Bigger, louder, deeper and weirder, the second album from Youth Lagoon is the sort of follow-up that exceeds its predecessor in every way. Boise’s Trevor Powers, 24, toys with expectations – both his own and those from the indie rock world that was watching his development closely – on…
Every so often The Maine comes to town playing a slightly larger venue than it did the time before. Their goal, so far as I can tell, is to take advantage of this until, having played U.S. Airways Center and University of Phoenix Stadium in short order, local government is…
Keith UrbanAk-Chin PavilionSunday, September 29 One way to reverse engineer the perfect American Idol judge would be to just go to concerts until you find a bunch of people who used to watch American Idol clapping and having a good time at one. I like to think that’s how they…
Vampire Weekend Comerica Theatre Friday, September 27, 2013 Last night’s show was just about everything a Friday night show should be: Vampire Weekend was on point and performed a great selection of songs that didn’t neglect its debut album. The crowd was into it–if the majority of the seated area…
If you didn’t happen to be in Casa Grande when Jimmy Eat World played this show, back in May, you may find it more convenient to head out to Tucson for a show from this year’s Readers’ Choice for Best Local Band. If you weren’t really into “The Middle,” for…
Head to the Plaza Mayor in the heart of Madrid and walk a few steps from the center square down one of the cobblestoned streets. Peek into Tablao Flamenco Arco de Cuchillleros, one of the city’s premiere flamenco spots. The tables in the intimate venue are filled with tourists, sipping…
Title Fight, Balance and Composure, Cruel Hand, Slingshot DakotaNile Theater, MesaMonday, September 23 I hesitate to use the word “emo” because of its semantics. For a lot of people, it means a specific time and place — D.C. in the ’80s, the Midwest in the ’90s — and use of…
The nights in Phoenix are rapidly going from unbearable to beautiful, which is exactly why we’re suggesting you spend a couple of nights this week inside a stuffy venue where someone will be playing music under weird, artificial lights. Think about how nice it’ll be to walk out into the…
Zedd September 21, 2013 Madison Events Center With a hectic security system, oversized VIP section and timing being completely off, the music was the only thing that shined Saturday night. Taking the light rail to the show was an interesting start to the night, but hell, why not, right? Getting…
No Age returns to Phoenix tomorrow night in support of the band’s third full length album, An Object (fourth if you count compilation album Weirdo Rippers.) The band is all about reinvention, whether it’s singer/drummer Dean Spunt learning how to play his drums while recording the band’s first material, or…
Two phrases that Franco Gagliano tends to say a lot nowadays are “I don’t want to offend anyone” and “I’m not gonna lie to you.” When Franco ruled supreme as owner of The Mason Jar, one of Phoenix’s longest-enduring rock clubs from the early ’80s into the early Aughts, you…
Multiple big EDM shows and a gig at the Mason Jar(!) await you in today’s Must-See Phoenix Shows This Weekend. That seems like enough for us, but if you’re looking for even more options, check out our complete, sortable concert calendar. We won’t be offended…
Local bass-and-drums duo Scattered Melodies loves helping locals so much the project wrote a song called “Community Service” with collaborator Ruca. Appropriately they’ll be playing it with Ruca frontwoman Haley Griagaitis during their Back-to-School Book Drive this Saturday, September 21 at Gilbert’s Bergies Coffee Roast House. “The song was inspired…
We Got Power began life as a fanzine started by Dave Markey and Jordan Schwartz in the early ’80s as the hardcore punk scene was taking off in Southern California. The book features essays by many of the pioneers from that time who we now recognize as members of Black…
On his Facebook “About” page his education reads Università DI Napoli “Federico II.” Under work it reads “Music Production” and that he is the President at “Salf Enploy,” which is how it would sound phonetically when Franco Gagliano says it. When the “Legends of the Mason Jar” show which reunites…
On his recent album, Southeastern, singer/songwriter Jason Isbell writes plaintive ballads about dying cancer patients, tender country soul numbers about the process of recovery, and swampy power-pop about Super 8 ass-whuppings. It’s his fourth solo album since leaving Georgian southern rockers Drive-By Truckers, a group he departed in 2007, following…
My flight landed in Phoenix late Monday night, and I’m still adjusting. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet that I just saw The Replacements and The Pixies back to back. The Broadways reunion really happened. Debbie Harry is super adorable in person. My feet are still throbbing, and I’m pretty…
OK, so I don’t know much about The Zombies. Like, at all. For years, I thought their number one sizzling summer hit “Time of the Season” was actually Marvin Gaye. Give me a pass on that one, the English rock band were clearly trying to crimp his style far more…
Chicago Riot Fest, Day Three Humboldt Park Sunday, September 15, 2013 (View the full slideshow.) The third and final day of Riot Fest was all about The Replacements, rain, and reunions. The ‘Mats performed their second show after a 22-year break up Sunday, and it was everything a fan could…
My version of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a lot different from the final cut. It’s not that I have anything against Jane Austen or George Romero; I just prefer the British invasion to the actual, brain-eating invasion. (View our complete concert calendar here.)…
Riot Fest Day Two Humboldt Park, Chicago Saturday, September 14 The Fall Out Boy craziness of the festival’s first day carried over to Blink-182’s set on Day 2. For about 15 minutes before the band took the stage, fans chanted the lyrics to songs like “What’s My Age Again,” “All…
Chicago Riot Fest Day One Humboldt Park Friday, September 13, 2013 This year’s Riot Fest features a great mix of reunions and some of Chicago’s finest punk bands. Heck, The Replacements and Broadways reunions were enough to get me on a plane from Phoenix. Whether the trip was worth it…
