John Mayer played a solo set at Chicago’s United Center on Wednesday and, while on stage, took a stroll down memory lane, back to his days of just starting out as a young(er) musician. Little did he know that back then, it would be just the beginning of what would become a wildly successful worldwide music career. That being said, Mayer’s concerts are not just about the music; he’s also known for his engaging stage presence and storytelling. He interacts with the audience, shares anecdotes, and creates a more intimate and personal connection with his fans. And, on October 18th, he did not disappoint, saying, “I love Chicago. I remember playing for just my friends here, at Schuba’s years ago. So, tonight, I will consider all of y’all…my friends.” Of course, the thousands in attendance at the United Center went wild.

Depending on the show, Mayer might bring out guest musicians to join him on stage. He has a history of collaborating with other notable artists, making his live performances even more exciting and unpredictable, although this was not the case in Chicago but the nearly sold-out crowd certainly did not seem to mind. He began his set with, “Heartbreak Warfare,” under a slight spotlight and intense blue lasers that blanketed his face and body as he sat comfortably on a white upholstered chair. He also visited his piano for a couple of his tunes, including, “You’re Going to Live Forever in Me,” and, “Changing.” The set was amazing, with just him on that gigantic stage…no surprise guests required.

Mayer’s music has definitely evolved over the years, and his live shows reflect this progression. He seamlessly transitions between different musical genres, showcasing his growth as an artist. Also known for his soulful, and smooth voice, his live performances highlight his vocal and guitar mastery. He often adds improvisational vocal elements to his songs, creating unique renditions for his live audience.

The John Mayer solo tour continues into early November before he (and special guest, JP Saxe) head overseas, first to Japan and then to Europe. You can visit his website (below) for future tour dates and I encourage you to do so.

John Mayer – Official Website

Ruoff Music Center 

Noblesville, Indiana

September 23, 2023

by Mary Andrews

The 37^th annual Farm Aid all day concert once again will go down in history as one of the best to date. It has been a year long celebration of Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday and today’s festivities have been an extention of that celebration. The festival had a cavalcade of musical legends. The press conference started the day’s festivities with the Farm Aid board, local farmers, members of the bands, and other Farm Aid officials. The purpose every year is  to deliver vital information on the progress of Farm Aid’s efforts to help family farmers. The local farmers spoke of challenges in the state and educating the local population on eating organic foods and the effects on human health.

Neil Young always has vital comments on concerns of the day regarding family natural farming.  Here’s what he had to day:”How important it is that the family farmers do what they do by sustaining organic food. They bring back the earrh from the ground up. There are all great things, but they all pale in comparison to one thing, the people who go to the stores. People who are out there right now. We are all together in this. The climate change crisis is out there. If we go to our media, we don’t hear about it. We hear about rediculous stuff that doesn’t mean anything. We hear about the pontificating about political views. All of this meaningless in today’s world. We as the people all around this world can do something about it. We can work together and try to do natural things. Things that help you make decisions about what foods to gather, where to go to buy it. Don’t go the the wrong place to buy the right food. Research, read a little bit to find out what they are doing. It would be great if we could stop using fossil fuel but, things could come to a crashing halt anyway. We need to forget about those kind of things and think about natural things we could do.”

Young continued, “What’s the best way to get a mile and a half down the road? Probably the best way to do that is to walk. It’s the natural thing to do. It makes you stronger and it makes you hungry for good food. In the world you make the right decisions, the natural decisions. The natural way of life. Try to do things the way they used to be. Before we got so smart and so greedy. When I first came here with Willie and John, and Dave, we had a lot of these red shirts around that said stop factory farms. This was in the first and second year of Farm Aid. There’s a couple of them out there in the crowd. This is a serious business. This factory farm thing doesn’t work. It doesn’t work for us. It doesn’t work for humanity. It doesn’t work for the planet. It doesn’t work for the animals. It doesn’t work for the humans. It doesn’t work for anything that grows naturally. Everything that we do, we need to think about natural ways. What were the ways that our forefathers used? Because their ways worked. What we’ve done has gotten so greedy. i’m not going to decent to corporated farming gustalt. But I would like to say that we have a choice and its really the people on the street who are going to make the difference. The farmers are doing everything they can do. Without the people behind the farmers, it’s not going to work. The people need to support the farmers. That’s not just a phrase. We need to think about the world and what we are doing, the natural way. Where is this food coming from and what can I do to get to it? How can I get there without hurting the planet? What things can I do today that will help? What things can I leave off my list that are going to hurt something? If we research this, we will find that it’s not b that hard to figure out. So it’s all in our hands. It’s in the hands of the people of the world to support the farmers. Support everyone who is working for a better tomorrow. A better tomorrow is based in natural ways, mother nature. Mother nature will take care of the earth. We know that. We’ll all be gone. . . .Mother earth has mother nature to protect her. We need to follow those rules. We need to follow the natural ways of living. That’s all I know to say about this. It’s so simple. People have to support the world. 

