88.5 KGNU, Rooster & Ska Brewing are thrilled to present reggae pioneers Steel Pulse with special guest Chala at the historic Boulder Theater this Friday night, May 9, 2025, as part of Steel Pulse’s landmark 50th Anniversary Tour. This milestone celebration marks five decades of roots-driven rhythms, social consciousness, and irreplaceable stage presence from one of the genre’s most influential bands.

The Westcott Theater in Syracuse will transform into a late‑night hub of music and flavor this Friday, May 9th, as it unveils Fat Boy Pizza Co., a one‑night‑only pop‑up shop serving fresh, homemade Roman‑style pizza from open to close. Doors swing wide at 9:30 PM, and at 10:00 PM the house lights will dim as an exclusive supergroup—The Pizza Connection—takes the stage.

This Mother’s Day, treat the special women in your life to something they’ll cherish for years to come: a trip to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, running July 16–20, 2025, on the historic Walsh Farm in the heart of the Northern Catskills. Whether it’s your own mother, grandmother, the mother of your children, or a neighbor who’s always there with a listening ear, Grey Fox offers the perfect blend of music, community, and mountain magic that any mother will love.

The Mother of Bluegrass—and Her Daughters

Tenor saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Hillai Govreen will release her bold new recording Every Other Now on June 20, 2025 via Fresh Sound’s New Talent imprint. Written in close partnership with bassist-composer Ben Meigners, the nine-track album bottles the electricity of Govreen’s live sets while unveiling a fresh palette of original music shaped by two rhythm sections, twin pianists, and a cohort of revered New York improvisers.

Emerging from the deep musical soil of Western North Carolina, the Asheville Mountain Boys step onto the national stage today with their spirited debut studio single, “Rollin’ On.” Rooted in Asheville’s storied bluegrass heritage yet bursting with modern energy, the track embodies the band’s mission: to honor the pioneers of mountain music while propelling its raw drive and authenticity into a new era.

Philadelphia-based indie rock outfit The Indestructible Water Bear today premiered the music video for their emotionally charged single “I Walk the Night.” The video, now live on YouTube, brings to life the song’s exploration of grief, love’s duality, and the shifting inner landscapes we navigate in times of loss. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlxST7C7zHo

Frontwoman Gail Farmer shares candidly about the song’s origins:

Toronto-based ensemble Monkey House builds on their chart-topping success with Crashbox, a brilliantly crafted seventh album that showcases Emmy-winning songwriter and producer Don Breithaupt’s singular vision.

Dallas-based singer-songwriter Kelvin Thomas invites audiences to exhale and exhale again with the release of his deeply personal, three-song EP For Comfort, available today on Alma Ro. Records. Described by Thomas as “a cardigan made out of music,” the project blends his rich, resonant vocals with stripped-back soul, rock, and blues, creating a pocket of warmth for anyone feeling the weight of the world.

Jackson & The Janks, whose music has now been streamed over one million times, will release their second album Write It Down on June 27 via Jalopy Records. Recorded almost entirely on vintage tape in New Orleans by Jon Atkinson (Kim Wilson, Nora Brown, Henry Gray), the album showcases Jackson Lynch’s originals alongside one classic cover, all delivered with the verve and spirit of Specialty Records’ golden era.

Sweetwater Music Hall is proud to announce Days Between: A Celebration of the Life of Jerry Garcia, a five-day tribute series honoring the spirit and music of the Grateful Dead’s legendary frontman. From Friday, August 1 through Saturday, August 9, Sweetwater will host an eclectic lineup of performances, community art activations, birthday festivities and open-jam sessions at its intimate Corte Madera Avenue venue in Mill Valley.