Notable Shows Stories

Whose Hat Is This? The All-Improvised TTB Offshoot Is At It Again

[Update 12/13 - Some pretty good media was captured from the Philly show, scroll down to check it out below]We were pretty excited when Whose Hat Is This? released their improvised album earlier this year, so why not crank up the hype again as they are about to play a string of dates in the...

Phil Takes Chicago | 10 Bullets, 30 Photos, 5 Videos & 2 Streams

Photos: John 'Nunu' ZomotAt age 77, there's little that Phil Lesh needs to prove.  And that's the genius of the Grateful Dead bassist, he doesn't fall comfortably into any narrative.  His very appeal lies in his ability to march to his own beat (bass lines?). So rather than try to recount the entirety...

LISTEN | Jeff Tweedy Meets Chikamorachi - An All Improv Set From Big Ears

Jeff Tweedy contains multitudes.  Even within a single Wilco show, he can jump between art-rock provocatuer, emotional songwriter, and stand-up comedian.  But untether him completely from the band, or his side projects, or his solo gigs, and even more is revealed.At March's Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN, Joel Berk (@pfcidb) ...

Stream / Download / Video | Joe Russo's Hooteroll+ @ Capitol Theatre 4/7/17

 A post shared by Ron Cohen ???? (@ronthedrummer1) on Apr 8, 2017 at 6:54am PDTWho better to lead to recreate a landmark collaborative album between a guitar and keyboard player than a drummer?When that drummer is Joe Russo -- mastermind bandleader behind Joe Russo's Almost Dead, an ensemble that recontextualizes not only Grateful Dead music, but...

Recap / Audio | Mute Duo with Ryley Walker, Bill Mackay & Matt Lux @ The Burlington 3/21/17

Sam Wagster (pedal steel) and Skyler Rowe (drums / percussion) are the Mute Duo.  This spring, they have a Tuesday night residency at Chicago's Burlington Bar, where they welcome guest musicians into their experimental jazz realm.Since they kicked off the series in March with Ryley Walker, Bill Mackay and Matt Lux -- basically musicians...

LISTEN | Hiss Golden Messenger Releases Live Set From Austin

I presume you've heard of Dick's Picks.  But if you're a Deadhead who is searching for newer tunes, perhaps you'll appreciate the name of Hiss Golden Messenger's first band-recorded live set:  Parker's Picks Volume One.Named for Warren Parker, who joined the band for their fall tour to archive the band's live sound. &...

FULL SHOW AUDIO & VIDEO | Trey Anastasio Performs 8 Songs Acoustic For First Time In Northampton

Trey Anastasio kicked off a short run of solo and acoustic shows (the first time the format has been used exclusively by the guitarist) last night in Northampton, MA.Wanting to take advantage of the arrangement, Anastasio debuted 8 songs in the acoustic arrangement, including a pair from 2016's Big Boat, and "Tree" from Blue...

Stream / Download / Video | Benevento Russo Duo @ Brooklyn Bowl 2/25/17

"We played that song this morning and the last time we played it was like 12 years ago", said Marco Benevento after he and Joe Russo finished "Powder" on Saturday night.That type of thing happens during reunions, but I'm not sure there were many complaints at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday.  Even with Marco and...

AUDIO | Daniel Bachman & Friends @ Empty Bottle 2/3/17

Joel Berk (@pfcidb) was back at the Empty Bottle with his trusty recording device and was able to capture this set by guitarist Daniel Bachman, the typically solo performer flanked by a few friends for a pair of tunes.  The whole show is available to download via his sweetblahg and is streaming...

AUDIO | Marisa Anderson @ Beat Kitchen 12/3/16

I'm truly grateful when friends of the site are clued into amazing, ground-breaking music.  Guitarist Marsia Anderson had been on my radar at the time of the release of Into The Light, but sometimes new music gets crowded out given the pace of new releases these days.I'm glad that Joel (@pfcidb) put her...