Reviews

Midnight North singer Elliott Peck brought some of her friends to Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall on Friday, Dec. 8, for a delightful and powerful headlining gig that showcased her brilliant voice and distinctive songwriting chops. The Sweetwater was packed with veterans of Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads scene as well as other music lovers who have grown to appreciate Peck as one of the Bay Area’s finest performers.

After 54 years of service, at “An Intimate Evening Benefiting the Rex Foundation,” Hot Tuna on December 2 put a culminating exclamation point on the compelling electric rock ‘n’ blues performances that the band has been known for. It was Hot Tuna’s final electric concert in California; the final, final electric show was to take place in Denver on Dec. 7. Mesmerizing as an electric or acoustic outfit, acoustic Hot Tuna will continue on in 2024.  

On December 1, 2023, the Ventura Theater played host to a musical extravaganza. Brit Floyd, hailed as the world's premier Pink Floyd tribute band, unveiled their '50 Years of Dark Side Tour' to a rapturous, sold-out crowd. This tour, a sweeping journey across North America encompassing 100 shows, had its grand finale in Ventura, graced by a prestigious audience that included Alan Parsons, the iconic sound engineer of 'Dark Side of the Moon.'

Great American Trainwreck recently released Red Deer, the third record for the Seattle quintet (Stephanie Ward, lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and viola; Nick Nordus, lead electric and acoustic guitar; Dan Rogers, bass; Andy Basinger, keys; Dave Bush, drums).

The historic Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara celebrated its 150th anniversary with an exceptional performance on November 18th. Master songwriter Bruce Cockburn captivated the audience with a wide array of his hit songs, marking yet another remarkable event at this venue. The concert began with an exquisite opening act by Steve Postell, who showcased his multifaceted talents in singing, guitar playing, and songwriting.

Just when I thought I had read everything possible about Levon Helm—the drummer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and lyricist for The Band—a new book emerges, revealing uncharted aspects of his extraordinary life. John Barry's 'Rock * Roll * Ramble – The Inside Story of the Man, the Music and the Midnight Ramble' offers fresh information and untold stories.

In 2019, the legendary rock band KISS embarked on their farewell tour, known as the "End of the Road" tour. They initially planned their final performance for the summer of 2021 at an undisclosed location. However, the pandemic led to the postponement and eventual cancellation of many tours, including theirs. Their touring resumed in 2021, and they recently announced their final shows for December 2023.

On a brisk Friday evening, November 17th, 2023, the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California, was enlivened with the spirit of progressive rock. Steve Hackett, the iconic former lead guitarist of Genesis (1971-1977), graced the stage, culminating his six-week U.S. tour with a performance that underscored his timeless musical genius and the lasting impact of his rich, complex compositions.

On Saturday, November 25, the Taft Theater in Cincinnati was graced with an unforgettable and impactful Papadosio concert. The five-member psychedelic 'jamtronic' band delivered an impressive two-hour performance filled with non-stop music.

Railroad Earth's Horn O'Plenty concerts have become an annual Thanksgiving tradition, featuring multiple nights of performances by the band along with special guests opening each night. Since 2006, the band has graced the stage at the Sherman Theater every Thanksgiving, marking the commencement of the holiday tour season.