Late Night Pick: Lucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams is riding high on her new album, "Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone", one of the most critically acclaimed albums of her career, which is saying a lot. She'll bring her country-blues to the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 11:35 PM). Lucinda will be in Charlottesville at The Paramount on 11/11. Here's Lucinda back in 1988 doing "Drunken Angel":

Here's Robert Plant on last Friday's Tonight Show. The first clip is the one he did on the show. The second is a web exclusive.

Late Night Pick: Robert Plant

The legendary Robert Plant is on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon tonight (NBC, 11:35 PM).  Robert is touring supporting his new, critically acclaimed album, "Lullaby...and the Ceaseless Roar". Here's some classic RP from 31 (!) years ago:



And here's John Mellencamp on last night's Tonight Show:

Late Night Pick: John Mellencamp

On the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon tonight, check out John Mellencamp (NBC, 11:35 PM). John has a new album, "Plain Spoken", came out a couple days ago and he's going on a long tour starting in January to support it. How long? Well, he's coming to Richmond's Altria Theater but he doesn't get here until 6/15/15. Tix are on sale now and they run from $39.50 on up to $251 for VIP. Here's John with "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)":



Here Dhani Harrison & Friends on last night's Conan ripping it up on Dhani's dad's tune, "Let It Down":

Weekend Picks: Cory Branan, Nellie McKay, Cracker, The Last Bison, Broken Bells, Hamilton Leithauser, Manchester Block Party, Sons of Bill

Now that fall is here, the weekends get busy. Lots of bands on tour, lots of festivals around town. But things start out of town, but close by, in Hopewell at the Beacon Theatre where country legend Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives will play Thursday. Doors open at 6, show starts at 6:30 with a "special guest" i.e. a local band that's been hired to open. Orchestra lower level reserved seating is $36.50 in advance, $45 at the door, GA Balcony is $21.50 in advance, $30 at the door. Marty & the band were recently on the World Cafe on NPR and you can listen to that HERE. Here they are doing "Wanted Man":

Thursday in the Manchester section of town, it's the Manchester Block Party with The Big Payback: James Brown Tribute (7:30) and Cover to Cover Band doing Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album in it's entireity at 6. All the fun starts at 4 PM and they'll have beer and food trucks to satisfy your belly. The event takes place in the parking lot at 6th and Stockton streets until 9 PM and it's FREE to attend. Here's the Mac doing "Dreams":



It's jamtronica at The Broadberry with Former Champions Quartet w/ former member, guitarist Matt Walton Thursday. Doors open at 8 and it's $7 to get in. Here they are as a trio at Camp Barefoot in August:



Trongone Band brings classic rock covers and great originals to Cary St. Cafe Thursday night. That starts at 10 and it's FREE to get in. Guitatist Andrew Trongone recently sat in with War when the Trongone Band opened for them. Here's the Trongone Band at that show with a little "West LA Fadeaway > Boogie On Reggae Woman":



Charlottesville's alt-country Sons of Bill are getting a big push to stardom, starting on a US tour to support their new album, "Love & Logic" that will take them all over the country. You can check them out at Plan 9 on Friday at 5:30 PM for FREE when they do a special in-store performance. Later that night, they'll be at The Broadberry, tix are$15 in advance, $17 at the door, doors open at 8 and Israel Nash will open. You can check out the new album on the website of magazine Garden & Gun right HERE. Here they are doing "Brand New Paradigm" from the new album on WNRN earlier today.

Bluegrass based Americana band Leftover Salmon are at The National on Friday night and they are bringing along a very special guest to play with them: Bill Payne, keyboardist from Little Feat. Tix are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener, Sunliner. They had a whole bunch of special guests (John Bell, Sam Bush, Col. Bruce Hampton, Del McCoury, and more) join them for a special show to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their album "The Nashville Sessions" a couple weeks ago. Here's a tune from that show, but it's a brand new tune from an album that will be out in November, "High Country":



Singer Nellie McKay joins the Turtle Island Quartet for a show at Modlin Center for the Arts Friday night. The show starts at 7:30 and tix range from $10 to $36 depending on your demographic. Here's the press blurb for the show:

Singer-songwriter Nellie McKay enchants audiences with her musical wanderlust. Her sweet, light voice enraptures as it dances on a vivacious lyrical journey. Her voice is an instrument in its own right, undulating with the staves of Turtle Island Quartet’s melodies to create smooth, and at times gentle, music. Light and airy, the swishing and sliding of sound through the strings of the quartet blend into one philharmonic, nimble as they move between classical quartet to jazz band. This performance by McKay and Turtle Island is an evening spent running through the natural notes of song and string. 

