Metal

Castle Rat conquers The Chapel in San Francisco

November 20, 2024

The Chapel in San Francisco always promises incredible shows, but last Friday was a night like no other. The fantasy, medieval doom metal band Castle Rat from Brooklyn, New York, took over the venue with an unforgettable performance. Led by the formidable Rat Queen, the band delivered an opening set that felt stadium-worthy, thanks to their theatrics, costumes, commanding stage presence, and all-around kick-ass music. With echoing guitars, thunderous bass, hard-hitting drums, and powerful vocals that spanned an impressive range, they had the crowd completely mesmerized. The Rat Queen was joined by her bandmates—The Count, The Plague Doctor, and The Druid—who together wove a spectacular storyline through their performance. The crowd was fully invested, and by the time they left the stage, chants of “Castle Rat!” echoed through the venue in hopes they’d return for an encore. While they didn’t come back that night, one thing is certain: Castle Rat gained a room full of new fans. Here’s hoping their next trip to San Francisco sees them in a well-deserved headlining spot. Check out photos [Read More]

Gear Highlight

MARSHALL ANNOUNCES ITS LOUD RETURN TO NAMM

November 17, 2024

Marshall, the company behind the most famous amps in rock’n’roll history, today announces its return to NAMM, the legendary US trade show for the music industry, following a five-year absence. Marshall Group CEO Jeremy de Maillard said the decision to attend next January’s show was an opportunity for the company to celebrate its much-loved amplifiers and to introduce them to a new generation of music lovers. “Marshall amps have earned a special place in music history and we’re excited about connecting with our fans and customers at this globally important event,” de Maillard said. “We have some great plans for showcasing the best that Marshall has to offer in hand-built amps while introducing several new products to the Marshall portfolio.” Marshall will be taking to the main floor to showcase and demo new products, host Q&A’s and artist signings and, most importantly, have space for people to try the amps. Endorsers and ambassadors will be on hand to demonstrate what Marshall amps means to them while a specially constructed ‘Tone Sanctuary’, an invite only space, will allow artists to experience several new [Read More]

BottleRock Napa

BottleRock Announces the 2025 La Onda Festival Lineup!

November 13, 2024

    Marco Antonio Solis, Banda MS, Pepe Aguilar Saturday, May 31, 2025  Carin León, Grupo Firme Sunday, June 1, 2025 plus many more   Festival Tickets on sale Friday, November 15, 2024, at noon PT   November 13, 2024, Napa, CA — BottleRock has announced the lineup for the 2025 Festival La Onda, to be held in the heart of the City of Napa at the Napa Valley Expo on May 31 & June 1, 2025. Headlining the festival are Marco Antonio Solis, Banda MS and Pepe Aguilar on May 31, Carin León and Grupo Firme on June 1.   La Onda by BottleRock will offer the hottest Latin musical acts spanning several genres, including Regional Mexican and its various sub-genres, Latin pop, and more.   In addition to Marco Antonio Solis, Banda MS and Pepe Aguilar, the Saturday, May 31 lineup includes Xavi, Tito Double P, Yuridia, Chino Pacas, La Receta, Camila Fernández, Los Aptos, Sonora Tropicana, MAR, Edgar Alejandro and Christian Nava.   In addition to Carin León and Grupo Firme, the Sunday, June 1 lineup includes Eden Muñoz, Codiciado, Oscar Maydon, Ángela Aguilar, Clave Especial, Alicia Villarreal, Michelle Maciel, Reyna Tropical, Miguel Cornejo, Erre, Los De La 4, Adriana Ríos and Ysrael Barajas.   DJs for the weekend include Subelo Neo, Caleb Calloway, Mexican Institute of Sound, Cornetto, DJ Lico, Rayben  and Bonnz. Happening the weekend following BottleRock, La Onda provides a premium experience unparalleled by any other US Latin festival, [Read More]

