Thousands of northeast Ohio millennials took their annual pilgrimage to Blossom Music Center this past Friday to see Dave Matthews Band. “I like this building,” Matthews said about Blossom (the only venue in the country housed in a National Park). “It’s good to be back,” to which the crowd roared in agreement.
The near-constant rain couldn’t dampen fan enthusiasm as the band worked its way through highlights from its extensive catalogue. Most notably, DMB busted out “Dive In” for the first time since 2021, while also treating the crowd to a 15-minute-long “Crush,” an “All Along the Watchtower” cover with a “Stairway to Heaven” nod in the middle of it, and several additional fan favorites.
The tour continues into the fall, so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch Dave on the road in the next few months.
Toronto jazz standouts, Badbadnotgood, transformed Cleveland’s newest venue, Globe Iron (side note: it’s awesome), into a fully immersive, visual, and sonic Art with a capital “A” experience this past Wednesday night.
Their style is collaborative in spirit and practice, so it’s no surprise that they chose to share the bill with up-and-coming Fayetteville singer/songwriter, Baby Rose, who joined BBNG mid-set to perform songs off her 2024 EP, “Slow Burn,” among others. Additionally, they employed the services of artist Sylvain Chaussée, who uses custom 16mm film projectors to display video and images that synchronize to the music in real time. The result is, as mentioned, Art of the hypnotic sort.
Chester Hansen (bass), Alexander Sowinski (drums), and Leland Whitty (sax, flute, guitar) make up the core trio of Badbadnotgood, but in recent years they’ve been joined in the studio and on stage by Juan Carlos Medrano Magallanes (percussion), Felix Fox (keyboards), and Kae Murphy (trumpet). Between them all, talent is truly staggering. Their set leaned heavily on 2024’s Mid Spiral, but also gave love to earlier albums. One particular moment of “wow” was Whitty’s stunning 10-minute sax solo during “Unfolding (Momentum 73).”
Clevelanders got a treat from “down under” (Lloyd Christmas voice) recently as Melbourne’s Amyl and the Sniffers stopped by The Agora for a sweaty night of riotous fun.
The crowd was dressed to impress for the special occasion: Many Amyl-esque outfits were on display, plus lots of skin, lots of tats, some leather catsuits, ripped fishnets, and several shirts. The band itself, comprised of Amy Taylor, Bryce Wilson, Declan Mehrtens, and Gus Romer, rose to the occasion, serving fans with a healthy dose of personality and punk rock emancipation.
Taylor is a force live, even on the tail end of a sickness that forced them to cancel their Toronto stop a couple of nights previous. It doesn’t seem to affect her at all, though, as she spins, bangs, and screams her way across the stage. Every human in the house is immediately sucked into her powerful vortex. It’s a vortex that doesn’t give a fuck. Unless, of course, you’re a racist, misogynist, ageist, homophobe, classist, transphobic, and/or ableist. If that’s the case, then fuck you. And to that I say, “Fuck yeah.”
Speaking of strong frontwomen, Tina Halladay of opener Sheer Mag has some serious pipes! She not so much sings but growls, a perfect complement to the band’s sound, which is a little classic rock, a little punk rock, and a little hair rock. I can see why Third Man Records signed them a couple of years ago.
The prolific Bill Callahan brought his dry sense of humor and signature baritone voice to Cleveland’s Treelawn this past week. “I’m trying to say something profound here…without saying anything profound,” he joked in between strums. “That’s my whole M.O.”
And joke or not, he’s done it effectively for nearly four decades now. His songs are like meditations, and his performance of them solo is equally transfixing. I typically prefer live arrangements with a full band, but Callahan’s songs work either way. The Treelawn audience was so locked in, you could hear a pin drop.
The setlist pulled from just a few of his extensive list of (truly excellent) studio albums, YTILAER (2022), Gold Record (2020), Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest (2019), Apocalypse (2011), and Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle (2009). Callahan concluded this night with some fan favorites from his earlier years, when he went by the moniker “Smog.”