 Here's Nellie's tribute to her dog when she did a TED thing a few years ago:

Indie folk band out of Chesapeake VA, The Last Bison, will be at The Camel on Friday night. Tix are $12 in advance, $14 at the door, doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with openers Logan Vath & Claire Morgan. You can check out a stream of their new album, "VA", courtesy of Paste Magazine HERE. This show at The Camel starts their US tour promoting the album. Here they are last Friday on WAVY-TV in Norfolk:



Ashland Coffee & Tea has David Lowery & Johnny Hickman of Cracker doing an acoustic show Friday. I really wish Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven (David Lowery's other band) would come play an electric show here in Richmond someday, but this will do for now. Tix are $25 in advance, $30 at the door and the show starts at 8 PM. Get your tickets quick. As of a few days ago, there were only 20 tickets left. Here they are playing for my old radio station, WZZO. I worked there in the early 90's, back when me and Cracker were young and full of teen (well, 20's) angst:



Get the funk up with The Big Payback (James Brown tribute band) at The Tobacco Company Friday. Show starts at 9 and it doesn't cost anything to get in. Here's one of the most famous James Brown performances ever on the T.A.M.I. Show movie in 1964:



Americana singer-songwriter Cory Branan is at The Camel Saturday night. It's $10 to get in, doors open at 8:30, show starts at 9:30 with openers Paulo Franoco & The Rateros and Alison Self & The Lonesome Lows. You might dig Cory if you like Bruce Springsteen, John Prine or Steve Earle, not just for his sound, but for his lyrics too. Here's Cory's "Survivor Blues":

No BS! Brass Band will make you horny Saturday night at Balliceaux. Show starts at 10:30 and it's $7 to get in. They played on CBS6 early this month:


Sunday, the side project of Brian Burther (aka Danger Mouse, who recently helped produce the new U2 album) and James Mercer (lead vocalist for The Shins), Broken Bells, comes to The National. Tix are $31 in advance, $36 at the door, doors open at 7, show starts at 8 and make sure you get there on time to catch the opener, Hamilton Leithauser. Broken Bells just released remixes of their songs "Angel and the Fool" and "Holding On For Life" which you can download for free HERE. Here's the original version of "Holding On For Life":



And here's one from opener Hamilton Leithauser:

Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick: Dhani Harrison & Friends

George Harrison week continues on Conan with his son, Dhani Harrison, and Friends. The friends will be Jonathan Bates from Big Black Delta, Mark Stoermer from The Killers, Stephen Perkins from Jane's Addiction, Aaron Embry, Jimmy Vivino and more. Conan is on TBS at 11 PM. Here's Dhani and some other friends at The Concert for George Harrison doing "My Sweet Lord":



And here's Paul Simon on last night's Conan doing "Here Comes the Sun":

Late Night Pick: Paul Simon

The legendary Paul Simon continues George Harrison week on Conan tonight on TBS at 11 PM. Paul will be continuing his co-headlining tour with Sting, the Sting-meiser, Sting-a-ling-a-ding-dong in Europe in 2015. Here's Paul & George teaming up on Saturday Night Live in 1976 to peform Simon & Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound":



Here's Beck kicking off George Harrison week last night with a tune from George's epic "All Things Must Pass" album, "Wah-Wah":

Late Night Pick: Beck

Beck will be on a new Conan tonight (TBS, 11 PM). This is the beginning on George Harrison week on Conan and each musical guest will play one of George's tunes this week. Here's George playing "Here Comes the Sun" at one of the Prince's Trust concerts with Jeff Lynne, Phil Collins, Ringo, and more:


Here's Interpol from the Late Show with David Letterman that aired on Friday:

Late Night Pick: Interpol

On a repeat of the Late Show with David Letterman from earlier this month, alt-rock band Interpol will perform "All the Rage Back Home" from their new album, "El Pintor". Here's "Lights" from their fourth album, "Interpol", back in 2010:



Here's Tegan and Sara on last night's Conan:

Weekend Picks: Marc Broussard, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Scott & Charlene's Wedding, Jackass Flats, Hard Day's Night, Fido Fest, Diggity Fest

Back to normal this week. The post-Lockn' depression is over and they've already got early-bird alumni tickets on sale for next year (Sept. 10 - 13). And so it begins again.

