The disco themed LoHi Music Festival held in the lower highlands Denver neighborhood started with a bang with Genetics and Blake Mobley’s collaborative musical project Tiger Party, that this time featured guitarist Tom Hamilton from Brother’s Past and American Babies. After a brief down pour of rain during the Heavy Pets set, the skies opened up to a beautiful day for a city festival. The set-up of the festival worked well except for the absence of a poster and the LoHi money exchange, which is never a good idea.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong might sound like a funny name, but their music is serious, ranging from funk to dance to electronic. On July 3, they released their second LP called “Psychology,” and right from the get go it brings the heat.

Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood have announced a North American tour this December to support their forthcoming studio album, Juice, out September 16 from Indirecto Records. The ten-night run will be preceded by a 14-date tour of Europe in November. Beginning at 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on December 4, MSMW will play select shows in both the Northern and Southeastern United States, highlighted by a hometown performance at Terminal 5 in NYC on December 11.

In just a couple weeks, Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, Oregon will be hosting the 13^th Annual, Northwest String Summit. Not only is this festival held in one of the most visually appealing venues in the country, there’s a stellar line up, great people, and lots of things to do even for the young ones of your group. Check out this interview with Skye Macdonald, the promoter for this amazing festival, and see why you should be so excited for this year’s bluegrass extravaganza.