I was particularly psyched to hear “Say Valley Maker,” “Let’s Move to the Country,” and his concluding epic Smog’s-Greatest-Hits mash up during “Let Me See the Colts.” (For fellow Bill Callahan nerds, we’re taking snippets of “Dress Sexy at My Funeral,” “Cold Blooded Old Times,” “Sycamore,” and “Teen Spaceship.”)
CHATAUQUA, NY | Wilco played their final show of the summer this past Friday at the historic Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater with opener Cut Worms. It was their Chautauqua debut and a special treat for the historic educational and recreational community celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
Of all the venues I’ve seen Wilco perform at through the years, this one was the most uniquely personal, as I spent my childhood and adolescent summers on the idyllic grounds, never dreaming that one day I’d be given the opportunity to photograph a favorite band in my favorite place. A great American band in a great American place over the 4th of July weekend? It doesn’t get more red, white, and blue.
The band, who coincidentally just held this year’s rendition of their own Chautauqua-like creation, Solid Sound Festival, was in full shred fest mode from the moment they kicked off the night with “Misunderstood,” to their banger of a finale cover, The Grateful Dead’s “U.S. Blues.”
There was a little something for everyone, as thoughtfulness takes up a good portion of the band DNA. They’re generous—to their crew, to their fans, to their tourmates. And it doesn’t hurt that their musicianship is otherworldly. This time around, I was particularly enamored with the live version of their newer “Bird Without a Tail/Base of My Skull.”
Fresh off their brand new and critically acclaimed fourth album, I Got Heaven, Philly’s Mannequin Pussy brought the buzz to Cleveland’s beloved Grog Shop on Friday night.
The sold-out crowd danced hard and belted lyrics harder. Mannequin Pussy—Marisa “Missy” Dabice, Kaleen Reading, Colins “Bear” Regisford, Maxine Steen, Carolyn Haynes—appear to be at the height of their powers, captivating both as songwriters and performers.
Also worthy of that praise? Openers (also Philly’s) Soul Glo—Pierce Jordan, GG Guerra, TJ Stevenson, Winston Hightower—proved even more captivating than their recent NPR Tiny Desk appearance where the audience was moved to mosh. To see both bands in such an intimate space was a treat.
Despite the January temperatures in Cleveland, it was a steamy night at the Grog Shop, as a sold-out crowd sandwiched together to see alt-country noise band, Wednesday.
The Asheville, NC band—consisting of members Karly Hartzman, Jake Lenderman (a.k.a. MJ Lenderman), Xandy Chelmis, Ethan Baechtold, and Alan Miller—have gained a whole new audience following the release of their awesome, critically-acclaimed, 2023 album, Rat Saw God. They gave the crowd a heavy dose of it, along with an excellent, show-opening cover of Edie Brickell & New Bohemians cover, “Ghost of a Dog,” as well as some previews of tracks from their next album.
The visceral “Bull Believer,” my personal favorite from Rat Saw God, inspired some guttural screams and crowd surfing. They conclude their winter US tour with Brooklyn’s Hotline TNT (who I unfortunately missed) mid-month and immediately head to New Zealand, Australia & Japan through March. Catch them in a smaller venue while you can.
One of the best live bands in the world, My Morning Jacket finished off their fall tour with a three-night run at the historic Chicago Theatre.
Together now for 25 years, the band seems to be aging like fine wine. Collectively they are a mesmerizing force, riffing off each other so that each song becomes a joyful journey. One minute you’re headbanging, the next you’re tearing up—especially when Jim James hits those high notes.
To be in the moment with this band and this fanbase is something special.
There are several high production pop artists who know how to put on a jaw dropping show. Beyoncé, Taylor, Gaga, Adele, and Billie are just a few of the powerhouse performers touring on the regular. We are truly blessed.
But there’s only one pop star who can flip and twirl on a rope from the ceiling while singing; who performs acrobatics while bungee jumping from the rafters; who will quite literally fly above you while belting a power ballad. It’s P!nk.
