Show Reviews

Star Wars has arguably the most iconic set of leading songs of any movie out there. Whether the “Star Wars Main Theme” or “The Imperial March” (think any Darth Vader entrance), anyone who has lived through or in the last…. 40+ years (!!?) can likely identify the provenance of a given Star Wars tune within […]

Renowned Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Slash recently put together his passion project to celebrate the spirit of the Blues. He released an album of classic blues remakes called Orgy of the Damned on May 17th. His S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival tour stopped at The Greek Theatre on July 13, 2024, with some of his all-star blues […]

Severe thunderstorms delayed the second step of Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds tour. Lightning and a torrential downpour delayed the opening of the gates to the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre by 90 minutes, and Loverboy’s opening set was canceled as a result. The soggy fans that stuck it out, though, were treated to a […]

If there could be only one word chosen for the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band’s performance on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the River Center Theater in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, it would be “holy shit!” Having covered this Shreveport, Louisiana, native since 2010, I don’t think I have ever seen Shepherd and his band this on […]

It had been a while since Wand last visited The Windy City, but that wait came to an end July 10th as the band kicked off the summer portion of their headlining tour at Thalia Hall. The tour is in support of their long-awaited new studio album Vertigo, which is scheduled to drop later this […]

Odesza is finally wrapping up their two-year tour run in support of their Grammy-nominated album, The Last Goodbye, with a final new tour segment aptly titled ” Fittingly, they chose one of the most beautiful venues imaginable – and one just hours from where the group formed, in Bellingham, WA, as well as from the […]

Hardcore fans of the Drive-By Truckers are constantly debating what album is the band’s very best. This makes sense, as the Truckers have managed to spend the last three decades nurturing a dedicated cult following while progressing their sound with each studio release. Yet, while some fans may be partial to the Jason Isbell-era albums […]

What happens when the punks get old? In the case of NOFX, they hang it up with one “Final Tour.” Timed with the band’s 40-year anniversary, this run of shows taking place in 40 different cities around the world is sort of like an Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road send-off with a touch of Warped […]

The 38th Green River Festival took place from June 21-June 23 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and although it faced many challenges – new ownership, severe thunderstorms, and even a tornado warning – one thing shone through: it is impossible to dampen the spirits or friendliness of the plucky people of the […]

The Doobie Brothers are on the road for their 2024 Tour, which is hitting 38 U.S. cities. On June 23, the band was joined by Grammy Award-winning blues artist Robert Cray at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. The core members of the Doobies, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston, and John McFee, led the […]

Even a torrential downpour couldn’t dampen the spirits of Roger Daltrey’s fans during the June 20th concert at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts. The legendary frontman took the stage with a fire that defied the ominous weather. Belting out a set list chock full of classic Who hits, solo selections, and covers from his contemporaries that […]

It’s a funny thing to witness a master at work. On the one hand, you’re there to be entertained. But on the other hand, you are well aware that you are basking in the presence of a true artist. Such is the line that James McMurtry has long straddled with his everyman, almost literal approach […]

It’s been a whopping six years since beloved Pacific Northwest indie folksters The Decemberists have released an album, and a whole lot has changed in the world. For starters, there are very few bands releasing music with the kind of wisdom and story-filled lyrics of this band. The ones that do rarely receive the kind […]

Anyone with experience seeing live music can attest to the importance of seeing legends any chance you get. At the age of 81, Peter Rowan is among the last legendary artists who lived and played through a pivotal time in American music where bluegrass, folk, and psychedelic culture merged into something profoundly magical and cosmic. […]

In the latest Wannabe, artist Chris Prunckle offers his illustrated commentary on fForest Fest, in his signature six-panel comic strip form. This year’s event took place June 1st in Morris, Illinois and featured the Vandoliers, Crooked Teeth, Counterpunch, Bad Cop/Bad Cop, and more. Photos by Craig Toney. Click on the image for full resolution (best viewed on […]

To celebrate the release of their excellent sophomore album, Now That Is What I Call Fantastic Cat, the quartet Fantastic Cat took over Brooklyn Made for a hometown show on Friday night, June 7th. A packed house filled with friends and family found the band playing almost every song in their repertoire as joyous vibes […]

Don’t call Gary Clark Jr. a bluesman. His style is much more eclectic. Rock, R&B, Soul, it’s all there. His latest release, ‘JPEG RAW’, and his latest concert in Boston at the MGM Music Hall on June 7th proved it. Sure, he can shred with the best of them, delivering gut-wrenching solos that leave you […]

The city of Philadelphia and dedicated rocker Adam Weiner go together like Rocky Balboa and the old Spectrum. Weiner has been creating sleazy rock records as Low Cut Connie since the early 2010s, and the city of brotherly love has embraced him as one of the leading stars to arise from their vibrant music scene. […]

When Natalie Merchant arrived on stage promptly at 7:30 pm for the May 29th at the Mountain Winery – her second of two shows at the venue in support of her new album “Keep Your Courage” – less than half of the audience had made it to their seats.  The venue – a stunningly picturesque […]

There’s nothing that can quite compare to the perfect storm when everything lines up to create the most monumental of experiences. It’s rare for a music fan to have all their needs met. Sometimes, walking out of the show and onto the street, there’s that feeling of complete satisfaction.  This past Thursday, May 30th, was […]