You can be a King, A Lizard, A Wizard, and on a good day, a Gizzard, but one thing is for sure, there is something for EVERYONE at a King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard show - and for the acronym obsessed - a KGATLW show.

On August 27th, 2024, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard came to Philadelphia, PA, for a night of music that will be long remembered and cherished by the sold-out crowd at this beloved open-air landmark. The Dell Music Center is a legendary Philadelphia music venue that has hosted some of the most iconic orchestras and bands that come through Philadelphia.  Philly fans were in for a rare treat when one of the hottest-selling acts in music came to The Dell Music Center, a cozy sub-six-thousand venue beside the Schuylkill River in East Fairmount Park.

The Australian rock band recently kicked off their North American tour at the 6500-capacity Anthem in Washington, DC before heading up to Forest Hills Stadium to perform back-to-back monster 3 hour sets. As soon as tour dates were announced, tickets started flying off the shelf at some of the biggest and most iconic venues in America including Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.  What an amazing experience for Philadelphia to have this band perform at this venue right in the heart of our city.

The picturesque Dell Music Center was packed, smiling, dancing, rowdy, and ready. The parking lot was to capacity with tailgaters, party people, and major fans decked out in band shirts from previous tours. It was obvious that the band's biggest Philadelphia show would be something special.

Geese kicked off the night with a 45-minute set that the WXPN listeners had been waiting for. A quick intermission and stage change brought out Australia's rock and roll superstars to a sold-out crowd, packing in each and every inch of the venue. The set had zero downtime, a few comments thanking the crowd and city, and was back to full throttle, covering multiple genres/styles of music and fascinating each and every patron with something they wanted and what seemed like they needed to hear.

The King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard fan base is diverse, kind, loving, and ready. As a Jamband person myself, it was enlightening to see 5,000+ people with nothing negative to say about the music that was happening.

I'm here for the Giz, and I think the Giz is here for us.

From June 21-23 Reggae Rise Up turned the Baltimore Peninsula into a Ska Sanctuary. Showcasing nationally touring local acts such as Ballyhoo, The Harbor Boys, Dale and the ZDubs, and Higher Education, the festival highlighted the vibrant reggae scene present in the DMV. Even in the heat, opening acts delivered incredible energy, sparking excitement in the growing crowd.

It's to be noted that Reggae Rise Up Maryland went to great lengths to prioritize the well-being of attendees.  Amid global concerns on the safety of music festivals, many music lovers have refrained from partaking in summer festivals . To combat the record-high temperatures and minimal cloud cover, the festival provided plenty of shaded tents. In addition to a variety of food and non-alcoholic drink vendors, security staff generously distributed water bottles to help prevent dehydration among fans who didn't want to lose their spot on the rail or wait in long lines.

Wristbands allowed festival-goers the flexibility to leave and re-enter once a day, giving them an opportunity to escape the heat thus enhancing their RRU experience. After a weekend filled with sun and smiles, the three-day event concluded with an electrifying finale, leaving concert-goers energized.

Dispatch, with their unique blend of indie-rock and reggae, indulged fans in well-known classics as well as current hits. Their performance appealed to all with their eclectic yet accessible sound. Original members Chadwick Stokes and Brad CAs the sun sank over the Patapsco, the band members jumped off risers and head-banged amidst the smoky stage. Kids cheered on shoulders high in the air, and one was even seen joyfully catapulted as vibrant lasers scanned the crowd.

Finally, The Roots burst onto the stage for the festival finale. With unmatched energy, the band dove into their mix of hip-hop, jazz, and soul which delighted the eager audience. MC Black Thought commanded the stage, energetically hitting every corner while the equally captivating guitarist and vocalist "Captain" Kirk Douglas energetically mirrored.  Backed by a tight rhythm section, punchy horns, and layered with keys and turntable beats, The Roots effortlessly mixed unconventional sounds. Highlights included key tar and drum solos by Jeremy Ellis and the iconic Questlove, who brought the crowd to an infinite roar. The Roots gave a performance like none other, solidifying their worldwide "legendary" status.

If you missed Reggae Rise Up Maryland 2024, you can catch their Florida, Utah, and Las Vegas editions!  It's not too late to get tickets for Reggae Rise Up Vegas taking place on October 4-6, 2024.

