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.

The days are getting shorter, and the weather is cooling down. This can mean only one thing: both football season and fall tour are about to begin. Goose, the indie-groove jam rock band from Connecticut that has solidified itself as a heavy hitter in the music industry, kicked off its Fall Tour at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, on September 1st, 2024. This Labor Day show had all the feels, including two new song debuts and a rare three-song second set.

The Beach Boys, the timeless masters of surf music, returned to the Vina Robles Amphitheatre in Paso Robles on August 29th as part of their annual summer concert tour of California. This time, they were joined by actor and guitar virtuoso John Stamos, who added an extra layer of excitement to the evening by sitting in with the band.

Five-time Grammy winner Christopher Cross returned to his former hometown of Santa Barbara to perform at the Lobero Theatre on August 28th. The singer-songwriter brought with him an international band of talented musicians and backup vocalists for an extended set, made all the more special as it preceded a sold-out performance with the rock band Toto at the massive Hollywood Bowl on September 1st.

Where is Joe Samba? The New England-born singer, songwriter, guitar master, and general musical phenomenon is hard to pin down, literally. First, there is his chameleon-like ability to move seamlessly from job to job and place to place. Are you looking for Joe, the touring musician? Good luck! He is seemingly always on tour or playing somewhere, usually far from where he was the night before. Or perhaps you’re looking for Joe the father? His family is always with him.