Live Music

Powerful yet coy vocals and astute songwriting are the definitive traits in folk balladeer Anna Vogelzang’s music. And as for evidence of her industry cred, she works with some of current music’s kick ass players.

“We’re always trying to strike a balance,” said Punch Brothers banjo player Noam Pikelny by phone. “We have a reputation for working up covers that surprise people. We love playing our versions of other people’s material and certain songs have become part of the band’s identity. But original music is still the driving force behind this band.”

The WTJU Folk Marathon stays true to its roots by offering a wide range of special programming such as Western swing, Scandinavian folk, Cumbia Cumbia, and entire shows dedicated to the subtle art forms of accordion, bagpipe, and yodeling music.

Charlottesville music fans know Adam Smith as the front man for his namesake band The Invisible Hand, whose ability to knock out punchy, dense art-rock songs filled with hidden pop hooks has made it the best rock band in town. But for as long as he’s led that band, Smith has also indulged in a […]

The Patricia Barber Quartet’s titular namesake is instantly recognizable; as a pianist and composer, she is widely hailed as one of the most imaginative on the scene today.

Diane Cluck and Blue O’Connell play an acoustic show together at C’ville Coffee.

For over 30 years, Ian MacKaye has been rethinking how rock & roll should work. As a teenager in the groundbreaking hardcore band Minor Threat he wrote passionate, aggressive anthems that inspired generations of punk kids to question the world around them.

To say Misha Dichter is a living legend would actually be an understatement. The first major accolade of his five decade-spanning career came in 1966 at the tender age of 20, with a surprise silver medal at the 1966 Tchaikovsky Competition as a virtual unknown, and on that day his star began an ascent that would include international critical acclaim, prestigious honors including the hallowed “Grand Prix International du Disque Liszt” for his Liszt piano transcriptions, various influential recordings, and collaborations with essentially every major orchestra on the planet.

Halifax/Montreal-based duo Purity Ring trade in dance club lullabies and haunting electro-pop.

Yo La Tengo has set the DIY standard for a subset of indie music listeners for more than 20 years, innovating, experimenting without compromise—with a unique ability to recognize its own art form—and the critics’ darlings can still deliver the goods.