Slayer - Farewell World Tour @ Salem Civic Center

Slayer brought the “Final Campaign” tour to Salem Civic center on November 5th. They may have arrived by bus but they entered the arena like a freight train.  This tour is said to be their final and they performed as if it was.

Black Label Society Shreds Monarch Music Hall in Central Illinois with Corrosion of Conformity and Telekinetic Yeti

Monarch Music Hall - Peoria, Illinois July 16th, 2018

Review and photos by Jeremy Rickman of JKR Photography

Middle of Summer heats up with Metal Legend Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society and Pepper Keenan and Corrosion of Conformity joined by Midwestern Duo Telekinetic Yeti

BUSH Tour stops at the Monarch Music Hall in Peoria, Illinois

Monarch Music Hall - Peoria, Illinois April 17th, 2018

Review and Photos by Jeremy Rickman of JKR Photography

 

Monarch Music Hall started off Peoria, Illinois spring concert season by bringing the BUSH Tour into Central, Illinois. Just back from their European Tour Dates they joined up with Australian Band Atlas Genius, and Big Jesus out of Atlanta, GA. 

G3 Tour 2018 at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

The G3 tour shakes Raleigh with guitar thunder and searing riffs.

The G3 Tour 2018 consists of Joe Satriani (founder and creator), John Petrucci of Dream Theater, and Phil Collen of Def Leppard.  The G3 tour began in 1996 and is still going strong, some 20+ years later!

Avenged Sevenfold "The Stage" Tour dominates Central Illinois

Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL January 25th, 2018

Review and Photos by Jeremy Rickman of JKR Photography

Peoria, Illinois is the 9th stop on Avenged Sevenfold's "The Stage" World Tour with guests Breaking Benjamin and Bullet For My Valentine. The Peoria Civic Center was packed to the rafters with fans from all over the Midwest for the return of A7X to Central Illinois since 2011. The surge of energy from this almost sold out show was felt by everyone walking into the arena on the chilly January evening.

Lee "Scratch" Perry & Subatomic Sound System Upset States

Lee "Scratch" Perry

Dub pioneer, The Upsetter, Lee "Scratch" Perry with his band Subatomic Sound System made their debut appearances in North Carolina along their ongoing U.S. tour including a January 19 performance at Asheville's newest nightclub, Ellington Underground.  At 81 years young, Lee Perry greeted the crowd of the sold out show bright eyed and brightly dressed.  Upbeat and engaging, Lee "Scratch" Perry with his band Subatomic Sound System played late into the night.  Emch aka Seicntifik provides the backbone to the sound for Subatomic Sound System, with Talia Bentson on vocals, Larry McDonald on percussion, and Troy Simms on saxophone.  Born Rainford Hugh Perry in Jamaica 1936, Lee "Scratch" Perry took times during his performance to partake before passing on to the crowd. 

Tauk with Peridoni at The Madison Theater

Tauk played The Madison Theater with Peridoni this weekend and rocked the stage. These two bands have had a lot of good momentum this and are playing several festivals this spring and fall. This show was moved from Madison Live to the Madison Theater as there was a great turn out. Check out their schedule at www(dot)taukband(dot)com.

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

 

The 28th Annual Christmas Jam Rocked the House Down

Warren Haynes

The 28^th Annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam that took place on December 10, 2016 at the US Cellular Center in beautiful Asheville North Carolina came through with a bang for a night of stellar performances of all kinds.  The event, which is known for having musicians from all backgrounds collaborating to create improvisational jams amongst themselves, kept the fans happy dancing through out the entire long night of music.  The Christmas Jam is and always has been a benefit to support the Habitat for Humanity Foundation.  The event has brought in over 2 Million dollars for the cause throughout the years. 

A Weekend with the Bruce Katz Band

February 25th and 26th
By Michael Yanko and Michelle Wilson

Some bands are so good that you just cannot get enough of them, and for us, the Bruce Katz Band is definitely one of them! With keys master Bruce Katz tickling the ivories, Chris Vitarello playing ultra clean guitar licks and belting out strong, smooth vocals, and Ray Hangen banging out precise drum beats, this power blues/rock/jazz trio thrilled the crowds everywhere we went. Katz (Blues Hall of Fame Inductee 2013) has performed with the likes of the Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman, John Hammond, Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters and Delbert McClinton, to name a few. In addition to playing with Katz, Vitarello (Blues Hall of Fame Inductee 2013) also has collaborated with the late Jimmy McGriff, Tad Robinson and Floyd Miles, in addition to many others, and is a member of the Chris O’Leary Band. Hangen (2010 Buffalo Music Award for Best Blues Drummer) has played with The Blues Hounds and Brandon Santini.

