Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes are ready to move you

By CM Gorey Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes Tuesday 1/21 at The Southern Café & Music Hall For his latest record, Wake the Dead, singer-songwriter Chuck Prophet teamed up with cumbia band ¿Qiensave?. The result is a mix of Prophet’s alt-country rock blended with the Latin-rooted sounds of the Salinas, California-based group, in the […]

The Elovaters

When it’s cold outside, you need extra motivation to get the blood pumping. Boston’s reggae-rock outfit The Elovaters do just that with uplifting tropical sounds that warm your soul and get you moving. Fans of acts like Slightly Stoopid and Sublime find plenty to love from this East Coast group channeling the island culture. Expect […]

Twelfth Night in Italy

Three Notch’d Road Baroque Ensemble extends the holiday season with the sounds of an Italian Christmas during performances in Staunton, Greenwood, and Keswick. Twelfth Night in Italy brings together the music of Corelli, Flecha, Monteverdi, Pandolfi, Scarlatti, and Vivaldi under guest Artistic Director Peter Walker. Hear shepherds’ carols and folk music, as well as art […]

17th Annual XMAS JAM

If you don’t get enough rockin’ around the Christmas tree on the 25th, head to the 17th Annual XMAS JAM. Spun out of the Charlottesville Music Showcase, a weekly series featuring prominent local performers—begun at Orbit Billiards on the Corner way back when—this seasonal gig continues to shine a light on some of C’ville’s brightest […]

Disco Risqué

Looking to dance away 2024 and usher in the new year with funky fun? Disco Risqué is shakin’ up the Lobby Bar on NYE at the newly rechristened Doyle Hotel. This five-piece dance-party band brings a distinct brand of rock ‘n’ roll defined by its high-energy performers. Searing guitar solos and a driving rhythm section […]

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Thursday 12/19 at John Paul Jones Arena I thought I knew enough about Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but it turns out that just about everything I had in mind was wrong. For starters, I let the name fool me—its founding members were American, with the band’s visionary producer, composer, and lyricist, the late Paul O’Neill, born in […]

The best reasons to have left the couch in 2024

It’s all too easy to get disgruntled about some of the usual entertainment in a tight town like ours—that is, if you close your eyes and ears too tightly and just stay home all the time. Here are some of the events that made me glad I got my ass off of the couch. Please […]

2024 in review

By Caite Hamilton, Tami Keaveny, Catie Ratliff, and Susan Sorensen We don’t know about you, but we love a list. Quick to read, easy to digest—what’s not to like?—they’re the perfect way to wrap up a long, eventful year of news, arts, and food coverage. Behold, all the naughty and nice things about 2024.   […]

Christmas with Elvis

Break out your bedazzled jumpsuit, it’s time for Christmas with Elvis! Reigning King of Rock and Roll tribute artist Matt Lewis performs holiday hits and other classics from Elvis’ repertoire, including selections from his rockabilly era, the “’68 Comeback Special,” and the Viva Las Vegas years. Backed by the 12-piece Long Live the King Orchestra—aka […]

Indigo Girls remain steadfast in melody and activism

By Alan Sculley Most musicians found their activities curtailed during the pandemic. For the Indigo Girls, the COVID-19 years were a particularly creative time, resulting in a proliferation of current projects. The duo—Emily Saliers and Amy Ray—recently released a concert film, Look Long: Together, they’re the subject of a new documentary It’s Only Life After […]