But in the here and now, the weekend begins with bluegrass from Jackass Flats at The Camel. The Northerners will open the show so this looks like a good one. Doors open at 8. It's $7 in advance, $10 at the door. Here's Jackass Flats last year:



A couple festivals on Sunday, one for the dogs and one for the kids. RVA Fido Fest will be down at Brown's Island from 11 AM to 6 PM. It's $5 in advance, $10 at the door and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Richmond SPCA. Kids under 12 and dogs of all ages are FREE. There will be performances from the Olate Dogs, 2012 winners of America's Got Talent. Also, live music, stuff to do with your dog, stuff to buy for your dog, food for you and your dog, and beer and wine for you and your dog. Here's the Olate Dogs doing their thing:



For the kids, the Diggity Fest will be out at Westchester Commons where Midlothian Turmpike meets Rt. 288. It's FREE but all proceeds from the stuff you buy and from the Kid's Zone ($5) goes to support Connor''s Heroes, which supports families for children cancer patients and survivors. The Fest features a bunch of children's music acts including Richmond-based, nationally touring band, The Diggity Dudes. Here's the lineup:

12:15 - Hope Harris & the Cousins Jamboree

1:15 - Steven Courtney & the Suitcase Musicians

2:15 - The Diggity Dudes

3:20 - Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players

4:20 - Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights

And here's the Diggity Dudes with a song about everyone's favorite gym day, the Presidential Physical Fitness Test:

It's a celebration of The Beatles' Hard Day's Night at The Byrd on Sunday. Hard Day's Night is one of the greatest rock n' roll movies of all time, capturing Beatlemania at it's height and The Beatles at their funniest. Here's all the details:

Pre-screening Happy Hour, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., at the Portrait House, across the street from the Byrd. The movie starts at The Byrd at 6 p.m. The sound and picture have been newly restored for the movie’s 50^th Anniversary this year. Admission is $7 at the box office. Before the day of the show advance tickets are available at Bygones Vintage Clothing and Steady Sounds for $5. The proceeds of the screening will benefit the Bijou Film Center and the Byrd Theatre Foundation’s “Journey to the Seats.” The film will play one time only. The after-party at the New York Deli starts at 8:15 p.m., where The Taters will play live; no cover charge. HERE's the Facebook page for the event. And here's the trailer:

Wednesday at Innsbrook, Americana based blues jam band Big Head Todd & The Monsters come to town. Tix run from $15 for GA Advanced ($20 at the door) up to $58 for super deluxe VIP or whatever the hell Innsbrook calls the tix in the first few rows. Gates open at 5, show starts at 6 with a band TBA. Here's the band doing the title song from their latest album, "Black Beehive", which was written about Amy Winehouse:



More blues at the Modlin Center for the Arts Wednesday night. with Marc Broussard. Tickets range from $10 to $36 depending on your demographic. Show starts at 7:30 with openers Mingo Fishtrap and Andy Suzuki. Here's the little press blurb: "In 2002, then 20-year-old Marc Broussard released his independently recorded debut album, Momentary Setback. Since then, he’s seen nothing but success with his mix of funk, blues, and passion entwined with distinct Southern roots. Having shared the stage with Dr. John, Willie Nelson, Gavin DeGraw, and the Dave Matthews Band, Broussard emanates a soulful, youthful, and inventive sound. Take a day out on the bayou with Broussard as he blazes up New Orleans flavor on his guitar, strumming chords of classic, southern melodies with fiery verse." Here's the title track from Marc's new album, "A Life Worth Living":



Wednesday night you are invited to Scott and Charlene's Wedding at Strange Matter. No, those aren't pending nuptials, that's the name of an indie pop band out of Australia. This is their first US tour.  It's $8 to get in, doors open at 9. Dead Fame, Colony and Bare Thoughts will open. Here's their video for "Jackie Boy" which is a tribute to "Rocky":



