Widespread Panic Announces Two-Night Run at Mud Island Amphitheater April 2, 2018 14:29

Trey Anastasio Trio To Play Atlanta's Terminal West On April 29th April 2, 2018 11:49

Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

Phish frontman Trey Anastasio is currently preparing for this month's run of shows, and it appears that an additional performance in Atlanta is now official. It was announced last week they Trey would be performing these shows as a trio, after the recent news that TAB keyboardist Ray Paczkowski had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Today's announcement confirms that the Trey Anastasio Trio will also be performing Atlanta's Terminal West on Sunday, April 29th as a benefit for the WaterWheel Cancer Fund. Tickets on sale this Friday April 6th at noon. See below for a complete list of this month's TAB trio shows.

Trey Anastasio Trio - April 2018 Tour Dates

April 17th: House of Blues - Cleveland, OH

April 18th: 20 Monroe Live - Grand Rapids, MI

April 20th - 21st: Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL

April 24th: Iron City Bham - Birmingham, AL

April 26th - 28th: Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA

April 29th: Terminal West - Atlanta, GA

An Intimate Weekend of Classics in the Capital with Widespread Panic March 20, 2018 17:25

SliceFest Looks To Go "Big" With 2018 Lineup Annoucement March 20, 2018 10:00

Soul Heroes Matador! Hit The Right Note With Debut Release 'Get Ready' March 15, 2018 14:49

The Aquaducks Release New Single "Groove or Move" March 15, 2018 11:57

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The Aquaducks Spring Tour Dates:

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3/15 - Boulder, CO - Bohemian Biergarten

3/16 - Denver, CO - Your Mom’s House* 

3/17- Buena Vista, CO - The Lariat

3/24 - Nashville, TN - The Basement^

3/30 - Indianapolis, IN - The Mousetrap+

3/31 - Muncie, IN - Valhalla Venue

4/11 - Athens, GA - Nowhere Bar

4/12 - Dunedin, FL - Dunedin Brewery

4/13 - Boca Raton, FL - Funky Buddha Brewery

4/14 - Tampa, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood

4/20 - Charleston, WV - The Empty Glass% 

4/21 - Bowling Green, KY - Tidball’s Live on the lot

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*w/ Digg and Zagriculture

^w/ Tribal Hoose and DirtyGirl

+w/ Audiodacity

%w/ Beggars Clan

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Headin' South With The Werks: Catching Up With Chris Houser March 13, 2018 14:40

Chris: Southern hospitality is REAL! Terminal West is on top of the game as far as the hospitality standards go as well. The weather is usually nice and that inspires us a lot especially when traveling from the north most of the time.  The southern states seem to have a different appreciation for our type of music as they really seem to pay attention to the tension and release strategy of our playing and the response is always felt a little stronger down here.

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The band is off to a hot start this year. The 2nd Annual Winter Werkout seemed to be a huge success, and you've now revealed a pretty serious initial lineup for The Werk Out in August. How vital have these homegrown events been to the continued growth of this band?  What are you most excited about for this year's Werk Out?

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Chris: Homegrown is the keyword here. We planted our roots in Ohio in the beginning, and they have grown into an unimaginable network of family and friends that are incomparable to other states, as far as nurturing our imaginations, making us able to follow the dreams we’ve had, whether big, or small. For me, Home is truly where the heart is and the Werk Out and Winter Werk Out have become points of passion for us over the years. We’re proud to show our hometown friends and family what we’ve been up to each and every year. I personally am most excited to bring back Umphrey's McGee for their second year at The Werk Out, being a guitar player myself, they are second to none.

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As a big fan of this band, I've always connected with the consistently uplifting, positive message in so many of your songs. Where do you look for inspiration when writing new material, and how do you feel that message can impact the listener?

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Chris: We often look inside ourselves for inspiration. Sometimes the most uplifting songs come from a feeling of personal despair, and the words are us actually telling ourselves “things will be ok.”  “Compares To You” for example, tells the story of a man completely smitten by a girl whom he knows he will never have, but he tries and tries anyway because, “No one compares to you.”  The listener will ultimately hear what they want to hear from a song and relate it to personal experiences from their own lives, but telling a story that comes from our lives -and hearts- makes the connection real in whatever way the listener chooses to perceive it.

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You guys have a truly special relationship with your fans. Each of you make a point to be accessible both before and after each show. That approach has built a very special culture amongst "The Werkers Union." Why is that such an important factor for you?

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Chris: The personal connection is something that, in this day and age, has fallen off a bit. We are more likely to text someone nowadays instead of calling. We are more likely to be shy instead of starting the conversation. To me, when someone takes the time to talk face to face, it is infinitely more important and impactful than just saying hi or sending an emoji via text or Facebook. When I go see a band, it means so much more to me that I feel I know the person playing, and their notes seem to take on new life and reflect their personality more than if I was just watching or listening blindly with no background whatsoever.

