In a land abundant with Grateful Dead tribute bands, Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) on February 2 in Sacramento, California, strengthened its unofficial claim as the quintessential torch bearers. Flanked by a devoted and euphoric nearly sold-out audience at the 975-capacity Crest Theatre, the band on this night didn’t replicate an actual Grateful Dead show as they are inclined to do.

Temperatures dropped to single digits on Friday night in New York City, but those welcomed into Wesley Stace's Cabinet of Wonders were offered a warm respite from the blustery city.

Last night, on a chilly evening in Orange County, NY, Anders Osborne and Jonathan Sloane played their first stop in an intimate 8-city acoustic tour of City Winery locations this side of the Mississippi.

Spotlighted by a first-set tribute to The Band, including such classics as “Up on Cripple Creek,” “Acadian Driftwood,” “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” and “Don’t Do It,” five renowned San Francisco Bay Area musicians dubbed “Lebo & Friends” got together on January 28 for a swell Saturday night of songs and jamming in Auburn, Calif., in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Ten year anniversaries are certainly something to celebrate, and that is exactly what Joe Russo's Almost Dead did this past weekend with a four night run of shows in the New York City metro region. The performances were at the Brooklyn Bowl for the first night and the Capitol Theatre for the rest.

New Orleans funk specialists Galactic performed at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, NY last Thursday, January 26, 2023 as part of an intimate five night residency. Special guest pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, from Robert Randolph and the Family Band, sat in and complemented the jazzy quintet well.

Los Lobos brought their dance-inducing rhythms to the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara for two nights on January 20-21st. The first night featured an all-electric set, followed by an acoustic set the second night. The shows were part of the 2023 celebration of their 150th anniversary. The Lobero Theatre is a historic performing arts theater in downtown Santa Barbara, California. It was built in 1873 and is the oldest continuously operating theater in California.

The Wellmont Theater, located in the sprawling New York City suburb of Montclair, NJ, hosted moe. last Saturday, January 21, 2023 for an evening of exploratory rock and roll. This show marked the fourth time the band has played at the Garden State venue. This was also the fourth show back for guitarist Chuck Garvey, who suffered a stroke in late 2021.

Friday night, I got the invite to travel to The Fox Theatre in Boulder to see the up-and-coming Buffalo Commons. Formed in 2017 and originating out of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, it is hardly a surprise that yet another stringed talent has again emerged from the Rocky Mountains.

Twiddle continued their Distance Makes the Heart tour on Sat Jan 21 with their Sold-Out performance at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Mihali Savoulidis and the boys came to the coastal Jersey town on a chilly night with Philly-based Great Time in support.