My editor asks if I’d like to review a new song from a rising blues guitarist. Is that even a question? As a blues lover, the chance to hear an up-and-coming artist bend the strings and bring forth those sweet, soulful sounds is an immediate and resounding yes. Send it my way, I beg. My email chimes, and I’m greeted with a single track: a remake of the iconic Led Zeppelin tune, Going to California. My mind starts spinning. What will I find? I hit play and take a deep breath.

Ben Folds, alongside musicians from Western North Carolina, features in “From Wilmington, With Love,” a hurricane relief concert on October 29 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, hosted by the City of Wilmington, with support from Live Nation, the Wilmington Arts Council, and the NC Music Office.

100% of proceeds will benefit local charities assisting with emergency food, housing, and home repairs via the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, managed by United Way of North Carolina.

Jake Serek, independent bass builder and founder of Serek Basses—used by artists like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Lucas Harwood, Phish’s Mike Gordon and many more — has assembled a new band, 

‘All You Need Is Love’ returns in 2025, announcing tour dates today on JOHN LENNON’s 84th birthday! The Beatles show, like no other, returns to take audiences on a heady journey through the extensive discography of the greatest band ever, featuring their most beloved hits and hidden gems that have stood the test of time.

In its first week of release, THOUGHTS & OBSERVATIONS, the new album from Ireland’s popular indie band, has captured the #1 slot on the Irish charts, beating out Sabrina Carpenter, whose album has held the spot for the last five weeks. The achievement marks their fourth such #1 in a row.

Live at the Print Shop, the acclaimed live performance series celebrated for its intimate artist showcases and high-quality production, announces the upcoming premiere of a brand-new episode featuring rising singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. The episode will premiere on Thursday, October 17th, spotlighting the raw storytelling and powerful vocals that have made Wilson Jr. a standout talent in the modern music scene.

Björk has announced Cornucopia: The Book, a 480-page, high-quality picture book that chronicles her celebrated Cornucopia Tour - an ambitious live experience featuring imagery and projections by director Tobias Gremmler, performed with The Hamrahlíð Choir, alongside other musical and visual artists.
 
The book is 22x30x4cm approx. and features 313 colour images. Softcover with flaps, sewn sections, printed in HUV-offset and fluorescent colours on hi-gloss paper with gloss varnish. It includes a 16-page booklet.

From the free playing attitude of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Lights On A Satellite lands with a full groove right in the heart of swing. The recording is a tribute to the life‘s work of Marshall Allen, who celebrated his 100th birthday on May 25, 2024.

Today, acclaimed jazz/funk six-piece band Huntertones released their live video for “Biff / For Roy,” taken from the recently released EP Huntertones on Audiotree Live. The EP features live versions of tracks from their albums Motionation and Engine Co., recorded at Audiotree studios in Chicago. The new studio full-length Motionation was released on April 12, 2024, and is currently eligible for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Instrumental Composition (“Tunnel”) at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards.

World Cafe, the daily music and interview program distributed by NPR, is excited to announce the latest edition of its Sense of Place series, bringing listeners into the heart of Colorado’s diverse and vibrant music scene. This 6-part series launches on October 11, exploring the unique sounds and stories from Colorado’s top artists, iconic venues, and rich musical traditions, all led by World Cafe host Raina Douris.