In Carmel, Indiana, the timeless beauty of Giselle took center stage inside the elegant Tarkington Theater. Presented as part of a long-standing tradition that dates back to its 1842 Paris premiere, this Grand Kyiv production reminded audiences why Giselle remains one of ballet’s most haunting and beloved works.
Set to the sweeping score of Adolphe Adam, the performance unfolded as a delicate balance of romance and tragedy. The story follows a young peasant girl whose heart is captured by a nobleman in disguise, only to be shattered by the truth. What begins as an innocent love story quickly descends into heartbreak, ultimately leading Giselle into the spirit world of the Wilis, vengeful souls of betrayed women who dance men to their demise.
The choreography, rooted in the legacy of Marius Petipa, Jules Perrot, and Jean Coralli, showcased both technical precision and emotional depth. From the light, airy movements of the first act to the eerie, ethereal presence of the Wilis in the second, each moment carried weight and intention.
The evening wasn’t just about documenting a performance, as it was about capturing the emotion, the motion, and the enduring legacy of a ballet that continues to resonate across generations.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Grand Kyiv Ballet performance of Giselle at the Tarkington Theater in Carmel, Indiana on March 16, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
The chill in the air outside the Brown County Music Center on St. Patty’s Day didn’t stand a chance once Candlebox plugged in and lit up the room. The Can’t Quit You Tour 2026 rolled through Nashville, Indiana, like a time capsule cracked wide open. Equal parts flannel-era nostalgia and still-burning alt-rock fire.
While the band hit the stage, the vibe was set with a throwback radio-style intro, spinning ‘90s staples that transported the crowd straight back to the height of the grunge explosion. Then came frontman Kevin Martin, still commanding and gritty, leading a lineup locked in and loud. With Peter Klett on searing lead guitar, Adam Kury holding down the low end, Island Styles adding texture, and BJ Kerwin driving it all forward with punch.
They wasted no time diving into “Arrow” and “Simple Lessons,” setting a tone that balanced muscle and melody. “Happy Pills” and “Change” kept the momentum tight, hitting with a kind of reverence, songs that have aged alongside the crowd but haven’t lost their bite.
Mid-set, the band slowed the pulse just enough with the atmospheric intro into “Breathe Me In,” letting the room breathe before snapping right back into it. “What Do You Need?” and “Cover Me” carried that signature Candlebox blend of vulnerability and volume.
Three decades removed from their breakout, Candlebox isn’t chasing the past; they’re owning it. And on a cold Indiana night, that was more than enough to keep everyone warm.
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMNick Brown opening for Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMNick Brown opening for Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Nick Brown opening for Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Nick Brown opening for Candlebox at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Setlist: Hard to Handle, Morning Dew, That’s It for the Other One, Cryptical Envelopment, Sitting on Top of the World, Alligator Drums Jam, Doin’ That Rag, Foxy Lady Jam, Dark Star>Saint Stephen>William Tell Bridge>The Eleven>Turn On, Your Love Light, Viola Lee Blues>feedback, Love the One You’re With
Dark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMDark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMDark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMDark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Dark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Dark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Dark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMDark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMDark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMDark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMDark Star Orchestra at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on March 10, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
Headed over to Cincinnati on Sunday evening, the destination was the historic Taft Theatre, where The Wood Brothers rolled into town with special guest Elizabeth Moen for a night steeped in roots and reverence.
Moen opened the evening with a set that felt both unguarded and commanding. Her powerhouse vocals carried a raw, lived-in quality, while her introspective songwriting pulled the audience close. Blending folk sensibilities with a streak of soul, she created an intimate, slow-burning atmosphere that settled beautifully into the ornate room, setting the tone with quiet confidence and emotional depth.
