Four Maine music venues you might not know about, from Sedgwick to Madison

220s speakeasyThe Speakeasy, Rockland

For the past two years, this cozy downtown bar has hosted a diverse array of live music from around the state. Located in the same building as the Trade Winds Motor Inn, you’ll be as likely to see tourists from away as you will locals blowing off some steam after work. The owners have put a lot of work into booking a regular lineup of live music all year-round, and it shows: consistency is the key, and the Speakeasy’s got it. Coming up in the next few weeks, the place will host the Jesse Feinberg Project, a jazz group, on Aug. 7, Cuban band Primo Cubano on Aug. 8, Portland reggae band Roots, Rhythm & Dub on Aug. 14 and the Mojo Orchestra on Aug. 15. It’s located at 2 Park Drive near the Rockland Waterfront.

zen outsideMezzenine Social Club, Bangor

While this music and events venue might not have a great deal of consistency in terms of regular programming, it makes up for it in making it count when there are shows. Several times a month the Mezzenine Social Club — located within Zen Asian Bistro on Main Street in bustling downtown Bangor, in the spacious upstairs part of the building — features big lineups of Maine bands, from local metal bands like Holy Filth, Manic Abraxis and Bellyache (who are playing on Aug. 28), to indie rock and experimental bands from all over New England (like last weekend, July 31), to hip hop nights and EDM nights, as well as comedians and other events. Want to book your own show? Give Mezzenine Social Club an email at mezzsoc.207@gmail.com.

somerset abbeySomerset Abbey, Madison

This beautiful old 1890s church in Somerset County was, until December of last year, home to a United Church of Christ. Now, it’s been transformed by new owners Tom and Stacy O’Brien into a year-round events space, hosting bands, comedians, functions and other fun, special events — a real community center for this small Maine town, just north of Skowhegan. Coming up at Somerset Abbey there are events including songwriter Lauren Crosby and alt-folk band Goldenoak on Aug. 8, the Somerset Abbey Brew Fest featuring live music on Aug. 22, and Maine roots rock favorites the Ghost of Paul Revere on Sept. 26. It’s located at 98 Main St. in town in Madison.

strong brewing patioStrong Brewing Company, Sedgwick

Though this is still a warmer-months-only kind of venue, between June and October Strong Brewing Company hosts a huge array of Maine bands on its outdoor patio and stage, along with food provided by Blaze Restaurant’s catering truck and, of course, lots of delicious craft beer. Coming up at Strong Brewing, located just off Route 176 at 7 Rope Ferry Road in Sedgwick, there’s music from the 220s on Aug. 7, Not Too Far From The Tree on Aug. 14, the Blood Orange Martinis on Aug. 21 and a special two-year anniversary party featuring When Particles College on Aug. 29.

Emily Burnham

About Emily Burnham

Emily Burnham is a Maine native, UMaine graduate, proud Bangorian and a writer for the Bangor Daily News, where she's worked since 2004. She reports on everything from local bands to local food to all the cool things going on in the Greater Bangor area. In her quest for stories, she's seen countless concerts and plays, been lobster fishing, interviewed celebrities, hung out with water buffalo and played in a ukulele orchestra. She's interested in everything that happens in Maine.