Going gothic in Detroit with The Veronicas

St. Andrews Hall hosted the Gothic Summer Tour and it had one of the most fun lineups I have ever seen. Both artists kept my attention from beginning to end; I know they kept the audience’s attention, as well. It was a night to forget life’s problems and, instead, enjoy yourself for a few hours. […]

Fall Out Boy & Jimmy Eat World set Milwaukee ablaze

On a rainy Tuesday night early in April, the great state of Wisconsin was set ablaze with pop-punk fever as Fall Out Boy‘s So Much For (2our) Dust Tour stormed into the Fiserv Forum, joined by the iconic Jimmy Eat World. The weather outside the iconic “Deer District” was cold and windy, as if winter […]

Kai Wachi delivers one of EDM’s most bone-rattling sets EVER

The Old Rock House just south of Downtown St. Louis hosted another heavy dubstep show to a packed house of headbangers. The heavy-wub-heavyweight Kai Wachi and his two opener acts were brought to town by B&W productions, and certainly gave the audience a performance to remember. Accompanying Kai Wachi on the tour were the two […]

Big Something brings jam band goodness to St. Louis

North Carolina-based improvisational rock band Big Something came roaring into St Louis on April 18th and I could not have been more excited. In 2018, I was fortunate enough to help run sound for The Big What? — Big Something’s self-produced jam band festival thrown in the North Carolina hills. When I first learned about […]

Bad Religion & Social Distortion disrupt Vegas

Under beautiful desert skies, illuminated by neon lights and enormous LED screens, the promise of pleasure and joy are bet on 24-hours per day and, for a lucky few, those bets pay off. For those fans who bet on tickets to the sold-out Bad Religion and Social Distortion show at the Virgin Hotel and Casino […]

Dirty Heads light up Lincoln, CA with The Elovaters

First things first, if you haven’t been to “The Venue” at Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, CA, you’re doing yourself a huge disservice! As you walk through the doors, you’re greeted by a friendly staff who are all eager to make your experience as pleasant as possible. Every section has staff ready to answer any […]

Intervals rocks Detroit with instrumental metal madness

A unique night, for sure, happened at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit. Different bands who had a similar sound, yet all sounded so different came together on April 12th, 2024. There was something for everyone to enjoy with this lineup. Makari and Body Thief started the night, warming up the crowd. Makari brought the alternative […]

Saxsquatch brings folklore-filled Bigfoot Rave to San Diego

I’ve always heard of the mystical and elusive character Saxsquatch: a wily upright ape-man, wandering around the Pacific Northwest with instrument in hand. The legend of Saxsquatch actually dates back to the first saxophone ever created by 19th Century musician and outdoorsman Gilhorn Von Bugle Sax, who carelessly left his invention on a tree stump […]

Atmosphere brings Tour de Friends, Pt. Deux to party in St. Louis

For the first stop of the Tour de Friends, Pt. Deux on April 10th, cherished hip hop duo Atmosphere decided to start things off relatively close to home, partying in the Midwest with the city of St. Louis at The Pageant and making their long-awaited return to the 314. They didn’t come alone either, instead […]

Paul Cauthen packs two country AF nights into Paso Robles brewery

Barrel House Brewing Company in Paso Robles had the anticipated return of Paul Cauthen for two nights at its amphitheater and Top Shelf Music got to cover the sold-out Night One! That’s right: Paso Robles fans enjoy Paul’s music so much that they demanded a second show at the home of “Good People, Good Times, […]

Gary Numan sends San Diego’s Music Box into a fanatic frenzy

Trying to find parking around the Music Box in downtown San Diego clearly indicated that there was a notable event taking place: the streets were lined with punkers — mostly of Gen X age, but some Boomers, some Millennials — all dressed in black, leather, and walking in the same direction. Gary Numan was in […]

Boogie T & friends shake St. Louis with bassy dubstep

The Factory was a packed house on a Saturday night in St. Louis, as fans gathered to enjoy a dubstep-filled night courtesy of Boogie T and friends. All four of the deejays from the show are signed to Insomniac Records and brought their own unique take on EDM to the stage. The show started with […]

Good Kid sells out Quartyard in downtown San Diego

On a rare drizzly San Diego evening, the city’s popular outdoor venue Quartyard was packed to capacity for Good Kid’s sold-out show on their This Can’t Be The End tour on April 5th, 2024. Despite the intermittent drizzle, the vibes were anything but dampened as fans came together for singalongs, beyblades (accompanied with beyblades cover […]