For those of us born at least a half-century ago, the memory burns bright of listening to AM radio in the dark of night, when the big stations could boost their transmission power and beam music and news far beyond their daytime range. It feels as distant from today’s hyper-connected world as crossing the prairie in a covered wagon, yet tuning in to Chicago’s WLS from Florida was as close to the internet as we had—think Elvis Costello’s “Radio, Radio.”

The Connecticut based jam rock meets indie groove outfit known as Goose returned to the modern Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica for round two in "Show-hio." Despite a torrential downpour that occurred before the show began, the band lit up the iconic Cleveland waterfront nestled on the famous Erie Canal. Night two was certainly an extension of night one, and included a version of their original "Tumble" for the ages.

Goose returned to Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Cleveland, OH, on June 19, 2025, to kick off what proved to be an electrifying two-night stand. Performances by the band in Ohio have been dubbed “Show-hio,” as they always rise to the occasion in the Buckeye State. This first night was no exception, with the group delivering a handful of infrequently played tunes along with a four-song, second-set throwdown.

It’s not often that jam bands grace the world-class performing-arts center in Newark, NJ, known as NJPAC. On June 17, 2025, The String Cheese Incident performed inside the stunning 2,800-capacity Prudential Hall, which bears a slight resemblance to The Met in Philadelphia, albeit considerably smaller. Not only was this their first performance at the venue, it was also their first show in the Garden State’s largest city.

As part of New Jersey’s expansive North 2 Shore festival, jam-band stalwarts moe. descended upon the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre in Red Bank, N.J., on Saturday night, fresh off festival appearances at Northlands and All Good.

Concert Under the Stars—and these stars were bright, Spafford. Opening the night on the good foot with “Can’t Find My Vape,” demonstrating keyboardist Cory Schechtman’s ability to dance up and down the ivories. With drummer Nick Tkachyk and bassist Shon Gordon holding down the chill Vibz, we are certainly off to a good start!

Who the F*&% is Kyle Smith? Really? If you listen to today’s reggae and haven’t heard of Kyle Smith, get ready for a real treat. Kyle hails from Southern California, and his life story is built for writing great songs. His approach is simple: rip out your heart and put it on display for the world. It absolutely works. His fans know that he plays to thousands like he’s playing to five close friends—and he plays to five like it’s the biggest concert of the year.

Bluegrass is booming, with new fans discovering fresh groups every day, and Wheels North ranks among the finest of Chicago’s contributions. I recently had the pleasure of watching this progressive quartet light up the night.

On a picture-perfect summer evening in Boulder, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings brought their soulful, roots-infused harmonies to the Chautauqua Auditorium on June 16th, delivering an unforgettable evening to a captivated crowd. Set against the charming, rustic backdrop of Chautauqua—a venue that seems tailor-made for their music—the duo filled the space with songs both haunting and heartwarming, echoing gently through the historic wooden beams.

From the first note, DK Harrell makes it clear that Talkin' Heavy isn’t just a title—it’s a statement. The rising blues powerhouse and award-winning guitarist steps into the spotlight with a voice that’s gritty, guitar work that’s golden, and a sound that pays homage to the greats while carving his own path. This album is a bold declaration from an artist who’s not simply riding the wave of the blues revival; he’s helping lead it.