Joy Oladokun documents her life in songs. Her new record, Proof of Life, takes stock of her journey thus far, from examining her experiences as a proud queer Black person, to celebrating the simple pleasures of being alive. “My lyricism is very open, and I’m able to dip my toes into genres and styles I’ve […]
Joy Oladokun documents her life in songs. Her new record, Proof of Life, takes stock of her journey thus far, from examining her experiences as a proud queer Black person, to celebrating the simple pleasures of being alive. “My lyricism is very open, and I’m able to dip my toes into genres and styles I’ve […]
It’s your last chance to dance with the 180 Band. Following a 25-year career, the local seven-piece is retiring with 400 gigs under its guitar strap. Grab a bite from Mexican Tacos and Sliced Cake Bar food trucks, then groove to three sets of dance and rock ‘n’ roll covers from the ’60s through today. […]
Modern beats meet classical virtuosity in Black Violin, a hip-hop duo from Fort Lauderdale. Classically trained musicians Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus met in high school, and got their start covering hip-hop songs on their violins in local clubs. The act has since worked with a variety of names, from Kanye West to Tom Petty, […]
With imaginative compositions and an eye for eclectic experimentation, guitarist and vocalist Corey Harris has his own vision of the blues. Drawing on his origins as a New Orleans street singer and his travels through the South and Cameroon, Harris takes the traditional blues formula to the next level with influences from reggae, soul, rock, […]
Richmond-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Caroline Vain blends introspective and poetic lyrics with memorable hooks and captivating riffs. Since graduating from London College of Music in 2021, Vain has released three singles, “Casual Love,” “Better,” and “A Song For You,” a romantic and plucky exploration of the simple pleasures of platonic and romantic relationships. Vain and […]
Indie Appalachian folk band Tina & Her Pony uses sweet harmonies, complex arrangements, and thoughtful instrumentation to queer the American folk tradition. Formed in Asheville in 2010 as a duo, the band is now led by frontwoman and classically trained musician Tina Collins. Her first solo release, Marigolds, is a fluid record about the cyclical […]
Will Evans and Angelica X take listeners on a sonic journey through the frenetic and explosive highs and simmering and tranquil lows of avant-garde jazz and indie rock. The ensemble of young musicians is fronted by Evans on trumpet, with a rotating cast of performers that includes Tim Turner on saxophone, Brett Jones on guitar, […]
At age 84, Del McCoury is still in the business of bluegrass. An award-winning singer and guitarist, McCoury entered the music scene in the ‘60s, when he joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys before going on to found the Del McCoury Band. The ensemble, which includes McCoury’s sons Ronnie and Rob on mandolin and banjo, […]
Formed in 2015 by songwriter Patrick Taylor, Trash Panda draws on elements of neo-psychedelia, soul, indie rock, and pop oncrowd-favorites “Aging Out of the 20th Century,” “Off,” and “Check Please.” Best friends Jade Long and Jessica Thompson of co-headliner Hotel Fiction blend dynamic vocals and piano with guitar and soft harmonies on Soft Focus, its […]
Get ready for a night of head-banging with indie rockers Work Wear. The three-piece makes ’80s-inflected garage rock, and is known for enmeshing poetry readings, piercing guitar solos, and psych influences on songs like “Refrigerator Eyes” and “One Day Away.” Work Wear co-headlines with acts from New York—folk-rock power trio The Big Net, and “achy […]