Two back to back shows are better than one, especially when the band is Sound Tribe Sector 9. The jamtronica quintet returned to Brooklyn Steel on September 14, 2024 for another round of their signature blend of EDM, rock, jazz and hip hop. They served up plenty of tasty older songs as well as newer tunes for an all out throw down, Big Apple style.

Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea is a spellbinding journey, much like the one immortalized by the Grateful Dead. It is an adventure akin to Alice's tumble down the rabbit hole, inviting readers to traverse a labyrinth of magical doorways both literally and metaphorically, similar to how the music by the Dead takes its listeners on a ‘trip,’ exploring new worlds of sound, thoughts and feelings.

A moonlit evening hung over the city of Boulder like a silent sentinel as the line outside the Boulder Theater buzzed with anticipation. Soul Coughing, the band that swore they’d never reunite, took the stage once again on September 23, 2024, as part of their audacious “We Said It Would Never Happen” tour. Inside the venerable Boulder Theater, a space steeped in the city's musical lore, it was clear the evening would be anything but ordinary.

Jamtronica specialists Sound Tribe Sector 9 recently treated the Northeast to an inspiring mini-run that included dates in Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. The band had not visited the Big Apple since headlining Brooklyn Comes Alive in 2022, so fans were excited for a two-night run at the edgy, industrial Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY.

Kalamazoo, Michigan, mostly rests on the southwest bank of the river that shares its name. Several tributaries feed into the river here, creating hilly terrain that turns the city into a wonder of winding roads, undulating to conform to the natural landscape. Kalamazoo is also the county seat, with both city and county buildings filling downtown, where a maze of one-way streets adds to the congestion. A good summer has brought heavy roadwork, making the city nearly impassable.

Greensky Bluegrass delivered a dynamic two-night run at Red Rocks Amphitheatre this past weekend, September 13th and 14th, 2024, sending fans on a rollercoaster of jammed-out grooves, heartfelt melodies, and unexpected twists. As always, the band struck the perfect balance between bluegrass roots and exploratory improvisation, proving why they continue to reign as one of the scene's most captivating live acts.

Dead Floyd Brought the House Down at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre, leave it to the creative minds of Dead Floyd to keep a few surprises up their sleeves. Last night, they delivered with not one but three powerhouse guest vocalists—Kelly MF Keeler, Elise Wunder, and Thalia Stevenson—who joined full-time band member Laniece Schleicher on vocal duties. Together, these four incredible voices ignited the night, filling the amphitheatre with soaring harmonies and diverse vocal ranges.

As the temperature drops, the wind picks up, and the setting sun over Lake Michigan paints the sky with vivid streaks of orange and pink, fall begins to settle in. I find myself lining up outside The Livery in Benton Harbor, a place steeped in history. Once a city livery where horses and wagons were kept, it has now transformed into a beloved brewery known for excellent food and, perhaps most notably, its great live entertainment.

Reggae legends Black Uhuru dropped some serious roots reggae beats at the Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, CA, on Friday night.

First, a bit of personal history: I got turned on to Black Uhuru by my college roomie, Robert, at U.C. Santa Cruz in the early Eighties. He had copies of the band’s seminal albums Sinsemilla and Red, and we smoked a lot of pot while grooving to tracks like “Puff She Puff” and “World is Africa.”

Goose descended on Saratoga Springs, NY, for a two-night stand at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which is surrounded by lush greenery and a sprawling state park that includes hot springs. The band was sufficiently warmed up after playing in Holmdel, NJ, and Boston, MA, earlier in the week. The Connecticut-based indie groove quintet certainly crushed night one with several rarely played covers and an original, all within their home stomping grounds.