As another whimsical summer draws to a close, the city of San Francisco once again held its August Tradition of ending the solstice months with the biggest send-off imaginable. For the 17th year, Outside Lands came to the historic Golden Gate Park for three days of unparalleled live performances in a city whose culture and history, in many ways, paved the way for live music as we know it today. This year’s festival proved to incorporate the heart of the city in more ways than just through the music.

Broken Robots’ new release, The Great American Struggle, comes out September 12. On this, the band’s fourth release, a new level of maturity in songwriting and musicianship emerges, showing how much the band is growing. The songs have deep meaning, tackling the struggles and triumphs of life. Each track can stand alone as a complete work, and each one is a gem.

It’s hard to pinpoint what genre of music encapsulates Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Jazz? Americana? Afro-Appalachian Jamgrass? No labels required. The audience at the UC Theatre in Berkeley, CA, on Tuesday night didn’t need no stinkin’ labels to appreciate the musical mastery of this beloved quartet. Whatever you call their oeuvre, it’s a brilliant groove.

First up is the veteran group known as The Sadies. Hailing from Toronto, ON, this band has been entertaining crowds since 1994. The founding brothers, Travis and Dallas Goode, are part of a musical dynasty; their father and uncles formed the bluegrass band The Goode Brothers. Tragically, Dallas passed away in 2022. The Sadies blend heartfelt storytelling with heavy rock and roll to produce music that is new yet familiar.

The Westville Music Bowl was filled with 90's vibes and smiling faces as Sublime closed out their summer tour at the tennis stadium turned concert venue in New Haven, CT last Saturday. The stage had no shortage of over-sized inflatable objects, like a dalmatian and a chair, flanking their performance.

There are nights you just know you’ll be talking about for years, and Umphrey’s McGee at Driftless Music Gardens on August 23, 2025 was one of them. Everything lined up perfectly—the band, the crowd, the setting, and especially the weather. Seriously, I couldn’t have dreamt up a better night than this one.

Red Rocks. This place has been written about for decades and has been the site for so many memorable and legendary moments in music that putting them all to paper would fill an endless number of pages. The place itself has held special meaning for those who have found themselves reaching its monument.

1972 brought us triumph and tragedy. From Watergate to the last Apollo mission, the world was changing—and in Grand Rapids, a new music venue emerged: The Intersection. This wonderful venue is actually five separate spaces in one, from the diminutive Mint (capacity 200) to the Showroom, the largest indoor room, which holds 1,500.

Jazz has been alive since humans first clicked two rocks together. It hasn’t always been known as “jazz,” but the human spirit wants to move fluidly, gracefully, and smile. That is what jazz is all about. Starting the modern era in the Southern U.S. as the blues, jazz is not tied to a strict format but changes as the mood moves the performer. That is the most endearing part of jazz music: its adaptability.

Pat Warner (Warner Vineyard) has built an oasis in the heart of Paw Paw, Michigan, for those with discerning palates and musical interests. The venue is picture-perfect, with a beautiful river flowing through the site. Guests are welcomed by a green space with trees and gardens, wonderful staff who are happy to help, fresh food options, and, of course, beer and wine. What could be better?