Archive: 2015

[rating=9.00] By the time the July 5th Fare Thee Well show at Chicago’s Soldier Field rolled around, the so- called core four of the Grateful Dead—Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart—plus Trey Anastasio, Bruce Hornsby and Jeff Chimenti really had nothing to prove. From somewhat wobbly beginnings at the hometown shows in […]

[rating=6.00] Sometimes, the best music is not always the most perfect.  Sometimes the sheer act of overcoming adversity is far bigger than a perfect mix.  Sure, the Dark Sides and Sgt. Peppers of the world have their place, but so do some things that overcome odds just to rear their heads and scream to be […]

In less than ten years, Sarah Dashew has managed three critically-praised albums, successful tours, television spots, and a new full-length, establishing her as one of the music industry’s most consistent singer-songwriters. On Sarah Dashew’s upcoming full length Roll Like a Wheel, which will be released nationwide January 22, one can hear her whole musical history: Texas tejano, Southern […]

On Friday November 13, Austin rock band The Bright Light Social Hour played to a packed house at the famed Lincoln Hall in Chicago. The energetic performance was recorded and has been released via Bandcamp as a 13-track collection named Live at Lincoln Hall. All proceeds from the album will benefit the French Red Cross. […]

In what is gearing up to be one of the more creatively built lineups of 2016 festivals, LEVITATION Festival has announced their final lineup today, which includes newly announced performers Caribou, Slowdive, The Black Angels, Nicolas Jaar, Parquet Courts, Allah-Las, Thurston Moore, Oneohtrix Point Never, Shabazz Palaces, and more. The ninth annual Levitation takes place at Carson Creek Ranch […]

The Milk Carton Kids have announced a series of North American headline tour dates in April and May, 2016, in support of their acclaimed album Monterey, released in May of this year. Tickets for their “Monterey Spring Tour” go on sale this Friday (9/12) at 10am local time. The routing will include two special performances with The Avett Brothers […]

Ben Folds has announced that he will continue his extensive North American tour with Brooklyn-based chamber sextet yMusic in a series of spring dates slated for April-May 2016. Supporting Folds’ critically acclaimed new album, So There, the tour includes shows in New York City, Los Angeles, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Denver, Montreal, […]

Although they retain their down home, good old boys persona, the Avett Brothers have advanced head first into the major leagues over the last couple of years. Their albums are eagerly anticipated, they can claim a big name producer in Rick Rubin, a major label record deal with Republic Records, an expanded front line from […]

City and Colour, which is the name Canadian singer/songwriter guitarist Dallas Green uses when recording and touring, made a stop at Boston’s House of Blues along with his current touring band. City and Colour began as an outlet for Green’s more personal and sensitive material while he was a member of hardcore rock band Alexisonfire. […]

On Saturday November 28th, Railroad Earth hosted the second night of their annual “Horn-O-Plenty” celebration at The Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA. Stroudsburg holds a special significance to Railroad Earth, as they formed right across the border in Stillwater, NJ. Railroad Earth kicked off the night with “Like A Buddha”, off their 2002 release Bird […]

Deer Tick has announced a “Acoustic” Spring Tour for 2016. According to a press release, frontman John McCauley stated, jokingly, that he was “losing his hearing” and “wanted to turn the volume down for the tour.”  The tour will take the Rhode Islanders around the East Coast from March 2 through March 20 with opener Mutual Benefit. […]

One day after an interview surfaced where legendary drummer Neil Peart said that his daughter has been introducing him as a retired drummer, and thanks to numerous websites that blew the words up and caused hysterial in RUSH, lead singer/bassist Geddy Lee is clarifying. Geddy Lee wants to make it clear that Peart is only […]

Soul singer Charles Bradley’s star has been on the rise since the release of his widely praised 2011 debut album No Time For Dreaming, and his ascent has continued long after the release of his triumphant second album, 2013’s Victim of Love. Dubbed “The Screaming Eagle of Soul,” the singer just announced his anticipated third […]

Best Coast and Wavves are excited to announce a co-headline tour this winter called Summer Is Forever II. Touring on the heels of their new records – Best Coast’s California Nights (May, 2015 via Harvest Records) and Wavves’ V (October, 2015 via Warner Bros.) – the two bands have always been closely linked over the years and toured together […]

The Forecastle Festival will return in 2016 led by The Avett Brothers Alabama Shakes; Ryan Adams; and Death Cab for Cutie. The three-day music celebration, now in its 14th year, will take place July 15-17, 2016, at the award-winning Waterfront Park, situated on 85 acres of green space on the banks of the Ohio River framed by the skyline […]

Duran Duran have announced that they will hit the road for an extensive North American arena and amphitheater tour next year in support of their critically acclaimed album Paper Gods. CHIC, led by guitarist Nile Rodgers, will appear as special guests on almost all of the dates with an additional support act to be announced. […]

The Mountain Goats announced a new run of live dates including two performances at San Francisco’s Noise Pop Festival in February and six very special City Winery shows in April. The City Winery shows in Chicago and New York will go on sale Thursday, December 10, at 10 a.m. local time. Ticket sales for all other dates will […]

Could this be the return of the brown? After initially announcing just a few shows in Colorado to take place President’s Day weekend, Ween dropped the first of what will probably be many festival dates on us last week when they announced they would be playing the inaugural Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival this coming March in […]

Twiddle is gearing up to  release their highly anticipated studio album, PLUMP on 12/11/15.  The album features 11 original songs including fan favorites “Lost In The Cold”, “White Light”  and “Syncopated Healing”. The Vermont-based quartet recorded  PLUMP in their home state using Kickstarter funding that reached their $20,000 goal in less than 24 hours, eventually doubling that […]

Putting together “best of” lists at the end of every year can be tedious work for a music critic. Let’s be honest though, it’s also a lot of fun to dig through your tower of promos from the last year and recall the albums that truly made you feel something. This is a lot of fun and […]