P!nk brought her massive Trustfall Tour to Cleveland last Wednesday. An ecstatic crowd at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse watched in awe while P!nk and her entourage of incredible dancers and musicians dazzled. Aside from stunts, P!nk cracked jokes, expressed her gratitude to her fans, and enjoyed some Twizzlers, which she adamantly asserted are better than Red Vines to laughter and protests from Red Vine advocates.
The US tour continues through November before heading to Australia and New Zealand in February.
For the 27th and final time of their 50-year career, glam metal pioneers, KISS gave Cleveland a pyrotechnic, hard rock extravaganza like only they’re capable of doing.
The night was as one would expect from KISS—an over-the-top stroll down memory lane full of tongue wagging, hip shaking, and pelvic thrusting. The KISS Army was especially enthralled by the occasional stage stunts, including puffs of fire, rising stages, and a war with aliens won by Tommy Thayer’s dual-threat guitar, which served as both a shred machine and a firework-spraying gun.
The Starchild, The Demon, The Spaceman, and The Catman conclude their End of the Road World Tour in New York City at Madison Square Garden in early December. So if KISS is on your concert bucket list, you better get on it!
3:15PM: Pesky rain pushed the Riot Fest gates today. A bunch of the bands on the front end of the lineup lost their set times. A true bummer, but a festival reality.
4:08PM: Brit rock and shoegaze pioneers, Ride seem to have coaxed the sun out of hiding. Their songs are the perfect musical accompaniment to the much appreciated warm rays.
4:55PM: AFI’s Davey Havok pauses their high energy emo punk set to give some love to this evening’s headliners, The Cure. “Every band playing here…was influenced by The Cure.”
6:12PM: The Dresden Dolls are performers through and through. They look to be having the time of their lives up there—the fans sure are! The reunited duo also busted out some great covers, including Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” and Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right” with surprise guest, former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur.
6:59PM: It’s been a bit of an anticlimactic day because of the rain delay and photography restrictions for certain bands, such as The Mars Volta. I feel like the day has just begun but we’re winding down to a close. While I would’ve loved to photograph The Mars Volta, I’m grateful to have been witness to their commanding, hypnotic set.
8:31PM: There’s no shortage of tears during The Cure’s Riot Fest finale set. It’s an emotional and fitting ending to a weekend packed with memorable moments.
2:03PM: Punk Rock and Paintbrushes has a pretty sweet little gallery tent to the left of Riot Fest’s Roots Stage. It’s filled with musician originals, including work from Dave Navarro, Chad Smith, Matt Skiba and more.
2:34PM: Jehnny Beth is a force. Her solo work is less punk rock and more industrial than her work with Savages. No one seems to care about the rain; all eyes are on her as she caps off her set with an excellent cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer.”
3:19PM: At least 30 couples are getting married at Riot Fest this weekend and I just got to witness one of them. Congrats to the happy newlyweds, who if I’m not mistaken, were both named Brynn!
3:36PM: You can always expect to see the following at Riot Fest: mohawks, witty t-shirts, black on black on black, Doc Martens, kilts, tattoos for days, lots of eyeliner. And today: juggalos and juggalettes.
4:02PM: “We’re Sweden’s third worst band,” lead singer of the Viagra Boys, Sebastian Murphy, jokes. Their dance punk set is a party and the crowd surfers are out.
5:00PM: With Head Automatica, Daryl Palumbo explores his indie rock side. It’s a different vibe than the hardcore style of Glassjaw, but compelling nonetheless.
5:16PM: Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls have attracted a massive crowd over at the Rise Stage. With confessional lyrics and an energetic stage presence, I can see why.
12:45PM: Riot Fest is back in Chicago for its 18th year and the lineup is stacked, as has come to be expected from the three-day (primarily) punk and metal festival. This fest in particular has a knack for convincing bands to reunite, convincing bands to play albums in full, and convincing bands who seldomly tour to dust off their instruments for a romp.
1:02PM: Nashville and Third Man Records’ Olivia Jean gets things going on a perfectly sunny Friday in Douglass Park. The look is rockabilly goth and the sound is garage rock.
