Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Faraz ChaudryMadison, Wisconsin is one of my favorite towns to visit and a phenomenal place for live music.  I drove up from Chicago last Friday to see one of the great touring rock bands of our era, Dr. Dog. As I pulled up, I realized this is maybe the tiniest...

By: Michael LepekNestled between towering buildings of New Orleans and in the shadow of historic Gallier Hall is a grassy acre of green space known as LaFayette Square. The park serves as a lunchtime spot for the bustling downtown crowd as well as a gathering place during the spring and summer.  Folks come to...

By: Howard GreenblattFifty years ago MC5 rolled out the soon-to-be iconic album Kick Out the Jams. It was truly a space where music and ideas would marry -- their manager John Sinclair was founder of the anti-racist, anti-war, anti-capitalism, pro-revolution White Panther Party.And, yes, MC5 was a badass, anti-establishment band. They will forever...

[instagram id="Bpn7L7-ny7I"]Bob Weir brought his trio to the Chicago Theatre for a Halloween night performance that was also webcast around the world.In nineteen songs that covered Grateful Dead, Ratdog and other tunes from the Dead Family songbook, Weird, bassist Don Was and drummer Jay Lane primed the sold-out crowd,...

[instagram id="BoPMwCRA4KJ"]I guess it takes a certain type of music fan to have multiple new Southern Rock bands on your radar in the year 2018. Yeah, Ive got a soft spot for the sound and Im always ready for another take on the venerable sub-genre.But these days, its Marcus King and his...

By: Adam Miszewski (Adjomi Photography & Design)Milwaukee's Riverside Theater typically provides fans ample opportunities for jams in the fall.STS9 made it a stop on their 2018 Fall Midwest swing and the five-piece went right to work using the space to its full advantage.Adam was on hand, and there may be no photographer...

Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Howard GreenblattFrom living legends and dynamic dynasties to well-known national artists, the 35th Annual Chicago Blues Festival was jam-packed with talented acts.For the second straight year, Millennium Park was Ground Zero for the Windy Citys big blues blowout.While Chicagos spectacular skyline served as an impressive backdrop, music and kinship...

Photos: Howard GreenblattSamantha Fish won over the Blues On the Fox audience when she first played the festival in 2014.Four years later, as her songwriting becomes more diverse and her lyrics matured, her fan base has exploded.Still only 29 years old, shes already won twoBlues Music Awards, most recently as Best Contemporary Female Artist in...

By: John 'Nunu' ZomotFormer Jerry Garcia Band organist Melvin Seals is no stranger to the Chicago area.  He appears frequently as a special guest with the local Dead tribute staple Terrapin Flyer.But it's been a minute since he's brought his JGB project through the city -- so it was nice to get a...

By: Michael LepekIt's nice when you can scratch a couple items off the bucket list.  On a recent trip to New York City, I was able to go for a pair: experiencing a show at the original Brooklyn Bowl and seeing a live performance of the seminal West Coast funk-jazz (or is it jazz-funk?)&...