Every year, we travel out to the desert to capture the stories that make the Coachella experience so unique and infamous. Sometimes these tales are touching; other times, frustrating; but without a doubt, the crowd at Coachella is always hilarious. Here are 25 of the strangest, funniest, most memorable things…
It’s time to wave goodbye to Coachella 2016, the default major music festival for Phoenix residents. If you missed out on the fast-selling tickets, if you want a more specialized festival experience, or if you’ve just arrived back from the Polo Club and you’re already looking for more, we’ve got…
With the sadness of Prince’s sudden death yesterday comes that sinking feeling where you realize no one’s enjoying “that indisputable moment” anymore, that point in time when everyone is in universal agreement that the biggest name in music is actually deserving of their time at the top. Elvis and…
Like many of you, we’re still very much in shock over the untimely passing of Prince – and probably will be for some time. And we’re probably not the only ones who have been blasting “His Royal Badness” nonstop while dealing with the unfathomable sorrow over the silencing of one…
They’ve yet to invent the musical instrument that can move us more than the human voice. Great singers convey a world of emotion in a single note, turn simple melodies into symphonies, and imbue the most straightforward lyrics (think of Aretha’s “Baby, I love you”) with the depth of a…
Prince, the Minnesota recording artist whose music blended virtuoso musicality with raw sexuality, died in his home today, various news sources are reporting. He was 57. Though Prince had performed regularly the past few years, he had reportedly canceled a few recent shows due to illness. His representatives told press…
There’s a reason everyone wants to be a rock star. Travel the world and play music to adoring fans throwing nothing but love (and maybe the occasional piece of underwear) at you? Yes, please. The reality for most touring musicians is far less glamorous than the fantasy, of course. Life…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. The Maya Spectra – “Music Box” The Maya Spectra is in the process of relocating to Phoenix, and that’s good news…
Hyper Vessels, the fourth full-length by Fullterton, California, rockers Audacity, is the kind fizzy, ebullient album that can only be crafted by 20-something weirdos fueled by youthful, crazed energy. But a deeper listen reveals a melodic sensibility that — while not “refined,” per se — sounds mature and developed. The…
Calling Holy Holy merely a David Bowie cover band would be an insult. The project had Bowie’s seal of approval. The group — dare we call it a supergroup, as it includes bassist longtime Bowie producer Tony Visconti and and Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey — sold out venues…
Dale Watson is about as country music as it gets. Dapper in classic western attire, complete with Stetson, big belt buckle, and boots, his shock-white pompadour and rich, deep tenor lend an air of authenticity. Watson is the archetypical country-music artist. There’s a reason he’s often referred to as the “real…
Thao Nguyen, the singer-songwriter behind the group Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, tells me that I need to give the hit Comedy Central show Broad City another chance. I admit to her I haven’t picked up on the vibe of the show yet. “You got to dig in…
Even if you don’t know much about marijuana — other than the fact that pretty much anything containing THC gets you high — you’re undoubtedly aware that April 20 is a important date for stoners, MMJ users, or anyone else who’s down with Mary Jane. Thanks to the significance of…
Armed with an accordion and a double platinum record, Phoenix band KONGOS re-entered the music world Friday with their recent single, “Take It From Me.” KONGOS, a band of four brothers and Arizona natives, are tying up their sequel to their widely successful 2012 album “Lunatics.” But the new album,…
Coachella, man. Wow. Like a fine wine, you just keep getting better with age. After gorging ourselves on Sumo Dogs and indie-pop, dancing ourselves dusty, head-banging to Death Grips and “Welcome to the Jungle,” and maybe drinking a beer or seven, we sifted through the rubble and our reporter’s notebooks…
Even the most casual radio listener could sing along with a chorus or two during an Ellie Goulding show. The hit-filled set switched gears faster than you could say “Goodness Gracious” to show off Goulding’s skill in carrying out completely different genres and to remind everyone exactly how she has…
“Internal fixation.” That’s how Axl Rose’s good-looking foot specialist Dr. Rachel Triche described the lead-singer’s broken foot on April 8. Her ESPN-esque medical update, in which she sat in front of all her various credentials, was both great reality TV and evidence of Team GNR’s belief that rock & roll…
Only elderly shamans and energy healers can remember the dark ages before the Coachella Music Festival first bloomed out of the polo field–riddled deserts east of Los Angeles. Popular lore holds it was founded in 1999, when Beck, Rage Against the Machine and Morrissey united for worshippers fearing imminent global…
Escape the Fate – Monday, April 18 – Joe’s Grotto The funny thing about the music of Escape the Fate is that it’s basically pure pop that’s been gussied up with hard rock and emo trappings. Songs like “Issues” and “Gorgeous Nightmare” could easily be hits for Lady Gaga —…
The Valley’s own The Summer Set are back with a new album and a full supporting tour after last year’s reported breakup. “We’re running through old songs, learning new songs, and kind of playing the longest set we’ve ever really played,” says frontman Brian Dales. “I’m excited about everything.” The…
Music lovers in Mesa just got another reason to stay in town and off of the highway. Zia Records announced this morning the opening of an 11,000-square-foot superstore in Mesa on 1302 South Gilbert Road. It appears Record Store Day has started a day early. The store’s opening is slated…
Not lucky (or well moneyed) enough to get to Coachella this year? You’re not alone. Granted, thousands of Valley residents will be making the five-hour trek to Indio to attend this year’s version of the high-profile music festival, which kicks off today. Melanie Martinez – Friday, April 15 – Marquee Theatre …
