Win Huge AURA VIP Package Including Meet & Greet, Special Happy Hour And More!
Aura Music Festival is just around the corner, taking place at the pristine Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL March 3-5. Featuring so many of our favorite acts from across the board including The Disco Biscuits, Thievery Corporation, Snarky Puppy, ALO, theNEWDEAL, The Werks, Turkuaz, Particle, The Heavy Pets (80s Tribute), Pink Talking Fish and more, this is slated to be the best Aura yet!AURA Music Festival: The Best Of All WorldsWe’re giving away a pair of stacked VIP packages to one very lucky winner! VIP package includes: VIP Ticket with primitive camping Discounted beverages VIP Indoor bathrooms VIP Lounge in concert area with bar & new viewing area VIP Gift Bag including Aura 2016 poster, t-shirt, laminate & more Complementary massages VIP Happy Hour with special live performance Surprise giveaways from our sponsors throughout the weekend Daily Meet & Greet with select AURA artistsEnter below, then follow the instructions for sharing to increase your chances of winning. Good luck!
A series of String Cheese Incidents took place in the Fox Theater of Oakland, CA last Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, 2016.The second and third dates of the March Madness Tour down the Pacific Coast, the Colorado-based quintet made a memorable impression on everyone in attendance and set the tone early with a special dedication to start.Introducing the band to the stage was Jack “Diamond” Mento, long time friend of the band, crew and family. The focus of his message was in memory of former rail-rider Evan Kimble, who passed away earlier this year. “We’re in this together to keep love alive,” said Diamond. “Dance until the music’s over!”SCI continued the hard groove previous night without missing a beat. Kyle Hollingsworth took lead on the jam early and carried it through the 12 minute opener, “Colliding”. Guitarist Bill Nershi stepped up to the microphone and offered some thanks and praise to the audience:“We’ve been having fun seeing friends out here all weekend, thanks for joining us, and carry on, you’re doing great.”A fitting praise that led into the end of a 395 day drought of “Born On The Wrong Planet” from the 1996 debut album of the same name. About ten minutes in, and after guitarist Michael Kang finished shredding through breaking waves on the visualizer behind him, the band segued into a cover of the 1975 funk classic “Get Down Tonight” by K.C. and The Sunshine Band for the first time since October 29, 2005, almost eleven years ago.The sunshine was definitely flowing throughout the crowd as the music continued into another uncommon cover, The New Grass Revival’s 1987 tune, “Can’t Stop Now.” The SCI classic “Windy Mountain Range” featured a super low-lit stage jam that twisted and turned through measures like a fish in the water before Kang elevated the pace with a wild guitar peak that segued into another rarity.“These Waves,” a Kang tune that makes less than four appearances a year (if any) brought the crescendo out of the depths of the ocean and to a gentle island cabana jam. Hollingsworth took over the groove with wet, muddy key work that might have passed as an over-wahed slap bass with a talk box effect.They ended the first set with a 13 minute blistering run through of “Round The Wheel,” the title track of the 1998 album of the same name. Following along with the lyrics, the crowd was “watching the moon” pass through its phases on the circular visualizer floating center stage.They opened the second set 50 minutes later, but as the band kept up with Kang’s immediate firestorm of fretwork, throughout a 20 minute rendition of “It Is What It Is,” it was obviously worth the recuperation.“Stop Drop Roll,” the get down and dirty party favorite debut from Electric Forest 2015 got The Fox floors shaking before one of the earliest Cheese tracks, “Rhythm Of The Road” followed.The show-stopping violin bust out of “Rivertrance” featured a Kang effect that sounded like Spanish horns before settling into an incredibly Western cowboy gallop. The group’s signature song, “Jellyfish,” followed.Often a highlight of many set lists that it appears on, “Jellyfish” got incredibly dubby. Even the circular visualizer was featuring a time slip effect, where an image was tripling in numbers and in various colors. The middle section jammed out into a spoken word/vocal rap with a delay effect that mimicked the visualizer.As the music built up, Nershi was exploring all of his space on the stage, bouncing, lunging and even running in place throughout the final tracks while the lighting cues accentuated all of the in-between notes as well.After 15 minutes, the music segued into “Sirens” from the 2003 album Untying The Knot. Featuring an array of electronic noises and pumping rhythm from bassist Keith Moseley and the percussion duo of Jason Hann and Michael Travis on drums, the tune sounded like a psychedelic newsroom and a short guitar tease of The Allman Brothers’ “Jessica” and a crowd clap along into the crowd favorite “Just One Story” to close the second set.Returning to the stage minutes later, they closed the show with the rarity “Barstool” and a cover of Jesse Stone’s, “Don’t Let Go,” which they have only played once per year since debuting it late in 2014.March Madness continues with two nights in San Diego, one in Los Angeles and culminates with a three night stand at the Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas. The band returns to the stage in the summer beginning with their annual appearance in Rothbury, MI for Electric Forest.Words and images by Joshua Huver, and a full gallery can be seen below.Setlist: The String Cheese Incident at The Fox Theater, Oakland, CA – 3/12/16Set 1: Colliding, Born On The Wrong Planet> Get Down Tonight> Can’t Stop Now, Windy Mountain> These Waves, Round The WheelSet 2: It Is What It Is, Stop Drop Roll, Rhythm of The Road, Rivertrance, Jellyfish> Sirens> Just One StoryEncore: Barstool, Don’t Let Go Load remaining images
