One of the best parts about writing music reviews is that no one can judge you for obsessively playing the same song or album over and over again. Thankfully, I had this excuse when listening to Bumpin Uglies’ acoustic album, Underdog: The Acoustic Sessions. I may have even listened to the original track sandwiched between the […]
I am going to let you in on a very obvious, and not-so-secret theory of mine. I am convinced that no matter how big a band gets, no matter how many festivals they play or how many shows they sell out, there will always be a calling to go back and play those small, worn, […]
When posed with the question, “name the most influential state(s) in American music history?”, it is safe to say Maryland is one of the biggest underdogs. Sonic waves have been crashing on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay area for the past century, slowly eroding the barriers of the international music landscape, flooding the scene […]
Ocean City, Maryland has thrown its hat in the ring! Multi-day music festivals have become all the rage. It seems as though there is a new one announced on a weekly basis. However, the first-ever Oceans Calling 2023 music fest is taking the cake! With music spanning decades and genres, the anticipation is already palpable! […]
A broken heart from a break-up is inevitable. We’ve all been there, had our feelings stomped on like a flaming bag of dog shit by someone we loved … or thought we loved. I know I have. Such is life though, am I right? This is the topic that fuels Dale and the ZDubs next […]
One of the most interesting components of Dale and the ZDubs’ music is the opposition. Every song dropped by these guys sounds fun. There is a Ska-type, high energy sound brought about by the bouncing instrumentals that are paired with Dale’s hilarious commentary sprinkled throughout the verses. The opposition comes when the listener takes a […]
The anthem of the summer is here and we have the Pulp Fiction-loving, reggae rock-hip hop duo, Get ‘Em Wet, to thank for it! “Hang Loose” featuring Brandon Hardesty of Bumpin Uglies, dropped on Friday and if it wasn’t the dead of winter, I would already be lounging poolside with this jam on repeat. After […]
Reggae Rise Up Maryland returns to the Baltimore Peninsula for the second year in a row following their wildly successful 2022 first-year installment. Boasting a lineup stacked with all your favorite reggae acts–plus some newcomers for funsies–the three day festival takes place June 23-25 and all but screams summer vacation. With estimated temperatures hovering in […]
2022 ushered in what many considered the first full year of music without restriction since the pandemic began. This year, the photojournalists and writers of Top Shelf Music have had the privilege of covering some pretty amazing shows! In true end of year fashion we have compiled a list of some of our favorite live […]
It was a chilly Monday night, perfect for a concert. I was really excited to see Jessie Reyez live. I remember the first time hearing her voice on the song “Nice Guy,” her collaboration with Eminem and I immediately wanted to know more about her. Walking up to The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Fans wrapped […]
Crowds of people walked towards the doors of The Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. Daughters, mothers, fathers and grandparents all smiled while they got their food and found their seats. Multiple generations came together for one reason, to witness Maxwell’s beautiful voice and sensational music. However, first up was Alex Isley. She walked the stage with […]
Steve Lacy’s Give You The World Tour is a SOLD OUT TOUR — let’s start there. With the highly anticipated album Gemini Rights released back on July 15th, Steve Lacy landed his first #1 spot on the Billboard Top 100. Shaking the Internet with his song “Bad Habit”, the singer-songwriter-producer showed off his limitless vocal talent […]
I Prevail and Pierce the Veil recently teamed up for a rockin’ double-header of epic proportions. I was able to catch their show at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland and, let me tell you, it was an awesome show! Yours Truly warmed the crowd up to get them pumped for the headliners. Fronted by […]
Some walked, some ran, others skipped, but no one missed Day Two of the first-ever Reggae Rise Up Festival in Baltimore, Maryland. For the second day in a row, festival-goers were lucky to experience 11 straight hours of feet-moving music. Gates swung open at noon with music starting an hour later, leaving ample time to […]
You book a redeye flight with the intention of sleeping through it. At least that’s what I did… only I didn’t take into account how excited I was to go to the first ever Reggae Rise Up Maryland three-day music festival. I didn’t sleep a wink on that flight. With a backpack bursting at the […]
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