bluegrass – The Cosmic Clash

Live music review: Billy Strings returned to stage for Austin City Limits TV taping

July 6, 2026 Case Cockrell 795 Views ACL TV, Austin City Limits, Billy Strings, bluegrass, concert, flatpicking, folk rock, guitar, jam band, live music, Review, shredder, TV taping

Flat-picking mega star Billy Strings returned to the stage for his first full-band gig since April after busting his leg doing an ill-fated skateboard trick backstage at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. After an unintentional break, Strings and his associates returned to ACL Live for Season 52 of Austin City Limits TV. For each consecutive season of the long-running PBS program, there is a show or two that sees high demand, with tons of hopeful fans waiting in line hoping to get a spot for the coveted performances. This was one of those tapings, as Billy’s return has been highly anticipated after a slew of cancellations following the injury in the spring. Despite arriving onstage on crutches and having not played a show in several months, things got right back to business for one of the most revered guitarists making his way around the touring circuit.

Neko Case Paramount Theater Troy Gonzales

Live Music Review Troy Gonzales

Live music review: Neko Case returned to the Paramount Theater in Austin for Thanksgiving

December 11, 2025 Troy Gonzales 2060 Views Americana, bluegrass, folk, folk rock, indie rock, John Grant, live music, Neko Case, Paramount Theater, Review, singer songwriter, songwriter, The Czars, The New Pornographers

So on a warm Tuesday night, a two days before Thanksgiving, Neko Case and her touring band returned to the Paramount Theatre in support of her latest album, Neon Grey Midnight Green, her eighth studio album, which also follows her recent bestselling memoir, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen the New Pornographers on a couple of occasions but have only seen Neko Case solo once at the Paper Tiger in San Antonio. While I haven’t always thought of the Paramount Theatre as my go to place to see live music, I will concede that certain musical artist do benefit from its historic ambience, which can lend a sense of intimacy and warmth that you can’t find at any other venue.

Case Cockrell Review

Live music review: Billy Strings Moody Center debut kicked off Austin run with 3-hour spectacle

June 4, 2023 Case Cockrell 5092 Views Billy Strings, Blaze Foley, bluegrass, flatpicking, jam band, live music, Moody Center, Review, Townes Van Zandt

With two nights of music prepared for Austin at Billy Strings Moody Center debut Friday and Saturday, Strings unveiled three and a half hours of music, with the first night of the residency being Strings’ longest live show to date.

Greg Ackerman Review

Live music review: Billy Strings thrilled fans at the Long Center

March 31, 2021 Greg Ackerman 2513 Views Billy Strings, bluegrass, flatpicking, Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, live music, Peter Rowan, SIMS Foundation

Luck Reunion and the Long Center for Performing Arts hosted 2021 Grammy-winning bluegrass artist, Billy Strings on Sunday. The performance took place on the Long Center lawn with the Austin skyline serving as a picturesque backdrop for Billy Strings’ electrifying “bluegrass on acid” brand of music.

Brian Hillsman Review

Album Review: Sour Bridges perfect browngrass on latest record “Neon Headed Fool”

May 19, 2020 Brian Hillsman 1687 Views album review, Austin, banjo, bluegrass, browngrass, new music, Sour Bridges

For more than a decade, the Austin-based quartet Sour Bridges has seeded the Capital City music scene with echoes of what they refer to as “browngrass.” The band has repeatedly stated, ”…it’s like bluegrass, but a little dirtier.” Consisting of Bill Pucci (vocals, rhythm guitar), Matt Pucci (vocals,mandolin, lead guitar), Garrett Ross (drums), Wil Vaughan (vocals, bass guitar), Sour Bridges has recently released their fourth studio album, Neon Headed Fool. The record was released May 24 of last year.

Review Scott Rollins

Live music review: Alison Krauss and Union Station masterful in Lake Charles

October 22, 2019 Scott Rollins 2553 Views Alison Krauss, alt-country, bluegrass, concert, country, Golden Nugget, Union Station

The stage was also adorned with top grade musicians, performing with expert skills, while strangely at ease with their own masterful accomplishments. This was Alison Krauss, & Union Station as they appeared at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisiana on October 11.