Show Reviews

There may not be a bluegrass player in history who managed to make it to the arena level. This is the phenomenon of Billy Strings, who has risen from small rooms and festival stages to some of the largest venues in the country over less than five years. There are certainly more towering legends in […]

Tedeschi Trucks Band hosted the first of their “Garden Parties” at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, September 27. The second, of which, will be at Madison Square Garden on Friday the 29th. The shows also coincide with the 25th anniversary and reissue of Susan Tedeschi’s first record, ‘Just Won’t Burn’. Wednesday’s show was a […]

The title of Pat Metheny’s latest album, Dream Box, is taken in part from jazz slang for a hollow-body guitar. But it’s the Missouri natives’ imaginative use of such instruments over the course of his career that imbues the instrument with its evocative capabilities, skills he demonstrated in altogether remarkable fashion over the course of […]

For over 10 years now, Scottish outfit Young Fathers have been steadily rising. Along the way, their unique mashup of dark pop, industrial, trip-hop and indie rock has garnered them numerous accolades from critics. It’s been over four years since Young Fathers have toured the U.S., and though they haven’t caught on here to the […]

In his relatively short time releasing music as Cut Worms, Max Clarke has maintained an impressive studio output starting with his 2017 EP Alien Sunset and stretching up to his recently released self-titled LP. Compared to the sprawling 2020 double-LP Nobody Lives Here Anymore, the latest finds Cut Worms tightening up and clearly narrowing down […]

Music festivals usually require tough decisions. How to pick from an array of acts on multiple stages so that you see the artists you love and skip the ones that are not of interest. Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival eliminated that dilemma. There was only one stage, every performer was a must-see act and the artists […]

The 37th annual Farm Aid that took place in Noblesville, Indiana at the Ruoff Music Center on September 23rd, will once again go down in history as one of the strongest to date with its cavalcade of musical legends. The press conference started the festivities with the board, local farmers, members of the band, and other […]

On the rainy, dreary evening of September 25th, those who witnessed Ches Smith and his ten-piece ensemble at Philly’s avant-garde venue, Solar Myth, basked in the bright, colorful visuals and sonics of spirited vocal chanting, explosive percussion, and improvised jazz and couldn’t help but be touched by the engaging, contagious smiles from the performers. It […]

After more than fifty years of performing, Steve Miller certainly knows what his audience wants. Fortunately, he is still able to perform at a high level of expertise and provide what the crowds expect, as he did at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, CA on September 21, 2023.  Miller is about to turn 80 (on […]

James McMurtry is a supremely gifted songwriter who understands the fundamentals of American life that most people overlook. For the most part, these are the pains, troubles, and societal changes and challenges confronting every tier of the working class though his lyrical tales are often far deeper than that. He translates these observations into what […]

Sea.Hear.Now (SHN) is a two-day rock music festival that took place mostly on the beach in Asbury Park, NJ the weekend of September 16th & 17th. The festival runs from noon – 10:30pm and combines music (30 bands divided among three stages); art (several custom art installations, the statue of Asbury Park founder James Bradley […]

A full house of nearly 6,000 people came to see Van Morrison at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on September 17, 2023. It is safe to assume that most came to hear and sing along to his classic rock radio hits. However, many were surprised, perhaps disappointed, but ultimately rewarded once they discovered […]

Errantly introduced as returning to the ‘State Theater,” Hot Tuna nevertheless made itself at home at the Flynn Center the night of September 16th in the midst of its final electric tour. And it wasn’t just in rightfully acknowledging the beauty of the Green Mountain venue near the conclusion of the two-set performance: it was […]

Seattle legends and grunge survivors Pearl Jam brought its signature blend of classic rock infused with punk energy to the Moody Center in Austin on Monday night, September 18, for a show long on deep cuts, bangers, and crowd energy. If there’s one thing Pearl Jam is good at, it’s pacing and bringing the drama. […]

The Outlaw Music Festival, established in 2016, is “on the road again”, with an eclectic and talented lineup. Led by Willie Nelson, his family, and friends, the tour stopped in Mansfield, Massachusetts just outside of Boston this past Saturday, September 16th. Bob Weir and Wolf Bros., The String Cheese Incident, Los Lobos, and newcomer Waylon […]

After a 3-hour rain delay, the gates finally opened at 2:00 Sunday and the masses came pouring back into Douglas Park for one more day of Riot Fest Festivities. With The Cure scheduled to close the festival later that evening, Day 3 promised to be nothing short of legendary. Here’s a recap of Riot Fest’s […]

Duran Duran made their long-awaited return to Detroit on their “Future Past Tour,” celebrating everything from the past (like 40+ years of their iconic album Rio) to the future (like their latest single, “Danse Macabre,” the title track from their upcoming new album). “We’ve had some great times in this town, but this is the […]

It’s been many years since Ween has embarked on a proper tour and their triumphant return to the road has taken them to cities they haven’t played in decades. It’s no surprise that many of these shows – at intimate venues by Ween standards – have sold out almost immediately. One of the hottest tickets […]

If Day 1 of Riot Fest left folks feeling a little too sun-drenched, Saturday proved to be the perfect antidote, with a persistent overcast practically all day, and even some light rain showers thrown into the mix during the early afternoon hours. But with temperatures hovering the upper 60s, all-in-all the conditions were near perfect […]

 A picture-perfect day with big blue skies and abundant sunshine greeted the masses who descended upon Douglas Park for the inaugural day of Riot Fest Friday. With a plethora of attractions ranging from carnival rides/games, a halfpipe, a boxing ring, and a free arcade (just to name a few), along with a stellar lineup of […]