When The Wood Brothers took the stage, their trademark harmonies and telepathic interplay immediately filled the theater. The trio continues to carve its own lane in the Americana landscape, weaving together folk, blues, gospel hues, and back-porch rhythm into something unmistakably their own. Oliver Wood’s earthy vocals, Chris Wood’s elastic bass lines, and Jano Rix’s inventive percussion formed a tight, breathing unit with each song unfolding with grit, grace, and a touch of improvisational spark.
Up next, The Wood Brothers continue their run with a stop at Duling Hall before heading to the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Thursday night—a fitting stage for a band that honors tradition while steadily writing its own chapter within it.
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMThe Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMThe Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMThe Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMElizabeth Moen opening for The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMElizabeth Moen opening for The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPMElizabeth Moen opening for The Wood Brothers at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH on March 1, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for JPM
On a cold February night in Fishers, Indiana, the Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms didn’t just share a bill, they shared a time machine. Gin Blossoms opened the evening with the jangling ache of “Follow You Down.” The Arizona band ran through songs like “Until I Fall Away” and “Lost Horizons” before they hit on “Found Out About You.” “Followed by Allison Road” and “Hey Jealousy,” which turned the arena into a full-throated choir. They closed with “Til I Hear It From You.”
Then came Blues Traveler, and with them, velocity. The band wasted no time, kicking the doors open with “Run-Around,” John Popper’s harmonica lines still spiraling like a freight train. Popper remains a marvel — equal parts virtuoso and ringmaster with bending notes and time itself.
The covers told their own story. A loose, barroom swagger defined “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” tipping a respectful hat to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Then things got rowdy with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” originally by The Charlie Daniels Band, with Popper’s harmonica stepping into the fiddle’s role with wicked delight. When “Hook” arrived, it felt like a thesis statement with its irony and self-awareness. The song that once poked fun at pop formula has outlasted plenty of it.
What made the night resonate wasn’t just the hits. It was the endurance. Both bands have weathered shifting trends, collapsing industries, and the fickle churn of streaming-era attention spans. Yet here they were, filling an arena in Indiana with songs written before some in the audience were born.
Call it nostalgia if you want. But on this night in Fishers, it felt more like proof that well-written songs, played loud and played honestly, don’t expire.
Blues Traveler at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezBlues Traveler at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezBlues Traveler at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezBlues Traveler at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezBlues Traveler at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezBlues Traveler at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony VasquezGin Blossoms at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana on February 20, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez
Last night, the stage at the Brown County Music Center happened to be my first concert of the year, and if you’re going to set the tone for the next twelve months of chasing light and sound with a camera in hand, this was the way to do it. Sierra Hull with The Milk Carton Kids was a masterclass in musicanship and a dream to capture.
Hull, widely regarded as one of the most inventive players in modern acoustic music, walked out with the calm of someone who’s done this on the biggest stages imaginable — from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry — but she played like she still had something to prove. A six-time GRAMMY nominee and seven-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, Hull doesn’t just pick; she detonates.
From behind the lens, her speed was mesmerizing: fingers a blur, posture steady, expression locked in somewhere between joy and deep concentration. Every frame felt alive.
Starting off the night, Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan of The Milk Carton Kids countered with bone-dry wit and immaculate musical interplay. The Eagle Rock, Los Angeles duo has built a reputation since 2011 on tight harmonies and minimalist precision, and live, that restraint becomes magnetic. No wasted movement. No extra flourish.
Their songs unfolded like short stories filled with wry, intimate moments, and when Hull joined them, the chemistry snapped into focus. The interplay made for compelling visuals: three players leaning inward, trading glances, subtle smiles, silent cues. No drums. No spectacle. Just wood, wire, and nerve.
They have four dates left together — February 19 at the Flagstar Strand Theatre in Pontiac, Michigan; February 20 at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center in Shipshewana, Indiana; February 21 at The Celestia Theater in Wadsworth, Ohio; and February 22 at the Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta, Ohio.
