Paul Robicheau
As a major destination fest only a short ride south of Boston, Levitate still remains true to the reggae/jam culture of its surf-shop community.
WasFest was a unique spread of mostly Blue Note artists covering classic albums of either their own or their inspirations, and the first two nights offered a range of jazz permutations.
Perhaps more impressive — though too late to evolve further given the group’s impending finale after eight years and more than 200 shows — was the growing roles and comfort level shown by Dead & Company’s younger charter members.
At New Hampshire’s just-christened Nashua Center for the Arts, 68-year-old jazz guitarist Pat Metheny shared a wily sidelong glance at his own broad compositional and improvisational history.
Boston Calling reached some highs this year, sealed by perfect weather.
The saxman and his usual band (including vocalist Patrice Quinn instead of the billed Ami Taf Ra) easily adapted to the 200-seat venue, barely modulating their visceral delivery while also highlighting their softer dynamics and a personal rapport.
The Town and the City Festival honors the “spirit of [Jack] Kerouac, a celebration of exploration, discovery, love of life, those things that he wrote about.”
Goose has seen its stock in the jam-band world soar at a pace unseen since… well, Phish.
So yeah, mortality was a heavy theme in Bruce Springsteen’s passion play – or what he could still impressively summon at 73 after rocking oft-mythical local shows for five decades.
The 11-piece group frontloaded its 90-minute set for immediate impact, answering the biggest challenge — replacing the vocal charisma of David Byrne — with a communal approach.
Arts Commentary: The Orchestra Gap — Europe vs. the US