Bastille & Joywave at The Greek

Bastille continues their North American tour this fall, spending the night of Saturday, October 12th October at the beautiful Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. This tour was in support of their new album Doom Days, which was just released this past June. They brought their American fans an outstanding set of 20 songs, along with […]

Lana Del Rey brings joy to San Diego

What to say about Lana Del Rey… The renowned ‘Xanax rock’ queen has had anthems in big budget Hollywood films, been recognized several times by the GRAMMY Academy and has garnered countless hours of radio play over six studio albums — on top of being drop-dead gorgeous. But, one thing I didn’t understand until the […]

Spafford releases vibrant, groovy new EP ‘The Gaff Tapes’

Arizona-based jammers, Spafford released their electrifying new EP The Gaff Tapes at the beginning of this month and it kicks! The five-track collection ranges in a blend of styles, including rock, reggae, jazz, blues, ska, funk and electro-pop. Humbly speaking, the most attractive thing about this EP is how excited it gets me to see […]

How Lana Del Rey dazzled Sacramento

It was a beautiful night in Sacramento on October 8th… 73 degrees and the sky was dimly lit, yet full of stars. There were two large lines of excited fans circling around the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. As the crowds entered the venue, many were walking as fast as they could to the pit and seats. […]

Angels & Airwaves at House of Blues San Diego

It was a night of SoCal musical celebration as Angels & Airwaves brought a two-night epic tour to the House of Blues Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th in San Diego. Opening the night was Los Angeles-based alternative band Charming Liars, whose stage presence and chemistry grabbed the crowd’s attention from the start of […]

KAABOO Del Mar 2019: Day One

A rush of anticipation hit Del Mar, California at the crack of noon on Day One of the 5th Annual KAABOO Del Mar Festival. The best weekend of the year was upon SoCal residents and everyone came prepared. The first of three days of A-list entertainment kicked off with turn-of-Millennium alt rock band Plain White […]

Ingrid Michaelson at San Diego’s Observatory North Park

Ingrid Michaelson kicked off The Dramatic Tour this Thursday, October 3rd at San Diego’s Observatory North Park. Starting off the show was talented singer-songwriter/musician Maddie Poppe, known for winning Season 16 of Fox’s American Idol. Coming a long way from a small town in Iowa, Poppe was invited to tour with Ingrid one year following […]

The enigmatic Same Same But Different 2019 experience

Same Same But Different Festival, familiarly ‘SSBD’, kicked off their second year in flying forum on September 20th, 2019! Even before entering the gates, crowds were pulling up to the site and the energy that transcended down from the Lake Perris campgrounds was already unmatched. All of the parking attendants were jamming on ukuleles, drinking […]

Pasadena Daydream 2019 official Top Shelf after movie

Top Shelf Music journalists Kristy Rose and Jenni Lynne take on the first ever Pasadena Daydream Festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, presented by The Cure and Goldenvoice. Despite the extreme heat of Labor Day Weekend, New Wave and punk rockers flocked by the hundreds… Despite the extreme heat of Labor Day Weekend, […]

The 5th Annual KAABOO Del Mar MIX-perience

There is always a rush of nervous energy lining the gates of KAABOO Del Mar, waiting to get in Day One alongside other early birds at the festival entrance. The fest superseding all other mainstream California festivals might span three days, but there is simply no time to waste. Every moment is spent with intention. […]

Jam with your fave bands on the road with Backstage Music Lessons

How many of you dream of jamming with a favorite band member? Not only that, but getting to do it at a venue before a show that you are about to attend? What a dream come true! That’s exactly what you get to do when you schedule a music lesson with Backstage Music Lessons, a […]

K. Flay at San Diego’s Observatory North Park

K. Flay’s Solutions Tour hit San Diego at The Observatory North Park on Thursday, September 5th, 2019. Starting the night off right was “not MY Smith, but Your Smith”, dancing her way in to get the crowd hyped with powerful vocals backed by soothing beats and catchy tunes. Formally known as ‘Caroline Smith’, Your Smith […]

Experiencing Pasadena Daydream 2019

The sizzling, southern California sun shone down brightly on August 31st for the most highly-anticipated festival of the summer season. To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Cure’s Hyde Park show in London, The Pasadena Daydream Festival was born. With the lineup handpicked by The Cure’s Robert Smith himself, the day was sure to please. […]

Grand Point North set for Year Nine in Burlington, VT

The alternative-meets-folk festival on the forefront of everyone’s minds is back in Burlington, Vermont for Year Nine! Brought to the public by Higher Ground and GRAMMY-nominee Grace Potter, Grand Point North hits the coastal setting of Waterfront Park this September 14th and 15th — and it’s not too late to get your passes! Just shy […]

Resonance returns to Pennsylvania for its 6th year

Bringing folk and jam band and funk and EDM to the forefront, Pennsylvania’s favorite festival is back in its sixth year at Slippery Rock. That’s right, in a few short days, Resonance Fest is upon us! Changing its locale to the serene station at Coopers Lake (a 500-acre reserve with lakes and hills and even […]