Posted by: jerryfriend | August 14th, 2019
The 19th annual FloydFest took place on the last week in July in the gorgeous rolling high country hills of southwest Virginia. Blue skies and a shining sun greeted the first ever totally sold out FloydFest with perfect summer weather and not a raindrop in sight. With a theme of "Voyage Home", there was something for everyone as over 80 acts converged on 8 stages in a wild variety of styles and flavors.
Posted by: pkerr | August 12th, 2019
It's always something special when a Beatle comes to town! Ringo Starr drummed and danced his way through Durham's Performing Arts Center to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his renowned All-Starr Band. A tidal wave of applause and good cheer washed over the theater as Ringo took the stage flashing his trademark peace sign and a giant grin. The seven-piece masterclass tore through over two hours of massive hits from their own catalogs, Ringo's '70s smashes, and of course plenty of Liverpudlian delights.
Posted by: admin | July 25th, 2019
It's nearly impossible to over-emphasize the devotion of the band's collective fan bases. Umphrey's McGee has cultivated over the last two decades one of music's most passionate followings with a relentless touring schedule, and impressive studio output. Umphrey's McGee works.... A LOT!!! It stands to reason that they offer their coveted opening slot to Big Something regularly on tour. Big Something has in recent years, worked their way into the conversation as a top-notch group with their relentless touring schedule and studio work as well.
Posted by: jerryfriend | July 24th, 2019
Umphrey's McGee wrecked the Ritz with an earth-shattering assault of sound and lights, a full sensory onslaught of inner ear indulgence and ophthalmologic overload. It says something about the band when all of the analogies are to natural disasters and power tools. Your loyal but overwhelmed reviewers' notes include words such as earthquake, tsunami, avalanche, chainsaw, jackhammer, shellshock, aspirin and hearing exam.
Posted by: jerryfriend | July 23rd, 2019
Amid temps still hovering in the mid-90s and with echoes from not so distant thunder, Nashville's Rayland Baxter kicked off the show with a rather quirky, yet very entertaining set consisting of eight songs. Trying to label Baxter's musical style is very subjective to say the least, but for me it is just a nice blend of Americana with some edgy rock thrown in for good measure. Highlights included a distinct Beatlesque "79 Shiny Revolvers" and a catchy "Hey Larocco".
Posted by: pkerr | July 13th, 2019
The Tedeschi Trucks Band ripped through Raleigh's Walnut Creek Amphitheatre on a warm Tuesday evening for the opening night of their 5th annual Wheels of Soul tour. Featuring their frenetic friends Blackberry Smoke and Shovels & Rope, the jubilant crowd took a fiery expedition through three bands with vastly different sounds yet a shared philosophy of digging deep into the authentic roots of American music.
Posted by: jerryfriend | July 1st, 2019
Dead & Company danced into Charlotte on a sunny Friday night to a sold-out crowd filled with loud laughter and an endless sea of smiling faces. They unleashed almost three hours of huge hits and fan favorites, focusing entirely on original songs with no covers in the setlist.
Posted by: jerryfriend | June 23rd, 2019
Charging into Charlotte to light a Friday night fuse, Phish unleashed a summertime blizzard of ecstatic jams and deep dance funk into the warm Carolina air. It was a gargantuan gearshift show, like spinning a radio dial with each station on overdrive, blasting a cosmic overview of American musical styles overflowing with joy and dedication. A bladder buster show, with no downtime to sneak away to the bathroom. A stunning example of what practicing musical ESP for 36 years can create.
Posted by: jerryfriend | June 10th, 2019
Boston's sleek soul rockers Lake Street Dive rolled into Raleigh's Red Hat Amp. for a festive Friday full of cool tunes and warm vibes to wrap up the week. As the opening night of a highly anticipated tour with The Wood Brothers, and with their new album "Free Yourself Up" cracking the top 10 for the first time in their 15-year history, there was a giddy excitement in the crowd and on stage.
Posted by: jerryfriend | June 10th, 2019
There's a special moment that happens at only the best music festivals, a point where the "real" world finally fades away, receding into memory like a movie seen long ago. When the music, vibes, smiles, blue sky and green grass utterly overwhelms you, and life becomes a simple joy of frolicking with friends in the fields and dancing under the moon. Happiness in its purest form. Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival makes this life-affirming dream a reality.
