Last Monday & Tuesday, Billy Kreutzmann brought his latest incarnation of the Kids to the mainland to play a two-night blowout at the sandstone mecca Red Rocks. Originally slated as a single show, tickets sold out almost instantly and in light of this demand, the call for more was answered. The response: another sold out show.

Last Friday night in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, We Thee Funk elevated Industry City by a factor of funk. The eleven piece band was dressed in sparkles and ready to start the party. Hometown Barbecue, which is known to have some of the best BBQ in NYC, was on hand providing drinks and food, as well as two artists who painted while the band played.

At it for 30 years now, The Mother Hips have an incredibly deep catalog of music to choose from, many selections of which present themselves nicely to acoustic interpretations. Which is not to say that this was a church-quiet affair with a couple of soft guitars and vocals. Indeed it was an evening of full-band songs and jamming, with co-founders Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono leading the way on their Boswell (Bluhm) and Martin (Loiacono) acoustic guitars. And while it was a seated show by design, little by little mostly in the second set, folks rose up to dance and sway in the space in front of the first row. Chief songwriter and vocalist Bluhm delivered his audio tales with his uniquely comforting, caramel-smooth voice. Loiacono is a fine singer as well, and provided lead vocals for such selections as “State Fair Letdown,” “Freed From a Prison,” and “Meet Me on the Shore,” the latter of which offered this romantic notion, “You are strong when I am weak / If you’re weak I will be strong / I want to stay right here with you / I am the words you are the song.”

The Disco Biscuits delivered a tasty setlist of jamtronica in their hometown of Philadelphia, PA at The Mann Center last night. They were joined by frequent cohorts, Lotus, plus a DJ set by Luke the Knife for an evening of high energy dance music. This was the second night of the City Bisco run, which replaced the beloved Camp Bisco this year, as it was not possible to safely hold the festival because of the covid-19 pandemic.

With summer in full swing and restrictions going out the window, Colorado has had a continuous influx of incredible entertainment, with many artists selecting the Rocky Mountains for their tour openers and album release parties. Friday saw this theme continued at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins with the talented souls of Rachael & Vilray employing the intimate venue to kick off their summer tour.

The jam band enthusiasts—“aged Deadheads”—and hipsters alike, all made their way out from the depths of the Colorado Front Range for a night of Grateful Dead tribute and homage. Dark Star Orchestra made the Dead fans of Denver “Get Up, Get Off, Get Out of the Door,” to suit up for an original setlist and production at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 5th, 2021.

For the 26th time in 28 years, Blues Traveler returned to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sunday for their annual Independence Day celebration. Although it was the Fourth of July, the band and crowd celebrated freedom on a number of levels outside of the national holiday, including freedom from COVID, from masks, from isolation.

The lights fell and alone on stage stood Big Red, Trey Anastasio, looking as Dad-like as ever. His big goofy smile sent waves of love, comfort, and release to the sold-out crowd in Manhattan, at the Beacon Theater. As Trey opened the show with a solo "Theme from the Bottom", the audience was sent into a feeling of happiness and familiarity, returning to concerts indoors, a pre-covid relish.

One of the tents disappeared but the heap of trash maintained by aggressive vagrants keeps growing. I avoid that area entirely. It used to be a normal route on my runs, but it’s too frightening now. Every day I watch as the situation becomes grimmer. Friday at 1:45 a.m. I was shaken awake, not by an earthquake which is typical for LA, but loud, obscene music and hollers. I peered out my blinds like Mrs. Kravitz from Bewitched. Discombobulated from the early hour and without my glasses all I could make out were some people gathered around a bike.

Wisconsin welcomed Goose back to the Cheese State for one more night of epic jams and good company on Saturday, July 3rd at The Pines Music Park in Eau Claire, WI. The band did not disappoint, as the pod shows turned mini festival included much more than just the music. The gaggle of fans participated in activities during the day, creating many new friends and memories.