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For the casual music fan who might be (hypothetically speaking of course) coming out to see their first Werks show this weekend, what can they expect from that initial experience?

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Chris: We hope to convey a feeling of joy, spontaneity, and willingness to adapt.  A lot of our songs enter a realm where one person starts a groove, and the rest of us take a moment to study it and adapt our minds to compliment said groove. A first timer might have a similar experience with a new group of people that he or she has met at our show. Our fans are always very joyous, spontaneous, and adaptive. We like to think that we inspire that in some way and the world needs more people like our fans in it IMHO. Werkers are our favorite people in the world and we wouldn’t trade them for anything. 

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Watch the official recap from Winter Werk Out 2018 here:

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The Werks: Upcoming Tour Dates

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3/14 Cosmic Charlie's - Lexington, KY
3/15 Exit In - Nashville, TN
3/16 Terminal West - Atlanta, GA
3/17 Pisgah Brewing - Asheville, NC
3/23 Ophelia's - Denver, CO
3/24 Hodi's Half Note - Fort Collins, CO
4/13 Soundstage - Baltimore, MD
4/20-4/22 Earlybird Festival - Garretsville, OH
4/20-4/22 Backwoods Music Festival - Ozark, AR
4/28 - Boonies - Toledo, OH
6/21-6/24 - Electric Forest - Rothbury, MI
6/28-7/1 - Electric Forest - Rothbury, MI
8/2-8/4 - Werk Out Festival - Thornville, OH

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CukoRakko Fam Jam Confirms Official 2018 Lineup March 12, 2018 15:00

The Russ Liquid Test

Redefining the possibilities of modern music, The Russ Liquid Test fuses the raw vitality of classic funk and the inventive sound design of electronic production. Songwriter/producer and renowned brass specialist Russell Scott heads up the New Orleans-based band. Guitarist Andrew Block and drummer Deven Trusclair round things out, with each providing a distinct musical background deeply rooted in the New Orleans jazz scene. Their debut EP 1984 featured an eclectic array of guest collaborators such as Mr. Lif and Ivan Neville—successfully creating an auditory canvas to forge The Russ Liquid Test’s irresistibly soulful future-vintage stylings. 

A kinetic energy infuses each track on 1984. Giving way to a mixture of funk/jazz/electro, The Russ Liquid Test evokes a kaleidoscope of textures, senses, and moods. Featuring Ivan Neville on keyboards and the Funky Meters’ Russell Batiste Jr. on drums, the effervescent and synth-heavy title track “speaks about the current state of America from the perspective of an outsider,” as described by Scott. Lead single “Honesty,” meanwhile, finds The Russ Liquid Test slipping into a woozy psychedelia, offset by a brilliantly structured dichotomy introduced in its second-line-inspired groove.

At the heart of The Russ Liquid Test is an improv-driven musicality that began with Scott’s taking up classical piano. After spending several years playing in a jazz quintet on cruise ships and touring with psychedelic ska band Uprite Dub Orchestra, his one-of-a-kind artistry was unveiled in the genre-busting musical performance group MarchFourth Marching Band. Capable of playing the trumpet and saxophone, Scott quickly began experimenting with electronic music, eventually adopting the moniker of Russ Liquid. As his full-length debut, 2013’s Foreign Frequency showcased a forward-thinking mentality and fearless vision, anchored by an incomparable knowledge of music as a whole. “I wanted new colors to paint with,” says Scott of his foray into electronic music. “I kind of look at the electronic world as this whole other color palette, compared to the traditional sounds we’ve been working with for the past however many years.” 

While on tour with Gramatik in 2014, Scott crossed paths with Block and discovered the duo’s shared musical tastes and philosophies. A South Florida native, Block grew playing guitar in his local Pentecostal church. “I wasn’t religious, I just wanted to play at that church because the music there was amazing,” says Block. He later relocated to New Orleans, pursuing his dream of becoming a full-time musician. The guitarist’s legendary endeavors reached fellow purveyors of soul/funk/R&B, ranging from Pretty Lights to New Orleans icon Dr. John. Capable of collaborating and working as a solo artist without missing a beat, Block released his 2014 debut You Can Only Go Up From Here on Gramatik’s independent label Lowtemp.

In the making of 1984, The Russ Liquid Test compounded their potent chemistry by bringing in a lineup of equally impassioned musicians. “Coming from a background of playing in bands and then getting into electronic music, I’d really missed having that interaction with other musicians,” says Scott. “The most rewarding thing for me is being able to bounce ideas off other people, so that the music ends up having more than just one person’s vibe to it. Ultimately it lets you give the audience even more to connect with.”

