R.I.P. Guitar Luthier Doug Irwin, New Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards
Trey Anastasio Announces Acoustic Live Album, Billy Strings Confirms Fall Tour
Relix Daily
March 31, 2026
March 31, 2026
NEWS
Doug Irwin, the luthier who crafted five of Jerry Garcia’s most prized six-strings and helped steward distinct tones that have resonated and roused generations of fans, has passed away. A maven of his workshop, Irwin’s talents resulted in a catalog of more than 50 guitars and basses during his career, built for the likes of Bay Area artists Phil Lesh and Pete Sears – solidifying his significance as a steward of sound in the region and beyond. Irwin was 76.
NEWS
Today, the Music Sustainability Alliance (MSA), a music industry organization created to transmit, educate, and promote acceptance and adoption of sustainability practices among artists and community members, has announced the inaugural MSA Bobby Weir Sustainability Awards. The first-time honors will be presented at the 2026 Music Sustainability Summit (MSS26) on Tuesday, April 14, in Los Angeles.
For more than half a century, Bob Weir stood at the center of American music, a founding member of the Grateful Dead whose rhythm guitar work, distinctive baritone, and restless creative spirit helped define one of the most enduring legacies in rock history. Yet he was so much more than that as well. He was not only an inspiring artist, he was an inviting presence. Relix's 132-page softcover edition pays tribute to this endearing and enduring musician.
NEWS
Trey Anastasio has announced a new acoustic live album, set to release this Friday, April 3 via Rubber Jungle Records. The Phish frontman’s new offering was captured during his sold-out 2025 Spring Acoustic Tour, which brought intimate shows to close-quarters theaters across the country in the company of pianist and longtime collaborator Jeff Tanski.
Mountain Grass Unit – Best of Summer 2025 (Live) captures Mountain Grass Unit at full throttle, with a road-tested collection pulled from standout nights across the 2025 run. Spanning stops in North Carolina, California, Texas, Arkansas, Montana, Tennessee, and Oregon, it’s a crisp snapshot of what makes the band’s live show hit so hard: tight harmonies, runaway instrumentals, and the kind of momentum that turns a song into a sprint. Pressed on black vinyl as a single LP, this release also features an included insert.
NEWS
Billy Strings has confirmed a slate of fall tour dates. After previously sharing a literal sketch of what’s to come–an excerpt of lined paper forecasting the dates and cities on his live roster–the bluegrass golden boy delivered details on show locations, which represent a return to marquee theaters and a continuation of concerts at larger, arena-sized venues. Strings’ official Fall Tour picks up over three nights in Denver, Sept. 18-19 at the Ball Arena, before adjusting fan capacity for a more intimate experience at the Paramount Theatre on Sept. 20.
RECAP
On March 27, Gov’t Mule returned for a new year on the road with a performance at Denver’s Mission Ballroom. The Southern rock firebrands’ first performance of 2026 reunited storied frontman Warren Haynes, keyboardist Danny Louis, bassist Kevin Scott and drummer Terence Higgins (filling in temporarily for co-founder Matt Abts) to set the tone for a long stretch of touring ahead; with a fistful of rarities and two live debuts in the mix already, fans can confidently hold to high expectations.
LISTEN
Jimmy Page has shared an unreleased home demo for Led Zeppelin’s “Ten Years Gone” to his YouTube channel. The iconic guitarist’s unexpected offering continues the 50th-anniversary celebration of Physical Graffiti, their immortal 1975 album, which last year saw a deluxe reissue accompanied by a new live EP.
NEWS
The Disco Biscuits have announced a two-night outing scheduled for July 25-26, 2026. The forthcoming event will take place at Heuser Park in King of Prussia, Pa., located 30 minutes from the trance-fusion ensemble’s Philadelphia motherland. In addition to the host’s guaranteed performances, the occasion also features participation from other groups, including Eggy, Lespecial, and Goose bassist Trevor Weekz’s DJ venture.
FEATURE
Since he began performing as Boy Golden in 2021, Winnipeg-based musician Liam Duncan has found widespread acclaim from a broad array of sources. His 2023 LP, For Jimmy, won Contemporary Album of the Year at the 20th Canadian Folk Music Awards. For Eden, his 2024 follow up, was nominated for a JUNO Award. And “Suffer,” the first single from his February 2026 LP, Best of Our Possible Lives, hit No. #1 on the Billboard Canada Modern Rock Airplay chart in December 2025. But Duncan doesn’t think much about these various lines.
