Country-rock, blues, and Zydeco collide: new releases, archival treasures, and live jams prove great music never loses its spark.

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers turned 16 Toneladas in Valencia into a rare afternoon blues party—mixing fresh cuts from new release ‘Closer to the Bone’ with road-tested favorites.

Birmingham trailblazer Rebecca Downes returns with ‘A Storm Is Coming’—her sixth studio album and most fearless yet. Released Oct. 31 via her own Mad Hat Records, the album finds Downes and longtime collaborator Steve Birkett pushing blues-rock’s emotional and creative boundaries while staying true to its soul.

Riot Fest made the case that its roots run deep, with Jack White, IDLES, Marky Ramone, Stiff Little Fingers, Bad Religion, Camper Van Beethoven, The Hold Steady, the Pogues, and more!

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram brought his ‘Hard Road’ Tour to Chicago’s Park West with opener Buffalo Nichols. He introduced tracks from his new album and performed fan favorites like “662” and “Outside of This Town” while moving through the audience and passing out guitar picks.

AmericanaFest 2025 celebrated roots, rock, and community at its finest. Laney Jones ignited the stage with fearless indie-rock, Robert Randolph delivered jaw-dropping blues, Brandi Carlile shared candid wisdom, and the Old 97’s earned a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement nod from Rosanne Cash. John Fogerty closed the night with his sons by his side, while rising star Medium Build held the audience rapt. From buzzing bars to the Mother Church, AmericanaFest proved why it remains the heart of Nashville each September.

Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band brought a night of peace, love, and classic hits to the sold-out Chicago Theatre, with fans singing along to every song while multi-generational musicians like Steve Lukather, Hamish Stuart, and Colin Hay shined alongside the legendary drummer and singer.

A Sunday to remember. Karina Rykman brought the funk, Dark Star Orchestra honored the Dead, and Umphrey’s McGee closed with an epic Pink Floyd tribute.

Bruce Dickinson cut through blazing guitars with commanding vocals, was backed by a thunderous “Frankenstein” drum solo, and sent the crowd wild with the unforgettable roar: “Scream for me, Phoenix!”

A cross-section of ‘70s and ‘80s radio favorites hit the stage in Phoenix, as Christopher Cross, Men at Work, and Toto played to a packed and appreciative crowd.

The Red Clay Strays swept through Chicago like a Southern storm, unapologetically their own. Under the lights of the Salt Shed, genre lines blurred, hearts stirred, and a band once rooted in Alabama proved they now belong to the world.

Tedeschi Trucks Band reaffirmed their reputation in Phoenix with a set that proved exactly why they’re essential live music.