Roadtrips

edited by Matt Ashare

Underage Australian sensation Ben Lee's voice has changed, and his tastes have evolved from indie punk to indie pop, picking up a hint of country twang along the way. He'll headline the Met Café (401-861-2142) in Providence with openers Chick Graning and Lisa D on June 13, then hit the Middle East (617-864-EAST) in Cambridge with openers Jack Drag and the Puddle Jumpers on June 17. Ethereal popsters Elysian Fields join the Bill Keough Experience at the Strand Café (401-272-0444) in Providence on June 12 before hooking up with Flux on June 13 at Bill's Bar (617-421-9678) in Boston. And the biggest threat to the American Way since fluoridated water -- shock rockers Marilyn Manson -- won't be playing the now sold-out "Ozzfest" at Great Woods on June 14. But Manson will headline the Strand this Friday the 13th.

You don't have to go all the way to New York City's Randall's Island to get a nice sampler of what the Guinness Fleadh has to offer on June 14 and 15, though you can call 331-2211 for tickets. Ireland's Big Geraniums and Nova Scotia's Great Big Sea will also be joining forces at the Phoenix Landing (617-576-6260) in Cambridge on June 13. Eleanor McEvoy headlines the Paradise (617-562-8800) in Boston on June 14. Sinéad O'Connor supports her new EP with a show at the Strand on June 17, which is probably the last time she'll be seen in these parts until she plays Harborlights Pavilion (617-423-NEXT) on August 28. You can check out Ireland's Luka Bloom on June 17 and 18 at McGann's (617-227-4059) in Boston. And Austin troubadour Jimmie Dale Gilmore hits the Iron Horse (413-584-0610) in Northampton on June 17 and the House of Blues (617-491-BLUE) in Cambridge on June 19.

On an indier-rock note, former Breeder Kelley Deal brings her Kelley Deal 6000 to the Call (401-751-CALL) in Providence on June 18, and the Middle East on June 19. The Radar Brothers open both shows. And, in the slicker rock department, producer Don Was leads his Orquestra Was into the Strand on June 19 and the Paradise on June 20.