For my first concert of the year, it wasn’t just a great one to attend; it was a great one to capture. A reminder that sometimes the most powerful shows aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones that make you lean in, adjust your focus, and wait for the next note to ring.
Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.The Milk Carton Kids at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.The Milk Carton Kids at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.The Milk Carton Kids at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull with at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull with the Milk Carton Kids at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Sierra Hull with the Milk Carton Kids at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Sierra Hull with the Milk Carton Kids at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana on February 17, 2026. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet brought winter magic to Clowes Hall on the Butler University campus with a graceful presentation of The Snow Queen, a winter ballet inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale. Set to a lush score featuring music by Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Mozart, and Vivaldi, the production delivered a visually rich, emotionally warm experience for the audience. The story follows Kai and Gerda, whose peaceful life is shattered when a shard of a witch’s mirror hardens Kai’s heart and draws him into the icy world of the Snow Queen. Gerda’s brave journey to save him unfolded through a series of enchanting scenes filled with robbers, forest fairies, trolls, and sweeping ensemble moments. Under the choreography of Olexandr Abdukarimov, the ballet balanced technical precision with storytelling clarity, ultimately celebrating love’s power to overcome even the coldest spell.
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the Snow Queen at Clowes Memorial Hall in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Tony Vasquez 2025)
The Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts
Carmel, IN
December 10, 2025
Samantha Fish
Paper Doll, I’m Done Runnin’, Better Be Lonely, Sweet Southern Sounds, Lose You, Either Way I Lose, (Teri Thornton Cover), Bulletproof, Fortune Teller, Poor Black, Mattie (R.L. Burnside cover), No Angels, Rusty Razor, Don’t Say It, Black Wind Howlin’
Enocre: Goin’ Down South ( R.L. Burnside cover)(with Cedric Burnside and Jon Spencer)
Cedric Burnside
Hill County Love, Thank You, I’m Going, Closer, What Makes Me Think, Please Tell Me Baby, Po Matter Mattie, Tole on They Life, Love Her til I Die
Jon Spencer
Skunk, Junk Man, One Hour Later, Two Kindsa Love, Wrong, Get Away, Come Along, Worm Town, Afro, Alright, Fancy Pants, Sweat, Disconnected, Identify, Come One,
Samantha Fish at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Samantha Fish at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Samantha Fish at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Samantha Fish at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Samantha Fish at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Cedric Burnside at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Cedric Burnside at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Cedric Burnside at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Jon Spencer at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Jon Spencer at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Jon Spencer at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Jon Spencer at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana on December 12, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Golden Smog have always felt like a band born out of friendship as much as music—a loose-framed, harmony-rich collective stitched together by the songwriters who shaped the alt-country movement. On Tuesday night at Chicago’s Vic Theatre, that spirit was alive and unmistakable as the supergroup closed out their brief winter run with a show that played like a celebration of shared history.
The lineup included Jeff Tweedy, Gary Louris, Kraig Johnson, Dan Murphy, Marc Perlman, and Steve Gorman, who took the stage to a roar, the kind reserved for musicians who’ve soundtracked entire chapters of listeners’ lives. For Chicago fans, the evening carried an extra sense of occasion with Tweedy, returning to the Golden Smog fold for the first time since 2022, was back on home turf. That hometown welcome was loud, affectionate, and sustained.
From the opening chords of “Looking Forward to Seeing You,” the band eased into the kind of jangling, bittersweet Americana that feels like Golden Smog’s natural state. Throughout the set, they stitched together originals and deep-cut covers with the comfort of longtime collaborators.
The night was dotted with thoughtful nods to songwriters the band clearly holds close: a tender, reverent rendition of Brian Wilson’s “Love and Mercy,” a shimmering cover of Bowie’s “Starman,” and the Kinks’ “Strangers.” Each cover felt less like a detour and more like touchstones of influence woven into Golden Smog’s own DNA.
