Year after year, I ask myself how the Adirondack Independence Music Festival (ADK) in the heart of Lake George, NY, is going to level up, topping themselves with an inevitable smokin’ hot lineup announcement… and that’s just what they did. The most recent release of the daily schedule left me… wow… jaw agape! I enjoy a wide range of musical genres to get my fix at fests.

Genre-bending rock force ElephantProof today announces the addition of bassist Luke Bemand – acclaimed low-end architect of progressive trio lespecial – to its permanent lineup. The move follows Bemand’s incendiary debut performance with the band at Northlands Music & Arts Festival on June 12, 2025.

I’m old enough now that being told on Tuesday that I am going to cover the Northlands Music & Arts Festival on Friday feels rushed. Gone are the carefree days of the early ’00s. Back then, I went on tour with one day’s notice—without a tent.

The Harvest Music Festival, Fredericton's renowned musical extravaganza, will celebrate its milestone 35th anniversary with an electrifying lineup, promising unforgettable performances from internationally acclaimed acts and local favorites.

The 2025 festival will be headlined by powerhouse performers including The Revivalists, The Head and the Heart, Goose, Melissa Etheridge, Indigo Girls, Portugal. The Man, and Lotus, setting the stage for six vibrant days of music and celebration.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 7, while parked at the Collegian Hotel & Suites in Syracuse, New York, the touring van belonging to genre-bending trio lespecial was broken into. The incident resulted in the loss of three of bassist Luke Bemand’s instruments, including two irreplaceable custom-made bass guitars, as well as two Swiss Army roller suitcases filled with clothing.

The Ramble Festival is set to return for its third year, bringing an extraordinary lineup of artists and a vibrant community to Camp Ramblewood just outside Darlington, MD. From October 11th to 13th, 2024, festival-goers can expect an unforgettable experience filled with live music, art, and family-friendly activities. The festival is thrilled to announce the full artist lineup, featuring the exciting addition of Andy Frasco & The U.N.

Connecticut's own lespecial is pushing the boundaries of what a three-piece band can achieve, both live and in the studio. Renowned for their genre-defying sound, the multi-instrumentalists are set to release their latest album, “Odd Times,” showcasing their signature blend of “heavy future groove.” This unique mix combines headbanging metal riffs, surgical rhythmic precision, bone-shaking 808s, sub synths, and ethereal vocal stylings, creating a dance floor experience that welcomes moshing, dancing, and hip swaying alike.

Everyone’s favorite sarcastic power trio, lespecial, is thrilled to announce the release of their new mashup EP, SANDWICH CAGE. Known for their genre-defying sound and explosive live performances, the Connecticut-based group is ready to serve up a fresh auditory experience that combines their heavy future groove style with an imaginative blend of iconic tunes.

The legendary Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY hosted two very different, but incredibly talented jam bands on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The Motet, a six-piece funk band from Denver, CO, was in the headliner time slot, with Lespecial, the prog rock power trio from Southern Connecticut as the opener. Both bands brought a lot of fun, jam-rock energy, albeit from very different musical perspectives.

The spooky vibes returned for Day Two at Hulaween in the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park on Friday, October 27, 2023. This day's headliners included three forces to be reckoned with in the jam rock world: The Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, and of course, our Hulaween hosts, The String Cheese Incident. The latter two collaborated for a surprise opening during the String Cheese Incident's second set.