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.

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.