Michael Lopez

Edgefest 2008: Recap

This Weekend: Weezer and Spam

Café Tacuba Party Down at Celebrity on Nov. 19

By Michael Lopez Calling the crowd that made it out to the Celebrity Theatre Wednesday night receptive would be selling them short by a mile. Every song played by Mexican alt-rockers Café Tacuba whipped the crowd into an absolute frenzy that didn’t die until the house lights came on. I must ... More >>

A Year End Top 10 List with an International Flavour

It's that time of year, the time when people trot out their list of what they see to be the top 10 albums of the year. I always enjoy this time of year, it's a great way to catch up on any albums I may have overlooked, a good way to check my own favorite albums against the multitude of lists and a f ... More >>

Five Pacific Northwest Albums That Made a Difference in 2008

Some of the more well-received albums of 2008 have come from the rainy, bike-loving confines of the Pacific Northwest - a trusty bastion for indie rock and insanely innovative pop. When bands from the two meccas of the Pacific Northwest - Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington - emerge onto the na ... More >>

30 Highly Anticipated Albums of 2009

With 2008 in the can, it's time to start thinking about what 2009 will bring, musically. The upcoming year is stocked full of highly anticipated albums, not to mention some very impressive debuts. As usual, the early part of the year looks to be leading the way with a throng of solid albums. The fol ... More >>

You Asked For It: Always Randy

Always Randy's Protect Your Nuts is exactly the kind of record we have Your Asked For It to review. Truthfully, there's little chance I'd pop in an album with a cover featuring three semi-mulleted old dudes wielding baseball bats and a guitar in front of a background of peanut shells if it weren't ... More >>

Round Up: Best Of Our Best Of Lists

Happy New Year! Up on the Sun and Phoenix New Times have had a lot of lists for you over the past month. Like, more than we can count. Just in case you missed some, here are a few of our favorites:Phoenix's best records of 2008: The best 10 records released in this town last year, including Kinch,  ... More >>

Aww...Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel Got Engaged

Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel both enjoy wearing a silly hat, a basic freedom most Americans sadly don't take advantage of.Well it finally happened. Indie rock icon and dorky eyeglasses connoisseur Ben Gibbard - better known to those few grandmothers and Buddhist monks (who actually don't know who ... More >>

Coachella Lineup Officially Announced

Coachella's 2009 official lineup is officially out -- as of 3:15 this morning, says Michael Lopez. Here it is: Girl Talk, Crystal Castles, The Knux, Fleet Foxes, Lupe Fiasco (that's, in order, five of my 10 favorite records of 2008) plus The Black Keys, Late of the Pier, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gasligh ... More >>

Where to Party During St. Patty's Day Tomorrow

Bad Religion is scheduled to perform with Slightly Stoopid at the St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Tempe Beach Park. Tomorrow is one of the biggest drinking/partying holidays of the year and definitely don't wanna be unprepared. So if you're looking for a place to suck down a little (or a lot) ... More >>

I Totally Object

Arizona's high-stakes high school mock-trial program teaches kids the basics of jurisprudence--including how to recruit a ringer

Stinkweeds Offers a Killer Comp of Local Music for Record Store Day

The unique CD artwork for Phoenix: We Love It Just in case you weren't already enticed into participating in tomorrow's Record Store Day after reading Steve Jansen's and Michael Lopez's scribblings on the nationwide event (which celebrates the independent spirit of mom-and-pop music emporiums), we ... More >>

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Coming to Marquee Theatre on June 8

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Even though music editor Martin Cizmar already laid out the latest show announcements earlier today, we've got one last gig to tell y'all about. NYC alt-rock faves the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are gonna be hitting the Valley at next month for a gig at the Marquee Theatre on Monday, Jun ... More >>

Micachu & The Shapes Cancel U.S. Tour, including Phoenix Date

​If it sounds too good to be true it probably is: Micachu & The Shapes have canceled their U.S. fall tour, including a September 14 show at The Rhythm Room, which Michael Lopez previewed in fawning terms a few weeks back. "Scheduling conflicts," were cited as the reason.No doubt more than a fe ... More >>

Incoming: Peaches, The Sounds, Dirty Projectors, Zac Harmon, Kittie and MC Chris

​MC Chris got a great review from Michael Lopez when he came to Clubhouse last year so his Halloween show at Club Red should be amazing. Who knows what kind of crazy costumes the geeks that show up for that concert will be wearing on The Devil's Day. What other must-sees were announced this week? ... More >>

Kanye West, Lady Gaga Plot Tour: Phoenix is First Stop

​Kanye West and Lady Gaga are coming to U.S. Airways Center on November 10, the first date on their Fame Kills joint tour.Having been blown away by Kanye's last tour, I'm super excited, as you should be, even if that Taylor Swift stunt pissed you off, as it did Michael Lopez.Full concert dates bel ... More >>

Best New Christmas Song of 2009? Hear The Killers, Bob Dylan, Julian Casablancas and Sugarland

