I feel bad for the people at the Khruangbin show that weren’t Thundercat fans. I feel bad in part, of course, because they aren’t Thundercat fans. That’s just a questionable life choice. But I mostly feel bad for them because he never introduced himself by his stage name; he opted only to call himself by his government name, Stephen Bruner. How would they be able … Continue reading Thundercat and Khruangbin Bring Cool Breeze to Austin

A hotel venue, a rooftop bar, a DSA table booth, a view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Manhattan skyline, and the A train line. Not your average NYC gig, and Evan Stephens Hall and the rest of his Pinegrove made it uniquely energetic and communal. The show focused on deep album cuts for the long-time fans sprinkled in with their hits for the fans destined … Continue reading Pinegrove Brings Intimate Folk-Rock to the Big City Beach

Afro Nation, the world’s biggest afrobeats festival, which spanned from March 24th  – 26th, took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico this year. The three-day experience was filled with beautiful people, pouring rain, all the right vices, and of course amazing music and talent. Every night was like a gigantic family reunion where a sea of melanin rejoiced over lyrics and ear delicious instrumentals.  Although … Continue reading [Festival Review] Afro Nation: Broken Hearts, Heavy Showers, And Plenty Of Love

Touring Day/Night, their November album release, Parcels is once again expanding their global reach and fanbase.  An Australian band with sold-out shows in America and across Europe, Parcels does well to satisfy fans of poppy, light anthems and entrancing deep cuts that send audiences into a synth-induced trance. Folding in layers of funk, surf rock, and electronica, Parcels’ wide stylistic appeal and goofy charisma made … Continue reading [Concert Review] Parcels Brings Denver to the Australian Beach

I arrived about an hour ahead of Charlotte’s March 8 set to a line of excited fans streaming perpendicular to the East River in Williamsburg, Brooklyn past a communal fridge used for feeding food-insecure community members. I left uplifted about the city I live in, the music I listen to, the people around me, and the state of the world.  Performing at the Music Hall … Continue reading [Concert Review] Charlotte Day Wilson Displays Instrumental Diversity and Quiet Charisma

Godspeed You! Black Emperor (GYBE) had the Gothic Theater in a trance this February 25 in Denver. Bringing the ~1,000-person room to increasing levels of dissonance before cathartic release throughout the night, the band put on a display of musical maximalism in a time of minimalism. There are as many reasons to go to a show as there are people packed in a venue; to … Continue reading [Concert Review] Godspeed You! Black Emperor Sends Denver into a Trance