Across the country, Deadheads celebrated the life of Jerry Garcia, his music, and his legacy during the annual "The Days Between" celebration. During the weekend of August 6, 2022, Cris Jacobs, one of the most recognized artists in the DC-Baltimore region, celebrated Jerry Garcia and his work at both The 8x10 in Baltimore, Maryland, and at B Chord Brewing in Round Hill, Virginia. DC Music Review was fortunate enough to see Cris Jacobs and his namesake band, the Cris Jacobs Band, perform at B Chord Brewing in the foothills beside the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Fans gathered around the stage at B Chord on a clear summer’s day, as the heat and humidity dissipated, allowing people to enjoy the outdoor venue. Concertgoers had the opportunity to gather along the gentle green slopes of B Chord, walk around barefoot, and dance joyously, as Jacobs and his band casually sound-checked before their performance. This picturesque day was a glorious departure from a typical DC muggy summer’s day, where, in the words of Jerry, “the sky was yellow and the sun was blue”.

Just after 7 pm, Jacobs and his band, Todd Herrington (bass), Corey Wells (guitar), Ben White (keyboards), and Dusty Simmons (drums), took to the stage. Jacobs delighted the crowd by telling them he would spend this evening performing the music of Jerry Garcia in addition to Cris Jacobs originals. For the next three hours, Jacobs would segue through Grateful Dead songs and intertwine seven of his own songs, including "Rooster Coop," "Kind Woman," "Holler and Hum," "Delivery Man," "Jack the Whistle and The Hammer," "Dragonfly," and "Devil or Jesse" into this powerful and display of musical prowess. Jacobs passionately sang Grateful Dead material while soulfully delivering his own songs as Herrington laid down unshakable bass lines as his face oscillated between a stank face and one of pure delight. At the same time, Corey Wells effortlessly played guitar solos as Dusty Simmons passionately and powerfully played behind his drum kit. Adding to the performance, keyboardist Ben White’s falsetto contributions had more than one neck turning to the stage, wondering if a female guest singer walked on to sing Donna Godchaux's parts. 

The spectacular evening with the Cris Jacobs band concluded with "Not Fade Away." As an enthusiastic chorus of "Love is loving and not fade away" rose into the crisp evening air, it was clear how much the audience celebrated the life of Jerry Garcia and enjoyed the performance of Cris Jacobs and his band.

For those that have not had the pleasure of seeing Cris Jacobs perform, we highly encourage you to get out and purchase tickets for one of his upcoming performances. We all eagerly await Jacob's second annual Jerry Garcia Tribute held each December, "A Very Jerry Christmas." Until then, we look forward to Jacobs playing either on his own, with Cris Jacobs & Friends, or with the Cris Jacobs Band. 

We look forward to seeing Jacobs perform again with his Fender Telecaster and cigar box guitar at an upcoming show - A love for real not fade away.

For the second year in a row, The Infamous Stringdusters settled in for a three-night residency at B Chord Brewery in Round Hill, Virginia.  

For three starry days and nights, The Dusters provided a reason to head out to B Chord and enjoy the serene landscape, outstanding music, and a return to leisurely summer indulgences. For three glorious days, the music of The Infamous Stringdusters resonated at B Chord alongside The Sweet Lillies, Serene Green, Pictrola, and The Dirty Grass Players.

DC Music Review made the pilgrimage out to B Chord to enjoy the music on Saturday, May 21, 2022, to enjoy a beautiful blue day out in the Shenandoah to enjoy the music of Pictrola, The Sweet Lillies, and The Infamous Strindusters.

The audience was treated to several hours of original songs by each band, including songs from The Sweet Lillies' forthcoming album and The Infamous Stringdustes Toward The Fray. The unexpected cover songs by each band turned the most heads, drew out beaming smiles, and had the audience dancing out of their lawn chairs. Pictrola would end their performance with a fantastic "Brain Damage / Eclipse" finale from Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon. After listening to The Sweet Lillies perform, it left little doubt as to why The Infamous Strindusters brought this infectiously talented trio from Boulder, Colorado, to support this residency. The Sweeet Lillies certainly turned heads when they performed unexpected Americana versions of "She's Crafty" by The Beastie Boys and "It's Tricky" by Run DMC. Not only would Chris Pandolfi of The Infamous Strindusters sit in with The Sweet Lillies, but The Sweet Lillies would also join The Infamous Stringdusters in the evening's finale "Not Fade Away" by Buddy Holly / The Grateful Dead. After such an impressive performance by The Sweet Lillies, we can only hope that this multi-faceted and incredible trio from Colorado makes it back to the DMV more in the coming years.

The Infamous Stringdusters would perform two sets at B Chord that transitioned from a roaring daylight performance to a ferocious evening performance. Jon Stickley joined the Infamous Stringdusters this evening, filling in for Andy Falco as he attends to his newborn son Teddy. Throughout the evening, the audience joined the Dusters' rally cry of "Teddy Strong!" as we all wish for a complete recovery by the youngest Falco. The Infamous Stringdusters performed two sets seamlessly segueing between classic songs, new songs from Toward The Fray, and cover songs. Continuing the day's tradition of performing cover songs, The Dusters would include several memorable covers, including "Walking On The Moon" by The Police, "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk, "Wake Me Up" by Avicci, and "Casey Jones" by The Grateful Dead.

