Shoe Fest has always been more than just a music festival — it’s a gathering place for community, creativity, and connection. In 2025, that ethos is alive and well with the debut appearance of Covington Groove, a band whose genre-defying sound and collaborative spirit make them a perfect match for the festival’s barefoot charm.

Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out, a concert and discussion series celebrating and exploring protest music, kicks off July 9, 2025 at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge.

Born out of a love for rock music and the virtuosity of bluegrass musicians, the Pickin’ On Series has been a beloved tradition at CMH Records for over 30 years, delivering innovative bluegrass interpretations of some of the biggest and brightest artists in popular music. The latest in a line of acclaimed releases, Pickin’ On Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bluegrass Revival, was released June 20 and is available now on digital and CD.

Shoe Fest returns to Camp Shaw in Manteno, Illinois, August 29–31, 2025, for its fourteenth annual weekend of roots-rich revelry, riverbank camping, and round-the-clock pickin’. The intimate, family-friendly gathering—nestled just an hour south of Chicago—has built a reputation for pairing Midwest hospitality with nationally revered talent, and this year’s lineup might be its most sparkling yet.

Enigmatic TV host, radio presenter, record company executive, and friend to the rich and famous—there is nothing that STEVE BLACKNELL hasn’t done. Except write his memoir, which he has finally done in TALES FROM THE BEDROOM WALL - THE LIFE & TIMES OF A SERIAL THRILL SEEKER (Old Treacle Press).

When Matt Cameron quietly shared a short, heartfelt note of farewell this morning—“After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam”—the rock world felt a collective jolt. For a generation of fans, Cameron wasn’t just the band’s drummer; he was Pearl Jam’s heartbeat.

In true Wisconsin fashion, the 2025 Blue Ox Music Festival kicked off with a good ol’ mud bath. Held June 26–28 at The Pines Music Park in Eau Claire, it didn’t take long for the opening-day rain to turn the grassy grounds into a squishy, Chaco-sucking mess. But if you’ve ever been to Blue Ox, you know a little mud doesn’t scare anyone off—long-time attendees always pack for it. Once the sun appeared and temperatures climbed, the weather shifted from soggy to scorching, yet spirits stayed sky-high from start to finish.

Phish wrapped up their memorable three-night run at Folsom Field last night, July 5th, 2025, capping off a spectacular weekend of music, magic, and those inimitable Boulder vibes. Grateful Web was right there, capturing every note and soaking up all the grooves.

Goose returned to the Westville Music Bowl for the sixth time in their career to close out their Summer 2025 tour with another lights out performance. This New Haven, CT venue is like a hometown venue to them, given the proximity to their early base of Wilton, CT. They unfurled a number of fun covers as well as heated jams at the former tennis stadium turned premiere concert venue, and lived up to the adage "Never miss Goose at the Westville."

Phish rolled into Boulder this week for a three-night July run at Folsom Field—July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2025—and Grateful Web was there to soak up every funky note. Anyone familiar with Phish's Colorado history knows that classic photo of the boys hauling gear across a Telluride street; their love for the Centennial State runs deep.