After experiencing 2 prior King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard performances here in Michigan, I thought I knew what to expect coming into this show: Jammy tunes, disorganized production setup,
I had an opportunity to chat with the members of Pure Prairie League before their Ark show Sunday, August 10th in Ann Arbor. The original band was formed in 1970
I had the great pleasure of seeing Laufey perform with the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Ross Jamie Collins. She performed at the Blossom Music Center as part of her A
Michelle Zauner, the woman that you are! I got the chance to see her in Detroit last weekend at the Fillmore, and perhaps it would be dramatic to call the
If you happened to find yourself on Main Street on the evening of Wednesday the 19th, you may have noticed a line stretching down the block from The Ark. What
PJ Harvey and her band, including long time collaborator John Parrish, returned to Detroit this fall. The concert featured mostly music from her newest release, ‘I Inside The Old Year
After headlining last year’s 47th Folk Festival’s opening night, Old Crow Medicine Show’s energetic founding member and front man Ketch Secor was selected to be MC for this year’s Festival.
On a fateful October night (October 5th to be exact) Jonathan Richman blessed all in attendance with a performance that truly embodied his whacky and unconventional songwriting. Richman and accompanying
Last Monday, Vampire Weekend returned triumphantly with the Cults to the Meadow Brook Amphitheatre in Rochester Hills. It’s been ten years since they took that very stage with the Cults
The newest iteration of Bad Plus performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival over Labor Day Weekend. In 2021 they changed from a piano based trio to a quartet with guitar
When I walked into Blue LLama Jazz Club last Saturday, I first saw a standard elegant bar setup. Neatly arranged bottles on warm wooden shelves. Pendant lights. A dapper bartender
The theme of Judy Collins’ soulful show at The Ark: spellbound. Incidentally, this is also the name of her newest album, her only release of completely original songs in her
Last summer I was on a bit of a 90’s nostalgia kick. Even though I’d heard the name before, my introduction to the Violent Femmes’ music was the 1994 film
Being introduced to They Might Be Giants through a live performance is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you’re seeing one of the most prolific and unique
This past Saturday Frontier Ruckus held their release party for their new album “On The Northline.” Fittingly, almost seven years ago, they threw an album release for their prior album,
In early February, the Detroit-based band Protomartyr collaborated with the multidisciplinary and experimental duo Lost Souls of Saturn, featuring on the last track of LSOS’s newest album, “Reality.” Melding evolving
Hill Auditorium was set on fire Friday night, January 26, by the 2024 47th Ann Arbor Folk Festival’s headliner band, Old Crow Medicine Show (OCMS). They rocked the house and
Hi WCBN, I am a UofM Alumnus from the 1980’s, and I had a number of WCBN DJ friends back in those days. (I’m not sure if I should name
UK Singer-Songwriter Billie Marten joins WCBN’s Dexter Kaufmann ahead of her tour stop in Detroit on November 12th at St Andrew’s Hall. Billie gained popularity in the UK folk scene
I arrived early to the venue on Sunday night, excited not only to see Kota the Friend live but also to experience my first show at Saint Andrew’s Hall. “Doors
Ayreon is a hard project to describe succinctly, but then, Ayreon isn’t succinct. It is a musical project where only the complexity of the sound outweighs the complexity to bring
At the historic theater The Magic Bag, Desmond Jones and Dogs in a Pile provided an evening full of grooving fun. Michigan Natives Desmond Jones took the stage and I
The last time Busta Rhymes was at Pine Knob, I missed him. The night was Sep 3, 2022, and Nas & Wu-Tang Clan came to town for their “NY State
Australian punk rockers CIVIC launch their first-ever US tour later this month, with a stop in Detroit at The Sanctuary on October 11. Frontman Jim McCullough joined WCBN’s Dexter Kaufmann
If I had to limit myself to a single word to describe this lineup, it would be best delineated as this: electric. The concert began with Luna Pier, an indie
After a summer devoid of live music experiences (and the cash necessary to enjoy them), I yearned to catch a concert upon returning to Michigan. Hearing wind of Alex G
The Montreal-based Producer-DJ Sits down with WCBN’s Dexter Kaufmann to discuss the influences behind his latest album Creatures of the Late Afternoon, tour stories, and his collaborations with filmmaker Edgar
Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C.–with former Palma Violets member Chilli Jesson as their bassist–opened to the moody atmosphere created by the downpour that started minutes before their set at the
I forgot why I originally signed up for email updates Mass Appeal, but on June 9, 2023, that decision paid off. The email informed me of an all-star line-up for
It’s not often you get to see a show that puts on display the breadth of styles in a genre in metal, but here we are. Each band on this
Last month, devoted music lover, sporting enthusiast, journalist, and WCBN deejay Michael G. Nastos passed away. Michael G’s influence and legacy cannot be appropriately summarized by one page; like a
The time has come for music publications to release year-end lists. Unlike some lists that come out too early, I waited to listen to as many albums as I could.