​Christmas songs are one place where "new" definitely doesn't equal "good" in the minds of the masses, even in the newness-focused realm of popular music.Personally I'm pretty attached to The Beach Boys' "Little Saint Nick" and Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You," the two greatest pop ... More >>

Top Ten of 2009: Michael Lopez

Up on the Sun is counting down the days until the unveiling of music editor Martin Cizmar's personal Best of 2009 list with some other lists from Phoenix New Times' stable of excellent freelancers. Today we bring you a list from Michael Lopez, a New Times contributor, and regular blogger at Up on th ... More >>

Spoon: Transference in "Nothing Not New"

Welcome to "Nothing Not New," a yearlong project in which New Times editorial operations manager Jay Bennett, a 40-year-old music fan and musician, will listen only to music released in 2010. Each Monday through Friday, he will listen to one new record (no best ofs, reissues, or concert re ... More >>

Arizona Republic's Idiotic "Best Local Band" Contest: Handicapping the 2010 Version

Meet Chuck E. Baby... He might just be the best local musician in Phoenix. According the Arizona Republic, at least.​Longtime PHXmusic.com readers may remember the scandal surrounding the "Best Local Band" category in last year's Arizona Republic readers' choice poll. First, the paper put togethe ... More >>

An Open Letter To Coachella

How can such an idyllic scene be such an absolute nightmare? Selling 75,000 tickets is a start...​​​Dear Goldenvoice, Promoter of the Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival,My name is Michael Lopez and I have been attending your festival for the past five years. In those past five years, I ... More >>

Authority Zero Exclusive Stream - New Track "Crashland" from Forthcoming Album Stories of Survival

A to the mothafuckin' Z, homeboy.​Formed in 1994, Authority Zero have become the de facto torchbearers of the Valley punk rock scene over the past 16 years. The band's new album, Stories of Survival, is set for a June 22 release, but Valley fans can get a sneak preview this coming Thursday night, ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 6/24 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a box in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts. Why did several local metalheads go to jail after getting tossed from Club Red for moshing? Who are the biggest ... More >>

Anarbor at Warped Tour, Virginia's Secret Treasure, and Blitzen Trapper on Not Boycotting AZ in This Week's Issue

Anarbor.​This week's music feature is on the local band Anarbor. Though their recent tour to Japan may have been a bit of a flop, involving lost teeth and a select band members lying in a pool of his own blood, they're poised to rock the Warped Tour, and are hoping that they'll come out of it with ... More >>

Arcade Fire, "Ready To Start"

​Song: Arcade Fire, "Ready To Start"Context: As Michael Lopez mentioned earlier, you may or may not have heard that Arcade Fire has a new record out today. Ready to Start by Arcade Fire

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 9/23 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.What did we do to piss off Scott Weiland's publicist?What was the deal with the "suspicious backpacks" at Arizona ... More >>

Deerhunter - Earthquake

​ Song: Deerhunter, "Earthquake" Context: Michael Lopez raved about this song in this week's review roundup of Halcyon Digest. Check it out. 01-deerhunter-earthquake-caheso by kirotnes

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 12/2 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.What long-forgotten nugget did Jason P. Woodbury unearth for the first installment of his "Obscuro" column?What di ... More >>

What's the Point of Year-End Top 10 Lists Anyway?

​Compiling year-end lists is an art form. Lucky for everyone, our own Michael Lopez understands that art very well. So does Consequence of Sound. The Associated Press, on the other hand... not so much, which is why the Houston Press, among others, famously and understandably shit all over AP's 200 ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our 12/16 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week. Here are links to those posts.What was Miley Cyrus smoking out of a bong?What does Insane Clown Posse's official Christmas card look like?What d ... More >>

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Bright Lit Blue Skies

​Song: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, "Bright Lit Blue Skies"Context: Reading Michael Lopez's analysis of the Pitchfork top albums list makes me feel like I should like this Ariel Pink record. So I listened again today. Still not doing much for me, though I like this song, "Bright Lit Blue Skies," ... More >>

Coachella 2011 Official Lineup Announced

​In perfect Girl Talk fashion, the good people of Goldenvoice set up a surprise late night release of Coachella's overwhelmingly impressive lineup.Many of Michael Lopez's lineup predictions were spot on. The Strokes made the cut, as did Duran Duran, although on a different day than what Billboard ... More >>

Pazz & Jop Announced. Kanye Won. Duh.