The festival is always headlined by board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and Margo Price. This year’s surprise guest was Bob Dylan. It was one of the most packed lineup of entertainers  seen in recent years. 

Immediately following the press conference, the entertainment started with the Wisdom Indian Dancers, Clayton Anderson, and the Black Opry. The Wisdom Indian Dancers are a permanent act at Farm Aid and their colorful set is very short. 

Clayton Anderson, originally from Bedford, Indiana, is inspired by board-member, John Mellencamp. Local fans seemed to be very familiar with Anderson and gave him a warm welcome during his uplifting set. 

The Black Opry featured Lori Rayne, Tylar Bryant, and Kyshona. The band was concieved to support black artists in country music. All of the members in attendence were superb singers. Their set demonstrated the reason Allison Russell introduced Kyshona as one of the best singers in show business. The set seemed far too short.

Particle Kid is Willie’s son Micah Nelson. The young Nelson is following in his father’s footsteps as a songwriter. The multi-instrumentalist always delivers an innovative set with new music offered. He often performs with The Flaming Lips and Neil Young. Nothing like singing “Everything is Bullsh*t” to a country crowd. His hard driving guitars easily pumped up fans.

The String Cheese Incident has been celebrating 30 years as a band. They are celebrating their forcoming album Lend Me a Hand featuring their blues-inspired new music. Fans were on their feet dancing to their loosely structured jam music.

This is the third year for multi-instrumentalist, Allison Russell, to appear at Farm Aid. Doesn’t matter if she is playing clarenet, banjo or guitar, her performance is stellar. Her vocals are compelling and emotional. It’s a great sight to see her at Farm Aid.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the NightSweats delivered another outstanding folk and Americana set prior to Lukas Nelson and The Promise of the Real. Nelson has come a long way since his appearances opening for BB King in 2009. “Sticks and Stones” and “Finding Yourself” were some of the performer’s offerings. The set was amazing as usual.

Bobby Weir and the Wolf Brothers bandmates included bassist Don Was, drummer Jay Lane, keyboardist Jeff Climenti and pedal steel guitarist Barry Siess. The band was aygmented by Sturgill Simpson on guitar, Margo Price on vocals and Lukas Nelson on guitar. It was a three song set that started with an extended version of “Truckin’”

The Jim Irsey Band featuring Ann Wilson and Kenny Wayne Sheperd were up next with Wilson and Sheperd performing the bulk of the set, thankfully. Both entertainers are the best at what they do. Also session guitarist, Tom Bukovac, thrilled the crowd. Margo Price followed with Sturgill Simpson sitting in during her set as well. They covered Simpson’s “Life of Sin.” “Paper Cowboy” and “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” were extra treats performed.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds gave another spectacular acoustic set, prior to homeboy, John Mellencamp, gave the fans a run of his hit songs. Once “Jack and Diane” was started, Mellencamp stopped the song to chastise the fans for not singing it properly. It was all in fun and I must say the fans knew the lyrics to all of his songs. It was definitely a Mellencamp crowd.

Neil Young’s set was a solo set with Young playing harmonica and guitar as he walked around the stage and sang. It has been three years since Young has made a live appearance at Farm Aid. He was very apologetic regarding his absence. Young at one point shouted,”What’s your favorite planet?” and everyone roared back: “Earth!” The answer was written on the tee shirt he was wearing. The set seemed to be far too short with only four songs, granted they were long versions of the songs. One has to wonder if the set was cut short because of Bob Dylan being added to the list of performers.

Dylan’s surprise set was also short with only three songs including :Maggie’s Farm,” “Positively 4th Street,” and “Ballad of a Thin Man.” Dylan was accompanied by the Heartbreakers, Tom Petty’s band, making his Farm Aid reunion with that band very special. He took the stage without uttering a word to the crowd. Dylan has been touring and has dates lined up for the fall.

