Joe Bonamassa Live in 2014

Joe Bonamassa in an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter who takes his influence from a British style of rock-blues. He also performs like he is channeling Stevie Ray Vaughan at times. He is definitely a musician's musician and packed the Cincinnati Music Hall with an eager crowd that have been waiting for this night for a long time. I talked to a guy at dinner who said he bought tickets on pre-sale back in March and got balcony seats. The orchestra level to this show sold out before it even went on sale. The first set was more of an acoustic style set. The second set was electric, in more ways than one! Joe introduced his band mates and their accolades at one point in the show. He has an all-star group of musicians including Carmine Rojas (toured w David Bowie, SRV, Billy Joel), Tal Bergman (Chaka Khan), Derek Sherinian (Kiss, Alice Cooper, Dream Theater), Lenny Castro (Toto, Clapton, Booker T, John Mayer, Rolling Stones), Mats Wester, and Gerry O'Connor. Joe is on a U.S. tour all over the states through February and then sets out on a European tour in March. Photos were from side stage as pit was closed to photographers.

Images by Doug Siegel

Gov't Mule Halloween Extravaganza with Neil Young Tribute

Mulaween took place on October 31, 2014 at The Taft Theater with special guest Jackie Greene (touring member of Black Crowes, Mark Knopfler, BB King, Ratdog, Buddy Guy, etc). The first set included Mule songs and the second set was all Neil Young. The band played for three and a half hours and played 37 songs. They played every classic Neil Young song including "Hey Hey My My, Down by the River, Southern Man, Ohio, Heart of Gold, Rockin in the Free World, " and many more. The encore of "Cortez the Killer" was a crowd and personal favorite. Check out the setlist at Mule Net.

Images by Doug Siegel

The Black Lips with King Khan and Cincinnati Suds at Southgate House Revival

The Black Lips headlined the Southgate House Revival last week with King Khan and Cincinnati Suds as supporting acts. All three bands had great sets and rocked out this old rehabbed church which serves as a multi-stage venue. The Black Lips are currently touring around the eastern United States with King Kahn and the BBQ Show.

Images by Doug Siegel

The Black Lips

Stick Figure - Livin' It Fall Tour

Article and photography by Jimi Nedoff of  Nedoff Fotography

Stick Figure rolled into Charlotte, NC on September 21, 2014 to play for a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Visulite Theatre.

Stick Figure

Sam Bush, Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, Steep Canyon Rangers in 2014

We had a great week this summer with Sam Bush, Nicki Bluhm & the Gramlers, and the Steep Canyon Rangers. Each band offers their own blend of bluegrass, folk, and rock. Caught all three of these acts at The Telluride Bluegrass Festival and got a chance to hang out with these bands. All three groups were class acts and some of the nicest people around, performing great live music. Check them out if they come to a town near you. (Low light at this venue)

Images by Doug Siegel

Bunbury Music Festival 2014

Bunbury Music Festival had another successful year on the banks of the Ohio River. The festival featured five different stages, over 100 bands, a craft beer area with hundreds of great beers, fireworks, and great weather to round out a perfect weekend. Some of the performers included The Flaming Lips, Paramore, Fallout Boy, Heartless Bastards, The Orwells, Dead Sara, J Roddy Walston, Empire of the Sun, Fitz and the Tantrums, Young the Giant, Foxy Shazam, ZZ Ward, Andrew WK, Cage the Elephant and several others.  Several hundred more Bunbury moments including crowd shots at my flickr site under the Bunbury Album.

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Cage the Elephant

Grouplove, Portugal, The Man, and Typhoon Bring the Honda Civic Tour to the Horseshoe

The Honda Civic Tour brought in Grouplove, Portugal, The Man and Typhoon to the Horseshoe's outside stage last week. All three bands threw an energetic performance and clearly have many loyal fans. I have seen these bands at several festivals this summer and they are growing their fan bases in rapid numbers. The tour is currently up east and then heads west to most major cities.

