Latest Posts

Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park (7/14/17)

In it’s 12th year, Pitchfork Music Festival continued to prove its longevity, boasting three sold out days and another jam packed, stellar lineup. Thousands flocked to Union Park in Chicago, making this year what seemed like the most crowded the festival has been in our three years of coverage. With another incredible year filled with countless memorable moments in the books, we take a look back at the weekend through the lens of our blog photographer, Brendan O’Connor. Take a look at some photos from Friday below, featuring Priests, Dawn Richard, Hiss Golden Messenger, Vince Staples, Frankie Cosmos, Danny Brown, Kamaiyah, Dirty Projectors, and LCD Soundsystem. Stay tuned for more photos from the weekend throughout the week. Priests Dawn Richard Hiss Golden Messenger Vince Staples Frankie Cosmos Danny Brown Kamiayah  Dirty Projectors LCD Soundsystem

The Tallest Man on Earth at Asbury Hall (7/22/15)

Having apologized for not being back to Buffalo for five years, Kristian Matsson recalled his last visit at Babeville: “Last time I was here I played in the basement. I haven’t improved as a person,” he paused. “…but I have friends now.” The Swedish songwriter flashed a proud smirk as he caught the members of his backing band in an over-the-shoulder periphery. In addition to his new backing band, Matsson—or The Tallest Man On Earth—brought a particular liveliness to the stage of Asbury Hall this past Wednesday night. With a fresh album on his fingertips, the NC folk outfit Hiss Golden Messenger in support, and the beautiful Asbury Hall packed with adoring fans, Matsson had a few things to be excited about. Opener Hiss Golden Messenger got the night rolling with an impressive set of their folky alt-country mash. I’ll admit to not knowing much about HGM before just a[...]

Hiss Golden Messenger

Rare is the bill on which the opening band draws as much (or more, in even rarer cases) anticipation as the main act. Last year’s Band of Horses / Midlake show comes to mind (still sore for missing that), or perhaps the stacked My Morning Jacket / Wilco / Bob Dylan roster at Darien Lake a few years back, if that even counts. Well that aforementioned phenomenon repeats itself tonight at Asbury Hall (for myself, anyway), where Swedish folk top-dog The Tallest Man on Earth will have his stage warmed up (or set ablaze) by the excellent Hiss Golden Messenger, a folk duo out of North Carolina. I use the term ‘folk’ as loosely as I can in this case; HGM—consisting of primary songwriter M.C. Taylor, recording partner Scott Hirsch, and a rotating cast of touring musicians—evades traditional “call ‘em as I hear ‘em” classifications with their soul-warming blend of[...]