That'll do it. Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick: Tegan and Sara

Sister pop duo Tegan and Sara will be on Conan tonight (TBS, 11 PM). They'll perform "I Was a Fool" tonight with the help of kids from Grand Arts High School in LA. While they usually write songs with a little more serious lyrics, they did write this totally catchy tune from the very funny "The Lego Movie", "Everything is Awesome". Give in to it, you can't resist.:



Here's Public Enemy and The Roots on last night's Tonight Show:

Late Night Pick: Public Enemy

Public Enemy bring the noise to the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon tonight (NBC, 11:35 PM). I'm really looking forward to hearing Public Enemy with The Roots. Here's PE teaming up with Anthrax for "Bring the Noise":



Let's keep the metal theme going with Mastodon from last night's Jimmy Kimmel Live:

Late Night Pick: Mastodon

Progressive heavy metal band, Mastodon, will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight (ABC, 11:35 PM). Mastodon is a metal band even old metalheads can get into, so tune in tonight and bang your head a little. It's good for you. From their 2009 album, "Crack the Skye", this is "Oblivion" (sorry, can't embed it, click the link): http://youtu.be/s6WGNd8QR-U

Here's Ryan Adams on the Late Show with David Letterman last Thursday night:

Lockn' Festival Review, Weekend Picks: Whirr, Matisyahu, Molly Hatchet, Bill Kirchen, Jim Lauderdale, 43rd St. Festival of the Arts, Luekemia Lymphoma Benefit

Lockn', Lockn', Lockn'! Another successful Lockn'. The music was as good, if not better, than last year and the organizers improved the logistics and infrastructure greatly, leaving much promise that things will improve even more next year.

Rolled in early Thursday AM and was set up by 10:30 AM. Not a bad view out of my back window. We were in almost the exact same place as last year.

Time for beer and breakfast. That's Perl manning the griddle.

Thursday was largely spent drinking beer, taking a nap, and drinking more beer while we waited for the music to start at 4 PM. It began in an RVA way with a great set by No BS! Brass Band. The crowd was a bit sparse due to the heat and people still getting in, but No BS! had everyone grooving in no time. They really won the crowd over with their version of Led Zep's "The Ocean".

I would have stayed down there if it wasn't so damn hot. I wanted to save my energy knowing things had just begun so I headed back to camp to chill out in the air conditioned cool of the RV until sundown. On the way, I ran into a replica of Ken Kesey's Furthur bus. I found out later that it's tradition for people with vials of liquid acid to rub some on the outside of the bus. That way those who want a quick hit can lick the bus and go to never-ever land. No, I didn't lick the bus.

String Cheese Incident & Umphrey's McGee were each doing two alternating sets that night. The first set from each was good, but the second sets from each were excellent. From Umphrey's second set here's Puppet String > Higgins > Puppet String. Most of the videos from Lockn' will be audience shot but this is official video:

Umphrey's followed that with an absolutely fantastic version of Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". They built the tension magnificently in the opening.



Then it was time for String Cheese & the Gang, String Cheese Incident's tribute to Kool & the Gang with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and JT Taylor, who was the lead singer of Kool & the Gang from 1979 to 1988. The set opened with two songs sans JT which were hits before he joined K&TG; "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swingin'". I was primed for "Jungle Boogie" and they didn't let me down. Perl, more of a bluegrass guy, was not as enthusiastic (OK, he hated it) as I was, but his wife, Jill, and I were getting down like it was 1984. Perl was a good husband and stuck it out for Jill's sake. Jill and I kept working the "Jungle Boogie" lyrics (Me: "Jungle Boogie! Jungle Boogie!", Jill: (in deep voice) "Get it on!") into sets throughout the rest of the weekend, just to bug poor Perl. He's a good sport. JT and his female backup singers then joined them for hits like "Fresh", "Ladies Night", "Joanna", and "Get Down On It" and I felt like I was back at the high school dance. We did escape before "Celebration". Perl had had enough and I don't need to hear "Celebration" ever again after dj'ing at weddings for 7 years. And besides we had to get back up the hill to the Forest Triangle stage to see Taj Mahal acoustic. Here's a taste of "Hollywood Swingin":



