First Friday LIVE @ [the square]: Jeff Beam & The Finestkind w/ Ryan Zoidis

Jeff Beam & Ryan Zoidis join for our series of First Friday concert events, featuring some of the finest local music Maine has to offer.
About this Event

You're invited to make [the square] one of your regular stops on Portland's monthly art walk: join for our new recurring showcase of local artists backed by the expert musicians of The Finestkind. Don't miss this next one featuring Jeff Beam with Ryan Zoidis!

First Fridays LIVE at :

and with Ryan Zoidis

Benefit for

Sponsored by Bissell Brothers

34 Preble St. / June 5th

First show @ 6pm

Second show @ 8pm

$15 adv. / $20 doors

ALL AGES WELCOME

Jeff Beam has been strumming at the crossroads of Portland, Maine’s fertile indie-rock, folk and jazz scenes for years, and on this fittingly eponymous album, we get an eerie, era-spanning snapshot of every soul he’s encountered and a timely statement of activism that speaks to this particular moment in America’s history. The multi-instrumentalist is responsible for nearly every sound on the 9-track album—an inspiring and cathartic collection of songs that pleas for healing and change through civic engagement and artistic output.

The Finestkind’s soulful sounds resonate out of Maine’s rocky coast, from gritty Low-Tide Funk to inspirational Evergreen Roots. Comprised of seasoned players from bands like The Red Eye Flight Crew, The Fogcutters, Royal Hammer and more, their mission is to shine a light on the incredible talent from Maine.

With their review shows, they have backed up artists like Kenya Hall, Spencer Albee, Dominic Lavoie, Graphic Melee and more, showcasing each artists original music. For the artists, It’s like driving a Ferrari. For the audience, it’s an invitation to experience the breadth of talent coming out of Maine. And though they may not know the individual artists, they will always know that when The Finestkind comes to town, they’ll be in for a show.

The band released RESURGAM in 2025. A collection of grooves and moods composed by drummer and band leader Dan Boyden. They have also been releasing songs from their collaboration with local troubadour, Connor Garvey. The latest single, So Simple, brings in Dominic Lavoie on backing vocals for a Beatle-esque tune about showing up for those you love when times get hard.

10% of ticket sales will be donated to our affiliated nonprofit Equal Measure Arts to support studio access for students and under-resourced musicians.