The environment; the space you are in externally and between your ears can make music magical. It can also make music sad, stressful, angry and every other emotion you can conjure up. But that is what always brings me back to the feeling of magic. It’s like a smell. There are certain smells that take… Continue reading Railroad Earth | Higher Ground | Review
Widespread Panic‘s nearly thirty-year-old traveling carnival of crunched-out jam rock is a spectacle that’s anchored by a faithful following that grows with each seasonal tour. Crafted in the shrieking southern-rock of the Allman Brothers Band and the improvisational mastery of the Grateful Dead, Panic resides among the upper echelon of jam bands, and they’re built… Continue reading Widespread Panic | 11/2/2014 | Review
I had a plan of action – a solution to obviate an habitual problem. It was a good solution, too. At least I thought it was. In the end, it turned out to be myopic and futile. Ever since I started reviewing Motet shows, I’ve run into the same quandary. Just like any other show… Continue reading The Motet | Halloween 2014 | Boulder, CO
First of all, if you are into funk at all, download Sweet Nasty. Period. With Earphunk, the long and short of it is this from George Clinton’s quote, “Y’all ain’t your average white band.” Taking it a step further, James Brown, bless his stage hopping, foot shuffling, sweating balls, getting his moves ripped off from… Continue reading Earphunk | Sweet Nasty | Review
While NASCAR superstar and eleven-year running fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured an irrelevant win last weekend at Martinsville Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. was hard at work racing down the road. The first leg of the glam-pop duo’s fall tour culminated in a voracious three-band onslaught at the Fox Theatre in The People’s Republic… Continue reading Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. | Fox Theater | 10/28/14 | Review
Last weekend Greensky Bluegrass hosted two sold-out shows at The Odgen Theater in Denver, Colorado. The shows were nothing short of spectacular – with killer sets that match the energy and skill Greensky fans love. The two performances showcased their new album, If Sorrows Swim, released last September. On Friday, Greensky mixed a few of… Continue reading Greensky Bluegrass | Ogden Theatre | 10/24/14
“Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer.” Hunter S. Thompson. After a twenty-year absence, Phish returned to Eugene (OR) on October 17th with some much needed… Continue reading Phish | Matthew Knight Arena | 10/17/14
Note from gratefulweb.com management: We sent Jake Bendrick on assignment on Oct 22, 2014, with simple instructions. 1) Complete your concert review no later than 11:30 PM and turn it indirectly. 2) Keep it to 1000 words. Rather than complying with our request, he disappeared until late Sunday night at which point he returned to… Continue reading A Birthday Blowout with Pearl Jam
You know how our dads will turn us green with envy while casually mentioning seeing The Wailers or Led Zeppelin live? Nope? That’s just mine? Well the disappointment and jealous expressions on my future children’s faces was what was playing and re-playing through my mind on Sunday night as Pearl Jam took the stage. I… Continue reading Pearl Jam | Austin City Limits 2014
Greensky Bluegrass returns to The Odgen Theater in Denver for an epic two nights this weekend to showcase their new album, If Sorrows Swim. It’s been an incredible past year for Greensky, with a spotlight during the world famous Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and a shared headline with Railroad Earth and The Wood Brothers at Red… Continue reading Greensky Bluegrass | Ogden Theater | Preview
