Show Reviews

The historic Town Hall in the heart of Times Square hosted another legendary performance on Thursday Night, January 11th, as Donald Harrison conducted a musical history lesson and funky journey through the songs that inspire, motivate, and keep him creating amazing music. Calling the evening, Donald Harrison’s Music Omniverse, the artist gave a retrospective on […]

Motion City Soundtrack toasted to over two decades of their fan-favorite debut studio album, I Am the Movie, at St. Andrew’s Hall on January 3rd. The Minneapolis pop-punk stalwarts rang in the new year with a front-to-back performance of that first album, followed by an encore that bounced among the rest of the group’s discography. […]

“The fourth time’s a charm.”  That was how Warren Haynes acknowledged the odyssey of cancellations that led to Gov’t Mule’s first show at the Beacon Theatre since 2019 on December 30, 2023.  Along with all his appearances with the Allman Brothers Band, Haynes has played the venue more than any other musician. These Beacon dates were […]

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost thirty years since the world was introduced to the worldly sounds of Eric Hilton and Rob Garza. All these years later, the music of Thievery Corporation still sounds fresh and original in the way it achieves maximum chillness while also incorporating a melange of genres and styles from […]

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is generally a slow one for touring musicians, but some choose to make a go of it and squeeze in a handful of final gigs. Brennen Leigh released her latest album Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet back in June, and she’s still out promoting it with a […]

There are few artists out there who never put on a bad show. This is even more true in our current culture of entitlement where a lack of work ethic doesn’t always translate to good art and performance. Luckily, Jerry Joseph is still working his ass off and doing the damn thing. For over three […]

Everybody has holiday traditions, and for this writer that tradition has been catching Patterson Hood perform solo in Portland, Oregon. Each December, the co-frontman of the Drive-By Truckers embarks on a mini tour that usually culminates in the Rose City, which he has called home for quite some time now. In a way, this run […]

In the latest Wannabe, artist Chris Prunckle offers his illustrated commentary on Little Rock, Arkansas venue White Water Tavern’s annual Holiday Hangout, in his signature six-panel comic strip form. This year’s event, which took place on December 1-3, featured Tim Easton, Thelma & The Sleaze, Seratones, Slobberbone, and more. Click on the image for full resolution (best […]

More than a decade into his career fronting Hiss Golden Messenger, MC Taylor has weaved from quiet and introspective folk and Americana to more of a gospel-leaning sound and, on this year’s Jump For Joy, songs radiating with optimism that are some of the North Carolina songwriter’s poppiest works to date. But on their current […]

After reuniting for their first live performance in over two decades earlier this year, alt-rock outfit Dogstar made their highly anticipated return to Detroit. (They last hit the Motor City while touring in 1999.) At a sold-out show at the Majestic Theatre on December 8th, the LA rockers – featuring Bret Domrose on guitars/lead vocals, […]

The power trio legends Dinosaur Jr. have set up shop in the Music Hall of Williamsburg for an extended run to pay tribute to their fantastic album Where You Been which turns thirty years old this year. On Thursday night December 7th, the group continued their ferocious playing and welcomed a few friends to the […]

The Regent Theater in downtown Los Angeles played host to an inaugural indie blues and retro soul music event called Smokestack Lightnin’ on November 18, 2024. Taking its name from the Howlin’ Wolf classic, the night of old-school roots music with modern flair had a festival atmosphere in a club setting. There was craft beer, […]

The amazing acoustic confines of New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark played host to the first of two sold-out shows from the legendary Bob Dylan on Monday night November 20th.  With a setlist focusing heavily on 2020’s Rough and Rowdy Ways, Dylan and his band (Bob Britt – guitar, Tony Garnier – bass, Donnie […]

The semi-annual Exit Zero Jazz Festival held November 10-12, 2023, in the nation’s oldest ocean resort, Cape May, NJ featured second-line parades, the usual loyal, enthusiastic jazz audiences, and a most varied lineup. The mild temperatures made it conducive to take in acts at the nearby clubs which were overflowing the entire weekend. Nonetheless, with […]

Heavy metal titans Metallica brought their M72 World Tour to Detroit for two shows at Ford Field, promising a “no repeat weekend” with two fully distinct setlists. (It was also the band’s first time playing the Motor City proper in over six years, having played Comerica Park last in the summer of 2017.) The thousands […]

When tickets for The Hives at Portland, Oregon’s Mississippi Studios went on sale months ago, many die-hard fans were confused. Why was this long-running Swedish garage punk band with a huge and loyal following – and who just released their first new album in over ten years, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, playing such a […]

The Head and the Heart made a much-anticipated return to Ann Arbor, and the band showed off some local cred, shouting out the “Don’s Rhythm & Blues” sandwich from area deli favorite Zingerman’s (a fitting match to one of their own song titles) and fondly remembering playing another show in the city for the nearby […]

Australia’s Amyl and the Sniffers brought another raucous and high-energy performance to Roadrunner in Boston this past Saturday, November 4th.. Their tight, one-hour set brought the audience to a state of euphoria almost immediately. Known for their wild antics and blistering live shows, the band did not disappoint. From the moment they stepped on stage, […]

Progressive rock pioneers and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers YES are on their “Classic Tales of Yes Tour” that kicked off in September and runs through November. The Steve Howe-led quintet made a highly anticipated stop at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on October 30. Howe said he was thrilled to be back […]

The Wood Brothers have never radiated such calm, confident dignity as they did striding out onto the MainStage of the Flynn Center on October 27th. But their unassuming demeanor was an accurate precursor to the two-hour set the trio played this warm autumn evening in the Green Mountains…at least to a point. Peppered with selections […]