On the title track “Road to Redemption,” Mudcat is clearly sharing personal life lessons when he sings, “My tribulations you may not see / I’ve been through hell I’ll be redeemed,” all the while mixing in flashes of that Bo Diddley beat.
Jourgensen’s style has not changed, rife with Goth over- (and under-) tones, the singer is a singular presence. His voice still resonates as it has for the past four decades and the musicians were very tight.
It was a good vibe in the Roxy. A wide range of ages were on display, including a surprisingly large percentage of Gen Zs in attendance.
The band ran through all 10 tracks from ‘Trees & Screams,’ adding something from each of his prior solo efforts. Known for his deep dive of covers from favorite artists, Hood did not disappoint.
Just four days on from the 2024 general election, Hood is holding up that mirror to our society again, as he did back in 2001. It stings even more today than it did then.
X’s punk rockabilly (punkabilly?) identity was on full display, sounding as tight as ever. It’s hard to believe its been 44 years since their debut. Each musician better than you think on stage, it seems that they’ve improved with age.
I know what you’re thinking, “Hey, weren’t The Police a trio?” Why, yes, they were. And true fans picked up on several Andy Summersesque guitar licks by Miller and even more Stewart Copelandesque drum fills by Maas.
Madge can be extolled for her longstanding support of the LGBTQ+ community. An entire act was dedicated to the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s with hundreds of floating pictures showcasing those affected by the virus.
Known for his outspoken views on politics and simply being a decent person, Isbell shined on “Save the World.” The song delves into the Uvalde school shooting and parents’ life mission to keep our children safe.
From that 2016 album ‘American Band,’ “What It Means” describes the sobering account of Trayvon Martin being gunned down in Florida, the racial unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, and the general hate and ignorance which has overtaken America.
NO EARPLUGS 