Medford, MA
3/19/25
There can’t be many places better than Medford Brewing to enjoy a cold American Pale ale, brewed by brewer/musician/poet, Max Heinegg, while taking in some good ole’ American rock n roll. Boston music veteran, Mike Quinn, has center stage, rocking the red strat and a sweet goatee. He’s dressed casually in a plaid flannel shirt, blue jeans and black Adidas sneakers but his music is anything but casual; he’s a bottomless pit of smartly written, quirky pop songs driven by a strong captivating voice. In between belting out everything from ballads to rockers; he shares a fun fact and reveals that all of the guitarists in the three bands he plays in currently all happen to be named “Adam.” As Mike dives back into the songs, he reminds me of a folkier Fountains of Wayne or a more serious Weezer. The back room of Medford Brewing is packed with onlookers as Mike surprises the crowd with a R.E.M. cover, “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville.” It’s a great night but I have to make it to another location unfortunately, sad to miss out on the other great acts on this evening’s bill; Christina Lacoste and Magen, Mike & Stud. (Kier Byrnes)