In the 2013 mini-documentary chronicling the rise of the Mad Decent Block Party, über-producer and festival founder Diplo has a bit of advice for anyone who performs at the event: “If you’re an act, don’t play after Flosstradamus,” he says. “That’s really hard.” It’s a simple edict that illustrates not…
Your dance music pals are most definitely going. Ditto for some of the hip-hop heads you see hanging out at an average Blunt Club, those indie kids who are always gushing over STRFKR or Phantogram outside of Jobot, and probably a good portion of Scottsdale’s club crowd, all of whom…
No one can accuse Dillon Francis of taking himself too seriously. Sure, he might be guilty of prank-calling, re-creating Ghost’s pottery wheel scene with 12th Planet on YouTube, or giving away ham at shows, but he’s never been one of those self-important EDM producers obsessed with image. Instead, the 26-year-old…
With local colleges back in session, the summertime drawing to a close, and the Super Bowl (and all its related parties, concerts, and galas) on the horizon, Scottsdale’s entertainment district is busy gearing up for big crowds and good times ahead. In the last several months, clubs both remodeled and…
After The Big Bang in Tempe makes its big swan song this weekend, the Mill Avenue space that houses the beloved piano joint isn’t going to stay dark for very long. As a matter of fact, property co-owner Austin Walter says that work will start very soon after The Big…
Japanese pop culture can often be a bit colorful and imaginative, to put it mildly. Maybe we’re showing our gaijin (or foreigner) by saying such things, but it seems that much of what constitutes entertainment by denizens of the Asian isle — be it video games, TV shows, movies, literature,…
There were a lot of things both shiny and new making a debut in local nightlife during the month of August. Spots like The King or Cowboys and Whiskey in Scottsdale opened to the clubgoing public while a few new dance nights (such as Motown on Mondays at the Crescent…
When the Tempe History Museum unveils its long-awaited exhibition delving into the city’s storied live music past later this year, don’t be surprised if there’s little to no mention of Paul “PC” Cardone amongst the many displays doting on the Gin Blossoms, The Refreshments, or other local jangle-pop icons. By…
When gaggles of local geeks stroll down University Drive in Tempe on November 1 for this year’s PBS Nerd Walk, many will be clad in cheery, gold-colored T-shirts adorned with a particularly nerdy bit of artwork. And exactly what piece of art will be featured on said shirts? Well, that’s…
The dog days of summertime officially come to an end a few days from now, which certainly is reason enough to celebrate. Here’s another: It’s also Labor Day weekend, and that means around 72 hours of work-free bliss, if you’re fortunate enough to have all three days off. Your friends…
The Big Bang in Tempe are about to go silent after more than a decade. Owners of the underground piano bar, a hallmark of Mill Avenue’s nightlife scene since it opened 2003, have announced that it will closing its doors on September 6. Recent messages on both the bar’s voicemail…
If you’re a fan of local DIY label Rubber Brother Records, any of its associated bands, or Tempe’s fringe music scene, you’re might hate the bad news we’re about to tell you: Parliament is closed. No joke. Earlier today, its staff pulled the plug on the all-ages music and arts…
When Mayra Sias got into the DJ game about five years ago, she probably couldn’t have asked for a better instructor — namely, her husband Les, who’s renowned around the Valley hip-hop scene as turntablism guru LES735. Getting schooled on the ones and twos by her better half, who placed…
The superstars of the WWE invaded US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix on Tuesday, August 19, and not only kicked ass and took names, but also entertained a helluva lot of local wrestling fans. The action-packed event was actually a twofer sort of deal, as the WWE taped a pair…
College kids of the Valley, stop your whining about tuition fees and pay attention for a second: If you’re one of the many who ditched town during the long, hot summer, there are a couple of things that went down in your absence. First off, you can forget about tapping…
Whenever the WWE’s Jimmy Uso and his brother Jey hit the ring, they aren’t so much wrestling as they are fulfilling their family’s legacy. That’s because both high-flying superstars are members of the Anoa’i clan, a large family of Samoan grapplers who have performed in the WWE over the past…
Listen up, rock fans: The next time you’re stuck in the nosebleeds watching your favorite guitar god rule a six-string at an arena show, we’ve got something for y’all to ponder. And no, it’s not that you should’ve been quicker on Ticketmaster’s website. Rock music, to riff on the words…
Remember that old chestnut from your Psych 101 days about how the whole being greater than the sum of its parts? Well, it happens to be totally true, and not when it comes to gestalt psychology. Its also can be easily applied to the music world, whether we’re talking about…
If there’s one life lesson we’ve gleamed from decades spent watching professional wrestling, its this: Your best friend could possibly turn into your worst enemy. As unthinkable as it may seem, we’re willing to bet that you and your bestie could easily become frenemies (or worse), given the right set…
If the sum total of your knowledge of soul, funk, and especially Motown music is limited to either Urban Outfitters’ pithy vinyl selection or what you heard on the Get On Up soundtrack, you’re in desperate need of enlightenment. And some of the Valley’s best turntablists would love to help…
The Phoenix Police Department has reportedly wrestled up a few more suspects in the recent burglary of WWE superstar Daniel Bryan’s home. According to Sergeant Tommy Thompson, a department spokesman, police arrested three individuals on Wednesday who are believed to be involved with a break-in last month at the pro…
In Scottsdale, imitation is not only the sincerest form of flattery, it’s sometimes a mantra for those seeking success. That’s frequently the situation in the city’s bar and club scene, where if one place does well with a new or unique concept, trend, or shtick, you can bet that others…
