MUSICMARAUDERS

Cervantes Other Side Denver, CO Photos by Julie Hutchins ( Tipping Point Designs ) View Julie's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.voodoovisionary.com www.jadensound.com

Roseland Theater Portland, OR Photos by Coleman Schwartz Media View Coleman's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.rodgab.com

Highland Brewing Company Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.primusville.com

Upslope Brewing Company Boulder, CO Photos by Tipping Point Designs View Julie's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.upslopebrewing.com www.rooseveltcollier.net

Summit Music Hall Denver, CO Photos by Doug Fondriest Photography View Doug's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.everclearmusic.com www.verticalhorizon.com

Neal Creek Resort Scio, OR Written by Mitch Melheim Photos by Coleman Schwartz Media What began as a small backyard potluck with friends and family wrapping a maypole has since blossomed into a full-fledged music festival featuring nationally touring acts called Beltane. Following the initial potluck, festival organizers Clare and Aric Naber decided to add music to the event, and shortly thereafter came fire dancers and the inevitable graduation from their backyard. The move to a new location on the Columbia River Gorge brought upon larger acts such as Fruition and the Shook Twins and lasted just five years before another upgrade was needed, this time to the gorgeous Neal Creek Resort in Scio, Oregon. While many things have changed, it’s equally surprising how much remains the same. The wholesome family feel that the Naber’s first curated twelve years ago remains intact, as does the maypole celebration. Many of the same bands still make up the festival’s line up, including the...

Rhythm & Rye Olympia, WA Photos by Willacker Photography View Eric's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.scottpemberton.com

Salvage Station Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.karldenson.com www.mikedillonvibes.com

Western Carolina State Fairgrounds Aiken, SC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Friday Photo Gallery Here! View Scott's Full Saturday Photo Gallery Here! www.aikenbluegrassfestival.org

The Bluebird Theater Denver, CO Photos by Ryan Fitzgerald ( Jarred Media ) View Ryan's Full Photo Gallery! www.facebook.com/pg/RowdyShadehouse www.ladyandthegentlemen.com

Red Rock Amphitheatre Morrison, CO Photos by Doug Fondriest Photography View Doug's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.lettucefunk.com www.turkuazband.com

Salvage Station Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.markkaran.com

Boulder Theater Boulder, CO Photos by Nancy Isaac Photography View Nancy's Photo Gallery Here! www.davidcrosby.com

Isis Music Hall Asheville, NC Words by Taylor Hall Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography Perhaps one of the most mind rattling shows I have ever attended, Adrian Belew Power Trio was nothing short of mesmerizing. If you aren't familiar with Adrian, I will give you a brief run down of his musical journey. Adrian was discovered by Frank Zappa at age 27 playing in a cover band. Shortly after, he would be passed on to David Bowie, before heading way to join Talking Heads on the album Remain In Light . Adrian would find a permanent home joining Robert Fripp's King Crimson for the next 30 years. The night would start with a few technical difficulties, as one of Julie Slick's Pedals failed, and then they had a few more glitches using the computer software they loop through. This was not an issue for the crowd that was filled with hard core music lovers that understand the perils that come with putting on a live show. Once all the quirks were worked out the show was set t...

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO Photos by Doug Fondriest Photography View Doug's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.papadosio.com www.eliotlipp.com www.sunsquabi.com

The Big Wonderful Denver, CO Photos by Nancy Isaac Photography View Nancy's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.jeffaustin.com

The Big Wonderful Denver, CO Photos by Nancy Isaac Photography View Nancy's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.facebook.com/drewemmitt

The Orange Peel Asheville, NC Phtoos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.toddsnider.net

Cervantes Other Side Denver, CO Photos by Nancy Isaac Photography View Nancy's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.facebook.com/toddsheaffermusic

The Orange Peel Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.bonobomusic.com

Goodfoot Pub & Lounge Portland, OR Photos by Coleman Schwartz Media View Coleman's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.yakattackmusic.com

Nectar Lounge Seattle, WA Photos by Coleman Schwartz Media View Coleman's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.andycoeband.com

1stBank Center Broomfield, Colorado Words by Nicholas Stock ( Fat Guerilla Productions ) Photos by Doug Fondriest ( Doug Fondriest Photography ) What happens when the music finally stops? When all the originals and torchbearers fade away what remains? Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is singlehandedly making sure that never happens through innovation and a reverence for the music of the good ol’ Grateful Dead. Russo put in his time with Furthur and when they disbanded, it appeared he was given the keys to the kingdom. Now what started as a one-off party band has evolved in a stadium-filling endeavor complete with a massive light show and a dedicated fanbase. In just their 108th outing as a band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead has gone from a novelty to the real deal. They sold out the 6500 seat 1stBank Center after their show at Red Rocks was moved due to snowy weather. Medeski, Martin & Wood is the sort of beefy opener you would expect from JRAD on their first attempt at Red Rocks. I...

The Orange Peel Asheville, NC Photos by J. Scott Shrader Photography View Scott's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.theblackangels.com www.aplacetoburystrangers.com

Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR Photos by Jason Charme Photography View Jason's Full Photo Gallery Here! www.antibalas.com

Snug Lake Amphitheatre Princeton, British Columbia Words by Nicholas Stock ( Fat Guerilla Productions ) In today’s monopolized music scene where a few behemoths rule the roost, it’s rare to see any independent events gaining traction. Some producers have gone to great lengths to curtail the market in their favor, including everything from creating a single source of tickets for an entire market to the outright buying of venues. However, a new event has emerged on the horizon and it’s safe to say this festival has very little to do with the status quo. Element Music Festival combines incredible music and location with the type of innovation that can only come from promoters outside of the inner circle. In just their second year not only has Element booked The String Cheese Incident in Canada for three nights, but they have also cultivated a Garaj Mahal reunion, a band who hasn't performed together in almost a decade. That alone is enough to turn heads, but what’s more impres...

The Ogden Theatre Denver, CO Words & photos by Kevin Hahn ( Split Open & Shoot Photography ) A cover band is a musical group who usually masters every aspect of another group’s musical arrangements, special tendencies, and even sometimes the mistakes an artist would make on stage from time to time. I tend not to spend money on seeing cover bands, wasting time listening to, or sometimes even recognizing their existence (mostly to piss off my friends). But every once in awhile a band comes along that has mastered another group’s material so well, and to a level of such musical genius, that I can’t help but to get insanely excited every time I get the chance to see them live. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead or JRAD could be the most entertaining, musically gifted/talented, and overall fucking awesome cover band that I have ever seen. And for some reason, every time they come to Colorado the shows are extra hot. Starting off with “Jackstraw” it was 150% obvious JRAD was looking...