All Reviews Articles

Camper Van Beethoven Celebrates 40TH Anniversary of their Debut Record

Camper Van Beethoven packed The Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco on Saturday night to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Telephone Free Landslide Victory, their debut album. The 80s indie stalwarts played a two-hour show that started with the entirety of the 1985 record (played in the original track order) and then moved on to a… Continue reading Camper Van Beethoven Celebrates 40TH Anniversary of their Debut Record

Palace Magic: Krauss’s Ethereal Vocals Meet Union Station’s New Energy

Alison Krauss & Union Station’s return to the stage on April 18 at the Louisville Palace was nothing short of a triumphant homecoming. Marking their first tour in a decade, the Arcadia 2025 Tour opened with a sold-out show that reminded fans why this ensemble remains a cornerstone of American roots music. The evening was… Continue reading Palace Magic: Krauss’s Ethereal Vocals Meet Union Station’s New Energy

Phishing for Compliments: Phish in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 22

Phish philled San Phrancisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium with a phlood of phrenzied phans for the phirst of two shows Tuesday night. (Phew!) Concertgoers started lining up at lunchtime to jockey for a good spot in the GA show. By the time the doors opened at 6 p.m., there were over a thousand people in… Continue reading Phishing for Compliments: Phish in San Francisco on Tuesday, April 22

Spafford | Cohab Space | 4/17/2025

Hot off a new release date drop, Spafford visited the American Furniture District, located in the center of the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina. They played at CoHab Space, which is a new eclectic outside venue in High Point, NC that operates with the well known Tar Heel state promoter, Ziggy’s. The venue included local… Continue reading Spafford | Cohab Space | 4/17/2025

Hull of a Night: Sierra Dazzles Manistee with Mandolin Mastery

The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, Michigan, is one of those hidden gems that harkens back to a time when a beautifully executed architectural landmark was a source of civic pride. It’s the perfect setting to experience another American gem, the exceptionally talented Sierra Hull. West Shore Community College Director of Performing… Continue reading Hull of a Night: Sierra Dazzles Manistee with Mandolin Mastery

A Journey Through Joe Marcinek's The Groove Sessions

Joe Marcinek’s latest release, The Groove Sessions, is a collection of jazz-funk tunes that will gently fry your mind with music at the highest intellectual level while never speaking down to you. This iteration of the Dead Funk Summit includes the amazing Greg Spero on keys, the Sanchez brothers—Ronnie (bass) and Manny (drums)—providing the rhythm… Continue reading A Journey Through Joe Marcinek's The Groove Sessions

Asbury’s Dogs Run Wild in Kalamazoo's Musical Playground

Asbury Park, home of the legendary Stone Pony, is where iconic New Jersey rockers like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny first honed their craft. But what happens when master musicians from Berklee College of Music join forces on this hallowed ground? Fans of Dogs In A Pile know exactly what happens—pure musical magic.… Continue reading Asbury’s Dogs Run Wild in Kalamazoo's Musical Playground

Elevated Folk: Elephant Revival’s Dynamic Mile High Show

Elephant Revival brought their “A Game” of inspiring musical evolution to the packed Mission Ballroom in Denver, Colorado last night. The genuine diversity among the band members provided a staggering display of some of the coolest musical ideas on earth. The band has always self-expressed their musical style as “Transcendental Folk Music,” meaning their music… Continue reading Elevated Folk: Elephant Revival’s Dynamic Mile High Show

Ascending the Jam Throne: RADO’s Explosive Night at Cervantes

Hailing from the vibrant musical landscape of Denver, Colorado, and taking center stage at the legendary Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, rising Denver jam messiahs RADO delivered arguably their largest and most explosive performance to date. With a dynamic display of versatility, cohesion, and ever-expanding improvisational prowess, the Colorado quartet captivated the crowd with an electrifying set… Continue reading Ascending the Jam Throne: RADO’s Explosive Night at Cervantes

Spring Awakens at Bell’s: Yolonda Lavender, Normal Mode & Brandon Fitzpatrick Dazzle

Bell’s Eccentric Café has struck upon a brilliant idea with their Spring Concert Series, offering local talent the opportunity to shine on a professional stage—and what remarkable talent Kalamazoo has to showcase! This week I enjoyed performances from three outstanding groups, plus an exciting new star who illuminated the Backroom stage. Yolonda Lavender, Normal Mode,… Continue reading Spring Awakens at Bell’s: Yolonda Lavender, Normal Mode & Brandon Fitzpatrick Dazzle