Willie Nelson and Family had the final set of the day and it was one of the best this reviewer has seen in many years. Nelson delivered exceptional guitar solos. He was flanked by sons Lukas and Micah as well as Waylon Payne. Some songs performed were “Always on My Mind,” “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Be Cowboys,” and “Texas Flood.” Nelson’s energy level could not have been higher. And Farm Aid could not have had a better day of music.

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Damn Right Farewell Tour

AVA Amphitheatre

Tucson, Arizona

September 9, 2023

By Mary Andrews

Buddy Guy and opening act, Samantha Fish were doing their best to keep the blues alive in Tucson. Guy, the 87 year old legend, was determined to stand his ground and play music dating back to his early days in the 1950s. The Chicago bluesman has influenced everyone from Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and many more. He even played with Muddy Waters as a session musician. To this day, Guy plays with originality and a spark like no other guitarist.

Guy has had several opening acts during this tour. Samantha Fish opened for Guy tonight and she very pleasantly surprised many of the fans who were not familiar with Fish’s blues guitar. Fish was accompanied  by Jesse Dayton and her band that seemed to add to the verosity of her one hour set. The set steamed with lots of gusto and high energy. 

Even with Jesse Dayton on guitar and vocals, it was Fish’s show from the get go. The Kansas City native kicked out great arrangements of “Feelin’ Good,” “I’ll Be Here in the Morning,” “I Put a Spell on You,” and “Brand New Cadillac.” Many highlights during the set had fans out of their seats clapping and dancing. One must consider that at 800 pm, the temperature was well over 100 degrees. That didn’t keep Fish from delivering her best! Fish garnered many more new Tucson fans during this show.

It wasn’t any cooler during Guy’s set. However, Guy was as cool as a cucumber. He always seems to enjoy his shows as much as the crowd. When he decended on stage he stood momentarily so the fans could get a gander of his polka-dot guitar and shirt. Polka-dots seem to be ever present in his shows paying homeage to his late mother. He once promised her that he would buy her a polka-dot Cadillac when he made it big. That didn’t happen in time before her death. The presence of polka-dots in his show is the next best thing.

Guy started playing “Hoochie Coochie Man” and stopped  and quipped, “I don’t come down to Tucson often, but when I do come, I don’t want you to f**k up this song.” That was Guy’s feisty mood for the evening. More remarks included “I can play something so funky, you can smell it.” No one doubted anything Guy had to say. His playful mood was accompanied by his legendary guitar playing. He paid reverence to the guitar legends from the past:  BB King, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Bobby Rush, and Albert King. Some of the songs were only snippets instead of full versions. He laminted that they don’t play blues songs on the radio anymore. 

There was the moment when he laid his guitar on one of the amps and played the strings with a drumstick.  He still knows his way around the fretboard on a guitar better than most musicians. After a velvety version of “Fever,” Guy played a medley of tunes from Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”, and Hooker’s “Boom Boom.” Blues or no blues, Guy’s show are always uplifting for the rock and roll fans. The master bluesman is not to be missed.

Check out some of Samantha Fish moments on Unrated.

2017 Interview with Unrated

SAMANTHA FISH PLAYS THE TRALFS

Samantha Fish Plays Tucson, AZ

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Buddy Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram |

The band draws inspiration from classic rock and blues, incorporating elements of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and other iconic rock acts into their music. They have a distinctive sound that combines retro influences with a modern edge, resulting in a unique and captivating sonic experience.

Rival Sons released their debut album, “Before the Fire,” in 2009, which garnered critical acclaim and helped establish their reputation as a rising rock band. Since then, they have released several successful albums, including “Pressure & Time” (2011), “Great Western Valkyrie” (2014), and “Feral Roots” (2019). Their albums have been well-received by both fans and critics, earning them a loyal following and multiple award nominations.

Known for their energetic and charismatic live performances, Rival Sons has toured extensively, captivating audiences around the world with their powerful stage presence and tight musicianship. They have shared stages with renowned artists such as AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, further solidifying their reputation as a formidable rock band.

Rival Sons’ music often combines bluesy guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and memorable hooks, resulting in a sound that appeals to rock enthusiasts across different generations. Their songs tackle a range of themes, including love, life’s struggles, and social issues, often delivered with introspective and thought-provoking lyrics.

