Whitney brings a little bit of Chicago to Milwaukee

Whitney fans have come to know the band’s unique sound and emotions that its songs evoke. Each idyllic melody is interwoven through nostalgic lyrics, inducing a deep happiness for the memories made, as well as a sadness that those moments can’t stay forever. Throughout their four albums, Chicago-based indie soul duo Whitney have mastered their […]

Maxwell brings generations of fans together in Baltimore

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 sells out the Baltimore Soundstage

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 […]

Santana blows away St. Louis, with Earth, Wind & Fire

Seeing a living musical legend in person can be quite the surreal experience. On occasion, the shows don’t entirely live up to the hype and they tend to leave fans somewhat disappointed as they make their way back home… simply wishing and longing for the chance to see that same show, only 20 or 30 […]

James Arthur & Nina Nesbitt get Nashville singing

James Arthur did not disappoint fans at his sold-out show at Nashville’s Cannery Ballroom. The 2012 X Factor UK winner played a well-rounded setlist that was sure to please every one of his concertgoers’ setlist wishlists. Nina Nesbitt opened the show solo and played a mix of songs on keys and guitar. Nesbitt showed her […]

Two full weeks of SXSW 2022

SXSW is known for many things… whether it’s throngs of happy music lovers, rediscovering their love of seeking the best new bands, or the pack of tech guys in networking nirvana. Or, the film geeks and geek-ettes, gawking in gritty discourse over the merits (or lack thereof) of their latest screening. For me, though, SX […]

SXSW 2022: Best Bands

SXSW made its cautious, yet triumphant return earlier in March after its abrupt cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. The city of Austin took a safe approach to this year’s festival by opening many onsite testing facilities, as well as administering a digital pass for all vaccinated festival-goers. Even with safeguards in place, the […]

A night with Kingfish Ingram in St. Louis

On March 25th, it was one of those famous, midwestern, super windy evenings out in the suburbs of St. Louis, when a night of delta blues and topnotch guitar playing was enjoyed by a wonderfully diverse packed house of fans at The Factory. This group of music lovers had gathered together to see the one […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Matt Waters “Impatient”

Cincinnati-based rising singer-songwriter Matt Waters is back in action with the world premiere of his latest soulful single “Impatient”. Funk-infused and full of joie de vivre, Waters encapsulates in a song exactly what everyone wants once the sun goes down — not to wait! It’s a New Year, a new night out, a new adventure […]

Thundercat at The Pageant, St. Louis

There was a feeling of funk, rhythm and soul in the air on November 16th at The Pageant in St. Louis, MO. Los Angeles-based road cat Stephen Bruner (also known by his stage name, Thundercat) rolled into town, breaking out his massive, unique signature six-string Ibanez TCB1006 to take his audience for an absolute ride. […]

Anderson East leaves Nashville audience rejoicing

Friday night in downtown Nashville would be my first opportunity to experience two things I have had on my musical bucket list for quite some time. The first being to attend a concert at Ryman Auditorium, the venue that pretty much birthed Country Music. It’s a place so iconic and legendary they nicknamed it the “Carnegie […]

Los Angeles set for Snoop Dogg’s Once Upon A Time 2021

Once Upon A Time in LA 2021 returns from its 2019 debut! The festival was planned to come back in 2020, yet fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic (as most did). The multigenerational jam-packed lineup for this year gives us a mix of oldies, funk and old and new-school hip hop. Hosted by Snoop Dogg, […]

WORLD TRACK PREMIERE: Donovan Keith “Mine”

Donovan Keith returns with a signature blend of soul, rock and funk with “Mine”, the latest single off of his debut solo album. Premiering exclusively on Top Shelf Music today, “Mine” is a passionate track with contagious energy and multiple layers to uncover. It proves relatable to anyone who’s found themselves longing for something lost […]