Northlands lacks the infrastructure, diversity, and history of some of New England’s finest music fests, but its two-day debut provided a rustic oasis for jambands.
Paul Robicheau
Coming Attractions: June 12 Through 28 — What Will Light Your Fire
As the age of Covid-19 finally wanes, Arts Fuse critics supply a guide to film, dance, visual art, theater, author readings, and music. Please check with venues when uncertain whether the event is available by streaming or is in person. More offerings will be added as they come in.
Festival Review: Solid Sound 2022 — Fun For All
Solid Sound is like a family picnic for stylistically open-minded musicians and fans alike within the brick-mill infrastructure of MASS MoCA.
Concert Review: Big Thief at Roadrunner
Big Thief is a largely somber folk-rock outfit fronted by introspective singer/songwriter Adrianne Lenker that doesn’t care much about showmanship.
Album Review: Club d’elf’s “You Never Know” — Spontaneous Magic
This is the quintessential Club d’elf album, smartly arranged and surprisingly accessible without losing any of the group’s improvisational edges or exotic breadth.
Rock Concert Review: Gang of Four — Still Incendiary
Forty years down the line, looking both backward and forward with its latest formation, Gang of Four still knew how to live a bit dangerously.
Rock Album Review: Big Thief’s Latest — Among 2022’s Best Albums
Both experimental and welcoming, the double album proves more spontaneous in feel and expansive in style than past Big Thief outings.
Arts Feature: Music That Sustained Us Through (Another) Year of the Pandemic
Canadian singer/songwriter Allison Russell’s Outside Child made two lists. And so did Little Simz’s Sometime I Might Be Introvert.
Concert Film Review: Bruce Springsteen — “The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts”
From the pounded opening bars of “Prove It All Night,” it’s revelatory to see a young, lithe Bruce Springsteen as he prowls his domain, cocks his guitar, and belts his impassioned vignettes of blue-collar struggles and dreams.
Arts Reconsideration: The 1971 Project – Celebrating a Great Year in Music (November Entry)
Arts Fuse writers continue their countdown of great music celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This month’s diverse list includes John Lee Hooker, Víctor Jara, The Grateful Dead, Grand Funk Railroad, and Yes.