The Occurrence - User: Melissa Bobbitt

Much love to the irie island that brought us Bob Marley, ska and some of the most hypnotic, relaxing, unifying music in the form of reggae. Jamaica has always been a hotbed of good vibes...

A former French colony with one of the fastest-growing economies in the world thanks to its cocoa supply, the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) also has a rich arts culture. From ancient sounds of the djembe...

After we caught Green Day in concert this past weekend, we felt elated and frustrated. It’s ace that Billie Joe and the boys are still bringing their political pop-punk to the masses—but it’s a tragedy that 2004’s American...

La vita è bella in Italy—and so is its musical heritage. Operatic roots via Puccini, celebrated composers such as Ennio Morricone and now more unique flavors than a Neapolitan pizza, the badass boot-shaped country has...

Blending secular, spiritual, Sephardic and sensational qualities, the music of Israel is all-encompassing. Whether the words are sung in Hebrew, English or Arabic, these songs speak to niche and widespread audiences. These artists will have...

Ireland has a wealth of legendary music, from U2 to Van Morrison to Sinead O’Connor. Those big names put their stamp on the rock genre, but these five Irish acts are branching out beyond their...

With the U.S. having such a large stake in the history and future of Iraq—especially as Mosul was recently freed from ISIS rule—it’s a choice time to explore the Middle Eastern county’s music. Its vitality...

  Though their latest album is called Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, Metallica continue to bring the fury to the stage, 36 years after their inception. They’ve weathered the deaths of bandmates, addiction, immolation and legal and internal...