We see live music not to hear the same music we can easily hear at home, but to experience something we otherwise never could.  Whether that difference is an artist’s speech, surrounding ourselves with the energy of a positive crowd, or hearing a unique rendition of a song that has never been recorded in a studio, live music gives us something our headphones just can’t, and hometown shows always have a way of giving us just a little bit more.  Saturday, February 3rd Stick Figure performed to a sold-out crowd at Oaklan

Longtime Santa Barbara County resident Alan Parsons brought his latest incarnation of The Alan Parsons Project to a full house of adoring fans in the Samala showroom of the Chumash Casino Resort, the last weekend of January. Parsons, a legendary music producer and one of the most potent forces in the progressive rock movement of the 1970’s has only recently returned to more extensive touring.

Revelator Hill’s new album, Live By The Creek, offers a personal invitation to experience their magnetic musical alchemy up-close. Recorded at the Lubber Run Amphitheater in Virginia, it captures the elusive lightning in a bottle that makes for the greatest live albums, and you can still feel the flames that ignited the show.

The harmonic sisters of Sweden’s First Aid Kit started their early 2018 American tour in impressive fashion at the ornate Fox Theater in Oakland, California, on January 24. In front of a plethora of varying video backdrops, the show was filled with lush layers of dreampop mixed with elements of alt-country/folk/rock.

The Devil Makes Three are one of those bands that seemed to emerge out the gate with their vision cast in concrete. There were no hidden tricks up their sleeves, no gimmicks to lure in some hip audience. From the get-go, they’ve managed to invigorate the old soul of bluegrass music with the kind of youthful spirit it seems it was always meant to possess, and in turn, the group has found themselves to be a shining light in the 21st-century scene.

The ever-active Chris Robinson, amid plenty of Chris Robinson Brotherhood concert dates in early 2018, has brought together a new amalgamation of renowned players including Robinson, Greg Loiacono, Pete Sears, Barry Sless, and John Molo, who together call themselves the Green Leaf Rustlers.

The Doug Fir show, the second of gigs, was a tiny, intimate venue and sold out. The crowd anticipated a memorable performance, and the band delivered. One of the highlights of the night, and there were many, was Fruition's Mimi Naja joining in on guitar and vocals for the song 'I Am a Mess.'

Just a couple of weeks into 2018, Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, California, hosted its first House Party of the year with legendary proprietor Phil Lesh and his Terrapin Family Band performing three sets, each with its own guest guitarist, in the intimate bar/restaurant.

A snowy Chicago evening at the Concord Music Hall showcased The Devil Makes Three with opening act Roebuck on January 12th, 2018.  The Concord has a gentleman’s club swanky kind of vibe happening.  The animal print and gold leaf wallpaper were entirely in line with Roebuck, and the Ruin & Redemption feel of DM3’s last release.

Railroad Earth’s, “Captain Nowhere,” falls like a beautiful tear on the tumultuous face of humanity.  Exposing a wonderful maturity throughout, Todd, Tim, John, Andy, and Andrew each freely offer one another all the space they need to create a multidimensional experience, while at the same time bringing about a singular effect.  I marveled over, and deeply appreciated, the openness in which this small sample of songs (6) was delivered.  Not afraid to look directly at what ails us, Railroad Earth sees right past the p