Concert Reviews

Davis makes for a Damn Good Time

September 5, 2024 - For those looking to hear what some might refer to as "real country music," there was not a lot of that from headliner Jordan Davis, Mitch Tenpenny or Ashley Cooke on Davis' Damn Good Time Tour. Instead, Alan Jackson (twice actually with "Chasin' That Neon Rainbow" and ...

Silverada make for a night of memorable music

August 24, 2024 - Touring in support of its recently released eponymous album, Austin's Silverada rolled into town for a sold-out show. The venue, with its cozy 120-person capacity, offered those with a ticket an up-close audience with one of the tightest touring bands in country music. Up-and-coming local talent ...

Langley does the best she can, and it's paying off

August 22, 2024 - Life's been good for Ella Langley. She's enjoyed success as a songwriter, singing with likes of Kameron Marlowe and Koe Wetzel, and released her debut full-length disc, "hungover," just a few weeks ago. At a sold-out concert, Langley was able to show a few different musical sides. ...

Jerry Douglas Band lives up to their name

August 20, 2024 - The Jerry Douglas Band lived up to their name. Douglas, who is said to have played on a few thousand albums as a session player and is also a member of Allison Krauss' Union Station band, certainly was the focal point of the band live. They are touring shortly before the release of Douglas' ...

The Secret Sisters still make great music

August 15, 2024 - The Secret Sisters typically have been described as being a female version of The Everly Brothers. It's not quite as evident that they wear the mantle quite the same way five albums and 14 years into their recording career, which has nothing to do with the music at hand. Good music is good music, ...

Edmonton Folk Music Festival: continue expecting the unexpected

August 11, 2024 - Edmonton Folk Festival: Aug. 8-11, 2024 If 45 editions of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival have taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected. Outside of the massive 'get' of headliners Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, early reaction to the festival offerings were muted in enthusiasm ...

Strings loves his bluegrass

July 30, 2024 - Before launching into the closing song of the most generous 2:40-hour show, Billy Strings told the crowd, "Thank you for listening to bluegrass music. I think it's great music, and I'm glad you do too. Just keep on listening to Bill Monroe and Doc Watson and Tony Rice... ...

Riccio, Palmyra continue the high

July 29, 2024 - Jobi Riccio and Palmyra would not have been blamed if they suffered a letdown at this show. After all, on Sunday, they were playing before big crowds at the iconic Newport Folk Festival. On this night, they were playing before a sold-out crowd of just over 100 people in a small, jam-packed room (and one ...

On Newport day three, great music rings

July 28, 2024 - The Newport Day 3 was cooler and skies grayer, but nothing threatened to seriously dampen the mood at the festival, or the quality of the music and performances. Kicking off the day on the Harbor Stage, Richmond, Va's Palmyra is a three-piece band melding folky indie-rock with bluegrass. ...

Newport Folk Fest has hot start

July 26, 2024 - Whatever the connection the organizers of the Newport Folk Festival have with the weather gods, it must be celebrated, together with the marvelous music and welcoming vibe. Sunshine and temperatures in the 80's ensured that sunscreen and hydration were the only concerns for music lovers and performers on Day 1. ...

Acuff does his own thing

July 17, 2024 - All of a sudden, maybe Nashville isn't the only place that breeds country musicians. With Zach Top, Ian Munsick and now Colby Acuff making waves, there is something to be said for the northwestern corner of our country with Acuff from Idaho, Munisck from Wyoming and Top from eastern Washington. ...

No Willie at Outlaw Music Festival, but Lukas, Dylan, Krauss + Plant make up for that

July 5, 2024 - The creator of the Outlaw Music Festival was not there in the flesh, but he was there in song and spirit. That's the case when your son, aka Lukas Nelson, has the same timbre and vocal quality. The elder Nelson, 91, was recuperating from an undisclosed illness and was slated to return to action in two days. ...

Top hasn't "gone country"; he is country

June 27, 2024 - Country traditionalist Zach Top had the perfect introduction as he was about to hit the stage for his sold-out show. Over the loudspeakers filtered out not some modern rock song masquerading as country, but Alan Jackson's "Gone Country." The song throws darts at those newbies who make ...

Prine blazes his own trail

June 26, 2024 - Fame can be a blessing or a curse – especially when you're the son of a famous one. That's what Tommy Prine – son of the late great songwriter and singer John Prine – lives with. The name accounted for a large crowd for him at Newport Folk Festival last year playing on a side ...

Less may be more for Isbell, and that's just fine

June 25, 2024 - If bigger is better, than smaller worked just great tonight for Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. Depending on the night, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit may be playing before 3,500 or so as they did tonight at a sold-out show or looking ahead to tomorrow night, tens of thousands opening for Zach Bryan at ...

Wonder Women of Country live up to their name

June 23, 2024 - When you label your band Wonder Women of Country, you're putting a lot of self-induced pressure on yourselves. Or maybe the moniker was meant tongue in check. Whatever. That's because Wonder Women of Country – Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh and Melissa Carper – more than lived up to their name. ...