“Back in the day, I’d climb the shit out of this place,” Vedder said, surveying the Beacon Theatre from the stage. Marking 20 years since his onset with Pearl Jam, he’s created some damn good jams—but when it comes to his solo career, the man has reached a new plateau. Supporting his new album, Ukulele… [read more]
From saving oceans to his native lands, you’d think this Aussie rocker has no time to save roots music—but he does. John Butler for president? I think so. JBT pulled threads from its ever-evolving discography, weaving together a set of jam band eclecticism. Opener “One Way Road” set the mood of the night with that… [read more]
As the smell of fried fish circulated Springfield Park, the Queens field bustled with amateur vendors selling desserts and nutcrackers (modern moonshine) anticipating a big turnout. They had good reason; Grammy winner Chrisette Michele was gracing the stage. Warmed up by the July humidity and 1980’s hit-makers the Force MDs (“Tender Love”), 5,000 plus were… [read more]
New York City (pop. eight million plus) doesn’t have a single country radio station. There are no real country venues in Manhattan, either, but Eric Church sold out the Bowery Ballroom two weeks before his CD release party. Church, an amiable outlaw, had pre-released the album to fans the day before, and by showtime the… [read more]
No disrespect intended, but venerable guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli played to a packed House of God at a midtown gig and, sitting just below the altar, the performance was nothing short of Heavenly. Spare and modern, St. Peter’s’ acoustics rival Carnegie Hall, and even Pizzarelli’s and Laub’s softest fingerings could be heard in the cheap pews…. [read more]
ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES Philly-based band, The Great Unknown, along with America SCORES kids from various cities across the United States, are releasing Other Voices, Other Rooms as part of the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES program. Funded by the ASCAP Foundation, students were able to learn and create music with an actual… [read more]
In the last of a series of shows marking the release of their CD Imitate The Sun, the Chris Bergson Band nearly burned down the Bowery Electric with some 50 cheering fans inside. Their one long set was composed of 14 songs, a mix of selections from the new CD and highlights from the previous… [read more]
Hunter Mountain, NY Sunday is hardly a day of rest for the Mountain Jam masses. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros spill their charismatic brand of pop bombast all the way up the mountain as the frontman descends into the overjoyed crowd. “You guys have really transcended man’s relation with two o’clock in the afternoon,”… [read more]
Hunter Mountain, NY On Saturday, Mavis Staples summons the late risers out for a mountainside afternoon sermon. Backed by a crackerjack band, the soul matriarch shines through cuts from last year’s gem You Are Not Alone and nearly brings down the mountain as she herds the crowd through a rapturous rendition of “I’ll Take You… [read more]
Hunter Mountain, NY “I just love festival season!” cries Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars, his drawl can’t hide a giddy gleam.“You get out into the woods and just being outside allows the music to breathe.” Luther and his brother Cody, along with some 5,000 music fans of all stripes, gravitate towards Mountain Jam…. [read more]