The studio workhorses have already begun working on a sophomore EP. The Russ Liquid Test also presents a joyful sense of synergy in their high-powered live shows, with recent appearances including Shambhala Music Festival, Lightning in a Bottle, Summer Camp, and Sonic Bloom, among others. No matter the setting, a clear multidimensionality can always be heard in The Russ Liquid Test’s projects. “We want to make people feel good but also give them something to reflect with,” says Scott. “It’s not about just making party music or music that’s more introspective—it’s for the full gamut of human expression, and we want it to be just as dynamic as life itself.”

Toubab Krewe

Blending American and West African influences into a sound all its own, Toubab Krewe has set "a new standard for fusions of rock 'n' roll and West African music" (Afropop Worldwide).

Since forming in 2005, the magnetic instrumental quintet has won a diverse and devoted following at performances everywhere from Bonnaroo to the legendary Festival of the Desert in Essakane, Mali, the most remote festival in the world. The band developed their unique sound over the course of numerous extended trips to Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with luminaries.

But the group has its roots in Asheville, NC, where many of its members were childhood friends and long-term musical collaborators. It was at home in the Appalachians, where the band recorded their sophomore album, Live at the Orange Peel.

Produced by Grammy winning producer Steven Heller (who also produced the band's debut), the new album captures their outstanding 2007-2008 New Year's run. All of the songs are previously unreleased and continue to mix American rock with the West African musical traditions the band fell in love with on their travels. Along the way, they explore the worlds of surf and zydeco, fusing it all together into what the Village Voice describes as "a futuristic, psychedelic, neo-griot frenzy" and Honest Tune hails as "one of the most innovative voices in music today." The new release features col- laborations with legendary spoken word artist Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets and fiddler Rayna Gellert of Uncle Earl.

Listen to Toubab Krewe's new single "That Damn Squash" here:

DYNOHUNTER

DYNOHUNTER is truly a breath of fresh air to the world of electronic dance music. With a sound embraced by fans of house and techno and a live performance fueled by the organic energy of live instrumentation, their music is undeniable on the dance floor. DYNOHUNTER's ability to blend deep electronic influences with live saxophone, bass, and drums forges a new path in the vast expanse of electronic music.

Their sound journeys from dark tribal meditations, exotic rhythms, and deep hypnotic grooves to hard hitting dance tracks, uplifting melodies, and soulful improvisations. Equally at home playing underground clubs and festival mainstages, DYNOHUNTER brings a relentless and unmatched energy to each and every set.

They've opened for some of the biggest names in livetronica including Conspirator, Eoto, Opiuo, Ott, and The New Deal as well as supporting world renowned DJ's Shpongle, Bonobo, Infected Mushroom, Klingande, and The M Machine. No stranger to the festival community DYNOHUNTER has performed at music festivals across the country including Wakarusa, Summercamp, Joshua Tree, Sonic Bloom, & Great North. With an unparalleled work ethic and a one of a kind performance DYNOHUNTER has established themselves as the livetronica artist to watch.

DYNOHUNTER has set themselves apart from the pack by creating timeless music that speaks to true lovers of dance music. Always paying respect to the artists that have inspired them and paved the way, yet always striving to make music that is contemporary and progressive, a genuine expression of their own unique human experiences and a reflection of the times.

Watch DYNOHUNTER perform "Knew Conscious" here:

Steady Flow

From the Heart of the Midwest, Steady Flow brings a unique style of powerful funk music like you've never heard it before. Formed in 2012 by 18 year old, soul guitarist extraordinaire, Tanner Brown, and his older brother, Ky "Goonie-Mom" Brown on bass guitar, the group has now transformed into a six-piece funk-powerhouse, quickly claiming their spot as one of the best live acts around.

In Steady Flow's short existence, the group has taken on music festivals such as North Coast, Summer Camp, Phases of the Moon, and the list goes on. The band is constantly turning heads at every performance as their hard hitting Funk Rock compositions shake the room and force all audiences to dance, rage, & simply feel good.

Steady Flow released their first EP, "The Oneoff Sessions" in 2013, and their debut album, "Loud." in June 2015. The band released their newest full length album, "Do You Like That?" in April 2017! Do not miss a live show near you. Steady Flow is "The Future Of Funk."

Watch Steady Flow perform "Do You Like That" here:

Jimmy Lumpkin & The Revival

Straight out of a cabin in the backwoods of South Alabama, Jimmy Lumpkin belts out sublime sounds that are altogether Country, Rock, Soul and Blues. Jimmy is a singer, songwriter and guitarist with an intoxicating voice and a stirring, soulful bend to his own brand of music. With the voice of a 100-year-old angel from the delta, the soul found in Jimmy’s music is like no other. Skate Mountain Records is proud to present to the world music from a point of view they have never heard before. In the likes of Sturgill Simpson, Bo Diddley, The Black Keys and Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Lumpkin & The Revival set the bar higher than any other with their August 2017 release of their new album, "Home" - a unique blend of soulful roots rock and Americana.

