opens the show.
Photo by Jack Looney Photography
Lettuce
8 p.m. Friday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $20 in advance, $25 day of show. statetheatreportland.com
Portland becomes Funky Town on Friday night, and you won't want to hold the lettuce on this serving of classic fun and soulful grooves inspired by hip-hop that translate to a high-energy live show. The band's fifth album, "Mt. Crushmore," was just released last month. Instrumental rock fusion act Tauk and Portland's Jaw Gems open the show.
Photo courtesy of the artist
The Mallett Brothers Band
8:30 p.m. Saturday. Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St., Portland, $20 in advance, $25 at the door, 21-plus. portlandhouseofmusic.com
Ring in 2017 with The Mallett Brothers Band. Their sound blends country, rock, Americana and alt-country, and they've released four albums since 2009, including their most recent one, "Lights Along the River." These guys are the real deal, and they'll help start your new year off on a musically sound note. Also, we've just learned that Portland House of Music has prosecco on tap, so there will be no shortage of bubbles to imbibe 'round midnight.
Photo courtesy of the artist
Matisyahu
9 p.m. Saturday. State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland, $30 in advance, $35 day of show. statetheatreportland.com
He's performed in Portland three times as part of his Festival of Light tours that surround Hanukkah, so clearly he must like us. This year's visit falls, fortunately for Maine, on New Year's Eve. Matisyahu's music is a synthesis of rap, reggae, beatboxing and hip-hop with some jazz scat singing and Judaism's hazzan style of songful prayer. Said another way, he's fantastic and his shows are absolute celebrations where like-minded happy souls gather for a night of transformational music. What's more, Portland's Rustic Overtones and Phoenix-based singer-songwriter Alec Benjamin open the show.
Photo courtesy of the artist
Up Next: At Portland House of Music, a tribute to the King of Pop