JD & The Straight Shot

By Michael Yanko 

for Concert Photos Magazine

Live at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL 1-24-17

When you are selected to be the opening act for a sold out Don Henley concert you have to be doing something right!

The band represents a combination of blues, rock, Americana, country, and bluegrass.

The acoustic set by JD & The Straight Shot was very entertaining and they did a great job warming up the crowd.  JD (James Dolan, yes, THAT James Dolan) was very personable, and what little he may have lacked in vocal skills he more than made up for through rapport with the crowd and an excellent supporting band.  JD wonderfully explained the history and/or meaning of each song and the crowd really seemed to be very responsive to his banter. The band has recorded 6 albums and performed a nice mix of a few older originals and songs off their new album “Ballyhoo.” 

The Marcus King Band at 20th Century Theater

The Marcus King Band made an appearance Tuesday night at the 20th Century Theater. Marcus King is a 20 year old guitarist who can play with the best of them, including the legendary Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. Marcus and his phenomenal band played mostly originals and also broke out a few Allman Brothers covers. Marcus has been traveling the country and playing some international dates of recent. He also played the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam last week in Asheville. I have been seeing Marcus, when I lived in Asheville, since he was 16. There will be no slowing down for Marcus or his band anytime soon. Check him our at marcuskingband (dot) com.

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Steve Vai at the Bijou Theatre

Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary World Tour

If you like guitar, then you know Steve Vai.  If you like listening to instrumental guitar, then you know "Passion and Warfare."  The album was recorded over a period of several years and released to critical acclaim in 1990, reaching #18 on the Billboard charts.  Fans will finally get to hear the album in its entirety on this 25th anniversary tour.

Pearl Jam Blows the Roof Off of Bon Secours Arena in SC

Pearl Jam came to Greenville, South Carolina for an epic 3 hour and 45 minute performance with over 30 songs on the bill. Not only that, but for the first time in a long time, they played all of their second album, Vs, from front to back!! The crowd was very active and this show proved once again why this band headlines festivals and has been named a top ten live act of any band on tour. Check out Pearl Jam at Bonnaroo and New Orleans Jazz Fest this year, or one of their many tour stops..See more of my photos and band info at PearlJam.com. Below click "Read More" to see a setlist and general write up of the show from the band's management...highlights included Comfortably Numb, Dissident, Future Days, Baba O'reilly and other rarities. 

Images by Doug Siegel

www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

--Click Read More for Setlist and Images of Show--

Billy Joel at U.S. Bank Arena

Billy Joel played a long set of all his best songs last night at U.S. Bank Arena. The sold out crowd was singing and dancing with Billy as he rocked the arena with his Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame performance. Billy Joel is one of the most successful solo artists of all time and almost every song he played last night has either won a Grammy or some sort of accolade. Check out the article with my photos next week at The Examiner.

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Elton John - Wonderful Crazy Night Tour @ Freedom Hall

Elton John brought his band back to Johnson City, Tennessee, to perform for yet another sold out crowd.

Dropkick Murphy's 20th Anniversary Tour

Dropkick Murphys made a stop to Bogarts for their 20th Anniversary Tour with Tiger Army and Darkbuster. Tiger Army and Darkbuster played great opening sets but you could tell the sold out crowd was there for some Irish Rock n' Roll from Dropkick Murphys. This show sold out last January and was a bit crowded. In honor of their 20th Anniversary, the band put on a 10 minute video to start the show. The video covered band highlights, interviews, shows, Boston sporting events which they played, clips from movies including The Departed, and the band's favorite moments from 20 years of music. There was not a dull moment all evening and if you ever get a chance to see these guys, especially around St. Patricks Day, don't hesitate to go!! Check out more photos on their website and Press Line Photos. Have a good St. Patrick's Day.

Images by Doug Siegel

www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Geoff Tate's Operation: Mindcrime @ Capone's

Geoff Tate and his new band, Operation: Mindcrime, stopped off in Johnson City, TN., in support of their new album, The Key. 

Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band with Barnstar!

Josh Ritter is on a national tour and made a stop by the Taft on February 29, 2016 to perform some old and new songs. He has a great style and will be moving up the ranks at the festivals this summer with increased popularity and one of his best albums to date. This was the last show on his winter tour and will resume touring in a few months through the summer. Check out the opening band Barnstar!

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Dark Star Orchestra at the Taft Theater

Dark Star Orchestra played a great show at the Taft Theater to a sold out crowd on February 26, 2016...The band played two full sets and a long encore as usual. For more information about DSO or tonights setlist/show, please visit their website at darkstarorchestra(dot)net. (only shot 3 mins of show due to late arrival due to other events)

Images by Doug Siegel
www.dougsiegelphotography.carbonmade.com

Van Halen @ PNC Pavilion

Van Halen in Charlotte NC during their North America Tour 2015