Watch Jimmy Lumpkin & The Revival's music video for "The Best One" here:

Barnaby Rudge

After the disbandment of Festival Expressions, Ransom Pewitt (lead singer and guitar player of FestEx) created Barnaby Rudge as the new vehicle for musical endeavors. In the style of Steely Dan, Barnaby does not have a set line-up of musicians; rather, the best artists for the songs are chosen on a show by show and song by song basis. Some of the best local talent around Birmingham, Alabama aided in the first show at Workplay Theater. The line-up included members of Little Raine Band (Justin Sledge, Daniel Raine, Davis Little), local favorite Jason Grubbs, along with members of Tragic City and Taylor Hunnicutt & Co. Bassist Beck Hall played a few tunes in addition to the original FestEx bassist Marcus O'Neill. The next show, May 19 at The Cuko Rakko FamJam at Avondale Brewing Company, is sure to be another great night of live music with Beck Hall, members of Little Raine Band, Jason Grubbs, and Taylor Hunnicutt returning for the special event. The band will continue to evolve as previous Festival Expressions drummer Josh Wiseman joins the lineup in 2018. Stay tuned. Much more to come.

Watch Barnaby Rudge perform "The Music Never Stopped" at WorkPlay here:

Win Tickets To See Hayley Jane & The Primates At Smith's Olde Bar March 7, 2018 14:11

Purple Hatter's Ball Will Feature Lettuce, Spafford, Breaking Biscuits March 7, 2018 13:46

Photo by Jeffrey Dupuis

Getting To Know Schema: Charleston's Experimental Funk Project March 6, 2018 16:06



SweetWater 420 Festival Reveals Stacked Afterparty Lineup March 1, 2018 17:11

Umphrey's McGee & Perpetual Groove To Join Forces In Charleston February 27, 2018 12:51

Photo by Abby Fox Photography

Proudly Presented by Friends With Benefits Productions (FWBpro) & WEmusic, rock stars Umphrey's McGee make their triumphant return to Charleston w/ Special Guests Perpetual Groove at The Grove at Patriots Point.  This unique and beautiful venue is nestled in a clearing surrounded by trees near the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier in Charleston Harbor close to the base of the Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Come celebrate on Thursday May 31, 2018 at this space while you can— there are plans to develop the area. This will be one of the last big shows at The Grove in one of the world's top cities, Charleston, SC!

The music of Umphrey’s McGee unfolds like an unpredictable conversation between longtime friends. Its six participants—Brendan Bayliss [guitar, vocals], Jake Cinninger [guitar, vocals], Joel Cummins [keyboards, piano, vocals], Andy Farag [percussion], Kris Myers [drums, vocals], and Ryan Stasik [bass]—know just how to communicate with each other on stage and in the studio. A call of progressive guitar wizardry might elicit a response of soft acoustic balladry, or a funk groove could be answered by explosive percussion. At any moment, heavy guitars can give way to heavier blues as the boys uncover the elusive nexus between jaw-dropping instrumental virtuosity and airtight songcraft.

The conversation continues on their eleventh full-length album, it’s not us [Nothing Too Fancy Music]— Released January 12, 2018.

“It represents the band, because it basically runs the gamut from prog rock to dance,” says Brendan. “We’ve mastered our ADD here. The record really shows that.”

“No matter what you’re into, there’s something on it’s not us that should speak to you,” agrees Joel. “This is a statement album for Umphrey’s McGee. The sound is as fresh as ever. The songs are strong as they’ve ever been. We’re always pushing forward.”

It is also how the band is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Instead of retreading the catalog, they turn up with a pile of new tunes.

The Official 21+ Late Night immediately following Umphrey's McGee's show is at nearby Omar Shrine and will host a brand new collaboration called DOOM FLAMINGO between Umphrey's McGee bassist and Charleston resident Ryan Stasik, and a slew of standout Charleston musicians including Michael Quinn [sax], Ross Bogan [keys], Stuart White [drums], Thomas Kenney [guitar] & Kanika Moore [vocals]! Local psychedelic rock outfit The Artisanals fronted by Johnny Delaware (formerly of SUSTO) will open the Afterparty festivities before DOOM FLAMINGO's synth-wave dance party! You'll need a ticket to the main event in order to attend this very special Late Night!

This concert, hosted by Friends With Benefits Productions (FWBpro), the group behind The Major Rager®, will give back to the Charleston community by partnering with the following local nonprofit organizations - Communities In Schools Charleston & Redux Contemporary Art Center! 

