My "Beef" with Jason Isbell / What Counts as "Fair Use" in 2025? / Music & Concert News (VIDEO)

I needed to drop a quick "This Years Week" before I get overwhelmed with a bunch of upcoming projects. First on the docket is that I have removed all my shorts. I got a copyright strike/takedown "request" from Jason Isbell over a short I posted last May. It was a :51 clip of Isbell performing in Omaha. I've had dozens of similar shorts on my channel for years, and never had anything like this happen before. The "request" said that if I deleted the video from YouTube within seven days, I would not receive a copyright strike. I took it down, as I did not want a strike on my channel. Three of those and you're OUT...of YouTube.

I'm pissed at Isbell for doing this, but I went to Stanford University's website on the issue of fair use, and did a little research. After doing so, I have come to the conclusion that the shorts weren't exactly fair use. It was :51 seconds of Isbell performing, and I added nothing of substance to the video. I still think it's bullshit, and I would gladly give the entire eight cents or so the video earned to Mr. Isbell, but there's little point in going scorched earth over a short.

LIVE CONCERT REVIEWS May 2024: Ty Segall / Jason Isbell / Steel Panther / Sun June / Wild Pink 🤘🏻🤘🏻 (VIDEO)

It's been a minute since I had any concert reviews on the channel. Glad to report that I have not been slacking on that front, folks. I'm back with some footage and photos from four recent concerts.

First up is Ty Segall. This was my first time seeing him since 2016. While this wasn't the loudest concert I've ever seen (that would be Mercury Rev on the side stage of Lollapalooza in 1993), it was maybe the 2nd or 3rd loudest. The roadies warned us, but I didn't listen. Opening for Ty Segall was a band called Sharpie Smile. They remined me a bit of Sparks. The bassist looked familiar to me, and I realized it was because she toured with Kate Bollinger last year, and I saw her open for Liz Phair. 

Also caught Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at The Astro. Due to weather, the show had to be moved indoors at the last minute. I was absolutely fine with that, as I was sitting in one of the boxes for the show. Incredible seats. Isbell's opener, Jobi Riccio, was also very good.

Hair metal parody act, Steel Panther, tested the limits of my tolerance for a return to the 1980s. Look, I'm glad I was a teenager back then, but I am also quite glad it's no longer the 80s. This was fun for about 20 minutes.

Austin, TX indie rockers Sun June played a fantastic show at Reverb along with a New York band called Wild Pink who were also quite impressive. It was really great to see Sun June in person, as their last two albums both made my Top 20 "Best of" list in their year of release. All of my faves were played at this show.