Overall, Rival Sons is a band that continues to push the boundaries of rock music, combining classic influences with their own unique style. Their passionate performances and soulful sound have garnered them a dedicated fan base and established them as one of the prominent rock acts of their generation. So…if you have not heard of this band, it is highly suggested that you become acquainted with them…the sooner the better. You’ll thank me for it, I assure you.

For tour dates and all things Rival Sons, click HERE.

#RivalSons #Chicago #ConcordMusicHall #UnRatedMagazine #2023

When Barenaked Ladies perform in Chicago, you can expect a mix of their well-known hits such as “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” and “If I Had $1,000,000,” along with songs from their more recent albums. They often incorporate humor and banter into their performances, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere for the audience. This chilly June 6th evening was no exception.

To get the most up-to-date information about Barenaked Ladies’ upcoming performances and latest music releases, such as their latest single (and video), “Lovin’ Life,” released just this morning, click HERE.

#BarenakedLadies #Semisonic #DelAmitri #LiveMusic #Chicago #NortherlyIsland #LastSummerOnEarth

July 9, 2023

Wrigley Field Chicago 

by Keeton Robinson 

Legendary rock group Dead & Company made their way to Wrigley Field to finish their sold-out tour. The 2-day sold-out show was one for the books. People from all over the country and the Midwest area made their way to the historic ballpark. Seeing the artists up close and feeling like it was Woodstock type of vibe. The live band in front of Wrigley Field that’s performing had the attendees in a great mood before entering the stadium. The crowd was mainly older, but it was some young people that knew the songs and were attending as well. Entering the stadium was just a sea full of people everywhere you went, but it was one of those experiences that you had to be there in person to witness. The weather couldn’t be any better to see a live band perform their hits. Sunny day around the low 80s with clear skies throughout the entire performance. People were patiently waiting for the band to come out. When the band members came out, the crowd went wild and were ready for the performance.

Once the band members had their instruments set up and ready to go, the first song they played was “Playing In The Band”. The lead singer Bob Weir was the main person singing the song, and the crowd was singing along with him. The vibe at Wrigley Field was welcoming, and I felt like it was the concertgoers were in their own bubble while the performance was going on. What was unique about this performance to me was that once the song was over, it wasn’t a gap or anything saying we were going to the next song. I thought that was cool, and it kept the performance flowing throughout the whole night.

The next song was called Deal, and that was mainly sung by John Mayer. Overall the concert was great, and it felt like you were going through a time machine I would recommend someone to attend any tour dates in the near future.

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Fans had many moments to relish on the second weekend of the 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. There were four days for fans to devour multi-genre music with the Dead and Company being the highlight. Although, many fans would argue with us on that point.

The weather ‘Gods’ caused challenges for festival goers due to strong thunderstorms on Saturday morning that caused a two hour delay in opening fest. Otherwise everything went as planned.

“Locals Thursday” had many people taking advantage of the “$50” ticket discount for Louisiana residents.  The highlights of the day had Santana headlining on the main stage.  Santana came on stage starting with “Soul Sacrifice,” “Black Magic Woman,” and “Evil Ways.”  He played long, clean runs with his eyes closed as he soared through fan favorites. As a note, Cindy Blackman, Santana’s wife, is the drummer for the band.
Chicago blues giant, Buddy Guy, was on the main stage after spending several years closing the blues tent. Guy is presently touring with his ‘Damn Right Farewell Tour.’ He festured his son, Greg, playing some great solo guitar. Guy always seems playful often making his guitar do the ‘talking.’ He picks guitar with his tongue and often plays with his guitarheld toward his back. His guitar styling is often imitated by many other instumentalists. Guy played snippits of songs that he loves from John Lee hooker, Hendrix, and Clapton.

Larkin Poe gave a very informative interview prior to their set closing the Blues tent on Thursday. The sister act rocked out to tunes like “Strike Gold,” “She’s a Self-Made Man,” and “Preachin’ Blues.”

Thursday was also the day that the festival honored Walter “Wolfman” Washington, native New Orleans performer who passed away in December 2022. The members of his band, the Roadmasters, reminisced about him during an interview at the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage. Later, they fired up a set of Wolfman favorites at the Blues Tent with some very special guests including Irma Thomas, Deacon John, John “Papa” Gross, Alex McMurray, and Mem Shannon.

S
John Batiste closed the large stage on Friday and many fans will testify that his was the best show of this year. His set included “Tell the Truth,” “I Need You,” and “Rain Dance.” Batiste was there to show his hometown folks how his talent has grown.