The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. FWBpro is thrilled to be working with Redux Contemporary Art Center to activate the festival grounds. As the premier venue for emerging contemporary art in Charleston, Redux will be our exclusive art partner, providing interactive art installations and activities throughout the event.

Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting live music experience and be on the lookout for some awesome fan-centric experiences available for purchase soon! This event will have a festival feel with delectable food vendors, multiple bars, art, and activities.  VIP Tickets include a VIP Lounge, Upgraded Private Restrooms, Preferred Stage View & Private VIP Bar (2 Drinks Included). 

Immediately following the event at the Grove, concert-goers can head a short ways down the road to the Omar Shrine for the Official 21+ Late Night with The Artisanals & DOOM FLAMINGO (Ryan Stasik of Umphrey's McGee + CHS all-stars), but the event is only open to those who purchase tickets to the main event!

Join us Thursday May 31, 2018 for one of the last big events at one of our favorite venues with some of our very favorite bands in support of Communities in Schools Charleston!

For Updates: Follow Friends With Benefits Productions on Facebook. (@FWBpro on Instagram & Twitter) & Join our mailing list at FWBpro.com!

Follow Us and RSVP on the Facebook Event Page/ invite your friends for your chance to WIN 2 FREE TICKETS to the show!  Facebook Event Page— https://www.facebook.com/events/2283766975183434/

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY MARCH 2 at 10am ET at www.FWBpro.com

Ticket Tiers:

EARLY BIRD GA - $30 (Extremely Limited)

w/ 21 + Late Night - $50 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

ADVANCE GA - $35

w/ 21+ Late Night - $55 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

DOS - $40

w/ 21+ Late Night - $60 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

VIP - $99 - (VIP include a VIP Lounge, Upgraded Private Restrooms, Preferred Stage View, Private VIP Bar & 2 Drinks Included)

w/ 21+ Late Night - $119 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

Gang Of Thieves Releases New EP, "Totem" February 27, 2018 11:38

Phish Confirms 11th Weekend Festival Known As 'Curveball' February 26, 2018 14:22

Press Release via Phish.com

Win Tickets To See Perpetual Groove In Alabama This Weekend February 22, 2018 12:25

Widespead Panic In The Magic City: Trouble Set Me Free February 20, 2018 11:26

Words by Erika Rasmussen

Photos by Clay Carroll: Carroll Production

This past weekend at the BJCC in Birmingham, AL, was a time of reflection and a time of healing. Widespread Panic’s songs and face-melting jams provided some much needed therapy. This is a time of violence and culture clashes. We've seen it in the form of mass shootings nationally and the nitrous mafia scene right on Shakedown. But tour time also includes the greatest examples of people helping each other out. I watched the kindest vendor take time to sit and talk with a guy who’d had a little too much, too fast. He kept this tall fella from falling to his feet and from wandering into trouble. I saw my friends rallying to find those last minute tickets for everyone seeking a night of solace. I stopped by Avondale Common House, owned by fans and packed by other happy fans. I got to take part in a big carpool since my poor engine is struggling and we all threw in on a hotel room together. Again. It’s this family spirit that keeps us coming back to the shows. It’s the therapy of listening to JB pour his heart and soul out into the mic. It’s the chance of getting to see the people that you love from all over the country, even if just for a quick hug in the hallway. (Lookin’ at you, Sweet Melissa…)

Night 1, Set 1 opened with “Pleas > Makes Sense to Me” followed by “Little Kin”. And then, did we get to catch a breath? Nope. Straight into “Action Man”. I don’t think anyone had a breather until JoJo slowed it down with “Street Dogs”. And THEN, we got a “Red Beans Cookin’”. And I mean, COOKIN’. We haven’t sampled that tasty dish since 9/24/16. Yum. “Red Beans” went into “All Time Low” and I asked a friend if they, too, always sing the Dottie Peoples part during this song. They agreed that they did, pretty much every time.

Set 2 was full of currently relevant references. “Greta’s got a gun, this ain’t no flower child…”. My personal favorite political commentary of the night came during “Flicker”. “Talking it to death, Just because you mean it, Doesn’t mean we’ve seen it…”. That’s a beautiful way to sum up the feelings of the country right now and our frustration with inaction. But, “I’m Not Alone” says, “And then I turn a little bit scared, Well I feel a little bit easier, Knowing that you’re all here…”. Don’t you always feel better when you’re surrounded by a crowd full of your friends and people like you? And bonus points to me for having carried my custom “This clearly isn’t me” clear vinyl bag to follow the new BJCC bag policy. Which they later retracted. Sigh.

