Paul Simon performs at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco during the Outside Lands Music Festival on Aug. 11, 2019. Photos: Martin Lacey and Joaquin Cabello. SAN FRANCISCO — The third and final day of Outside Lands 2019 featured music legends Paul Simon and Mavis Staples in addition to…

Kacey Musgraves performs at the Masonic in San Francisco on Feb. 16, 2019. Courtesy: Paige K Parsons. SAN FRANCISCO — It’s been quite a week for country queen Kacey Musgraves. It began last Sunday with four Grammy Awards, including the coveted Album of the Year win for 2018’s Golden…

It’s clear right off the bat that Texan Kacey Musgraves wanted to get past her country roots with her new record, Golden Hour. She embraces AutoTune and dominant dance beats on several tracks while maintaining her roots with steel guitar riffs and banjo accompaniments on others. On some songs she…

This is the second in a three-part series. Read the introduction to learn how I’m scoring my list and find out about my “special consideration” in PART 1. Favorite Shows 2015 | Favorite Shows 2014 Favorite Shows 2013 | Favorite Shows 2012   13 – CHANCE THE RAPPER at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – Oct. 21 At…

Kacey Musgraves performs at the Fillmore in San Francisco on Sept. 17, 2016. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. SAN FRANCISCO — On the second of two sold-out shows at the Fillmore, Kacey Musgraves, again proved that she’s the best candidate to hold the new queen of country title following Taylor Swift’s abdication. But…

Kacey Musgraves performs at the Fox Theater on April 25, 2015. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. Both Kacey Musgraves and The Lone Bellow have played tremendous sets at Outside Lands in recent years, which is what drew me out to this show. Musgraves didn’t disappoint. She’s playing some of her new material…

Last year I predicted I would never see as many concerts as I did in 2013, and I was right. Having two kids can do that to any guy, even a music journalist. From 64 shows the previous year, I was only able to attend 40 in 2014. That number…

Photos: Roman Gokhman A recap of the 2014 rendition of the festival in photos and more than two hours of videos! For all of my Outside Lands coverage, including artist interviews, a festival preview, live high-def videos and more, visit Roman Gokhman’s blog archive. For previous interviews of artists who…

Photos: Roman Gokhman Zac Brown Band performs at BottleRock Napa Valley on May 12, 2013. Zac Brown Band and Kacey Musgraves perform at BottleRock Napa Valley on May 12, 2013. Zac Brown Band poses following an interview at BottleRock Napa Valley on May 12, 2013. The Wallflowers perform at…