On September 30, 2024, the iconic folk/blues duo Hot Tuna graced the stage of the historic Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, delivering a night of timeless and exhilarating music. Known for their blend of Americana, blues, and rock, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady once again proved their enduring talent and connection with the audience.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think we all have a favorite cover of one of our favorite songs. In fact, there are a few covers I actually prefer over the originals—though I won’t mention any titles. To me, a cover is like your favorite variety pack of adult beverages—same base, different flavor. I could grab any of them at random because I love them all. And I can confidently say I loved all ten of these tracks.

On September 27th, 2024, a hot, dry wind blew across the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, nestled in the Central California mountainside, setting the stage for The Cult's electrifying performance in Paso Robles. With its scenic backdrop and superb acoustics, the venue became a sanctuary for devoted fans eager to immerse themselves in decades of the band's powerful rock legacy.

As summer fades and the days grow shorter, people here in Northwest Indiana are trading their shorts and t-shirts for jeans and hoodies. Outdoor concerts are moving to indoor venues, and tonight, I’m headed to Burn’em Brewery’s Back Room in Michigan City, IN, to catch a performance by Pushing Daisy’s Band from Indianapolis. This progressive rock group has graced Burn’em's stage many times, always delivering a stellar show.

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.

The last time Lettuce played at the original Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY, they performed a vibrant New Year's celebration to cap off a three-night stand on December 31, 2017. The Boston, MA-based sextet is no stranger to the jam band-friendly venue, as they were tapped for a two-night stand as part of the venue's fifteenth-anniversary celebration. We were fortunate to attend the second night on September 29, 2024.

The Mercurial Don Was, an American musician, record producer, music director, film composer, documentary filmmaker, and radio host, brought his new band of exceptional jazz talents from his hometown of Detroit to the historic Lobero Theatre on October 2.

The Bluebird Music Festival made its Fort Collins, Colorado, debut on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024. Opening night festivities, with Daniel Rodriguez providing the musical entertainment, were held at the Odell Brewing Company Winery. On Friday evening, October 4th, the musical magic moved to Washington’s, the expansive state-of-the-art music venue in downtown Fort Collins. Entertainment was provided by Josh Ritter and his band, Daniel Rodriguez, and The Wildwoods.

Lake Street Dive brought their new album Good Together to life in full force at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, WI, on a Tuesday night that felt anything but ordinary. The weeknight didn’t deter anyone from showing up, eager to experience the band’s latest offerings live. They kicked things off with the album's title track, a natural opener that immediately pulled the crowd into the groove.

Editor's Note: We interviewed Greg Ormont following Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's recent show at Pier 17, only to discover that our recording had failed due to technical difficulties. Despite our efforts to recover parts of the audio, we were unsuccessful, which was particularly disappointing as Ormont’s insights were incredibly honest and powerful. As a result, we incorporated our recollections of his words into this review of the show. He’s an incredible individual, and we hope you enjoy this mashup.