The three-song encore kicked off with “Gimme”, not heard since 5/4/17. Everything seems like a news commentary to me right now, so “Throw myself at the ground, Look away before I hit…” feels especially timely. We closed the night with the staples of “Red Hot Mama” and “Chilly Water” (and where in hell did y’all find water at the end of the night, people?!?).

Night 2, Set 1 started with a “Ribs & Whiskey” opener, which will never get old to me. Of course, I was wearing a Jack Daniels tank top at the time, so I may be a wee bit biased. We got to revel in “B of D” and if you can’t get down to that, man, lemme refer you to a dance therapist. My favorite delight of the set was the “Lawyers, Guns, & Money”. Not only is this the theme song of our badass friend, Rayner, but it’s also one we haven’t heard since 8/12/17. And hasn’t the shit hit the proverbial fan? Hmm?

The second set jumped right off with a “Let’s Get This Show on the Road”, which I like for the final night’s final set. According to Panic Stream and Everyday Companion, we haven’t gotten this show on the road since 10/26/16? What?!? About time. After a tear-jerker of a “Mercy”, we had a hot “Stop-Go” that hasn’t been around in almost six months. And did anyone else hear a “Fire on the Mountain” tease in there?

The final encore began with “Trouble”. Whew. Let me sing you the song of my people, I tell ya. Next up was a beautiful “Honey Bee” that’s only the third ever. This began as a touching tribute to Tom Petty at Halloween ‘17 and again at NYE.

The boys wrapped it all up with a “Rockin’ in the Free World”. Panic has only covered this Neil Young classic four times before, the last of which was 10/25/15. The entire crowd was screaming along to “There’s one more kid that will never go to school, Never get to fall in love, Never get to be cool”. But isn’t that all you can do now? Keep on rockin’ and bein’ the good people? The ones your mama warned you about?

Setlist: Widespread Panic - The BJCC - Friday, February 16th 2018



Setlist: Widespread Panic - The BJCC - Saturday, February 17th 2018

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Watch a clip of "Rockin' In The Free World" here:

Watch a clip of "Big Wooly Mammoth" here"

Backup Planet Announces Release Of New "Live!" Series February 9, 2018 10:10

The Werks Release Extensive 2018 Tour Dates February 8, 2018 11:02

Shut Up and Listen: A Lesson in Jam with Spafford February 3, 2018 16:07

Interview by Brett Hutchins: Brett on Bands

Photos by Brian Hensley Photography

Spafford is on fire. The four-piece Arizona experimental funk rock band set the jam scene ablaze last year, with opening slots for Umphrey’s McGee and double dose day and night sets at Suwannee Hulaween that garnered them fans from across the country. Those sets were a prime example of a band primed to take every opportunity thrown their way.

They’re already riding that momentum into a strong 2018 with sellouts of small rooms across the South. Sandwiched between a sold out Atlanta debut and a string of Florida dates dubbed the “Fourida Tour” by its rabid fans, keyboardist Andrew "Red" Johnson chatted with us about traveling at breakneck speed into uncharted improvisational waters. It’s a word that’s thrown around a lot, but improv remained the theme throughout this interview.

You can count on one finger how many other bands do it as well as Spafford does. 

The band’s motto is “we jam”. Define that magic three-letter word.

Red: It’s our goal to create something brand new every night. We don’t want it to get stale for the fans or us. We’re interested in creating something on the spot rather than the cookie cutter show with the same chords and the same jams every night. It’s a lot more fun to explore new avenues with everything, with each instrument, vocals, and every facet of the music.

As much to keep you guys sane on the road as anything, I’d guess.

Red: It’s never boring on the road, but it’d be a lot less interesting if we played the same show every night.

I’ve read that sometimes you’ll even do songs in different keys just to keep it interesting.

Red: Sometimes it’s that, but sometimes, especially with covers, we’ll forget which key to play it in, and instead of taking the time to look it up, we just play it however we feel like it. Sometimes it’s as simple as wanting it to fit better in my vocal range.

How does the band recover if a jam starts to plod along some of the members might be lost musically within it?

Red: With the type of music we play, we’ll inevitably run into those ripcord moments where it’s not going anywhere, but we aren’t a band with a bunch of hand signals or visual cues. I’m not over there talking to Jordan about what we’re doing next. We just feel it. That’s the thing about improv music. Sometimes you go out on a limb and it works, but sometimes that limb breaks. There’s no set way we do it. Sometimes we just pull the plug and get out of there.

Risk and reward is something you guys must be experts on.

Red: You have to find balance, but we definitely aren’t afraid to try anything. Switching modes and chords within a jam is nothing foreign to us. It’s something we look forward to. We love the risk. That’s the gamble, and we’re going to give it a shot. The payoff is great, but there’s something special about being in the moment and working to that together with a common goal.