Last night, Umphrey’s McGee resumed their exciting spring tour schedule, performing at the beloved Joy Theater down in New Orleans, LA. The band got some help throughout the night, as they welcomed Lettuce horn players Eric “Benny” Bloom and Ryan Zoidis – aka, The Shady Horns – for multiple sit-ins throughout the show.Interestingly, The Shady Horn players sat in for all original songs this time, including a bust-out version of “Headphones & Snowcones,” as well as “Booth Love,” “Example 1,” “Women Wine and Song,” and the encore, “Bright Lights, Big City.” According to fan reports, the sound cut out during the encore finale, causing the horn players to lead an acoustic second line through the venue.Recent sit-ins between Lettuce and Umphrey’s have featured some fun covers, including a rendition of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” and a version of Herbie Hancock’s “Hang Up Your Hangups” back in July of 2015.The show also featured a cover of The Who’s rock anthem, “Baba O’Riley,” amid a night full of UM classics like “Mantis,” “Bad Friday,” ” In The Kitchen” and more.Watch fan-shot footage of “Baba” thanks to NoLA Mojo below: Check out the All Things Umphrey’s setlist below:Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee at The Joy Theater, New Orleans, LA – 4/14/16Set One: Mantis > Make It Right, Blue Echo > Mantis, Non-Compliance > Attachments, Headphones & Snowcones[1], Booth Love[1]Set Two: Bad Friday, In The Kitchen > Ocean Billy, August, Baba O’Riley, Example 1[1], Women Wine and Song[1]Encore: Bright Lights, Big City[1][1] with Eric Bloom on trumpet and Ryan Zoidis on saxophoneNotes: last Headphones & Snowcones 07.03.2013 (275 shows)Photos by Max Westerman: Load remaining images
After some shenanigans went down with comedian Ralphie May at a recent Soul Rebels concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, the group has announced a special comedy/brass hybrid performance with May to take place in New Orleans! Titled “Laughs And Brass For Your Ass,” Ralphie May and The Soul Rebels will hit Tipitina’s on May 13th for a one-of-a-kind evening.The connection between May and The Rebels began back in February, when the Soul Rebels hosted a sold-out show in DC. Ralphie May joined the crew for a cover of the Hall & Oates song “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” where he spontaneously decided to take off his shirt mid-song. The subsequent video spread around the web, once May shared the footage of those shenanigans.We have no idea what’s in store for the planned collaboration, but we can’t wait to find out! Tickets are available here.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival kicked off at the Fairgrounds yesterday, bringing music fans nationwide to the Crescent City for the first of seven full days of festival music. Spanning from April 22nd through May 1st, Jazz Fest has hundreds of scheduled performances throughout the two weekends, and it all started yesterday!Among the many highlights were Flow Tribe, Grace Potter, Gov’t Mule, Steely Dan, Janelle Monae, Buckwheat Zydeco, Walter Trout, and dozens more! Check out some pictures from the first day below, courtesy of Marc Millman:Warren Haynes was joined by Grace Potter for a potent rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Gold Dust Woman,” reprising a collaboration that was featured on Haynes’ recent ‘Ashes & Dust’ album. The band also covered “When Doves Cry” in honor of the late great Prince.Setlist: Gov’t Mule at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA – 4/22/16Set: Thorazine Shuffle, Banks of the Deep End, Time To Confess, Broke Down On The Brazos, Gold Dust Woman*, When Doves Cry > Beautifully Broken > When Doves Cry > Beautifully Broken, Captured, Mule, SoulshineJanelle Monae powers her set with Prince tributes and more! She said, “Oh, we’re gonna party. We’re gonna celebrate Prince… My entire set is dedicated to him. He was free. He was fearless. He was music. He was rock and roll. He was on beat. … I am because he was. We’re gonna break boundaries, just like he did.” [NOLA.com]Buckwheat Zydeco brings their unique blend of New Orleans bluegrass to the Acura Stage.Walter Trout brings some groovin’ guitar out to the Blues Tent.Hot 8 Brass Band at Congo Square!Alvin Youngblood pulling double duty on guitar and harmonica in the Blues Tent.Keep N It Real Social Aid & Pleasure Club form the first parade of the festival!Semolian Warriors bring some culture to the Jazz & Heritage StageSlow Rollas Brass Band are what Jazz Fest is all about!Stay tuned for more coverage from Jazz Fest…
Coming up from June 16-19 at the Hummingbird Ranch in Spanish Peaks County, CO, the annual SONIC BLOOM festival looks to be one of the premier events fusing live and electronic music. Today, the festival has finalized their lineup, adding in artists like Ott and Everyman performing a tribute to Pumpkin. They’ll join headliners like Tipper and Bonobo (DJ Set) for a great weekend of music.The festival also revealed the players for the Sonic Bloom Orchestra. Hold on to your hats folks, because so many great musicians are on board for the musical celebration. The orchestra features: Michael Travis & Jason Hann (SCI / EOTO), Dominic Lalli (Big Gigantic), Adam Deitch & Borahm Lee (Break Science), Jesus Coomes (Lettuce), Aaron Holstein & Jamie Janover (ZILLA), Dave Watts, Joey Porter, Garrett Sayers & Dan Schwindt (The Motet), Russ Liquid, Lily Fangz, Govinda, Clozee, Vir McCoy, reSunator, Andrew Block & even more special surprise guests!The festival is also introducing a new “Academy” program, where attendees can go in-depth with the masters on a number of subjects, ranging from painting to permaculture, yoga, production and more! Don’t miss out.You can catch the full lineup below, and head to the official website for details.
