RIFF Magazine

In 2016, Roman Gokhman and Nick DeCicco launched RIFF, bringing together their extensive experience as journalists. Their friendship dates back to 2004 when they both worked at a daily newspaper in California's Gold Country. Gokhman was known for chasing stories, while DeCicco started as a copy editor and later became a writer. Their shared passion for music led them to cover it more extensively after relocating to the Bay Area. Roman contributed to several publications, including The Bay Area News Group, which encompasses the Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, and Contra Costa Times, over a five-year span, before exploring various Bay Area music blogs and national outlets. Meanwhile, Nick worked at the Daily Republic in Fairfield, California. Recognizing a gap left by struggling newspapers, they brainstormed for a couple of years before establishing RIFF. Our editorial team consists entirely of journalists, many of whom are familiar names from newspapers, television, and radio. Our contributors include musicians and seasoned professionals from the music industry, ensuring expert insights. Additionally, our operations team hails from the tech sector, focused on engaging audiences in fresh and creative ways.

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REVIEW Coldplay unlocks 'Music of the Spheres' at Stanford Stadium

6 days ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

PALO ALTO, Calif. —It was at times unorthodox, but the opening night of the North American leg of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour was a joyous triumph. The first of two sold-out nights at Stanford Stadium, the show also marked the first standalone concert at the stadium that has also hosted the Olympics, World Cup and the Super Bowl. The U.K. band’s performance was a visual spectacle and a finely tuned artistic mastery on a grand scale.
REVIEW: Kendrick Lamar and SZA hold ‘grand’ spectacle at Oracle Park

1 week ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

SAN FRANCISCO — The victory lap for Kendrick Lamar seems to keep going and going. From a definitive victory in a rap beef against Drake to the Super Bowl halftime show, Lamar’s Grand National stadium tour feels like icing on a cake. His show at Oracle Park with SZA on Thursday wove the music of both together as the two bounced back and forth and sometimes came together over the course of two and a half hours.
REVIEW: Stray Kids find a home in the Bay at Oracle Park

1 week ago | riffmagazine.com | Roman Gokhman

SAN FRANCISCO — It was impressive enough that K-pop superstars Stray Kids could sell out Oakland Arena a few years ago, but on their current dominATE World Tour, the octet is selling out stadiums, including Oracle Park on Wednesday and two gigs at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles later this week.
Anand Wilder, Night Tapes, Avery Tucker, The Sophs: Tuesday Tracks

1 week ago | riffmagazine.com | Rachel Alm

We’ve got a lot of exciting new music for you this week! Rock by The Sophs, soul music from Mega, funk by sullvn, folk rock from Wilby and Avery Tucker, dreamy trip-hop by The Night Tapes, country from The Band Loula and psych-pop by Anand Wilder. Sullvn, “Rooftop” — San Diego collective sullvn brings us a joyous funk explosion on “Rooftop.” It’s all about the excitement of meeting someone new and feeling like you want a night to last forever.
BottleRock Day 3: Noah Kahan, Cage the Elephant, 10 other Sunday highlights

1 week ago | riffmagazine.com | Ben Siegel

NAPA — BottleRock’s third and final day carried through much of the momentum built by the first two with youthful energy that could be felt throughout the festival grounds. The early part of the day saw attendees making their way to the silent disco or roller rink, or getting just the right shot for an Instagram post. Folk-pop singer Noah Kahan, whose career exploded due to social media attention in 2023, closed out BottleRock with an enthralling set.
BottleRock 2025 Day 2: Justin Timberlake, 4 Non Blondes, Benson Boone, 12 more highlights

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

NAPA — The crowds at the Napa Valley Expo felt bigger and a little younger on Saturday, and there was an excitement in the air for one of the most prominent performers ever to take the BottleRock stage. There was little question as to who the biggest draw was on Saturday, and maybe the biggest of the weekend, based on the masses gathered in front of the main stage to catch the arrival of Justin Timberlake. The BottleRock appearance was Timberlake’s last in America as part of an extended tour.
ALBUM REVIEW: Garbage looks for the bright side on 'Let All That We Imagine Be the Light'

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Daniel Willis

Butch Vig founded Garbage in 1995 after producing, among other all-time classic albums, Sonic Youth’s Dirty, Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream, L7’s Bricks are Heavy and Nirvana’s Nevermind. He was tired of producing bands that were just guitars, bass and drums, and wanted to get creative, so he recruited Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Shirley Manson.
BottleRock 2025 Day 1: Green Day, Sublime, Serena Williams and 9 more Friday highlights

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

NAPA —Whether it was the good weather or the lineup, it felt a little busier than usual at BottleRock Napa Valley as the three-day festival opened its gates on Friday. With many artists in the worlds of alt-rock, pop-punk and electronica, the crowd also felt a little younger. Attendees were treated to many familiar attractions, as well as a few new ones, including a full-on roller rink.
ALBUM REVIEW: Joe Jonas finds his mantra on 'Music for People Who Believe in Love'

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

Joe Jonas’ second solo album, Music For People Who Believe in Love, finds the 35-year-old at an emotional crossroads. He’s coming off a separation from actress Sophie Turner, experiencing the self-reflection of starting over. It’s fitting that the record is coming solely from his own voice, rather than the Jonas Brothers or DNCE. Still, the band of brothers is a fitting musical point of reference here, especially with Jonas’ retro-meets-modern sound.
Isabel Whelan finds a ‘Fresh Start’ while tapping small-town roots

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

The journey from a small, rural community like Clovis, Calif. (Fresno is the big city on this map) to a touring artist with millions of streams is most definitely a road less traveled. For Isabel Whelan, burgeoning singer-songwriter now based in L.A., it was all part of developing a creative identity. BEL at BottleRock Napa Valley 1:15 p.m., Sunday, May 25 (Festival runs May 23–25)Napa Valley ExpoTickets: $233-$456 for GA still available.