Katie Crutchfield’s Waxahatchee hit San Francisco on September 22, as the band finally tour in support of last year’s very excellent record, St. Cloud. If the yearlong postponement of the tour had an upside, it’s that the band played a much bigger venue than they were originally scheduled to play in 2020. They played nearly the entire record, along with some older tunes and a cover of Gillian Welch’s “Wrecking Ball” and closing with a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”
Nashville’s Katy Kirby charmed with an opening set that delighted the crowd, many of whom were seeing their first concert in over a year.

Philadelphia indie punks Mannequin Pussy – one of the best bands in the game and currently supporting their recent Perfect EP – thrilled fans with a throttling set at Schubas Tavern in Chicago. Meanwhile, the promising Baltimore pop-punk up-and-comers Pinkshift delivered a fiery opening set of their own. Scroll through for the full ride.

Nashville’s Bully hit the Independent in San Francisco on September 9, 2021, touring in support of Sugaregg, the third Bully record but first as Alicia Bognanno’s solo project. Though the record was released in August 2020, Bognanno and her band hadn’t played a show in over 20 months, and both the band and the (vaccinated and masked) crowd were ecstatic to hear the new record live.

Still riding high off his stunning debut album Live Forever, the shapeshifting Washington D.C.-based indie rocker Bartees Strange tore it up onstage at the Pitchfork Music Festival after show at Empty Bottle. It was a treat for die-hard Chicago fans who weren’t able to make it to the fest, and a magical double dose for the lucky ones who did.

The final day of the 2021 BottleRock Napa music festival saw massive headlining sets by Foo Fighters and Megan Thee Stallion. Dave Grohl, who appeared with Guns N’ Roses the day before, was all over the place, taking the Culinary Stage with chef Jose Andrés, as well as playing the small JamPad stage to play his “Hanukah Sessions” songs. Other performers included Cage the Elephant, Jack Harlow, Jessie Reyez, the Black Pumas, Donna Missal, Future Islands, and the Village People.

After a year off due to the pandemic, Pitchfork Music Festival roared back to life this past weekend at Chicago’s Union Park. Audiences felt the bliss of live music once again with incredible sets from the likes of Angel Olsen, Ty Segall, St. Vincent, Amaarae, Divino Niño & more. Scroll through for all the highlights.

The second day of the BottleRock Napa music festival saw headlining sets from Guns N’ Roses, Miley Cyrus, and Run the Jewels. Other performers included Portugal. The Man, Young the Giant, Olivia O’Brien, Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers, Milky Chance, White Reaper, OTTTO, Dominic Fike, Digable Planets, and Meg Myers. The Culinary Stage saw the mayor of Flavortown, Guy Fieri, honoring first responders, and an appearance by Warren G.

The BottleRock Napa music festival, in the heart of northern California wine country, returned over Labor Day weekend, after two cancellation/postponements. After scheduled Day 1 headliner Stevie Nicks cancelled, replacement Chris Stapleton also pulled out of the festival. The Highwomen, featuring Brandi Carlile, Morris (who both played solo sets), Natalie Hemby, and Brittany Spencer (filling in for Amanda Shires), stepped in to close out the night. Check out the gallery, which also features Finneas, Polo G, Muna, Chromeo, plus Culinary Stage appearances by G Eazy, Ayesha Curry, and James Murphy.

Indie rock vets Modest Mouse, out on tour in support of their new record The Golden Casket, played Brooklyn Steel in New York on Friday, August 13th, 2021, the third night of a four-night run at the NYC venue. Philadelphia’s The Districts opened the night.

Thievery Corporation played the Stern Grove Festival on a chilly summer day in San Francisco on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Rapper/singer Dessa opened the show.

The Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco returned after a year off, and kicked off its 84th season with a performance from Grammy-winning R&B and jazz singer Ledisi. Bay Area locals The Seshen and La Doña opened the show, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony from San Francisco Mayor London Breed to kick off the summer music season.

Erratic Impulse, Hardflip, and Rubbing Alcoholics gave San Diego’s DIY scene a much-needed shot in the arm with a fiery, bombastic show at City Heights Skatepark in Park de la Cruz. Hopefully a sign of big things to come for the local scene & beyond. Check out the mayhem for yourself…

Nashville-based indie-pop trio COIN pulled off an effusive set at House Of Blues Orlando in what would ultimately be the last night for live music in America for the foreseeable future.