Concerts

Becky Hill delivers unforgettable night at Fillmore in San Francisco

November 10, 2024

BRIT Award-winning artist Becky Hill delivered an electrifying performance at the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco on Saturday night. The moment attendees stepped through the doors, the worries of the week melted away, replaced by anticipation for a night of outstanding music. The evening began with an empowering and heartfelt set by Alicia Creti. Accompanied solely by her keyboard, Creti’s rich sound captivated the audience, transforming many into instant fans. Check out photos of her set by Rockin Ryan: As the Fillmore filled to capacity, the sold-out crowd buzzed with excitement for Becky Hill’s arrival.  From the first note, Becky commanded the stage with unparalleled energy, sparking a chain reaction of dancing and singing that lasted all night. The crowd’s joy was palpable, with smiles all around as Becky’s powerful, cathartic performance dissolved any lingering stress. The crowd at The Fillmore was a testament to Becky Hill’s broad appeal, showcasing an eclectic mix of attendees. It was a vibrant blend of all walks of life: from young pop enthusiasts to seasoned concert-goers, straight, LGBTQ+, and [Read More]

Tour

Asking Alexandria ROCKS the legendary Fillmore with the All My Friends Tour

November 5, 2024

We’ve eagerly awaited Asking Alexandria’s return to the Bay Area, and this past weekend at the legendary Fillmore, they exceeded all expectations. They brought their All My Friends Tour, with Memphis May Fire, The Word Alive, and Archers delivering electrifying sets that kept the crowd headbanging from start to finish. ARCHERS MEMPHIS MAY FIRE THE WORD ALIVE Asking Alexandria opened their set with “Welcome” and plunged into “Dear Insanity,” immediately igniting the room’s energy. Adrenaline rippled through the crowd, sparking mosh pits as fans gave in to the raw power of the music. It was thrilling to hear both old classics and new material, appealing to fans from every era of their career. Whether longtime devotees or newer listeners, everyone was on board for this unforgettable night. A standout moment came when Danny Worsnop took the spotlight for an acoustic performance of “Someone, Somewhere” and their new track, “I Don’t Need You.” His voice—powerful and deeply emotive—held the audience captive. The band’s cohesion was remarkable, delivering a seamless set that reminded us why their reputation remains [Read More]

music

Maggie Rogers shines bright at Chase Center

November 4, 2024

Maggie Rogers brought her blooming success to the Chase Center in San Francisco, and what a journey it’s been to witness! We’ve followed Maggie since 2017, when she graced a smaller stage at Outside Lands. In just a few years, through hard work, dedication, and incredible albums, she’s earned her place on the stadium circuit. The night opened with Ryan Beatty, whose heartwarming performance captivated the crowd and set the stage for an unforgettable evening.   The anticipation grew as fans eagerly awaited Maggie’s entrance. Before she took the stage, a touching video played, chronicling her journey in music. At the video’s conclusion, she rose from the catwalk amidst a cloud of smoke, making a stunning entrance that wowed the crowd. She kicked things off with “That’s Where I Am,” one of our personal favorites, and from that moment, her magnetic stage presence had everyone’s attention. One of the night’s most memorable moments came near the end of the set when she brought out the legendary Joan Baez for a special performance. The audience erupted [Read More]

Gear Highlight

Samantha Fish, Christina Perri, and more to be honored at 2025 She Rocks Awards

November 2, 2024

Additional honorees announced for this ground-breaking event. Co-hosted by Lindsey Stirling and Jennifer Batten.    Shantaia to open the show.  Tickets on sale now.     L to R: Samantha Fish (photo Doug Hardesty), Christina Perri, Nurit Siegel-Smith, LaTrice Burnette, Theresa Hoffman. Download photos here.   ANAHEIM, Calif., October 31, 2024—The Women’s International Music Network (WiMN) is proud to announce additional honorees for the 13th Annual She Rocks Awards. Taking place on January 25, 2025, at the Hilton Anaheim Pacific Ballroom during the NAMM Show, with NAMM as the presenting sponsor, this star-studded event will celebrate the achievements of women in music and audio, co-hosted by Jennifer Batten and Lindsey Stirling. Tickets are on sale now. Introducing Our Latest Honorees: Samantha Fish – GRAMMY-nominated guitarist and songwriter known for her unique blend of blues, rock, and soul. Fish’s recent successes include performing at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads LA Festival, gracing the cover of Guitar World with Slash, and touring with both Slash and The Rolling Stones. Her latest album, Death Wish Blues, topped the Billboard Blues [Read More]