Just after her smashing performance of "America The Beautiful" with SistaStrings at the Super Bowl, Brandi Carlile announced that she's expanding her “Echoes Through the Canyon” gigs at The Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state. The whole weekend of concerts runs from Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, and the recently-announced final night will feature a reunion of The Highwomen, the supergroup formed by Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires, who haven't performed together since 2023.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have announced a short run of tour dates honoring the Grateful Dead that concludes at the venerable Newport Folk Festival. As Welch said in a press release, “The Grateful Dead flirted with acoustic music throughout their career, until they released the Reckoning album, 45 years ago. We have flirted with Grateful Dead music throughout our career, until this anniversary was suggested as a good reason to book these shows. We know the Dead’s music is a mountain, and we’re hoping to start up from base camp this Spring in celebration of their legacy.” Read No Depression's review of Welch and Rawlings' 2024 release, Woodland, here.
And speaking of Newport, Nate Smith has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival, which takes places July 31st - August 2nd at Fort Adams State Park. The drummer, producer, and bandleader won two Grammy awards earlier this month for Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals. The late festival founder George Wein said the following about Smith in 2019:
A highlight was at the Blue Note where I saw Nate Smith + Kinfolk. What a simple name – Nate Smith – so simple that it might be difficult to remember. It could be Nate the Great, Nate’s Plate…but he has kept the simplicity of his own family name – Smith. The Kinfolk was some of the best music I have heard in ages. Nate leads the band from the drums – he is a magnificent percussionist – and each member of his group has to pay total attention to what Nate is doing because the intricacies of his approaches to time are so involved. I spent more than several minutes trying to analyze the time signatures and finally just decided to sit back and enjoy the music, which was astounding. I loved it. Nate Smith is a leader who will make his mark felt on the future of jazz.”
The Silkroad Ensemble, led by Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, announced its newest program, titled Sanctuary: The Power of Resonance and Ritual. The multicultural group will tour the new project across the US between March 10-28. Listen to Giddens speak about Sanctuary below.
In more timely concert news, tomorrow sees another ICE OUT benefit concert at First Avenue, on behalf of TakeAction Minnesota. Minneapolis-based band Hippo Campus headlines the event and members of roots and roots-adjacent bands like Bon Iver, Low, Sylvan Esso and more will join. All proceeds will go to members of their community that have been impacted by violence from federal agents. And although tickets are sold out, there is a silent auction to raise additional funds, which includes a pair of tickets to the event, that is still running here.
In terms of new album announcements, Luke Winslow-King makes his return to Bloodshot Records with Coast of Light, due out March 27.
Hiss Golden Messenger shared information for I'm People, due out May 1 via Chrysalis Records. Check out first single "In The Middle Of It" below.
Kevin Morby announced his eighth studio album, Little Wide Open, due out May 15 via Dead Oceans. Check out the video for lead single “Javelin” below.
Chris Pierce announced a crowd-funding campaign for his new record titled Songs for the Heavy Hearted. Watch the video below and click through for more information about the songs collaborators, and breakdown of where money will go.
RIP Ghanian musician Ebo Taylor, a pioneer who helped bring African music to the world. Read more about his history and legacy on OkayAfrica.
RIP also to Lynn Blakey. The North Carolina-based musician was a songwriter in her own right, but was also memorialized as the inspiration behind The Replacements song "Left of the Dial." Read more at North Carolina alt-weekly, INDY Week.
Finally, RIP to Stan Zdonik, a leader in the Northeast bluegrass community. In 1976, Zdonik co-founded the nonprofit Boston Bluegrass Union. Read a tribute from Bluegrass Today here.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
Ruby Fields - Doin' It For a Bit
The Specials - The Specials
Robert Francis - PHANTASMAGORIA
Michael J. Miles - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps / Layla"
Doodie - "Someone Was Listening"
Geese - Tiny Desk Concert
Andrew Bird & Gavin Brivik - "Need Someone" from The Pitt
Tinariwen f/ José González - "Imidiwan Takyadam" (from Tinariwen's forthcoming album, Hoggar, due out March 13 via Wedge)
The Paranoid Style - "Passionate Kisses" (Lucinda Williams cover, from the band's new album Known Associates, out today via Bar/None)
NEW RELEASES - 2/13/26
Boy Golden - Best of Our Possible Lives
Clay Street Unit - Sin&Squalor
Gogol Bordello - We Mean It, Man!
Jeremy Ivey - It's Shape Will Reveal Itself
George Jackson's Local Trio - Center of The Universe
The Lone Bellow - What a Time to be Alive
Mumford and Sons - Prizefighter
The Nude Party - Look Who's Back
The Waymores - The Knot
COMING SOON - 2/20/26
Jesse Appleman - Where We Go
Band of Heathens - Country Sides
Tim Easton - fIREHORSE
Jimmy Fretwell - analog dream
Rick Shea - Smoke Tree Road
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