1:41PM: When I was younger, my love of Elliott Smith led me to discover a slew of Portland, Oregon bands, one of whom was Quasi. So it’s awesome to see Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss recording music and touring together again.
2:18PM:George Clinton is 82 years young and still funkin’ touring! Parliament Funkadelic are tearing the roof off the sucker, wasting no time playing the hits.
2:44PM: I’m a sucker for political lyrics, especially if you happen to be a British band, so Yard Act is an early highlight. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of them in the future.
3:39PM:Kim Gordon saunters around the stage while her young, talented band rips. She’s in no rush; she’s in command.
4:37PM: While I listen to The Interrupters cover Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” I wander around the grounds, checking out the Logan Square Arcade tent and Riot Mall. The arcade has some pretty sweet games, including several Foo Fighters pinball machines, and the mall has a lot of vendors selling hemp edibles to teenagers. I catch some skateboarders on the halfpipe before making my way to the Rise Stage for my most anticipated set of the day.
2:14PM: We’ve got clouds and some more rain today but Bakar and band are doing their best to lift the soggy spirits of Lollapaloozans. The British singer pulls a crowd early in the day, despite the weather.
3:00PM: Duo Neil Frances—not to be confused with Chicago musician Neal Francis—kick off a shimmery set full of indie electropop at the Bud Light stage.
3:58PM: The only disappointing note about Big Boss Vette’s set was its length. Clocking in at about half of the 45 minute slot, my guess is that she just needs a few more songs to fill out her show. I loved seeing her perform “Pretty Girls Walk” live.
5:13PM:Lil Yachty has one of the best albums of 2023, in my opinion, Let’s Start Here. In a surprising departure from his trap rap, the album is a funky, psychedelic journey. It sounds even better in person, but I wonder why he didn’t take this opportunity to have a full band backing him?
5:22PM: Shout out to the badass dude who just crowd surfed in his wheelchair.
5:33PM: After four days of observation, I’ve made a list of Lolla ’23 fashion trends: bubble braids, cowboy hats with fringe, long skirts, jerseys, of course, Barbie-themed apparel, heart-shaped sunglasses, facial art/bedazzlement, bucket hats, animal ears, plant sprouts on hats.
6:04PM: The Joey Bada$$ crowd continues to expand, sporadically chanting “JOEY!” and for good reason—he’s commanding the stage with finesse and ease, all while preaching love and positivity. And it doesn’t hurt that Chance the Rapper joins him for a couple songs.
1:03PM: The early Saturday story? Rain. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen anything but sunshine at Lolla, so we’re due. Fortunately the rain isn’t accompanied by thunder or lightning, so no evacuations are necessary. Waterproof gear temporarily covers Saturday’s fits. “Do my shoes go with this poncho?” I overhear someone asking.
2:09PM:The Linda Lindas rule. A couple Lindas are rocking braces. This tracks, as the oldest member is a mere 18 years old. Still, the quartet seem seasoned for their age. They are punk, after all.
3:05PM: Charlotte, NC’s Mavi is on the rise, especially since his 2022 critically acclaimed album, Laughing So Hard, It Hurts. He is all smiles at the Bacardi stage and so are his fans.
4:22PM: Model, actress, photographer, musician?! Suki Waterhouse can do it all. She commands the stage, all of her abilities combining to give a polished performance.
5:05PM:Sylvan Esso has a new fan base and it’s K Poppers. The minute the first beat drops, the crowd, who’ve already been waiting for headliners Tomorrow x Together in the rain for hours, release a big, satisfied cheer and commence dancing.
5:42PM: I’m back on the south end in time to see The Revivalists cover Radiohead’s “High and Dry.” “This is that Tom Green song,” I hear a teen say to another. Wrong Thom, kiddo.
7:05PM: One of my most anticipated sets of the weekend, J.I.D., turned into one of the best sets of the weekend. The Atlanta rapper is hugely talented and dropped one of the best albums of 2022 (The Forever Story). His set reinforced his lyrical skills and was capped off with a double rainbow. Maybe that was a gift from Mac Miller, who J.I.D. represented on his shirt.