How much impact does the crowd have on the show?

Red: 100%. Because of the style we enjoy playing, this truly improvisational style, if the crowd is really raging and throwing down, chances are the music will be more aggressive. If they’re more laid back and grooving, then the music probably will be, too. It’s not an intentional thing, either. It just seems to happen.

How does the spirit of improv bleed into how you live your life day to day?

Red: Life on the road is not like it is in the movies. I’ve never met anyone who wants to throw a TV out of the hotel room window. The truth of the matter is that life on the road can sometimes be quite dull. The best times we have are on the stage. We find something to occupy our time. The guys went disc golfing the other day to pass the time. That’s not for me, but they had fun I think.

So there’s a whole lot of “hurry up and wait” on the road?

Red: You get done playing and have that high. You get that rush every time, but when you get done, it’s a matter of “oh, I guess I’ll get back on the bus for the next however many hours.” Then you play the show and it’s rinse and repeat. But it’s still the absolute best job in the world and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Has the release of improv-only sets to different outlets been purposeful?

Red: We’re really proud of the Abaculus record we just put out. It’s an hour straight of improv we did in our rehearsal space without even having the intention of recording it. Our bassist Jordan was actually the only one who knew we were recording. I’ve listened to it a million times and remember immediately thinking we should release it. At the risk of sounding artsy, I’ve got nothing to prove. I’ve played enough shows, some of them to just the bartender, to not depend on what other people think too much. If they love it, awesome, but if they don’t, I hope they vote with their feet and know that we committed to doing something original together.

Did Jordan have ulterior motives when he hit record?

Red: No. We all love to record everything we do. I listen to almost everything we play. It’s similar to an athlete watching game film. We’re always looking and listening for ways to get better. Hitting record is just what we do.

How do you feel about the jam band label? How do you differentiate yourselves from others in the genre?

Red: Oh man, that’s a debate that’s been going on for years and probably will live forever. What does that term actually mean? Yes, we are a band that jams. But we’re also four guys in a band. Does that make us a boy band? Do all jam bands have to have fans that wear tie dye? Do you have to be stoned to enjoy our music? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s totally undefinable. In the end, we hope we make people dance.

Last question. My beautiful girlfriend wants to know if you like cucumbers. So I must ask. Do you like cucumbers.

Red: Who doesn’t like cucumbers? Or at least who is less than neutral on it? It’s like eating water. I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus, but we might have a couple guys in the camp who refuse to get in with the cucumbers. I refuse to name names. But yes. I enjoy cucumbers.

Dead & Company To Headline LOCKN' Festival February 1, 2018 11:21

After months of speculation and several recent hints, LOCKN' Festival has confirmed that Dead & Company will indeed headline this year's event. The Grateful Dead-themed super group is confirmed to play four sets over the course of two nights. Since forming in the fall of 2015, Dead & Company has focused on extensive tours + headlining shows, with the exception of an appearance at Bonnaroo in 2016. Bob Weir, Oteil Burbridge, Bill Kreutzmann, and Jeff Chimenti have all performed at LOCKN' with various projects in the past. 

“The Grateful Dead played legendary shows at Monterey Pop, the US Festival and Woodstock, but their heyday occurred before the modern music festivals we know today emerged,” Lockn’ organizer Peter Shapiro told Rolling Stone. “We are honored to have Dead & Company headline back-to-back nights because it’s so rare. This festival was built on the spirit of the Grateful Dead so their performance is going to be a very big deal for Deadheads everywhere.”

Look for additional LOCKN' performers to be revealed individually over the next week. The full lineup should be confirmed by February 8th. On February 9, Tier 1 tickets will go on sale. Head to the LOCKN's official website for more information.

Watch Dead & Company perform "Jack Straw" on Late Night with Stephen Colbert here:

Sturgill Simpson Joins Chris Stapleton On Saturday Night Live January 30, 2018 01:25

Double Down With Disco Tendencies & Wild Adriatic At Aisle 5 January 25, 2018 23:08

Saturday night is shaping up to be another rowdy occasion at Atlanta's Aisle 5, as local favorites Disco Tendencies are teaming up with Upstate New York's Wild Adriatic. Those attending can expect a funk-filled  powerful rock & roll. Disco Tendencies looks at add to its rapidly growing local following, while Wild Adriatic adds a notable national flare to the bill. Showtime is scheduled for 9:00 PM, and this one is sure to go late into the night. Tickets are moving fast, and you can purchase yours in advance by clicking here. For all of the latest updates on this show, make sure to join the official Facebook event. This show is presented by Don't Fret Entertainment and Rhythm-n-News.

Disco Tendencies:

Post-College-Funk: Not a state of depression, but rather a nostalgic mix of funky grooves, thumping bass, soulful vocals, and dueling guitars. 