Up to the Forest Triangle stage, to see Taj Mahal's acoustic set. I made it through most of the set, before the long day of beer and heat caught up to me and I had to head back to camp to pass out. Here's some Taj:



I really wanted to see People's Blues of Richmond's short opening set Friday morning at 12:30. However, my overindulgence the night before and the heat caused me to opt for a nap. But thanks to the stages facing towards the campgrounds this year, I was able to hear the set and a great "Cocaine Powder". Here's their video for that one:



We did make it down by 2:45 in time to see a smokin' bluegrass set from Del McCoury Band, They were joined by Preservation Hall Jazz Band for a few songs (they did an album together in 2011) at the end of their set and they took advantage of the interlocked, or should I say interlockn', stages. Both bands continued playing and walked from one stage to the other without missing a beat and finished the song on the stage where PHJB would perform. It was very cool and a lot of fun. Del McCoury Band would come out again during PHJB's set and join them.Here's a taste of Del McCoury Band:



After PHJB, one of my favorite bands, the Drive-By Truckers came on. Though plagued by some sound/mix issues early in the set, I thought they did a really good set. It was weird to see them in the daylight, under the hot sun and I do prefer them at night when we are all (me and the band) a little tipsy. But they did some of my favorites, including openers "Lookout Mountain" and "Gravity's Gone". They also did powerful versions of "Bulldozers and Dirt" (the best song you'll ever hear about a drunk trying to pickup his stepdaughter), "Puttin' People on the Moon", "Sink Hole", "Zip City" and the song that closes their latest album and closed the set, "Grand Canyon". Wasn't any footage from Lockn' but here's DBT doing "Grand Canyon", a song written for long time member of DBT's touring family, Craig Lieske, who died suddenly of a heart attack in 2013. Also, some pictures I took of the band on stage at Lockn'.

After DBT, String Cheese did their third set of the weekend, then it was onto Bill Kreutzmann's (former drummer for the Grateful Dead) Locknstep Allstars, which included Oteil Burbridge (bassist for the Allman Brothers), Aron Magner (keyboards for Disco Biscuits), Steve Kimock, Tom Hamilton (guitarist for American Babies, who really shone), Col. Bruce Hampton and EOTO. Things started well but unspectacularly with Let the Good Times Roll (Sam Cooke cover), Big Railroad Blues, and They Love Each Other (with Keller Williams). Things started to get a little deeper with a nice version of Bird Song with Keller. Taj Mahal then joined the band for Further On Down the Road and Stagger Lee (the traditional version, not the closely related Grateful Dead version). Then, things really took off with the highlight of the set Help On The Way > Dark Star > Wharf Rat > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower. Dark Star featured a drum duet with Bill and Michael Travis of String Cheese playing on the two seperate stages. Wharf Rat was sung by Papa Mali. At first, his voice struck me as odd and I wasn't sure it would come off well. But he sang the song with such soul and passion, I was completely won over. The Slipknot featured lots of exploration before bringing it all back home with the best Franklin's Tower of the night (more on that later). Couldn't find video of the band from Lockn' but here's Bill Kreutzmann's 7 Walkers with Papa Mali doing Bertha > Wharf Rat a few years ago:



String Cheese Incident then came on for their fourth, final and best set of the weekend. I always enjoyed seeing SCI but they never really stuck with me. During this set, I finally "got it". It was just a fun, funky set all the way through and they played with a lot of passion. Bassist's Keith Moseley's "Joyful Sound" was the highlight of the set for me and had the whole crowd singing the "Na, Na, Na's". Here they are doing that one in 2009:

Phil Lesh and Friends (Warren Haynes, John Scofield, John Medeski, Joe Russo) were next to close out the night. Highlights included an epic, jammed out "Unbroken Chain", "Mountains of the Moon" (mellow, but appropriate with the almost full moon rising opposite the stage), "The Other One" and "Sunshine of Your Love". I'm still not a fan of Phil's singing, especially when Warren could sing some of the Jerry songs so much better. I also had to wonder whether Phil just didn't pay attention to the other bands playing Lockn' or didn't care. He played two Traffic tunes, "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" and "Dear Mr. Fantasy", both of which Steve Winwood and Widespread Panic would play the next night. They were both played very well, but was it a tribute or an f-you? Then. he played "Franklin's Tower",which Bill Kreutzmann had done, and done better, two sets before. Very curious. Here's the "Unbroken Chain":