Country singer, Kane Brown, thrilled throngs of young women during his set on Friday. Brown seemed disappointed that he wasn’t able to utilze his typical concert laser beams and backdrop videos. That said, he danced across the stage singing everyone’s favorite Kane Brown songs with aplomb. It was a fun set from a probable future country superstar.

H.E.R. aka Having Everything Revealed aka Gabriella Wilson is an R’n B artist that mesmerized the crowd from the moment she took the stage. It helped that the rain that came down on festers all day had stopped. She bagan without any of her guitars and moved across the stage as if she owned it. Songs performed included “Cheat Code,” “Best Part,” and “Make It Rain.”She donned her guitar later in the set.

Bob Weir, Jay Lane, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, Mickey Hart, and John Mayer took the stage as Dead and Company. They easily had the largest crowd on the last Saturday after a day of constant rain had stopped. Fan favorites included “Truckin,’” Cumberland Blues,” and “Uncle John’s Band.” It was a set for the partying crowd that lasted for two hours.

The final day of fest had Mumford and Sons, Tom Jones, Melissa Etheridge, Trombone Shorty, and Ne-Yo among many others. Tom Jones is one of the few remaining survivors of the British Invasion of the 1960s. He has performed at Jazz Fest many times and always delivers the best. Jon Batiste made a surprise appearance during Trombone Shorty’s set. Fans left feeling that they could not wait until next year’s festival. Only 345 days to go! Maybe we will see Ringo Starr next year

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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, New Orleans, LA, USA

April 28-30, 2023

by Mary Andrews

The 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival had for the most part highs and a few lows on the first fest weekend. It’s considered post pandemic now and fans came out in droves to relish many genre of music on 13 stages over three days. It was a glorious start beginning on Friday.

Highs: Opening day had a plethora of big name artist starting with Lizzo..She seems to be an icon in the making and it has been a long road to fame for the star. Depending on your perspective, the  crowds were having a lot of difficulty getting to the stage. She was a little late starting the set, but admitted to being “hung over as shit” from celebrating her birthday yesterday. She was set to headline fest 2020 and 2021, so the fans were there in droves to partake in Lizzo’s performance. She admitted, “I’ve been on tour but, bitch, ain’t nothing like being at Jazz Fest.” 

Her set was a combination of newer material and her hits like “Truth Hurts,” “Good as Hell” and “Juice.” She covered Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop” and part of Coldplay’s “Yellow.” She broke out her flute because “It’s about to get real jazzy in this bitch.” It was everything fans had anticipated and more.

Wu-Tang Clan and The Soul Rebels headlined the Congo Stage. As more and more members joined: U God, RZA and the GZA, the set was what fans hoped for. Raekwon’s voice is as strong as ever, and Ghostface sent chills up the spines of the faithful fans.

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant brought out many of the old-timers in the crowd. The two singers performed together at jazz fest 15 years ago promoting the Grammy winning album, Raising Sand. Now they have a new album, Raise the Roof. It’s a combination of bluegrass, blues and folk music. Led Zeppelin fans were not disappointed when they did a rendition of “When the Levee Breaks.”

Tank and the Bangas and Big Freedia gave outstanding performances prior to Lizzo’s set that seemed to be a prelude to Lizzo. They were certainly as entertaining.

There were some outstanding interviews at the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage including Steve Miller, Allison Russell, and Charlie Musselwhite. All had many stories to tell and were well worth attending.

Ed Sheeran used a system of pedals that allow him to record and “loop” the sounds he makes onstage, thus building full arrangements in real time. He tapped his acoustic guitar to make beats, slash a chord or two, loop it, then sing and play more on top of the parts he’s just recorded. The fans loved him. Recently, Sheeran has gotten publicity regarding a lawsuit with Marvin Gaye enterprises over plagiarism. 

Steve Miller’s set was another fan favorite with many hits from the past predominant.

Fans had a tough decision to make on Sunday on whether to see Tedeschi Trucks Band or Marcus King. Both had stellar sets at the end of the day.

Lows: They were small in number as usual. The rain that started Saturday was out of anyone’s control. Word went out that the Revivalists cancelled due to an illness. Scheduled for 3:10 p.m. on the Festival Stage, their slot was quickly filled by Samantha Fish featuring Jesse Dayton was delayed until 3:30 p.m. In turn, her 3:50 p.m. set on the Shell Gentilly Stage was scheduled to be filled by SOUL Brass Band. Revivalist fans were disappointed. However, lead singer David Shaw is scheduled for the second  weekend on Saturday afternoon. Many people found that the new cashless system to be time-consuming at best. With practice that system will improve.