Wild Adriatic:

Rooted in the rowdy spirit of rock & roll, Wild Adriatic has built an international audience on a combination of groove, grit, and guitar-heavy swagger.

With the power trio's newest album, Feel, bandmates Travis Gray, Rich Derbyshire, and Mateo Vosganian update the sound of their influences -- from Seventies rock to Motown to soul -- for a contemporary audience, taking influence from the past but never losing sight of the present. They aren't revivalists; they're modern men, carrying the torch of melodic, riff-ready, high-energy rock into new territory.

Whittled into sharp shape by a touring schedule that's kept them busy for roughly 175 days a year — including two European tours, countless stateside runs, and appearances at festivals like Bonnaroo — Wild Adriatic's three members recorded Feel in Austin, teaming up with Grammy-nominated producer Frenchie Smith in the process. The goal was to shine a light on the band's strength as a live act, avoiding click tracks, digital instruments, sampled sounds, and other tricks of the recording studio. Instead, Wild Adriatic focused on the same core ingredients — Gray's guitar playing and soulful sweep of a voice; Vosganian's percussive stomp; Derbyshire's in-the-pocket bass — that helped kickstart the band in 2011, back when Wild Adriatic formed in Upstate New York.

Watch Disco Tendencies perform "Wild Voodoo" here:

Watch Wild Adriatic's music video for "Come Back Baby" here:

Elton John Announces Retirement + Massive Farewell Tour January 24, 2018 16:14

At an emotional New York press conference Wednesday, Elton John announced that he will retire from the road after a lengthy farewell tour. Before he finishes, however, he will spend three years on the road saying goodbye to his fans with a massive tour he's dubbed 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road'. 

The announcement comes nine months after he contracted a "rare and potentially deadly" bacterial infection in South America that forced him to cancel a series of shows. John spent two days in intensive care and nearly two weeks in the hospital. The legendary performer did not rule out the possibility of a future residency. 

"I'm not going to be touring anymore," he told moderator Anderson Cooper at New York's Gotham Hall. "I'm not going to be touring and traveling the world. My priorities have changed. I have young children." Before he finishes, however, he will spend three years on the road saying goodbye to his fans with a 300-date tour he's dubbed Farewell Yellow Brick Road. "That doesn't mean I won't still be creative," he said. "But I won't travel any more...I don't want to go out with a whimper. I want to go out with a bang...It'll be the most produced, fantastic show I've ever done."

"I haven't had much time off in my life," he said. "I definitely want to make a couple more albums, but that will be easy since I can do that at home. I want to see friends. I want to spend time at my house and with my photography collection. I'm really looking forward to this tour and I'm really looking forward to the 300th date."

Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Dates:

September 8 - Allentown, PA @ PPL Center
September 11 & 12 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Wells Fargo Center
September 15 - Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
September 16 - University Park, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
September 19 - Hartford, CT @ XL Center
September 21 & 22 - Washington DC @ Capital One Arena
September 25 & 26 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
September 28 - Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
September 29 - Québec City, QC @ Videotron Centre
October 4 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
October 6 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
October 10 - Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
October 12 - Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
October 15 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
October 18 & 19 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
October 23 - Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
October 24 - Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
October 26 & 27 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
October 30 - St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center
November 2 - Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
November 3 - Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
November 8 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
November 23 - Sunrise, FL @ BB&T Center
November 24 - Miami, FL @ AmericanAirlines Arena
November 27 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center
November 28 - Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
November 30 & December 1 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
December 4 - Birmingham, AL @ Legacy Arena at The BJCC
December 6 - New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
December 8 & 9 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
December 12 - San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
December 14 & 15 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
January 11, 2019 - Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena
January 12, 2019 - Portland, OR @ Moda Center
January 15, 2019 - Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center
January 16, 2019 - Sacramento, CA @ Golden1 Center
January 18, 2019 - Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
January 19, 2019 - San Jose, CA @ SAP Center at San Jose
January 22 & 23, 2019 - Los Angeles, CA @ STAPLES Center
January 26, 2019 - Glendale, AZ @ Gila River Arena
January 29, 2019 - San Diego, CA @ Valley View Casino Center
February 7, 2019 - Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center
February 9, 2019 - Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
February 12, 2019 - Omaha, NE @ CenturyLink Center
February 13, 2019 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
February 19, 2019 - Milwaukee, WI @ Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center
February 21, 2019 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center
February 27, 2019 - Cincinnati, OH @ U.S. Bank Arena
March 1, 2019 - Albany, NY @ Times Union Center
March 8, 2019 - Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
March 12, 2019 - Raleigh, NC @PNC Arena
March 13, 2019 - Columbia, SC @Colonial Life Arena
March 15, 2019 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena