Last Thursday night, the Paramount Theatre in Denver, Colorado became the setting for the world to bid farewell to the electric configuration of the legendary group Hot Tuna. Forming in 1969 and powered by the renowned chemistry of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, Hot Tuna originally came together as a side project to the duo’s full-time gig in Jefferson Airplane.

The rising and perhaps unstoppable indie jam rock artist Goose delivered a pair of incredible shows for their tenth annual Goosemas run at the famed Hampton Coliseum, aka the Mothership, in Hampton, Va. The festivities began on December 8, 2023, as the band descended into planets of fire and mirrors. This included pyrotechnics, mirrors, an elevated lighting experience, and plenty of well-placed, first-time-played covers.

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.