5 Live-Oriented Bands to Catch This Summer!

The adventure of a live concert can be refreshing, spiritual, and a boatload of fun. It’s hard to find a time and place where people are all connected, present, and all enjoying something together. Whether it be hearing that song in person for the first time, enjoying an outdoor venue, or locking into a climactic jam, the live music experience is truly unmatched. With Summer now upon us, and an array of tour dates on the calendar, there is no better time to see artists who propel their act past the recorded medium and into the live experience. Here are 5 live-oriented bands to catch before the dog days are over!

1. Goose

Hailing from Norwalk, Connecticut, the self-proclaimed “indie-groove” band has slowly been rising to the top of the niche but culturally-stapled jam-band community. Heavily focused on improvisation, these shows become more than a crowd watching a band but rather a communal experience, with the improv keeping the audience and the band on their toes. Goose is at the top of their game coming into the 2025 Summer, with a tour surrounding their latest release Everything Must Go. Including a stellar light spectacle, band members that make you feel like friends, and impeccable musicianship, this 4-piece is an act that cannot be missed this Summer. Check out this epic 26-minute performance of “Tumble”, voted by fans as the Jam of the Year, from a show in Philadelphia last summer. Click here for tour dates to see them for yourself!

2. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

This band is exactly what it sounds like: mystical, psychedelic, and wacky! Nicknamed “Gizz”, this Australian outfit consists of 6 multi-instrumentalists who boast the use of flutes, harmonicas, and sitars amongst a core rock set up. Often turning their songs into improvisational, layered journeys, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is a truly unique and genre-blending act that pushes the already-stretched limits of psychedelic rock. For a taste of their wacky presence and rock-rooted style, watch this performance of “Boogieman Sam” from the Summer of 2023 and find their tour dates here!

3. Billy Strings

If Bill Monroe is the Father and Flatt & Scruggs the Sons, then that would make Billy Strings the Holy Spirit of Bluegrass music, and boy does he carry the spirit. Considered a guitar virtuoso, Billy Strings leads a 5-piece act by the same name that has taken the concert-going experience to the next level. Somehow this act has transported the classic Bluegrass genre into an arena-sized extravaganza; beautiful ballads, jaw-dropping solos, and tunes you can’t help but stomp to, these shows represent the pinnacle of the live concert experience. See Billy shredding his electric-acoustic, along with his band members, in this rendition of his early hit, “Dust in a Baggie” below. Check here for Summer tour dates and beyond!

4. Khruangbin

Though it’s no secret that Khruangbin has produced several top-tier recorded albums over the last 10 years, the real truth is that this band was meant to be seen live! A 3-piece powerhouse consisting of bass, drums, and guitar, this Houston-based trio provide unforgettable concerts that showcase their insane synchronicity and instrumentally-driven sound. Including many global influences, Khruangbin take their audiences through an eclectic adventure of vibes, from Middle Eastern-stylized tunes to '90s rap medleys. For reference, and to satisfy the need to dance, indulge yourself in this 2021 performance of “People Everywhere” from one of their many Austin City Limits appearances then visit here for tix!

5. Tedeschi Trucks Band

The Tedeschi Trucks Band is an act that carries on the legacies of countless musical legends in the Blues, Rock, and Funk spheres. More than that, the 12-piece collective, headed by power couple Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, are well on their way to being legends themselves. The combo of Susan’s soulful voice mixed with the unmatched slide-guitar stylings of Derek create an experience that will transport you back to the golden days of the Allman Brothers, BB King, Eric Clapton, and more. A perfect example of their collective musical prowess can be found in this performance of their original hit “Midnight in Harlem” from their 2022 Red Rocks appearance. Tap here for tour dates and tickets!

Pop out the AirPods and pop into these live shows this Summer!