Following a national publicity campaign for his 2017 album, No Rain No Rose, Portland Americana and folk songwriter John Craigie will be opening for iconic folk-rocker Jack Johnson on Johnson’s upcoming Summer 2017 Tour. The two met in Hawaii when Johnson came to Craigie’s show and fell in love with his mix of wry folk songwriting and stand-up comedy. After a few days together on the North Shore, Johnson invited Craigie on tour.

Hailing from Richmond, VA and formed by brothers Andrew and Johnny, The Trongone Band is set to release their debut LP, “Keys To The House” on June 30th via Harmonized Records. Drawing from Funk, Blues, Americana and Southern Rock, the quartet is rounded out by keyboardist Ben "Wolfe" White and award-winning bassist Todd Herrington.  The band plans to begin touring this month in support of the album.

Why would a hippie drown themselves in a sea of hipsters and EDM?  If you enjoy Phish, Dead & Co, Greensky Bluegrass, and the like, what would the appeal of Electric Forest be you ask? The miles of music listed on the bill are obscure and barely heard of bands to an aging hippie. Are they even bands? These are questions you may ask yourself while looking at the ticket price. I understand, and in response, I offer you these five counter-arguments for your consideration.

The second day of Music on the Mesa 2017 started early. Though there was a huge crowd on the first night of the fest, music lovers were taking their time moseying down to the festival grounds in search of that day’s entertainment. I moseyed down myself from the vintage Aristocrat trailer I stayed in the night before. It was nicknamed Dennis and had an Easy Rider/Dennis Hopper theme in its decorations. It was super convenient to be able to just walk across a dirt road to where everything was happening.

River Edge Park in Aurora, IL hosted a beautiful evening of Dark Star Orchestra on 6/24 ‘17.  While Chicagoland eagerly awaits the upcoming Dead & Co shows at Wrigley Field next weekend, a metro train ride out to the burbs provided 1500 guests a way to chill out by the mighty Fox River.  It was a grateful evening of sentimental tunes played out with perfect 70-degree weather. 

In its 12th year, Pitchfork Music Festival headlines with LCD Soundsystem (Friday), A Tribe Called Quest (Saturday) closing with Solange (Sunday). Featuring three stages, the line-up of 40 plus bands includes fan favorites George Clinton & Parlament Funkadelic, The Feelies, P.J. Harvey, Francis and the Lights and Jamila Woods. This Independently run festival highlights some of the best in new and emerging music.

Widespread Panic are back to close out their annual run at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre. All three shows were completely sold out. No tickets? No problem. Couch Tour is in full swing. Order nugs.tv webcasts of the band's three-night Red Rocks Amphitheatre run LIVE in HD, June 23-25th!