It took 26 months for the second “annual” BeachLife Festival to transpire, September 10-12, but the Covid-19-includes delay only strengthened the shindig’s vision and spirit to deliver a celebratory tip of the cap to the Los Angeles South Bay seaside’s musical and lifestyle identity. The weekend’s music exemplified many genres, but there was a decidedly distinct number of post-punk rock and alt-pop bands who first blazed their ways to glory in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has officially come to a close, but not without a number of unforgettable collaborations, spontaneous sit-ins, and world-class performances at the much anticipated return of North Carolina’s beloved festival. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sturgill Simpson, and Mavis Staples all brought extra MerleFest energy to the Watson Stage over the course of the weekend.

Spend An Evening with Tab Benoit's Swampland Jam featuring Tab Benoit, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Sansone, and Waylon Thibodeaux, who perform locally at Crystal Bay Club Casino, 14 State Route 28, Sunday, September 26. Showtime: 8:00pm. Tickets: $35. Info: (775) 833-6333 or visit here.

The feature-length documentary The Story of Plastic has been nominated for an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Writing: Documentary category. This must-see documentary tells the hidden story of plastic pollution, from production to incineration. The trailer for the documentary features Jackson Browne’s “Downhill From Everywhere,” the title track of his new album, which shares the film's vision in confronting our personal and societal dependence on plastic and consider its devastating effect on the oceans.

Acclaimed guitarist Andy McKee has released Symbol, his first new collection of studio recordings in nearly a decade, via Mythmaker Records in conjunction with Cruzen Street Records. In addition to the album, McKee is releasing his cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain” complete with a music video.
 

Trombone Shorty closed out the annual BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival with the high energy New Orleans flavor that he is known for. The weather cooperated and yielded a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all fans in attendance.

The Gold Souls are bringing the driving grooves of funk, the rich textures of soul, and the compelling storytelling of the blues to the Northern California scene and beyond. Drawing from a wide range of influences and experiences, they deliver captivating lyrics and fresh arrangements over a vintage sound.

The Felice Brothers have released their new album From Dreams To Dust. Kicking off with shows in Connecticut and New York City, the band began their national tour this week, which will make stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and many more with support from Al Olender and Nik Freitas. Tickets are on sale now. Find a full list of tour dates below and at TheFeliceBrothers.com.

Even with all the awards and the #1 hits throughout more than a decade of steady success, for two-time International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainer of the Year Balsam Range what matters most is still a song, a message, a distinctive sound and a compelling performance. And though the western North Carolina quintet is known as a bluegrass band par excellence, they’ve always escaped easy categorization; just when you think you’ve got them pegged, they’ll surprise you once again.

One of the foremost faces of the current progressive jazz movement, 2x GRAMMY® Award-nominated drummer/composer/producer Nate Smith releases his new record, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds today via Edition Records. To celebrate, Smith shares a live-in-the-studio performance of the sanguine title track "See The Birds," on which singer Michael Mayo pens and sings optimistic lyrics about following one’s aspirations. The song also features vibraphonist Joel Ross.