30 Days Out, July 2025 #1: Glenn Miller Orchestra, Thelma & the Sleaze, Postmodern Jukebox
An act from the distant past, another that takes modern songs to that past, a lesbian Southern Rock band and one of the finest local-based artists WNC has to offer: those are the highlights of live music in Asheville over the next 30 days. Off we go…
Artist: Glenn Miller Orchestra
Venue: Wortham Center
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m.
Door: $50-70
Sure, you’ve heard of ‘em. And while it’s remarkable that a band from before most us were even alive is still going strong, the timeless music and arrangements of the GMO endure. They use the sheet music from the original band, so it sounds as it should. This should be a great show.
Artist: Thelma & the Sleaze
Venue: Eulogy
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 8 p.m.
Door: $20.40
Of course if you’re not into swinging big band jazz, there’s always Thelma & the Sleaze that same night. They check a buncha boxes: all-female, queer, indie. Their sound is raw-edged Suthun Rawk. The Nashville-based group has but two long players (the latter of which sports a somewhat, er, provocative title I won’t print here), but a whole lot of singles. Designer and Puppy & the Dogs are also on the bill.
Artist: Postmodern Jukebox
Venue: Orange Peel
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 8 p.m.
Door: $49.90
Scott Bradlee’s project is proving quite durable. There’s seemingly no end to the inventive ways in which he retools modern songs into set-pieces from the big band era and such. Fascinating and always fun. I interviewed Bradlee in 2017.
(Only three this time, but I’ll make it up with five in the next one — bk)
See you at the show!
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.