​Our sister paper, The Village Voice, has announced the results of their annual Pazz & Jop critic's poll.If you're unfamiliar, basically like 1,000 music critics get to vote on their favorite albums and singles, assigning points to the top 10. Then those points are tabulated and Kanye West win ... More >>

Silver Medallion, Yuck, Pete Yorn and More in This Week's Issue

​In this week's music feature newly-promoted Assistant Night and Day Editor Benjamin Leatherman talks with Oren J of Silver Medallion about the group's just-released album No One Ever Really Dies, which Oren finished after the tragic death of his partner Carnegie last fall. The Silver Medallion st ... More >>

Lisa Savidge CD Release Party at The Rhythm Room Last Night

Melissa FossumDan Somers (Lisa Savidge)​ Lisa Savidge released their second album one week ago, and hosted an exclusive listening party at Bar Smith the day of its release. The band has been working hard over the past week, and the hard work paid off at last night's CD release show. $10 took car ... More >>

X103.9's Throwdown, Telekinesis, Black Fag, Civic Space Jam, and Other Weekend Events

​Henry Rollins might not dig Black Fag, but don't let that dissuade you from attending their gig this weekend in Scottsdale. According to the MySpace blog for the over-the-top gay Black Flag tribute act, Hank was reportedly a little gruff when Black Fag's frontman attempted to invite him to part ... More >>

From Print: Blogs Teased in Our March 3 Issue

​This week, New Times ran a list in our print publication highlighting some of the most interesting posts published at Up On The Sun over the past week.Here are links to those posts. Why did Kanye West's new video get temporarily pulled from YouTube? What is Yoko One going to talk about at SxS ... More >>

Lisa Savidge, Motorhead, Joey Cape and More From This Week's Print Edition

​This week's music feature is about local shoegazers Lisa Savidge. Ever wondered what sort of music soldiers in Iraq blast while patrolling the streets of Baghdad? Dan Somers, the band's singer, did two tours of duty and shared his experience with writer Melissa Fossum.Another thing you may b ... More >>

St. Patrick's Day Celtic Punk Cash-In's, Foster The People, Toro Y Moi, Girl Talk and More in This Week's Issue

Flogging Molly will play a green-themed show at Tempe Town Lake today.​Top o' the mornin' to ya! It's Ireland's national holiday, and this year it's a splendid day to spend in church, praying to ol' Patrick, the mighty saint who cured our isle of snakes ages ago. What's that, you plan to take off ... More >>

Davila 666 Last Night at The Yucca Tap Room

​Davila 666Yucca Tap RoomTuesday, March 22One of the great things about rock & roll is its lack of language barrier. I don't need to speak Nigerian to know that the Nigeria 70 comps rule -- don't need to learn Japanese in order to turn Boris up too loud -- or understand German to zone out to A ... More >>

Domo Genesis of Odd Future, Akron/Family, Murs, and More in This Week's Issue

Domo Genesis of Odd Future repping ASU in his Sun Devils gear.​Did you know that Odd Future's designated stoner Domo Genesis was an Arizona State student up until a few weeks before the group's big coming out party at South By Southwest? Few people knew until they check out this week's music featu ... More >>

Coachella 2011 Friday Recap

The Main Stage at Dusk​The 2011 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival got underway yesterday with the bad taste from 2010's fiasco still in the mouths of many -- myself included. It didn't help that Paul Tollett -- head of the festival's producer Goldenvoice -- recently admitted that he belie ... More >>

Coachella 2011 Saturday Recap

Michael LopezThe Ferris Wheel at night​Two down, one to go. Saturday at Coachella was yet another success with even more of what made Friday such a positive, affirming experience. Friday, then, was no fluke -- this year's Coachella is doing everything right, as far as last year is concerned. There ... More >>

An Open Letter to Coachella, 2011 Edition

Michael LopezIt's amazing how something so idyllic can be so much fun​Dear Coachella,Remember me? I wrote you a letter about this time last year to voice my concerns about you. I was worried that you'd gone off the rails, blatantly ignoring the ones who loved you the most in favor of a new group o ... More >>

Whisperlights Announce Surfaces CD Release Party at The Duce

​ It's been quite a year for local indie band The Whisperlights. Their debut EP, Wake up Dead , has been out for about a year now. "Death" was ranked number one on Michael Lopez's Top Ten Best You Asked For It Songs. Former music editor Martin Cizmar included the album in his Best Albums and EPs f ... More >>

A Plea For Phoenix Music Fans Concerning the Crescent Ballroom

​Editor's Note: We here at Up on the Sun are sad to announce that we are losing Michael Lopez as a staff blogger. Lopez is moving back to his hometown, Portland, Oregon. Over the past three years, M.Lo has been a distinct voice on this blog and in print. You may not always have liked what he s ... More >>

Stellacutta Explains "Shadenfreude"

​As finals wrap up and holidays consume every waking minute, some people still have work to do. That's exactly what Stellacutta is doing: working on their debut album. Earlier this year, Michael Lopez broke down the Tempe rocker's two-song self-titled EP in You Asked For It, and showed a lo ... More >>

Top 10 Albums of 2011: Mike Escoto

Bon Iver​Welcome to another installment of Up on the Sun's 2011 Review. Over the next week, we'll be counting down our favorite songs, shows, national and local releases of 2011. This installment comes from Mike Escoto, who contributes to Up on the Sun and is one of the main perpetrators over ... More >>

Coachella 2012 Lineup Released

Michael Lopez​The speculation is over. See the 2012 festival lineup. (Double weekend!)