Headed over the to Shakedown Stage at 1 AM for the groovy set from Chris Robinson Brotherhood. They have perfected the mid-tempo groove, or, as Wyatt put it, the "walking beat". The Shakedown Stage was a bowl amphitheater that held what we estimated was about 3000 people. It will be perfect for future one-off concerts out there, if that is a direction the owners decide to go in. Highlights included the opener "Shake, Rattle & Roll", Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall" and "Rosalee". Here's the band doing "Meanwhile In The Gods" (sorry about the heavy bass on this, but this is the only video):



The next day was another hot one, but this was the day to get down there bright and early (OK, noon was bright and early at Lockn'.) We all wanted to head to the main stage to see Sam Bush with Larry and Jenny Keel and we weren't disappointed. The great thing about the early shows is you can walk right up to the front of the stage. Sam Bush's incredible fiddle and mandolin playing worked great with Jenny's at times funky bass and Larry's expert guitar picking and off the wall songs especially "Culpeper Woodchuck". Here the are doing Larry's "I'm No Doctor":

Freeman, Aaron Freeman from Ween's new band, was next. The first tune was a bit harsh, turning off the flower power crowd, with some f**ks and hates in the lyrics of the song. But he seemed to win over the crowd as he went along with some more melodic songs and his humor. I was disappointed he didn't do Ween's "Mutilated Lips" which would have gone over well with the early trippers:

After a brief 15 minute delay when they thought there would be some nasty weather (nothing developed), Gary Clark Jr. took the stage and after a few songs to warm up, melted some faces with his Hendrixian blues. Here's Gary doing "Bright Lights" at the Crossroads Festival in 2010 and some pics I took:

Tedeschi Trucks Band (who are coming to Richmond's Carpenter Theater on December 11) brought the blues/soul next and put on their usual great show. Highlights were the Derek and the Dominoes cover "Keep On Growing" and the closer "The Storm". Here they are doing "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning":



Wilco was up next and delivered one of the sets of the festival, not just for the music, but for the sun shower that briefly cooled things off and the double rainbow that developed because of it. Jeff Tweedy was playfully upset at the rainbow upstaging the band and joked "Rainbows suck", which was one of the best lines of the festival. I wondered how they would go over with the jam band crowd but their blend of off-kilter alternative country and sometimes psychedelic rock really went over well. Here's some shots of Wilco I took, one a pro took with the double rainbow and then video of the band doing "Dawned on Me":

Phil Lesh & Friends then came on for their second and final set of the weekend. "Mississippi Half-Step" and "Eyes of the World" were the highlights, with the band particularly nailing the "Across the Rio Grande-o" part of Mississippi Half-Step. Then the storm came.

Phil & Friends were interrupted when they were doing the Beatles' "She Said She Said" by the announcement that a major storm was on the way and the concert field had to be evacuated. The crowd filed out in an orderly, calm manner and everyone headed back to their campsite. While we did get some moderate rain, the winds and lightning thankfully bypassed the festival site and soon the announcment was made that the show would start again in 25 minutes with full sets from the final two bands. The break actually worked well serving as a kind of happy hour, with everyone going back to their campsites, reconnecting with friends, having a couple beers and whatever else and getting ready for the rest of Saturday night. And what a night it was.

I got back to the stage just as Steve Winwood was joining Widespread Panic for a great set with Randall Bramblett joining on sax. They started with "Glad", then did "Low Spark", "I'm a Man", "Can't Find My Way Home" (the last two were the highlights), "Surprise Valley" (Panic song), "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Gimme Some Lovin'". Winwood's voice is still crystal clear. This is "Can't Find My Way Home":



Then, the much anticipated set from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Hit after hit after hit. Opening with the Byrds cover "So You Want Be A Rock & Roll Star", the set never let up. As an added bonus, the three new songs he played from his latest album, "Hypnotic Eye", stood up right next to the classics: "American Dream Plan B", "U Get Me High", and especially "Shadow People". Besides those tunes, highlights were "Free Fallin'", "Woman In Love", "Refugee", "Runnin' Down a Dream" and the set closer, "American Girl". These guys are still playing at a top level and had the crowd eating out of their hands the whole night.



