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.

The vibrant music scene of Minnesota is coming together to celebrate the life and legacy of the late musician and songwriter Max Graham with the release of In My Mind a tribute album comprised of artist interpretations of the musician’s songs.

Them Coulee Boys, composed of brothers Soren Staff (lead guitar) and Jens Staff (mandolin), Beau Janke (banjo), Neil Krause (bass), and Stas Hable (drums), have made a name for themselves as innovators in funky bluegrass music. Tonight, they're at The Livery promoting their new album, "No Fun in the Chrysalis," and fans have come from far (Chicago) and near (Fairplain) to hear these storied musicians.