If you’re familiar with the superb discography of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, it goes without saying that the nine talented musicians backing up the golden-voiced songstress are vastly steeped in the realms of R&B, soul, and funk. Depending on whom you ask, possessing immense knowledge of various genres is…
The next time you see the members of Jared and the Mill hanging out around town or before one of their upcoming gigs (like at next weekend’s McDowell Mountain Music Festival), be sure to offer a handshake, a kind word, or maybe even a hug. They definitely deserve it, since…
Sharon Jones is one tough woman. A former corrections officer and Wells Fargo security guard who was once told she was “too black, too fat, too short” to make it as the classic soul singer she’s become, Jones recently overcame the toughest battle of her life: beating back pancreatic cancer…
Flogging Molly Tempe Beach Park 3/17/14 A wild, crazy, and drunken St. Paddy’s Day celebration unfolded at Tempe Beach Park on Monday night as the Celtic folk-punks of Flogging Molly rocked a crowd of thousands during their visit to the Valley on their 10th and final Green 17 Tour. Dave…
Justin Moody writes songs. They sit firmly in the folk vein — dark, self-deprecating tales that are often vicious to their characters, capturing the excruciating eye for detail that only a storyteller can see. Justin Moody also lives in a one bedroom apartment on the edge of Arcadia, a space…
It seems as though everything that Kip Moore has touched in recent years has turned to gold, or — more specifically — platinum. The Georgia-born country artist has had a string of hit songs since 2011, such as “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,” “Beer Money,” and “Hey “Pretty Girl,” all of…
Dutch-born DJ and producer Dyro has experienced rapid success in dance music over the past few years. He’s produced successful original singles like “Metaphor,” “Leprechauns and Unicorns,” and “Black Smoke.” Not only that, he’s also collaborated with names like Tiësto, Bassjackers and Hardwell. Currently, he holds a residency at Light…
As a 15-year-old growing up in Prescott, where lifted trucks, military dreams, and D-grade metal bands are the norm, I was often a black sheep for playing blues music. Showing up to open mics with a Fender Stratocaster under my arm elicited raised eyebrows from guys 50 years my senior,…
Want to get in a show this week? There are plenty of concerts over the next five days around Metro Phoenix to choose from, as you can see for yourself by viewing our extensive online concert listings. And we’re fairly certain that there’s something for everyone, regardless of your particular…
Andy Warpigs Album Release Party The Lost Leaf 3/16/14 Andy Warpigs has officially taken a step up from DIY phenomenon to full-on local rock star following Sunday night’s raucous release party for his debut album, Folk Punk Yourself. The album is an eight-song ode to juvenile humor, drug use, and…
Liquid Sol Music Festival Sportsman’s Park in Glendale 3/15/14 Nostalgia was one of the many themes at Liquid Sol Music Festival on Saturday at Sportman’s Park in Glendale. It was arguably one of the last nice days before the summer heat starts to bloom, and the daylong festival was the…
Iron Chic, Low Culture, Lenguas Largas, Rumspringer Yucca Tap Room 3/14/14 Upon entering the Yucca Tap Room, the famous words of Shakespeare’s Henry V always seem to come to mind: “Once more unto the breach dear friends.” The legendary Tempe bar has seen its fair share of improbable mayhem, which…
For the past decade or so, the unique-looking logo of Tempe live music venue The Sail Inn has depicted a jaunty little schooner gliding off into the sunset. And, in a cruel twist of irony, it’s appropriately symbolic of what’s about to happen to the popular dive bar and rock…
Gunfire erupted early this morning inside a Latin-oriented dance club in Central Phoenix, resulting in the death of an employee and the injury of another individual. According to Phoenix Police Department officials, a patron at Mi Ranchito near 32nd Street and Oak was causing problems after last call and opened…
Curious as to what’s going on around town this weekend? Need some suggestions as to how to rock, dance, or krump in the Valley of the Sun? Don’t fret. We’ve got the hook up on what shows you might be interested in attending over the next couple nights and days…
The stage is already up, the tents are in place, and the sound equipment is being hooked up. Yep, the scene at Sportsman’s Park next door to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale is a hectic one at the moment as the organizers of the Liquid Sol Music Festival…
When it comes to reggae festivals, the common thread among the bands is usually made out of hemp. However, the acts you’ll see performing Saturday, March 15, at sunny Tempe Beach Park extend far beyond reggae and hip-hop grassroots genre’s status quo. In fact, the four headliners — Rebelution, Atmosphere,…
A hazy night with Hot Rock Supa Joint, Arizona’s premier stoner rap wizard, begins with a hazy idea. Let’s smoke a joint from the Bob Marley bong. A joint bowl! It only works about halfway, so we give up and give my five-foot BuddyBong a try, so named because it…
For nearly 20 years, Pepper has been bringing their brand of dance-worthy rock-pop-reggae to fans all over the world. It’s a type of mellow yet vividly powerful music that, even though it can be categorized as reggae, is more scintillating and sexy than any Nag Champa-scented act I’ve ever heard…
Why does brilliance so often offer a dichotomy of two contradicting personas? You won’t likely get an answer from Annie Clark, better known as the gentle fierceness behind St. Vincent. She’s keen to keep you at arm’s length, but whether it’s shyness or mania that compels her to shroud her…
When it comes to reggae festivals, the common thread among the bands is usually made out of hemp. However, the acts you’ll see performing Saturday, March 15, at sunny Tempe Beach Park extend far beyond reggae and hip-hop grassroots genre’s status quo. In fact, the four headliners — Rebelution, Atmosphere,…
The folks behind long-running hip-hop affair The Blunt Club are going old school this week — way old school. The turntables inside the Yucca Tap Room, 29 West Southern Avenue in Tempe, will spin things all the way back to the early Aughts on Thursday, March 13, in order to…