Sunday came in much cooler than the past three days and we hit the concert area at 2 to see the beautiful and powerful Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Highlights from Grace included "Nothing But the Water", a cover of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", "The Lion The Beast The Beat", "Paris (Ooh La La)" and "I Shall Be Released" into "A Little Help From My Friends", the last two of which were dedicated to recently deceased guitar tech for Warren Haynes, Brian Farmer, who was also paid tribute to in the Tedeschi Trucks Band set and in the Allman Brothers set.



Shot toward the stages:

Looking back toward the vendor tents:

After Grace, was Willie Nelson. Willie did a good Willie set. He's an icon, but he's a little tired now, I hate to say. The set was fun, but not very meaningful. A fine midday set to kick back in your chair, enjoy a beer and smoke the things that Willie smokes.



Wilco did their second set then and I think it was even better then their second set. Perhaps the pressure was off and there was no rainbow to compete this time.

Widespread Panic did the penultimate set of the weekend as Perl and I took up positions on the opposite stage to prepare for the Allman Brothers set. But our position there did give us a good vantage point for Widespread's set, which included a lot of highlights including "Pilgrims", "Pickin' Up the Pieces" (with Randall Bramblett on sax), "Pigeons", "Love Tractor" (Randall Bramblett on harmonica) and a cover of Bill Withers' "Use Me Up" with Susan Tedeschi.



Perl & I got ourselves a nice spot relatively close to the stage for the final set of the weekend, the last festival performance for ABB, the last performance south of the Mason-Dixon Line for ABB, and one of the last performances period for the Allman Brothers Band. They certainly delivered the goods. Despite some reservations about how well Gregg Allman would be, he was in fine health and voice and the band sounded great. They ran through the songs from the classic "Fillmore East" album in order (my highlight was "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed") and then gave us a"Midnight Rider", an exquisite "Mountain Jam" which sandwiched "Blue Sky" and "Little Martha". A fittting end to the festival and a fitting end to a band I've been seeing since 1986 (show in Fairmount Park, Philly) and a lot of people in the Lockn' audience have been seeing a lot longer than that.



My Lockn' Festival ended up on the hill at our campsite. I had one last beer while I stared at the full moon, the Harvest Moon, while a camper nearby played Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" on his stereo. Just far enough away to feel like it was floating through the air, a lullaby to put me and the festival to bed for another year. Can't wait until Lockn' 2015.



Well, that took me a few hours to write so I'm going to run down the weekend highlights quickly. No links. You people can use Google.

Classic Southern Rock band, Molly Hatchet, is at The Beacon Theater in Hopewell on Friday night staring at 6 PM.

The Wine & Beer Classic is at Maymont on Friday starting at 7 PM.

Great boogie-woogie Americana guitarist Bill Kirchen is at Ashland Coffee & Tea Friday at 8 PM.

The 43rd Street Festival of the Arts goes down at Forest Hill Ave & 43rd St on Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The Chesterfield Craft Beer Festival takes place as Westchester Commons in Midlothian Saturday from noon to 6 PM.

Center of the Universe Brewery celebrates Oktoberfest at the brewery in Ashland on Saturday from 3 PM to 9 PM.

Alternative/indie/dreamy/pop band Whirr will be at Strange Matter Saturday with Cloakroom, The Snowy Owls and Keep. Doors open at 6, it's $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Here's Whirr live in August of last year:



Americana great Jim Lauderdale will be at Ashland Coffee & Tea on Saturday starting at 8 PM.



Sunday, the Central Virginia Food Truck Rodeo is at Chesterfield Towne (do we need the extra e?) Center from noon to 7.

The Shockoe on the Half Shell oyster festival is on at the 17th Street Farmers Market from noon to 5.

Tuesday, Hasidic rapper Matisyahu is at The National starting at 8 PM.