Balladic, smoky, and tender, this series of duets by two greats of the modern avant-garde jazz scene feels more reminiscent of 70’s European free improvisation than one might initially expect.
I recently talked with multi-hyphenate Pulitzer-Prize winning author, producer, and songwriter Michael Chabon. While he’s primarily known for his literary works such as Wonderboys, and the Adventures of Kavalier and
Flashback to 2005 yo! As we entered the Fillmore that night, we were greeted by venue employees who provided us with complimentary thick-rimmed glasses, oversized beanies, and flannels. Talk about
Walking into the Little Caesars Arena and looking at the crowd that had come to see the Gorillaz, you can truly understand how diverse their discography is. From 14 year
Seven years ago, I bought tickets to Alvvays’ Adult Diversion tour only to have my dreams crushed by the fine print– the show was 18+, and I was thirteen years
Violin Memory is a collaboration between John Stowell, an excellent jazz guitarist; Dave Glenn, a trombonist; and the Hawčaptak Quartet. The result is a unique ensemble bringing together funky jazz sounds
Every couple of years, my wife and I travel overseas for a few club shows overseas and schedule a vacation around the concerts. We like to travel to see bands
The bulk of the Dekmantel festival took place in the Amsterdamse Bos forest over 3 days (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). With 8 simultaneous stages, some of which are a bit of a hike
Hilton delivers a masterful album with this creation. The trio of her on piano, Luques Curtis on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums locks in so tight to the music, yet
Mhondoro means “the lion spirit” in Shona, a language of Zimbabwe, and this was a group born during the pandemic. Saxophonist Idit Shner, vocalist/percussionist John Mambira, pianist Torrey Newhart, bassist Garrett
It is difficult to conceive of Boyle as anything other than an ensemble of at least 8 players, but somehow the entirety of It is difficult to conceive of Boyle as anything other than an ensemble of at least 8 players, but somehow the entirety of “Psych-Jazz Collage 1” was performed and recorded by a single multi-instrumentalist/tape manipulator
Few commodities are as coveted in the modern imperialist west as the image of revolt. Its rancor, its passion, the conflict that is inherent within the concept itself, revolt serves as an excellent thematic starting point for the artist. However, as per the nature of commodification, “revolt” can be very easily
Throughout our Saturday Governors Ball coverage, it was clear to both Laura and me that Joji’s performance was a highly anticipated one: from our interviewed attendees saying that they were most excited to see his set to the groups of media personnel planning to cover it, the signs for that traditional, cramped shoulder-to-shoulder festival set that we briefly lost to COVID were all there
I’ve loved Norah Jones’ music since childhood, and when I got the opportunity to buy tickets to this show at Frederik Meijer Gardens, a beautiful music amphitheater in Grand Rapids,
This past Wednesday at the Magic Stick: Boris took the stage with opening act Nothing on their North American tour! Nothing is a band I’ve been aware of for a
Walking into the back room of the Otus Supply in Ferndale, I was incredibly excited for the concert that was to come. Having interviewed the lead of Tenci, Jess Shoman,
The Godspeed and Silver Mt. Zion comparisons are inevitable, of course. Not that that is inherently a bad thing, and there definitely is inspiration both direct and indirect littered across
I had an opportunity to chat with the members of Pure Prairie League before their Ark show Sunday, August 10th in Ann Arbor. The original band was formed in 1970
I had the great pleasure of seeing Laufey perform with the Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Ross Jamie Collins. She performed at the Blossom Music Center as part of her A
Michelle Zauner, the woman that you are! I got the chance to see her in Detroit last weekend at the Fillmore, and perhaps it would be dramatic to call the
If you happened to find yourself on Main Street on the evening of Wednesday the 19th, you may have noticed a line stretching down the block from The Ark. What
PJ Harvey and her band, including long time collaborator John Parrish, returned to Detroit this fall. The concert featured mostly music from her newest release, ‘I Inside The Old Year
After headlining last year’s 47th Folk Festival’s opening night, Old Crow Medicine Show’s energetic founding member and front man Ketch Secor was selected to be MC for this year’s Festival.