The second weekend will have stellar entertainment as well

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Interview conducted on February 24^th

By Dan Locke

Everywhere she goes and on every stage she plays, Malina Moye is recognized as one of the top guitarists of her generation. With a witting disregard for genre restriction, this modern-day six-string champion shatters the boundaries between Rock, Funk, Soul, and Pop. Bad As I Wanna Be, her third and latest set, topped the Billboard charts for two consecutive weeks and drew rave reviews from music press and fans alike. Penning all of the songs herself, she deftly flexes her musical storytelling, yet keeps radio-friendly appeal throughout.

What is your upbringing? 

 I was born and raised in Ohio and grew up in the twin cities. (St. Paul Minnesota)

How did you discover music/

 My mom and dad. I grew up in a family of musicians.

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it? 

No, I dont have it. It was a Gibson melody maker. I was nine years old when my dad gave me my first guitar. I tried it and didn’t like it. So, when my dad left the room, i flipped  the guitar to the left side and started playing it that way and it worked. I loved it. I’m naturally a lefty.

What is your favorite guitar. Year, make and model and does she have a name?

I have so many favorites. One of my main axes it my custom Fender Stratocaster guitar, and i also like my Gibson Flying V. It’s a replica of Jimi Hendrix’s 69.

Describe your music.

I would say Rock with elements of Pop Rock, Blues, And Funk.

What was your first performance like?

My first performance was liberating. I was six. I always loved singing and dancing as a kid. My parents encouraged it.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?  

Yes, The song was called Big Life. I was eleven years old. It was an actual recording my brothers and I did at a studio,

How was It to see your album on the billboard as the number #1 blues album?

I was very excited and shocked. I’m still shocked. Its a wonderful feeling. When you look back in  music history you will see Malina Moye “Bad As I Wanna Be” in that chart position at that time. 

How was it to meet Steve Wonder?

Mr. Stevie Wonder is wonderful. His energy is so good and positive. When you are around him you feel like you are getting the history of the world. He has given so much and has been through so many things. He is a real living legend and a national treausre.

Tell me about the time you set with the Arsenio Hall band?

I had a-great time. It was my first late night TV appearance. Arsenio and his staff were so kind and it was a great first experience.

How was it to be the first black woman guitarist to play the National Anthem at a major sporting event?

I was honored. I was honestly honored to play it and then after i played i realized a lot of firsts came out of that  NFL game. It’s a beautiful feeling. I’m very proud to have played it and now there are so many more women playing the guitar for major sports team across the sport spectrum.

What is the process of writing your music?

Sometimes I hear melodies and i come back and create from there. Sometimes i hear the words and start creating from there. It all depends.

Tell me about your new single “Say My Name” from your album “Dirty”?

 I always say when you say a person’s name you are forced to learn their story and you see them as a person rather than a hash tag or a number. I just wanted to write something that empowered people and gave them the ability to hope and go after everything they desire and feel like everything is possible. It’s not a sprint but a marathon and your story or journey is valid and counts. 

Tell me about the filming of the video? 

It was fun working with film maker Marc Fusco and the team that was assembled for the video. Marc and I are a great team. He directed my last four Music videos, So i had to have him do this one. We shot on location in La and at a production house with lots of cool sets. It was a dream to work with him and i think he executed the vision beautifully.

What are you feeling about streaming music? 

I think its good and bad. The good is more artist are getting discovered this way. The bad is artist aren’t getting paid fairly.

What is your happy place? 

Sitting in my bedroom watching TV or soaking in a warm bath drinking sparkling apple grape cider.

Digital vs. vinyl?

Both, because they are both so darn cool. Vinyl, i guess, because  It always has a great smell. (lol) plus im a sucker for great images.

Anything you would like to say in closing.

Thanks for the interview and i look forward to seeing everyone on tour this year! xo

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The best offerings of the 2023 Innings Festival

Baseball and rock ’n Roll shared a successful weekend at the fifth Innings Festival at Tempe Beach Park, Arizona. It’s Spring training time in the southern part of the United States and the Innings Festival takes full advantage of the season to bring big name entertainers and MLB players to Phoenix. It was a weekend of fun and games with some wet, cool  weather. There were many great musical offerings throughout the weekend for all to enjoy. Here are a few of the highlights.

