Billy Strings Takes Over Berkeley’s Greek Theater
Guitar virtuoso Billy Strings has been on quite a roll over the past few years, winning widespread acclaim for his energetic live performances.
progressive bluegrass
Phish Loaded Up on Guest Stars for ‘Hoist’ 30 Years Ago
Phish’s Hoist was their fifth LP and they were in the mood to try new things. Consequently, it felt like their version of a big commercial swing.
The Dead South Return with a Dark Bluegrass-Adjacent LP
The Dead South’s Chains & Stakes picks up where their last LP, 2019’s Sugar & Joy, left off. These 13 tracks lean toward hard-edged bluegrass and dark stories.
The String Cheese Incident Ring in 2024 in Oakland
It’s an Aquatic Soiree celebrating String Cheese Incident’s 30th anniversary, with each set representing a succeeding decade in their illustrious career.
Billy Strings Fries at the Frost at Stanford
Billy Strings’ career has soared due to his transcendent talent on the guitar. But he’s also got a down-to-earth demeanor as a sincere music fanatic.
Nickel Creek Musically Stretch on First Record in Nine Years
Celebrants is the lengthiest record Nickel Creek have ever made. It’s bursting with ideas and is a bit of a sprawl but an exciting set of songs.
Nickel Creek Repeat Themselves Anew on ‘Celebrants’
Celebrants finds Nickel Creek returning after nearly a decade. Sean and Sara Watkins tell PopMatters about finding creativity in repetition and their ambitious new album.
Dan Tyminski Pays Tribute to his Musical Hero Tony Rice
Dan Tyminski and friends Molly Tuttle, Jerry Douglas, and Sam Bush join forces to pay tribute to bluegrass guitar legend Tony Rice on One More Time Before You Go.
Peter Rowan Is a Boy Again on ‘Calling You From My Mountain’
In the hands of a master like Peter Rowan, bluegrass is traditional and new at the same time on Calling You From My Mountain.
A Mighty Bluegrass Heart with Béla Fleck at Carnegie Hall
Béla Fleck is taking his latest album, My Bluegrass Heart, on tour alongside some of the best bluegrass musicians on the planet.
Punch Brothers Return with a Cover of a Covers Album
Punch Brothers interpret bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice’s 1983 brilliant album, Church Street Blues. It’s a fascinating project and a rewarding listen.
String Cheese Incident Rock “The Days Between” at the Berkeley Greek
It was an uplifting two-night run and a genuine treat to have the String Cheese Incident back in the Bay Area to celebrate the sacred Days Between.