Since the mid 90’s Wilco has progressed its sound into something perfect. The Chicago based, indie-rock/alt-country, group proved this to fans on the first stop of a twelve-gig tour through the East Coast. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Benedum Center – known for hosting Broadway shows, Orchestras, and other theatrical performances – was left cheering on their feet after a nearly two-hour set. With the recent release and all-around positive reactions to “Star Wars”, Wilco’s ninth studio album, fans were both excited and curious to hear the group transition into the live setting. Needless to say the sound was perfect. At times powerful enough to cause one to jump out of their seat; and other times soft enough to sit you right back down to simply nod in a melodically blissful state of mind.

The band took the stage to a swift, but mysteriously ear-catching recording, quickly leading into EKG. With no preconceived mention to the audience, Wilco slid right through “Star Wars” in its entirety. Without missing a beat, the band’s only remaining original members, Jeff Tweedy (lead vocal & guitar) and John Stirratt (bass & backing vocal), led the band and kept the set organized and the signature sound consistent. While the remainder of the lineup from the 2005 “Ghost is Born” era, Glenn Kotche (drums & percussion), Mikael Jorgensen (keyboard & synthesizer), Nels Cline (lead guitar), and Pat Sansone (keyboards & rhythm guitar), solidified the folk rock sound– yet at all times antsy to explode into indie-rock madness. They gladly did so during the likes of Random Name Generator, Pickled Grinder, and Where Do I Begin. After closing the 11-song album with a hypnotizing Magnetized, Tweedy addressed his audience for the first time of the evening simply saying, “That’s an album called ‘Star Wars’, it’s good to be back in Pittsburgh.”

Next the group dug into its alt-country roots with fan favorites including, Box Full Of Letters, Don’t Forget The Flowers, and New Madrid. The throwbacks allowed Nels Cline to show his incredible musicianship; playing twang, and electrifying, yet soothing solos throughout Heavy Metal Drummer, Jesus, Etc., and Impossible Germany. Following a short but sweet Spiders (Kidsmoke) encore, the band quickly reorganized for a six-song acoustic set that highlighted the band’s ability to diversify its sound. Furthermore, the acoustic vibes were a perfect essence to highlight Tweedy’s scruffy yet soothing lead vocals through the likes of Misunderstood, It’s Just That Simple, and California Stars.

For most fans, the joy and nostalgia of seeing Wilco, an old favorite, was enough to leave them standing and cheering for more. As for the rest, the diversifying sound and complex studio to stage transition left them speechless – also wanting more.

Check out more photos from the show.

Since the early 2000’s Particle has been breaking down the barriers between the Jam and EDM genres to define new sounds. Out of this effort has come a new genre of music that we know as jamtronica or livetronica. This signature sound combines elements of Electronica, Funk, and Rock with a heavy emphasis on improvisation and sonic exploration. Particle is led by keyboardist/songwriter Steve Molitz alongside Mike Daum on guitar/vocals, Clay Parnell on Bass/vocals, and Kito Bovenschulte on drums.

The “Livetronica” pioneers are nearly halfway through their winter 2016 tour. The tour will continue into March with stops in Nashville, Des Moines, and Atlanta to name a few; and will conclude with an appearance at Aura Festival in Live Oak, Florida. On February 13th the band made a stop at Pittsburgh’s Rex Theater on night three of tour. This show’s high-energy along with Particle’s intense grooves surely set the tone for what should be an incredible tour for the quartet. The intimate environment of The Rex Theater added to the energy on stage as the band improvised and continued to experiment with new sounds in accordance to the response of the crowd. After the band’s nearly ten-year hiatus, from 2006 – 2015, we’re thrilled to see Particle back on the road providing Particle People with that original livetronica sound that has gone on to influence many of today’s touring EDM / Jam bands. Alongside touring, Particle is currently working on a studio album to be released in 2016.

Setlist:

01. Organ Chords
02. London Forces >
03. Launchpad 
04. The Elevator
05. Accelerator >
06. E-Pro
07. Kneeknocker
08. Funkytown >
09. Triple Threat >
10. Control-Escape >
11. Axel F >
12. Triple Threat 
13. Below Radar >
14. Sun Mar 11 
15. Ed and Molly

Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, are not your average tribute band. And when trying to replicate one of the greatest rock bands of all time, an average tribute band will not do. These guys are the real deal!