Green Day

Rockers, Green Day, headlined a sold out Saturday. After witnessing Green Day’s set at Innings Festival, one would be hard pressed to determine who was having more fun, the fans or lead singer Billy Joe Armstrong. It seemed as though all 24,000 fans were there to experience the Green Day set. The crowd was chanting for their heroes as they held up multiple posters professing their love for Green Day in a frenzy of anticipation. The set opened with a recorded version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”The fans sang along as the song played. That was followed by a recording of the Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” in which the only “performer” onstage was the Drunk Bunny: a dude in a bunny suit, whose presence has been a part of Green Day concerts for many years.

Armstrong took the stage to begin 90-minutes of a hit-filled spectacle that earned all of the fist-pumping, dancing and crowd-surfing it could summon. The set began with “American Idiot,” “Holiday,” and “Know Your Enemy,” establishing a high bar the group managed to capture throughout the show. The only cover song of the night was KISS’ “Rock and Roll All Night.” It would have probably been better to fill the slot with another Green Day hit song. Other than the obligatory shout out to Phoenix and the surrounding areas, Armstrong kept the chatter to a minimum. The set ended with “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” Bets are that the majority of the fans had the time of their life.

The Black Crowes

Several acts earlier in the day had their merits. The Black Crowes’ lead singer, Chris Robinson, had all the swagger of Mick Jagger in his heyday. His mic stand barely hit the floor as he made it his instrument of choice throughout the set. His voice wasn’t bad either. Both Chris and Rich Robinson are the only original members of the band from the 80s. Brother Rich stood stage left churning out great guitar riffs. Chris’ animation throughout the set was mesmerizing The set highlight was their rendition of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle.”

The Offspring

The Offspring is probably the longest running band on the day’s roster going back 39 years. The lineup has changed considerably over the years. They started their set with 1994’s “Come Out and Play” that earned them their first major hit in the 90s. Their hit album Smash propelled punk rock into the mainstream selling over 11 million copies. The Offspring’s influence persists today.

Dexter Holland and Noodles vied for the crowd’s attention as they plowed through many of their hits like “Staring at the Sun,” “Gotta Get Away,” and “Self Esteem.”

Marcus Mumford

Even though Mumford was minus his”sons,” he played acoustic versions of songs that he recorded with Mumford and Sons. Many of the songs by the band were written by Mumford. He has recently released a critically acclaimed solo album entitled Self-Titled. As an introspective album, It includes “Cannibal”, a song Mumford wrote in January 2021 about his personal struggles.

Mumford’s band joined him on stage after the first two acoustic songs. Many of the songs in the set were from his recent album including “Grace” and “Better Off High.” He covered a Taylor Swift’s “Cowboy Like Me.” One of the best songs from the new album performed was “Dangerous Game.” It sticks in your mind, and witnessing it live seemed to have an energy that elevated it to another plain with Mumford’s piercing voice highlighting the chorus.

Eddie Vedder

Vedder headlined the Innings Festival in 2019. This set had a similar structure as his previous set. Vedder is a baseball fan and had spent time earlier in the day taking the stage with Baseball pitcher, Ryan Dempster. He talked about how much he loves spring training. “It’s such a cool part of the year when all the opportunities are open, everything seems possible, it’s infectious.” It was a full day for for the Pearl Jam rocker.

Vedder released a new solo album in 2022, Earthling. However none of the songs performed in the set were from the album. There were plenty of Pearl Jam songs with a cover of The Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”and Tom Petty’s I Won’t Back Down.”

Vedder had many stories to tell fans during his set. and made jokes with several thousands of fans as if everyone was in his living room. He shared his enthusiasm for the local Musical Instrument Museum particularly the ukulele exhibit

There was plenty of comic relief. After smashing a ukulele Townshend-style because it wasn’t working right, he said, “I might need another one.” Then after having to stop the song he was playing on a second ukulele because he hit a wrong chord, Vedder laughed as he said, “I wanna smash this one, too.” His anecdotes were half the fun and elevated the experience to something more than a headlining festival gig.
The music was great, from opening with “Elderly Woman Behind the Countering a Small Town”through his harmonica driven of “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.” He closed the set with “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Eddie Vetter set list

Green Day Set List

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