The show was also packed with the band’s hearty originals, including selections from the new Let Me Get By album, as well as some of their classic tunes. Here’s footage of “Don’t Let Me Slide,” from the band’s 2011 Revelator album:Check out the full setlist below, courtesy of The Tedeschi Trucks Band Fans:Setlist: Tedeschi Trucks Band at NJPAC, Newark, NJ – 5/13/16Set One: All That I Need, Made Up Mind, Laugh About It, Bird On A Wire, Don’t Drift Away, How Blue Can You Get?, I Want More, Wah WahSet Two: Don’t Let Me Slide, Don’t Know What, Keep On Growing, I Pity The Fool, Crying Over You, Right On Time, Within You Without You > Just As Strange, Going Down To Mexico, Let Me Get ByEncore: Let’s Go Get Stoned Tedeschi Trucks brought their dominating Northeast tour to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ last night, coming hot on the heels of a great performance that featured a special guest sit-in from Amy Helm. With no opener in New Jersey, the band was able to stretch their legs over two sets, bringing in some classic tunes for the performance. Right from the “All That I Need” opener, the band was ready to rock.Among the many highlights from the show were choice covers of George Harrison’s “Wah Wah,” ZZ Top’s “Going Down To Mexico,” and the classic R&B tune “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” popularized by Ray Charles. Fortunately, thanks to Sean Roche, we have full videos of each of these magnificent moments. Tune in below:
Fresh off the release of their new album, Joyride, powerhouse quintet Kung Fu kicked off their two-night run at the Brooklyn Bowl last night in style. With Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band), Brandon “Taz” Niederauer (School of Rock), and Steve Molitz (Particle) on deck, the funk army delivered an incredible dose of funk/rock fusion, keeping the dance party alive all night long.The first half of the band’s set featured all new songs from their 2016 album, melting the faces of many with “Vroom,” “Chin Music,” “Daddy D,” and “Speedbump of Your Love.” Cressman and Molitz added their incredibly special influences to a contagious “Joyride” jam, that introduced the Parliament Funkadelic 1978 classic “One Nation Under A Groove,” before returning to the “Joyride” throwdown.The funk bar rose when thirteen-year-old guitarist Brandon Niederauer joined in on a captivating cover of “Maggot Brain.” The level of mastery between young Taz and guitarist Tim Palmieri was relentless, as the two went toe-to-toe for some of funk’s most prestigious notes.Taz later returned for the first encore, a Kung Fu original “S’all Good,” where the band’s high energy held the audience’s attention for a goosebumpin’ funk and blues dance party, before ending the night with the always epic “Paragon” with Ryan Cavanaugh on banjo. S’all GoodRound two tonight welcomes special guest Rob Compa of Dopapod, opening the night with some Shwizz. Don’t miss out! Kung Fu @ The Brooklyn Bowl 5/14/16:Set: Bringing up the Rear, Vroom, Chin Music, Daddy D, Speedbump of your Love, Joyride (w/ Natalie+Steve) > One Nation Under a Groove> Joyride> Maggot Brain (w/ Taz), ScrabbE: S’all Good (w/ Taz), Paragon (w/ Ryan Cavanaugh)Enjoy these photos, courtesy of Andrew Scott Blackstein! Load remaining images
While performing at Berkeley, CA’s Greek Theater last night, Paul Simon fittingly paused during his classic song, “The Boxer,” to reveal to the crowd that legendary boxer and social icon Muhammad Ali had passed away. Simon said, “I’m sorry to tell you this way, but Muhammad Ali has passed away.” A visibly shaken crowd responded by singing the final verse of the song along with Simon in what turned out to be a touching tribute to one of the most controversial, polarizing, yet inspiring social figures of our time.RIP Muhammad Ali.Here is video from the tribute, courtesy of Bad Goalie:
When Phish started their annual tradition to play Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO back in 2011, the legalization of recreational marijuana was nothing more than a fantasy. Five years later, that fantasy has not only become a reality, but it has also managed to contribute significantly to the state’s economy.It’s no surprise that, as Phish gets ready for their 6th consecutive Labor Day blowout at Dick’s, one dispensary is offering up twelve additional types of recreational hash, themed after various songs from the Phish catalog. The dispensary/cultivation center in Denver, RiverRock, will be selling everything from “Surrender To The Flo OG” to “Olfactory Hues.” Check out the full menu below: