Locally loved western Massachusetts concert space Gateway City Arts, situated in downtown Holyoke, made a celebrated return to its live music capabilities. The unique, industrial-style venue has been hosting some big shows in just the past few months from the likes of Julien Baker, Delvon Lemar Organ Trio, members of moe., and more.

For Deadheads across the land, this has been a wonderful week to be in Colorado. Tuesday night, Dead and Company kicked off the first of four Denver Area shows to take place in the Centennial State. Originally scheduled as just two performances at Fiddler’s Green in Englewood, the band announced mid-September that they were adding two more shows at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Sometimes from within the musical world the cosmos comes together in just such a way, at just such a time that it produces something truly special. In this case, two historic characters, Johnny Cash and Owsley “Bear” Stanley collide with Haight-Ashbury’s famously historic venue, The Carousel, in one of the most historic times in music history, 1968.

Sean and Sara Watkins are currently touring in support of their new album Brother Sister. The sibling’s duo-centric record has a big sound and a big feel for two people. Sharing in the vocal responsibilities and with Sean on guitar and Sara on fiddle, they both provide the musical dynamics on the masterfully engineered sound of the album. The record has an honest sincerity and their writing skills are truthful, energetic and personal.

Phish on October 15 returned to Sacramento, California, opening the fall tour with two sets of skillfully innovative rock, jazz, and funky songs, instrumental textures, and artistic noodling. The three-plus-hour show found Phish firing on all cylinders, including guitarist Trey Anastasio’s ever-imaginative bag of guitar tricks, Page McConnell’s incredible array of organ and grand piano keyboard flourishes, Mike Gordon’s always-solid substructural bass, and Jon Fishman’s bright, rat-a-tat-tat drumming.

Phish brought extended jams and a catalog of vintage tunes with a peppering of new tracks to the state of the art Chase Center in San Francisco, California last night. This was the first time the Vermont based rock band has performed at the Golden State Warriors' quarters, though they certainly felt at home. The band kicked off their west coast fall tour on Friday night in neighboring Sacramento, Ca.

My first concert was Willie Nelson in January of 1984. I was only eight years old. My mum took me as her date since my dad was sick. We trekked across town to the Universal/Gibson Amphitheatre which was later demolished for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. I remember it being cold and rainy. Regardless of the weather, Angeleno’s were decked out in their country finest. Dark denim, blinged out belts, rhinestone-embellished cowboy hats and Americana regalia filled the theatre.

The Disco Biscuits are celebrating twenty years since their first gig at the Mishawaka. They played their debut show on July 5th, 2001 and then again in 2002 and 2003 with two shows each year. The most recent show from the joy spreaders of improvisational jam was on September 18th, 2010, they were billed as Tractorbeam for that gig. The band, venue and fans are very excited about this 2021 three-night run at the magnificent Mishawaka.

Thanks to Nederlander Concerts, a few thousand fortunate live music fans were treated to an intimate concert at the beautiful Vina Robles Amphitheatre on September 22nd. St. Vincent and Spoon brought a blistering double bill of guitar-drenched rock to the mountain fringed venue just three days before their sold-out appearance in front of 18,000 fans at the Hollywood Bowl.

This past weekend, The Dave Matthews Band once again returned to the faithful in Colorado and performed back-to-back sold out shows at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Englewood. With a capacity of 18,000, each night was filled to the brim with both the casual listener and die-hard fan looking to catch a little more of the summertime magic those outdoor venues in the Rockies hold before the chilly nights set in and audiences are relegated to the indoors.