The Melvins sell out Casbah San Diego

There’s something about driving a couple of hours to a show that is just better than going to a local show… more build up, more anticipation and you feel like you’ve accomplished something more, as well. My excitement was running high during the two and a half hour drive on the way down from Pomona to […]

Ani DiFranco hosts sold out show at Observatory Santa Ana

It was an evening of beautiful feminine strength, powerful messages and sweet solidarity. Devoted fans gathered to see Ani DiFranco in a sold out show on February 15th at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. Starting the night off was the beautiful indie folk songbird, Jesca Hoop. Supporting the 2019 release of her fifth studio […]

Steel Pulse at Santa Maria’s Presqu’ile Winery

On February 8th, Santa Maria was blessed to host reggae legends Steel Pulse and local favorites Resination at Presqu’ile Winery. Resination is a five-piece reggae band consisting of Vance Fahie (lead singer), Thomas Cuffe (keyboardist), Timmy Cordero (drummer), Patrick Pearson (lead guitarist) and Michael Jimenez (bassist). They started off the evening, with their authentic and […]

The full One Love Cali Reggae Fest 2020 experience

The One Love Cali Reggae Fest vibe was strong this year, as thrilled festival-goers packed the Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach to experience yet another three-day ear-gasm of their favorite roots, rock, reggae and punky ska bands presented by Goldenvoice. While the sun shone brightly for most of the weekend, in true One […]

SMKFLWR presents a HIRIE & friends fashion show

SMKFLWR, a surf-inspired California clothing and lifestyle brand with a habit of giving back, has grown to be a staple name at reggae rock festivals around the nation. Naturally, teaming up with a well-known reggae rock band like HIRIE to do a limited edition clothing line would be a profitable endeavor! With HIRIE’s fashion-forward persona […]

Mondo Cozmo sells out The Hi-Hat in Los Angeles

You wouldn’t have believed it was a Thursday night, as anxious fans lined up outside The Hi-Hat in Los Angeles on February 6th, 2020 to see the fantastic Mondo Cozmo. The evening kicked off with an energetic and charismatic performance from Aussie/LA transplant Andy Clockwise, sharing with fans his vast and eclectic sound. With his […]

KBong starts tour in San Luis Obispo with Sensi Trails

On February 5th, KBong and Sensi Trails took over SLO Brew Rock for the first night of their tour. Sensi Trails started off the night with their surf reggae vibes mixed with a little rock and roll. Singer Kyle Rising and bassist Kaya Hall drew in the crowd with their high energy stage presence and […]

Experiencing Boomshaka 2020

On January 18th, the Boomshaka Music Festival returned to the iconic Pechanga Arena in San Diego after taking a one-year hiatus. The festival was headlined by Iration this time around and hosted by reggae’s sweetheart, Miss HIRIE. Other acts on the bill were Cypress Hill, The Green, Don Carlos, The Movement, KBong, Sensi Trails, while […]

The Green brings 10 Year Anniversary tour to NorCal

On January 31st, Hawaii natives The Green performed at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort in Lincoln, California to the delight of their greater Sacramento fans. The anticipation leading up to this tour was unreal, as The Green announced that their 2020 spring tour marks a 10 year anniversary of their self-titled first album, along with […]

Queensrÿche brings the metal to San Diego’s Music Box

The vibe at the Music Box is always great, especially at a metal show! Opening the night was Eve to Adam, a New York-based band formed in 1997 with five albums. I’m not sure how I missed them before, but definitely will check them out moving forward! I love their sound; it fit great in […]

Santa Barbara’s sOhO celebrates 25 years with The Dirty Knobs

Well, rock n roll’s best kept secret is out! Within the last couple months, The Dirty Knobs have released their first original single “Wreckless Abandon” — the title track to their debut album set to be released March 20th — and announced a national tour that sold out in literal minutes. People are finally catching […]

Annual Dimebash All-Star jam rocks Observatory OC

Dimebash, an annual tribute to the late Dimebag Darrell (guitarist of Pantera), rocked The Observatory Theater in Santa Ana on January 16th, 2020. Dimebash is where metalheads come together to remember Dimebag Darrell and his brother Vinnie Paul, all in the name of charity. The tickets were only $33 for four straight hours of all […]

Aboard MEGACRUISE 2019: Day Four

Bueños dias — Ensenada, Mexico! I actually never even left the boat. I debated going ashore, but there was so much going onboard that I wasn’t about to miss it. Day Four on Megadeth’s MEGACRUISE had a photo experience with Testament, Lamb of God (we all missed the LOG photo experience, we’ll get to that later), […]

Julian Marley interviews days ahead of 62nd GRAMMYs

GRAMMY-nominated reggae legend Julian Marley sits down with Top Shelf Music journalist Kristy Rose, days ahead of the 62nd GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles. Up for ‘Best Reggae Album’ for his fourth full-length album As I Am, Julian Marley shares his feelings on his first nomination from the Academy, what’s to come for 2020, how […]

Night Two with Trey Anastasio Band at The Wiltern, Los Angeles

The Trey Anastasio Band, led by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, took the stage at the beautiful Wiltern in Los Angeles on the night of Saturday, January 17th for their second show of a two-night run. As always, Trey brought the thunder as his collective brought the lightening, while a happy crowd stayed starry-eyed all night […]