On a fateful October night (October 5th to be exact) Jonathan Richman blessed all in attendance with a performance that truly embodied his whacky and unconventional songwriting. Richman and accompanying
Last Monday, Vampire Weekend returned triumphantly with the Cults to the Meadow Brook Amphitheatre in Rochester Hills. It’s been ten years since they took that very stage with the Cults
The newest iteration of Bad Plus performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival over Labor Day Weekend. In 2021 they changed from a piano based trio to a quartet with guitar
When I walked into Blue LLama Jazz Club last Saturday, I first saw a standard elegant bar setup. Neatly arranged bottles on warm wooden shelves. Pendant lights. A dapper bartender
The theme of Judy Collins’ soulful show at The Ark: spellbound. Incidentally, this is also the name of her newest album, her only release of completely original songs in her
Last summer I was on a bit of a 90’s nostalgia kick. Even though I’d heard the name before, my introduction to the Violent Femmes’ music was the 1994 film
Being introduced to They Might Be Giants through a live performance is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you’re seeing one of the most prolific and unique
This past Saturday Frontier Ruckus held their release party for their new album “On The Northline.” Fittingly, almost seven years ago, they threw an album release for their prior album,
In early February, the Detroit-based band Protomartyr collaborated with the multidisciplinary and experimental duo Lost Souls of Saturn, featuring on the last track of LSOS’s newest album, “Reality.” Melding evolving
Hill Auditorium was set on fire Friday night, January 26, by the 2024 47th Ann Arbor Folk Festival’s headliner band, Old Crow Medicine Show (OCMS). They rocked the house and
I arrived early to the venue on Sunday night, excited not only to see Kota the Friend live but also to experience my first show at Saint Andrew’s Hall. “Doors
Ayreon is a hard project to describe succinctly, but then, Ayreon isn’t succinct. It is a musical project where only the complexity of the sound outweighs the complexity to bring
At the historic theater The Magic Bag, Desmond Jones and Dogs in a Pile provided an evening full of grooving fun. Michigan Natives Desmond Jones took the stage and I
The last time Busta Rhymes was at Pine Knob, I missed him. The night was Sep 3, 2022, and Nas & Wu-Tang Clan came to town for their “NY State
If I had to limit myself to a single word to describe this lineup, it would be best delineated as this: electric. The concert began with Luna Pier, an indie
After a summer devoid of live music experiences (and the cash necessary to enjoy them), I yearned to catch a concert upon returning to Michigan. Hearing wind of Alex G
Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C.–with former Palma Violets member Chilli Jesson as their bassist–opened to the moody atmosphere created by the downpour that started minutes before their set at the
I forgot why I originally signed up for email updates Mass Appeal, but on June 9, 2023, that decision paid off. The email informed me of an all-star line-up for
It’s not often you get to see a show that puts on display the breadth of styles in a genre in metal, but here we are. Each band on this
Flashback to 2005 yo! As we entered the Fillmore that night, we were greeted by venue employees who provided us with complimentary thick-rimmed glasses, oversized beanies, and flannels. Talk about
Walking into the Little Caesars Arena and looking at the crowd that had come to see the Gorillaz, you can truly understand how diverse their discography is. From 14 year
Seven years ago, I bought tickets to Alvvays’ Adult Diversion tour only to have my dreams crushed by the fine print– the show was 18+, and I was thirteen years