The group recently made a stop at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE on February 19^th, and performed a show that shocked the entire audience. The look, the feel, the sound, the mannerisms, the equipment all perfected to the tee by the groups members; Matt Jernigan as Robert Plant, John McDaniel as Jimmy Page, Adam Sandling as John Paul Jones, and Bevan Davies as John Bonham. The band mates were spot on while playing their roles. Matt Jernigan hit Robert Plants’ lyrics note for note while not forgetting to dazzle the crowd with flamboyant hip swings and finger curls. John McDaniel ripped through Jimmy Page’s most intricate solos, occasionally playing with his teeth and never forgetting to stare at his amplifier for minutes at a time. Not to mention his spectacular sequence suit covered in stars and glitter. Adam Sandling showed true musicianship, as did John Paul Jones, by continuously switching between the keys and bass while holding the band’s sound together. And finally, no Zeppelin Cover band can be properly critiqued without a talented drummer. Bevan Davies displayed both the talent and showmanship that John Bonham was so well known for; this was especially evident when he took on John Bonham’s Moby Dick – complete with Bonham’s signature barehanded segment.

Overall, the entire band was well rehearsed and showed a true love and passion for the music of Led Zeppelin. Zoso: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience will be touring with a wide variety of dates and locations leading all the way into August. Make sure to check out their website to find dates near you. The legacy of Led Zeppelin is alive and well in the hands of Zoso.

SETLIST:

Rock-n-Roll
Celebration day
Nobody's Fault But Mine
The Ocean
Heartbreaker
Immigrant Song
Bring it on home
Black Dog
Ramble on
How many more times
Since I've been loving you
That's the way
Going to California
Over the hills and far away
The Song remains the same
No Quarter
Moby Dick
Stairway to Heaven
Kashmir
Whole lotta Love

In the last few years Pittsburgh’s live music scene has been revitalized, especially for jam band lovers. Some recent notable visits include The String Cheese Incident, STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, Widespread Panic, Twiddle, Tauk, and Aqueous, to name a few. Out of this has influence come Pittsburgh’s own premier jam/psychedelic funk band, a group of young and talented musicians who call themselves The Clock Reads. In a refreshing way the group has brought Pittsburgh to the jam world, rather than the jam world coming to Pittsburgh. Over the past two years band members John O’Brien (guitar), Aidan Epstein (keyboard/organ), Michael Berger (Bass), Steve Ippolito (Drums), and Jason Greenlaw (guitar), have dedicated and progressed their talents in the Steel City and are now catching the eyes and ears of jam lovers across the country.

On Saturday, February 20^th, 2016 the group performed their second anniversary show; a headlining gig through Grey Area Productions hosted by The Thunderbird Café. The show highlighted the musical progression and newfound professionalism of the group. The five-piece started as a group of college students at The University of Pittsburgh, playing basement parties and small local clubs like Uncle Jimmy’s Bar and Pub I.G. After about a year of perfecting covers from Phish and The Grateful Dead, along with a handful of originals, The Clock Reads have evolved to play nearly entire original sets known for lengthy improvisational sections with highly energetic peaks. The second anniversary show, on 2/20, was no exception and proved to Pittsburgh that The Clock Reads has plenty to offer live music lovers both in and outside of their hometown.

Local band Chillent opened the gig with an impressive performance full of jazzy guitar licks and harmonic saxophone. Next The Clock Reads came out, opening the set with a noodling jam into a new original song Hampton’s In. A highlight of the show came early on when members of Chillent returned to the stage for a funky super-jam of Jaco Pastorius’ tune The Chicken.  Next came Son of Juan and the bluegrass inspired original Goin’ Down featuring Alex Epstein, Aidan Epstein’s father, on fiddle. El Gato Del Fuego with a beautiful tease of Vince Guaraldi’s Linus & Lucy led into Clockwork, followed by a cover of Ween’s Bananas and Blow dedicated to Alex Kantner and Ben Penigar. The show concluded with a cover of Steely Dan’s The Fez and a classic Clock Reads original, The Ragoo.

The Clock Reads have a number of shows coming up in both the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas, as well as an upcoming appearance at Mad Tea Party Jam in June. Furthermore the band has been working in the studio on an all-original album to be released this spring. For more information, recordings, and upcoming gigs check out The Clock Reads’ website at http://www.theclockreads.band/.

SETLIST:

Jam > Hampton's In, Ferdayz'd > DD, The Chicken[1], Son of Juan, Going Down[2], Spumoni Bomba > El Gato del Fuego[3], Clockwork, Bananas and Blow[4], The Fez[5], The Ragoo

KEY:

[1] Jaco Pastorius; With members of Chillent (Harmonica, Sax, Guitar) [2] With Aidan's dad (Alex) on fiddle [3] Contained Linus and Lucy (Charlie Brown) tease [4] Ween [5] Steely Dan