Images by Doug Siegel

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Acoustic Progressive Flamenco Metal Rock Fusion

Article and photography by Jimi Nedoff of Nedoff Fotography

Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero, otherwise known as Rodrigo y Gabriela, made their first trip to Charlotte, NC this past Wednesday August 6 to perform for an intrigued crowd at the Fillmore.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Dirty Heads and Pepper Supply an Evening of West Coast Summertime Beach Vibes

Images and article by Jimi Nedoff of Nedoff Fotography


Earlier this week, on Tuesday July 29, The Dirty Heads and Pepper rolled into Charlotte, NC for a night at the Fillmore. The two groups bring a good time, beach party atmosphere with their sounds. Perfect for a late July packed house looking for some fun.

Dirty Heads

The 2014 Forecastle Festival in Louisville, Kentucky

Forecastle Festival had another successful year in Louisville, Kentucky. Forecastle is put on by AC Entertainment, the same group that puts on Bonnaroo, Outsidelands, Mountain Oasis and several other great festivals. A Forecastle is a superstructure at the bow of a ship where the crew is housed. This is where the workers unwind after a hard day of work in unruly waters. Everyone came together and had a great time on the banks of the Ohio River with a lineup including Jack White, Beck, Outkast, The Replacements, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, Gary Clark Jr., Band of Horses, Ray Lamontagne, Spoon, Nickel Creek, JJ Grey and Mofro, Reignwolf, The Black Lips, Lucius, Jason Isbell, Jenny Lewis, Brett Dennon, 21 Pilots, Against Me!, Spanish Gold and about 50 other acts. The Bourbon Tent, with over 20 of Kentucky's Finest Distilleries, was a huge hit as well. There were also great late night parties with Moontaxi, Jim James, and several other notable acts. Check out more of my coverage at Unsung Melody, The Blue Indian, and Nashville's Tennessean. Some bands are not included in this article due to artist release. Reignwolf coverage will be in RollingStone.com in Emerging Artists section next month.

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Moogfest 2014: The Advancement of Culture and Technology

Laser Lights During The Pet Shop Boys

After taking a break for 2013, Moogfest came back stronger than ever in Asheville, North Carolina for an epic five-day adventure of sound and art.  Opting to move from its usual position in late October to beautiful April, festival organizers have saved traveling patrons from the overpriced hotel rooms associated with Autumn in the mountains.  With the addition of the daytime events including lectures, talks, performances, and workshops, Moogfest has secured itself as an east coast commodity.  With the pioneer of electronic music and inventor the Moog Synthesizer, Bob Moog having called Asheville his home for many years, and with the Bob Moog Foundation and the Moog Factory both located in Asheville, it feels natural to bring such an amazing event back to the mountains of North Carolina.  Moogfest carries the strong theme of new technologies, futurism, and synth-heavy music.  Music lovers and geeks unite to watch over 100 musical performances and dozens of educational and interactive talks and workshops.

Looking Forward to Moogfest 2014

Flying Lotus at Moogfest

Moogfest 2014 is fast approaching to the legions of electronic music fans in the southeast.  It is taking place over five days from April 23-27 in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.  Since coming to Asheville, North Carolina in 2010, Moogfest has become the premier urban music festival, bringing the top of the line music and workshops to multiple venues around downtown Asheville.  Moogfest is named after the late Bob Moog, known as the inventor of electronic music and the Moog Synthesizer.  The festival is held in order to honor the creativity and inventiveness that Bob Moog spread throughout his life.  

Phil Lesh - Big Plans for 2014 after Free Show in Central Park

Phil Lesh

It is old news that the latest Grateful Dead formation, Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, is taking a 2014 hiatus after their sold-out four-night event in January called Paradise Waits at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico.  After their bash on the beach, Weir and Lesh both intend to keep playing music, focusing on their solo projects.  This is understandable considering Furthur’s intense touring schedule over the past four years.  It was just announced that Lesh, 73, is teaming up with heavyweight music promoter and Relix Magazine publisher Peter Shapiro to pursue an easier way to keep the music going after 46 years on the road.