It’s not often that jam bands grace the world-class performing-arts center in Newark, NJ, known as NJPAC. On June 17, 2025, The String Cheese Incident performed inside the stunning 2,800-capacity Prudential Hall, which bears a slight resemblance to The Met in Philadelphia, albeit considerably smaller. Not only was this their first performance at the venue, it was also their first show in the Garden State’s largest city.

As part of New Jersey’s expansive North 2 Shore festival, jam-band stalwarts moe. descended upon the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre in Red Bank, N.J., on Saturday night, fresh off festival appearances at Northlands and All Good.

Concert Under the Stars—and these stars were bright, Spafford. Opening the night on the good foot with “Can’t Find My Vape,” demonstrating keyboardist Cory Schechtman’s ability to dance up and down the ivories. With drummer Nick Tkachyk and bassist Shon Gordon holding down the chill Vibz, we are certainly off to a good start!

Who the F*&% is Kyle Smith? Really? If you listen to today’s reggae and haven’t heard of Kyle Smith, get ready for a real treat. Kyle hails from Southern California, and his life story is built for writing great songs. His approach is simple: rip out your heart and put it on display for the world. It absolutely works. His fans know that he plays to thousands like he’s playing to five close friends—and he plays to five like it’s the biggest concert of the year.

Bluegrass is booming, with new fans discovering fresh groups every day, and Wheels North ranks among the finest of Chicago’s contributions. I recently had the pleasure of watching this progressive quartet light up the night.

On a picture-perfect summer evening in Boulder, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings brought their soulful, roots-infused harmonies to the Chautauqua Auditorium on June 16th, delivering an unforgettable evening to a captivated crowd. Set against the charming, rustic backdrop of Chautauqua—a venue that seems tailor-made for their music—the duo filled the space with songs both haunting and heartwarming, echoing gently through the historic wooden beams.

From the first note, DK Harrell makes it clear that Talkin' Heavy isn’t just a title—it’s a statement. The rising blues powerhouse and award-winning guitarist steps into the spotlight with a voice that’s gritty, guitar work that’s golden, and a sound that pays homage to the greats while carving his own path. This album is a bold declaration from an artist who’s not simply riding the wave of the blues revival; he’s helping lead it.

Dazzling the crowd with dreamy vocals, deft usage of an incredible array of instruments, spontaneously created loops, and a whole lot of passion, Australian singer-songwriter superstar Tash Sultana held the audience spellbound on June 11 at Hard Rock Live - Sacramento at Fire Mountain. 

Summer is here, and with it comes festival season. This year’s lineup included the re-emergence of an old favorite: the All Good Now Music Festival. After a ten-year break, the festival returned with Sound Tribe Sector 9 headlining and Lotus opening the pre-party at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

Spafford kicked off their summer tour with an electric performance at the Arrow @ Archer Music Hall in Allentown, an exclusive and intimate companion stage for the brand-new Archer Music Hall. The evening was a testament to the band’s improvisational prowess, crafting an experience that felt both expansive and deeply personal.