For those that have not seen The Infamous Stringdusters perform, they live up to their reputation as the best progressive bluegrass band on the concert circuit. If you were not able to attend The Starry Nights at B Chord or would like to see them perform again this year, be sure to purchase tickets to the upcoming Hoopla 2022 performance at Devil's Backbone Brewing Company (October 6 - 9, 2022).  Tickets can be found in this link.

Please enjoy the photo recap of the May 21st performance by Pictrola, The Sweet Lillies, and The Infamous Stringdusters below.

Blues and rock legends gathered at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY on Sunday, February 16 to honor the great BB King.  BlackBird Presents organized The Thrill Is Gone: A Tribute to BB King and invited many of the legendary bluesman's friends for a spectacular night of music. The bill included music royalty including Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Tony "TC" Coleman, Ann Wilson, Jimmy Vaughan, Bobby Rush, Warren Haynes, William Bell, Robert Randolph and many more for a special evening that will never be created again. 

The five-hour extravaganza featured an unending bill of pure entertainment including stories by Wavy Gravy, photo projections of BB throughout the theatre and a special appearance by Lucille, one of King's famed guitars. Two house bands, backed by TC and Steve Jordan, provided the backdrop for musical greats to honor King in the best way possible. Other standout performers included John Scofield, Ivan Neville, Shemekia Copeland, Jamey Johnson, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram (who got his hands on the beloved Lucille), Steve Van Zandt, and King's granddaughter, Val B. King. 

It was an honor to have to opportunity to  capture this special night. Check below for the full stlist and a large gallery of photos from an unforgettable evening at The Cap. 

DC Music Review had the honor of attending the album release show of Ben Williams, at NuBlu 151 in New York City, NY on Saturday, February 8. 

A Grammy-winning artist and one of D.C.'s own, Williams released his sociopolitically charged album, I AM A MAN, on February 7.

The album title is a reference to the historic 1968 African American sanitation workers' strike in Memphis. The strike reminded Williams of the Black Lives Matter movement and the overall experience of the African American male in present day. An experience, that unfortunately is not much different from back in 1968. 

Listen to  I AM A MAN and enjoy photos from the album release show by Ana Medvedeva below.

To learn more about Ben Williams, please see the following web resources:

We do not always travel outside the borders of DC, Maryland, and Virginia, but when we do, it is for a very good reason.

We were happy to venture up to Philadelphia, on November 7th, where the Ardmore Music Hall hosted Baltimore's own beloved Cris Jacobs and his band, the Cris Jacobs Band. Jacobs kicked off his tour the night before at the Brooklyn Bowl as he and Midnight North would perform several days in the Northeast Corridor before heading out to the midwest for a series of performances in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Cris Jacobs and his band have been genuinely firing on all cylinders this tour with the same passion and explosive performances they are known to deliver. At the Ardmore's appearance, none other than Grahame Lesh (Midnight North and The Terrapin Family Band) and Justin Mazer (Gatos Blancos) joined the Cris Jacobs Band on stage.

If you are reading this and you happen to live in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, it is not too late to see the Cris Jacobs Band or Midnight North when the perform there later this week.  Please see Cris Jacobs' Tour Dates for more information.

Have a glimpse of this exceptional performance through the lens of Jordan August.

The Tedeschi Trucks Band (TTB) took their traveling road show to the majestic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO on July 26-27 as a part of their 2019 Wheels of Soul tour. What occurred was nothing less than fascinating. 

The band was strong on the first evening and treated the sold-out crowd to numerous highlights including a powerful "Midnight In Harlem" > "Shame" pairing and a three-song encore of "Made Up Mind," "Stranger In a Strange Land" (Leon Russell) and "Space Captain" (Matthew Moore).

TTB turned it up a notch (or two) for the second evening, opening with a rousing take on The Band's "Don't Do It" featuring members of Blackberry Smoke. The band was firing on all cylinders on a cool night on the rocks and welcomed Shovels and Rope up for a beautiful rendition of "Don't Think Twice" (Bob Dylan). The favorite, "Bound For Glory" lifted our spirits before the band closed the set with "The Storm" that morphed into a thundering "Whipping Post" as a light rain began to fall. 

Always happy to share the stage with their colleagues, Tedeschi and Trucks welcomed back Blackberry Smoke and Shovels and Rope for the final jam of the night – a Sly and The Family Stone medley of "Sing a Simple Song" into "Take You Higher."

We were beyond fortunate to experience one of the hottest bands on tour in arguably the best venue in the country for two nights and  have the opportunity to document it through our lenses.

July 26, 2019