But it was the encore that offered the night’s most memorable moments. The crowd hushed as Gary Louris and Jeff Tweedy returned alone, two songwriters with decades of intertwined history stepping into the spotlight with just their acoustic guitars. What followed was a four-song miniature set of startling intimacy: “Radio King,” “Listen Joe,” “Long Time Ago,” and “Please Tell My Brother.”
Their soft harmonies floated through the room with a quiet electricity. And midway through, Tweedy delivered a striking acoustic solo during “Listen Joe,” a moment that felt less like a flex and more like a gentle reminder of his melodic instincts.
The full band returned for a fiery, full-throttle ride through Neil Young’s “Revolution Blues,” the kind of performance that sends a jolt through the room. By the time the opening chords of “Until You Came Along” rang out, the entire Vic Theatre was singing in a communal swell that seemed to lift the song into something larger than nostalgia.
Golden Smog shows don’t happen often. They feel like reunions of musicians, of eras, of listeners who’ve carried these songs with them across decades. On that December night in Chicago, the band leaned into that rarity and delivered a show built on camaraderie, craftsmanship, and the joy of playing songs that still mean something.
Setlist: Looking Forward to Seeing You, Lost Love, To Call My Own, V, Glad and Sorry (Faces cover), All the Same to Me, Love and Mercy (Brian Wilson cover), Ill Fated, Starman (David Bowie cover), Walk Where He Walked, He’s a Dick, She Don’t Have to See You (To See Through You) (Bobby Patterson cover), Won’t be Coming Home, I Can’t Keep From Talking, Yesterday Cried, Pecan Pie, Strangers ( The Kinks cover), Red Headed Stepchild, If I Only Had a Car
Encore: Radio King (Acoustic Duo Gary Louris and Jeff Tweedy), Listen Joe (Acoustic Duo Gary Louris and Jeff Tweedy), Long Time Ago (Acoustic Duo Gary Louris and Jeff Tweedy), Please Tell My Brother (Acoustic Duo Gary Louris and Jeff Tweedy), Revolution Blues (Neil Young cover), Do Anything You Wanna Do (Eddie & the Hot Rods cover), Until You Came Along
Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.Golden Smog at The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois on December 9, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.
Jeff Tweedy returned to Bloomington on Thursday night with the quiet confidence of an artist who’s learned to make intimacy feel electric. Touring behind Twilight Override, the Wilco frontman turned the cozy Buskirk-Chumley Theater into a living room of warm-glow guitars, wry storytelling, and the kind of lyrical honesty that makes you lean in without realizing it. Singer-songwriter Sima Cunningham opened the evening with a spellbinding minimalist set, setting the tone for a night built on nuance rather than volume.
But the encore was where Tweedy truly loosened the threads. Opening with the album’s namesake “Twilight Override,” he moved through the spectral “Family Ghost” and delivered a salute to Jason Molina with “Doing Something Wrong.” A surprise, joyful cover of “I Want You Back” lit up the theater before Tweedy sent everyone home with “Enough,” a soft, steady exhale of a finale. Proof that even decades into his career, Tweedy can still make a room feel seen, soothed, and just a little bit transformed.
Setlist: One Tiny Flower, Caught Up in the Past, Parking Lot, Forever Never Ends, This is How it Ends, Low Key, World Away, KC Rain (No Wonder), Having Been, Betrayed, Mirror, Stray Cats, Out in the Dark, Cry Baby Cry, Flowering, New Orleans, Diamond Light, No One’s Moving On, Feel Free, Lou Reed Was My Babysitter
Encore: Twilight Override, Family Ghost, Doing Something Wrong (Jason Molina cover), I Want You Back (The Jackson 5 cover), Enough
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Sima Cunningham opening for Jeff Tweedy at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Sima Cunningham opening for Jeff Tweedy at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Sima Cunningham opening for Jeff Tweedy at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
Jeff Tweedy Twilight Override tour at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, Indiana on November 20, 2025. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media
