Capstan (with support from In Her Own Words, Dreamwake, and Dead Cassette) performing at Mahall's in Lakewood, OH on March 10, 2026. All photos taken by Kayla Kreller.
Jazz in the Gardens Music Fest | Miami Gardens
In the heart of Miami Gardens, the annual Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival once again transformed the city into a vibrant celebration of music, heritage, and unity. The 2026 festival blended R&B, hip-hop, and soul, into a weekend that felt as much like a family reunion as it did a major music festival. This year’s lineup leaned heavily on star artists whose sets defined the weekend.
Jhené Aiko, renowned R&B artist of recent memory, brought a calm, almost meditative atmosphere to the festival stage. Her performance stood out for its emotional depth, with soft vocals floating over the crowd as fans swayed to her introspective R&B hits. Her Saturday finale created one of the fest’s most immersive and soulful moments.
Representing the next wave of hip-hop, GloRilla delivered one of the most explosive sets of the weekend. Her gritty Memphis flow and confident stage presence electrified younger fans near the front. Her performance highlighted how the festival continues to balance legendary acts with rising stars shaping today’s rap landscape.
Few artists could spark as much collective nostalgia as Ludacris and Ashanti. The crowd sang along throughout their sets, turning the moment into a collective celebration of early-2000s R&B. Their performances felt like a throwback celebration of hip-hop’s golden era, packed with swagger and nonstop energy.
For many attendees, the event felt like a homecoming. The city — one of the largest predominantly Black municipalities in the United States — embraced the weekend as a moment to spotlight its identity. Local leaders, community groups, and residents leaned into the festival’s mission: uplifting Black music, creativity, and unity. Between sets, conversations about community initiatives, small businesses, and neighborhood pride were just as present as the music itself.
This year’s Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival proved once again why it remains one of South Florida’s most culturally significant music events. By blending legendary artists, rising stars, and the unmistakable spirit of Miami Gardens, the festival created more than a concert — it created a space where music, culture, and community came together in powerful harmony.
Words and photos by Ryan-Samuel Borromeo
Indigo De Souza | Seattle
Indigo De Souza (with support from Mothé) performing at The Showbox in Seattle, WA on March 10, 2026. All photos taken by Corrina Stadler.
Lauren Spencer Smith | Minneapolis
Lauren Spencer Smith performing at The Fillmore in Minneapolis, MN on March 7, 2026. All photos taken by Marissa Ding.
Good Terms | St. Louis
Good Terms (with support from Relate. and Fight Back Mountain) performing at Off Broadway in St. Louis, MO on March 2, 2026. All photos taken by Michelle Zigler.
Congress | Tallahassee
Congress (with support from The Gringos and Hangout) performing at 926 Bar & Grill in Tallahassee, FL on March 5, 2026. All photos taken by Josie Liederman.
Freya Skye | New York City
Freya Skye performing at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on February 28, 2026. All photos taken by Jessie Eshak.
Aries | New York City
Aries performing at Irving Plaza in New York City on February 27, 2026. All photos taken by Angel Cali.
Hana Eid | Los Angeles
Hana Eid performing at The Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles, CA on February 18, 2026. All photos taken by Valerie Loeblich.
Dropkick Murphys | Chesterfield
There might not be a better way to wind down the month of February than with the rowdy and rebellious Dropkick Murphys barreling into town. St. Louis was able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a few weeks early with the Irish American punk band headlining at The Factory, joined by three opening bands: Slugger, Haywire, and The Aggrolites.
The evening was high-energy right off the bat with the booming vocals of the Northern California oi! punk band, Slugger. As their Spotify bio states, “Anti Fascist Rock N Roll” is exactly the vibe these five brought to the stage, with their gritty hardcore sound and heavy kick in your teeth vocals. Slugger was the perfect introduction for everything to be expected this evening to come.
The energy just continued to build when the next opener of the night made their way to the stage. The Boston hardcore band Haywire cranked up the intensity of the venue with the lead vocalist Austin Sparkman’s voice yelling into the crowd. The audience was on their feet, reaching for Austin as he made his way into the pit as a moshing whirlpool of people swirled before him. Haywire’s sound gives controlled chaos to the room, with hard hitting percussion that smacks you in the face accompanied with sharp and fast guitar riffs.
