Herbie Hancock @ Wang Theatre, Oct 29 2025

Still tearing it up at 85 years old! 

(View from our seats, Orchestra section C)

Ben and I went out for a rare mid-week show to see the legend himself along with an amazing backing band tear up the Wang Center music hall. 

Herbie started the set off with a little improv over something he called "prehistoric predators" (insert his joke about him being prehistoric).  Dude was funny!  They did an improv covering a few more songs (including Chameleon).  It was here that the drummer really shined, keeping pace with Herbie, who was banging on the keys, playing some wild dissonate avant-garde bits.  Herbie's line after that improv set was "I was so cold so I had to keep moving".  

They also did a version of Footprints by Wayne Shorter and an improv on Actual Proof from "Thrust".  The guys behind us had first listen to Thrust on repeat when they were young and that's what hooked them back in the 70s. 

He also talked about his use of a vocoder on the album "Sunlight" and how it was kinda a flop... but he still liked the tech and got into a 20 minute skit/social lecture about AI, large language modules [sic], asking everyone to be good to each other and reminding us that we are all 1 family on this earth.  He went a bit long in this robot spoken word section, with the crowd getting a bit bored, but you know, they should have been patience because then they slayed for the few close out songs of the night. 

(Dancing not included here)

The last song with a full version of Chameleon, with Herbie on the keytar; dancing like he was 45 years old.  AMAZING. 

Pilfers @ Taffeta, Oct 10 2025

OG lineup returns - Elevation! 

(The Steve Foote with Caitlin)

Old friends and new came out to see the best ska/reggae/rock band of the 90s. 

Winner for best T-Shirt goes to Caitlin, with this attention getter, all the way from 1998: 

(2nd annual New England Ska festival tshirt)

Winner of best cross-over music fan goes to my homie with the Dopethrone battle jacket:

Taffeta stage is low and easy to get right up front.  That means I got blasted all night by Vinny's trombone 🤘

(Vinny and Anna)

I realized watching from up front that Anna is the Joe Lally of ska. In the back, near her amp, stoic but rocking the amazing bass lines. 

The set list: 

Punk in the Parking Lot @ Palladium Outdoors, Sep 27 2025

10 hours of punk rock and hot asphalt - Lets Go!!  

Steve and I made the trip out to Worcester for an amazing all day punk rock fest, which should have taken place in Green Hill park but was instead planted in the palladium parking lot. Womp Womp. 

Pro tip - go to Moynaghs before, during and after outdoor shows.  You can hear music and practically see the stage from the bar which is directly across the street from said parking lot.  Bartender was super friendly and showed us the autograph book of bands that have rolled through.  Some heavy hitters are in that book.  No pics though.  You need to visit and see it for yourself.  We ordered "nanners" which is what Steve's bro Kevin calls Naragansett.  HA. 

Here are some great t-shirts from the show:

(👀 zebrahead!?) 

 

(Descendents casual gear)

(Hell yes!) 

The winner of best T-shirt goes to this homie: 

Shout out to homie Joel with the Death shirt.  We talked about Death To All tour (that I missed last year) and Carcass.  Dude is a fan of Swansong, so I took this pic for Sol, who is the second person on earth to love that album. 

Did we actually see any bands? 

The Vandals replaced Propaghandi who bailed on the tour date. 

(Anti-Fascist since 1980, take that Dropkick Murphys!) 

They played an amazing set including this classic: 

Pennywise rocked! 

Bad Religion played for an hour and half.  Did not disappoint.  The pit was super fun and I was super sore the next day. Worth it!