Tennis and Miniature Tigers at Crescent Ballroom, 12/6/11

UPDATE: For more photos of Tennis, Miniature Tigers, and Gospel Claws click here.Let’s just put it out there: The first time I heard indie boy-girl buzz band Tennis, I absolutely hated them. For starters, I generally hate chick singers who don’t have anything spectacular to offer (though a few of my…

Dream Theater and Iron & Wine Over the Weekend

Dream Theater at Ikeda at Mesa Arts Center Loyal fans talk about Dream Theater’s live show in hushed, reverential tones. I’d never experienced the band live before last night, but years of hearing fans rave about the prog-rock theatrics of the long-running group set my expectations high. Mesa Arts Center’s…

Dream Theater at Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center , 12/4/11

Dream Theater Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center Sunday, December 4, 2011 Loyal fans talk about Dream Theater’s live show in hushed, reverential tones. I’d never experienced the band live before last night, but years of hearing fans rave about the prog-rock theatrics of the long-running group set my expectations…

Iron & Wine at Crescent Ballroom, 12/2/11

Iron & Wine Crescent Ballroom 12/2/11 How much saxophone is too much saxophone? You might want to ask the young lady who passed out during the extended dub-into-free jazz-psychedelic blues skronk of “Wolves (Song of the Shepherd’s Dog),” the fifth song played by Iron & Wine last night at Crescent…

Rachael Yamagata with Mike Viola at Crescent Ballroom, 11/30/11

Rachael Yamagata with Mike Viola Crescent Ballroom Wednesday, November 30 I first heard Rachael Yamagata two years ago when she opened for folk/rock duo Swell Season at the Mesa Arts Center. She played for only 45 minutes that night, but made a lasting impression with her witty banter and heartfelt…

The Devil Wears Prada at The Marquee Theatre, 11/21/11

The Devil Wears Prada Marquee Theatre Monday, November 21, 2011 I found myself at The Devil Wears Prada show in large part due to my kid brother. He’s been high on openers Enter Shikari for a couple of years now and asked me to accompany him to the show. While…

Morrissey at The Orpheum Theatre, 11/20/11

Morrissey Orpheum Theatre Sunday, November 20, 2011 Click here for more photos by Maria Vassett Morrissey has never been the kind of artist to shy away from what’s on his mind. Animal rights is a topic near and dear to the man’s heart, and while songs like “Meat Is Murder”…

Kreayshawn at Marquee Theatre, 11/19/11

Kreayshawn Marquee Theatre Saturday, November 19, 2011 I love Tempe for the most part. This city has lots of great restaurants and bars, but there are certain elements that drive me crazy. Thanks to a free Kreayshawn show and the big ASU/U of A game, most of the things I…

John Prine and Loudon Wainwright III at The Orpheum Theatre, 11/19/11

John Prine and Loudon Wainwright III Orpheum Theatre Saturday, November 19, 2011 Early yesterday afternoon, I found myself at Tempe Marketplace, wandering the parking lot dazed. Christmas music wafted through the air. With nearly a week left before Thanksgiving. Look, I get it, but I’m a traditionalist. Some people hate…

Mr. Meeble at Crescent Ballroom, 11/18/11 (VIDEO)

Mr. Meeble Crescent Ballroom Friday, November 18, 2011 Last night was Mr. Meeble’s homecoming after a two-month European tour that the group planned entirely on its own. The Crescent Ballroom gave Meeble a warm welcome, and judging by how many times frontman Devin Fleenor said, “It’s good to be back,”…