Every couple of years, my wife and I travel overseas for a few club shows overseas and schedule a vacation around the concerts. We like to travel to see bands
The bulk of the Dekmantel festival took place in the Amsterdamse Bos forest over 3 days (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). With 8 simultaneous stages, some of which are a bit of a hike
Throughout our Saturday Governors Ball coverage, it was clear to both Laura and me that Joji’s performance was a highly anticipated one: from our interviewed attendees saying that they were most excited to see his set to the groups of media personnel planning to cover it, the signs for that traditional, cramped shoulder-to-shoulder festival set that we briefly lost to COVID were all there
I’ve loved Norah Jones’ music since childhood, and when I got the opportunity to buy tickets to this show at Frederik Meijer Gardens, a beautiful music amphitheater in Grand Rapids,
This past Wednesday at the Magic Stick: Boris took the stage with opening act Nothing on their North American tour! Nothing is a band I’ve been aware of for a
Walking into the back room of the Otus Supply in Ferndale, I was incredibly excited for the concert that was to come. Having interviewed the lead of Tenci, Jess Shoman,
The time has come for music publications to release year-end lists. Unlike some lists that come out too early, I waited to listen to as many albums as I could.
Balladic, smoky, and tender, this series of duets by two greats of the modern avant-garde jazz scene feels more reminiscent of 70’s European free improvisation than one might initially expect.
Violin Memory is a collaboration between John Stowell, an excellent jazz guitarist; Dave Glenn, a trombonist; and the Hawčaptak Quartet. The result is a unique ensemble bringing together funky jazz sounds
Hilton delivers a masterful album with this creation. The trio of her on piano, Luques Curtis on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums locks in so tight to the music, yet
Mhondoro means “the lion spirit” in Shona, a language of Zimbabwe, and this was a group born during the pandemic. Saxophonist Idit Shner, vocalist/percussionist John Mambira, pianist Torrey Newhart, bassist Garrett
It is difficult to conceive of Boyle as anything other than an ensemble of at least 8 players, but somehow the entirety of It is difficult to conceive of Boyle as anything other than an ensemble of at least 8 players, but somehow the entirety of “Psych-Jazz Collage 1” was performed and recorded by a single multi-instrumentalist/tape manipulator
Few commodities are as coveted in the modern imperialist west as the image of revolt. Its rancor, its passion, the conflict that is inherent within the concept itself, revolt serves as an excellent thematic starting point for the artist. However, as per the nature of commodification, “revolt” can be very easily
The Godspeed and Silver Mt. Zion comparisons are inevitable, of course. Not that that is inherently a bad thing, and there definitely is inspiration both direct and indirect littered across
UK Singer-Songwriter Billie Marten joins WCBN’s Dexter Kaufmann ahead of her tour stop in Detroit on November 12th at St Andrew’s Hall. Billie gained popularity in the UK folk scene
Australian punk rockers CIVIC launch their first-ever US tour later this month, with a stop in Detroit at The Sanctuary on October 11. Frontman Jim McCullough joined WCBN’s Dexter Kaufmann
The Montreal-based Producer-DJ Sits down with WCBN’s Dexter Kaufmann to discuss the influences behind his latest album Creatures of the Late Afternoon, tour stories, and his collaborations with filmmaker Edgar
I recently talked with multi-hyphenate Pulitzer-Prize winning author, producer, and songwriter Michael Chabon. While he’s primarily known for his literary works such as Wonderboys, and the Adventures of Kavalier and