On Wednesday at The Broadberry, there is A Benefit For The Luekemia And Lymphoma Society With Dj Williams Projekt And Fear Of Music: A Talking Heads Tribute with The Lovecats, Lucky Stiffs, Red Light Rodeo, Dj Agent, The Vendors. That starts at 5 PM and tickets are just $10 and for a good cause. Here's DJ Williams Projekt in May at the Broadberry:



Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick: Ryan Adams

The prolific Ryan Adams has actually gone three whole years since releasing his last album, and he'll play something from his new album, "Ryan Adams", tonight on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 11:35 PM). I don't know what this promo for the album has to do with the album, but it's got Garry Shandling and Jeff Garlin in it and it's pretty funny. (Language NSFW).



Here's Ryan doing a song Phil Lesh covered at Lockn' Festival last weekend:



And this is Sturgill Simpson performing on last night's Conan:

Late Night Pick: Sturgill Simpson

This is not Bart's new brother or Homer's long lost uncle. Sturgill Simpson is an outlaw country artist and he'll be on Conan tonight at 11 PM on TBS. Sturgill will be playing down at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans on Halloween. Here's Sturgill live at the Sun King Brewery:



Here's The Replacements doing their classic "Alex Chilton" on last night's Tonight Show. This was their first TV appearance together in 25 years. I feel old.

Late Night Pick: The Replacements & Keith Richards

The Replacements, who probably haven't been on TV since 1989, will be on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35 PM on NBC tonight, along with Keith Richards. How cool would that be if they played together? Don't know if they will but one can hope. The Replacements are out on a small tour which includes the Austin City Limits Fest and a show at Forest Hills Stadium in NYC, where the US Open just wrapped up. Here's their anti-video for "Bastards of Young":



Here's The New Pornographers on last Wednesday's Late Show with David Letterman:

Late Night Pick: The New Pornographers

Pop/alternative/indie rock band, The New Pornographers, will appear on Late Show with David Letterman tonight (11:35 PM, CBS). Kristen Wiig and Sen. Elizabeth Warren will be on the show too, so this looks like a solid one. Their new album is called "Brill Bruisers", a nod to the 60's songwriting mecca in NYC, the Brill Building. They'll actually be doing a show at the Brill Building that will be video recorded for NPR Music. Here they are from their album, "Together", from three years ago in a fun video with Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, Horatio Sanz, and Ted Leo.



Here's Lee Brice on last night's Late Show with David Letterman:



If you can't make it to Lockn' Festival this weekend, you watch the webcast HERE. But it ain't free. The SD webcast is $20 a day and HD is $25 a day. So get your friends to chip in and make it a party.

I'm off to Lockn'!  See you next Tuesday!

Late Night Pick: Lee Brice

Due to technical difficulties...OK, user error... the weekend picks post from Thursday didn't post until today. For the 10 of you who regularly read this blog, my apologies. There won't be a weekend picks blog this week either because I'll be at Lockn'. We'll be back in full force next week.

Tonight's Late Night Pick is contemporary country artist Lee Brice who's on Late Show with David Letterman tonight (11:30 PM, CBS). Lee's new album, "I Don't Dance", comes out today. You can listen to the album HERE. Here's Lee singing about a "Woman Like You". Yes, just like you.



Here's the two songs Bob Mould played on Jimmy Kimmel Live last Thursday night:

Weekend Picks: Fall Line Fest, Mutual Benefit

Indie folk pop alternative band Mutual Benefit will be at Strange Matter on Wednesday (9/3) night at 8 PM (doors). Tix are $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Soft Cat and another band will open. Mutual Benefit recently wrapped up a UK tour. Here's a 20 minute show they did for KEXP in April:

There will be no blog next week (I can hear all 10 of you that read this going "awwwww", but thanks for reading, I do appreciate it.). The reason is that I will be rockn' at Lockn' Festival. But if you are here in town on9/5 & 9/6, check out the Fall Line Fest going on in venues all over town. Tix run from $20 for a single day pass to $75 for a Weekend VIP Pass. That pass will get you into all the Fall Line Fest events. Some of the great bands include Matthew E. White, Landlady, The Hold Steady, Death, Black Girls, The Diamond Center, Protomartyr, Potty Mouth, Real Estate, Avers, and many more.

I'll leave you with the reasons why Mick Jagger & David Bowie's Live Aid video for "Dancing in the Streets" is the greatest video ever. Go HERE.

Have a great weekend! I'll see you at Lockn'. Say hello if you are there. I'll be the guy with the beard.