The show wasn’t even halfway complete when Haywire was followed by The Aggrolites, the LA-based reggae ska band. After a couple of hours of sticking it to the man, the vibe of the room took to a laid-back shift, giving us (and our shredded vocal chords) a much needed break. While still high-energy, The Aggrolites slowed the tempo but kept things fresh and funky with their mix of genre blending beats; a nice way of preparing the audience for the evening’s headliner.
After each opener showcased their talents, it was finally time to transition to the main event. The crowd was prepped and ready for an Irish night ahead, with a sea of green t-shirts and kilts flooding the pit floor. As the room grew dark, the audience began to chant, every surface vibrating with anticipation. That is when the sharp notes of a bagpipe cut through the darkness and hundreds of cheers broke through the void. Like an explosion, the stage became flooded with light and Dropkick Murphys had finally appeared.
Since 1995, the Irish American celtic punk band has been making waves in the music scene, initially making their debut in the New England town of Quincy, Massachusetts. Spanning multiple decades, Dropkick Murphys has 13 studio albums under their belt, with the lead vocalist Ken Casey, as the only remaining member since the band’s original formation. Their music has been tied to the working-class lifestyle and Irish heritage and identity, often taking a stance on political issues through their lyrics and performances. In July 2025, Dropkick Murphys released their newest album For the People, followed by a tour to promote its release.
With musical passion and vigor, Dropkick Murphys overtook the venue, bringing with them that New England pride and enthusiasm. Ken Casey stood on a platform surrounded by onlookers, throwing his fist into the air illuminated by the fiery stage lights. Despite such a massive crowd, there was something warm and homely about the performance. While Dropkick Murphys have made a major dent in music history, there was nothing celebrity about them. Casey would engage with the audience like we were all packed in an Irish pub singing together over pints of beer. It was a level of wholesomeness so often sought but rarely found, except for in this moment.
Between songs, Casey would often take a moment to speak about the nation’s political divide, making clear where he and the other members of the band stood on such issues. With the release of their newest album, it’s clear that Dropkick Murphys isn’t afraid to stand up for the people and utilize their music to address current issues, such as with their recent single “Citizen I.C.E.”
With constant political unrest overtaking the nation and the world, it was refreshing to have music as a means of coping with life’s daily stress. This concert gave the audience a reason to dance and celebrate while still standing for what we believe in. With bagpipes booming and the whimsical yet raw Celtic punk rhythm serenading us, Dropkick Murphys gave St. Louis the ultimate Irish hello and the best kind of Irish goodbye.
Words and photos by Michelle Zigler
Hellogoodbye | New York City
Hellogoodbye performing at Webster Hall in New York City on February 25, 2026. All photos taken by Julie Hubschman.
Keni Titus | Los Angeles
Keni Titus performing at The Echo in Los Angeles, CA on February 17, 2026. All photos taken by Valerie Loeblich.
dodie | Brooklyn
dodie (with support from Andy Louis) performing at Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY on February 25, 2026. All photos taken by JoAnn Snavely.
Ruel | New York City
Ruel (with support from Arthur Hill and Chelsea Jordan) performing at Terminal 5 in New York City on February 20, 2026. All photos taken by JoAnn Snavely.
Alex Sampson | Philadelphia
Alex Sampson (with support from maryjo and Rikki Lumi) performing at The Foundry in Philadelphia, PA on February 18, 2026. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
Noah Rinker | New York City
Noah Rinker (with support from Hudson Ingram) performing at Mercury Lounge in New York City on February 18, 2026. All photos taken by Jessie Eshak.
Badflower | Atlanta
Badflower (with support from Point North) performing at The Masquerade (Heaven) in Atlanta, GA on February 10, 2026. All photos taken by Alyssa Hudson.
In Color | Los Angeles
In Color performing at The Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles, CA on February 10, 2026. All photos taken by Kenny Jusino.
shame | Los Angeles
shame performing at Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA on February 7, 2026. All photos taken by Valerie Loeblich.
Dexter and The Moonrocks | West Hollywood
Dexter and The Moonrocks (with support from Girl Tones) performing at Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA on February 7, 2026. All photos taken by Kaylee Scott.