Chromeo Marquee Theatre Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Often, weekends leave me plagued by choice. There’s always so much going on. Where do I go? What do I see? It’s not the sort of thing that normally happens on a Tuesday. But last night provided a few concert options. There was…
Three Halloweens ago, Radio Phoenix launched an alternative to corporate radio in the Valley. After three years of thriving online, the listener-supported station is celebrating its success with a little shindig. Phoenix might be far from the Bayou, but that doesn’t meant we don’t have our share respectable blues and Cajun-style…
When I was young, my family attended a church in Chandler where we would have a “Harvest Fest” on October 31, an alternative to the perceived Satantic nastiness of Halloween. I still got to dress as Superman; I still got to eat piles of sugary candy; and I still got…
Paul Simon Comerica Theatre October 18, 2011 On October 13, Paul Simon celebrated his 70th birthday. Judging by Monday night’s performance at Comerica Theatre, the legendary singer-songwriter doesn’t appear to be letting his age slow him down. He was full of energy and put on a nearly two-hour performance that…
48 Hours Festival was insane. Picture this: more than 20 heavy-hitting rock bands, VIP pool cabanas in the middle of a Vegas parking lot, and lounges with such names as Debauchery and the Godfather, moonshine, strippers, and massages, all fenced in at the Luxor Festival Grounds in Las Vegas. After…
Foo FightersUS Airways CenterOctober 16, 2011 Last night I got my face melted off by one of the greatest acts in present-day rock ‘n’ roll. Everything about the band’s show, from the guitar showdown to their two hour and 45 minute set, proved why the Foos deserve their place on…
Ade KassimErnest Greene of Washed OutWashed OutCrescent BallroomSaturday, October 15, 2011Exactly how much interaction that needs to occur between an artist and audience at a live show? “Chillwave” is generally associated with the idea of bedroom-created, computer pop, with the expectation being that the musician will basically perform straight from…
Greyhound SoulIt’s big music weekend here in Phoenix. We’ve already mentioned the JFA/Father Figures/Asses of Evil/Anarchy Taco party at Hollywood Alley; the chilled-out sounds of Washed Out, Tour de Fat, and Foo Fighters, but each weekend we bring five shows that may have slipped through the cracks, shows you probably…
Did you get that memo? Not the one about the TPS report, but the one that says fluorescent hues slowly drain the light out of your eyes and that desk jobs are hazardous to your health. Saddles frontman Charles Barth did not did get that memo, but he was recently…
Linsdey Buckingham Celebrity Theatre Wednesday, October 12 “The small machine.” That’s how Lindsey Buckingham described his solo work, comparing it to the “big machine” that is Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham was about halfway through a kind of extended monologue about the differences between his massive, stadium-touring collaboration with Stevie Nicks, Mick…
Dawes and Blitzen Trapper Crescent Ballroom Monday, October 10, 2011 When you catch onto a band in its early stages, they become bigger in your head than they actually are in real life. For me, one of those bands has always been Blitzen Trapper. Their indie folk sound is exactly…
Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls Rhythm Room Monday, October 10, 2011 A sold-out, super energetic Monday night show is somewhat of a rarity in Phoenix (or, you know, anywhere). British punk/folkie Frank Turner had no problem selling out Rhythm Room as he has done for most of his U.S…
A few years ago, shortly after I turned 21, I purchased a sixer of Fat Tire. At the time I was living with a constantly rotating cast rogues in a two story house attached to an old doctors office. The couch was nearly always occupied by any number of guests,…
Frank Turner has been enjoying unexpected success as a solo folk/punk musician after the demise his hardcore band, Million Dead. Turner has garnered an international fanbase over the past few years, touring relentlessly with bands like Social Distortion, Flogging Molly, and The Gaslight Anthem. His hard work is paying off–most…
This weekend is looking pretty packed. In addition to the New Times Best of Phoenix A’Fare, there’s a ton happening around the Valley, including shows from Tim Minchin, the Red Light Disco party, Avenged Sevenfold, New Found Glory, Star Slinger, Wayne Static, and more. Oh, and that giant music festival…
Gang Gang Dance, Prince RamaCrescent BallroomWednesday, October 5, 2011Last night was weird. Really weird — but it wasn’t a bum-pissing-on-the-light-rail kinda weird. It was an interesting sense of “exciting confusion” weird. On screen psychedelic videos accentuated by dim red and blue lighting set the tone for what was an evocative,…
Incubus Comerica Theatre October 5, 2011 For some fans an Incubus show may be all about hearing their favorite band’s heavier tracks from back in the day, but for others it’s about enjoying the band’s entire collection. While the new album If Not Now, When? sounds sort of like a…
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, What Laura Says, and St. Ranger Crescent Ballroom Tuesday, October 4, 2011 It’s official: Crescent Ballroom is open, and people are excited about it. Last night was…well, really, kind of perfect. The rain mostly cleared, leaving a strange…what’s the word? Non-heat? Less hot? Oh yeah– coolness –in…
If last night’s debut of the Crescent Ballroom is any indication, the new music and nightlife venue has a grand future ahead of it. A sold out crowd of more than 400 people were in attendance to break in the posh concert hall for its grand opening and there were…
Kids today, y’know? Thinking that all they need to figure out transcendental psychedelia is a tube of face paint, some Jodorowsky DVDs and a handful of funky -looking mushrooms. Pshaw! They should take a cue from their peers in Prince Rama, a Brooklyn-based act specializing in profoundly psychedelic tuneage. Sisters…
As a musician, film maker and performer, renaissance man Voltaire has a flare for the theatrical. His live performances, which are best described as a kind of campy gothic carnival, have been known to resemble a vintage cabaret show that revels in the macabre. On Thursday, October 6, he’ll be…
Fall Frenzy: blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, Matt & Kim, and Halocene Arizona got a special show last night, a combination of the yearly Fall Frenzy event and The Honda Civic Tour. Jimmy Eat World took My Chemical Romance’s spot and locals Halocene shared the stage with Matt & Kim and…
