The Zoo aims to put reggae music on top, plain and simple. The musical drive is clear for the four members of the latest band to spring to life in the Phoenix desert. The four men come from different walks of life, and different regions of the world, bringing with…
Tonight, Tempe natives Katastro will be returning to the Valley from their new home in Huntington Beach to play a local show for their eagerly awaiting fans at Marquee Theatre. While the band will always support the city from which it came, the four funk, rock, and hip-hop artists headed…
Nearly 30 years ago, in 1984, Lee Greenwood released a song that would go on to become one of the most recognizable patriotic anthems ever: “God Bless the U.S.A.” Lee Greenwood has since been known as the Patriot, and his pride runs deep. He has never slowed down as a…
It has been three years since the last time AFI tore across the US on tour. The diehard fans that follow this alt-rock force have been anxiously awaiting their return ever since; now Tempe is next on the list, and the band hasn’t missed a beat. This Sunday, A Fire…
All bad things must come to an end, or so we were told by countless teasers and promo adds for the final season of Breaking Bad. Looking back on how we got to the conclusion, it’s easy to see all the fantastic attributes that made Bad so good. The writers…
There is an aura of mystery surrounding Tempe’s Dry River Yacht Club. The band says it’s not intentional, but it is certainly there. Most bands trying to establish themselves in any music scene will offer as much background information as possible, accompanied by flashy comparisons to great bands before them…
Tim McGrawSalt River FieldsAugust 10, 2013 Tim McGraw delivered a concert nothing short of excellent Saturday night, when he brought his highly anticipated and publicized Two Lanes of Freedom Tour to Salt River Fields. The country veteran proved he still has what it takes to excite fans with a live…
Last year, Tim McGraw left Curb Records after 20 years to join Big Machine Records. Contract disputes and lawsuits ensued upon the shift, but it seems to have been the right step for one of country’s most consistent stars. Coming just two weeks after his first collaborative album, Tim McGraw…
For two months, Tempe-based rockers The Black Moods have been crossing the Midwest and the West Coast on their first extensive tour, promoting their self-titled debut. All the work has paid off — each show bringing a more receptive audience — and by the end of the tour, they’d been…
Even more than 40 years later, no musical period is more influential to today’s rock ‘n’ roll than the ’60s and early ’70s. Young bands on modern Top 20 radio may not be able to cite a single artist from the 1960s, but it’s still there in their influences from…
After nearly 30 years, Georgia-based jam band Widespread Panic took a well-deserved and well-earned break from their relentless touring schedule for most of 2012. Luckily for their ever-loving, ever-devoted fanbase, the break only lasted one year, but compared to their usual schedule that must have seemed like a lifetime. The…
High in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Widespread Panic takes the stage at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, as its done many times before. But the day is June 30, 2013, and this isn’t just another performance. With this show, Widespread Panic will leave holding another impressive attendance record: 42 sellouts,…
The Independence Day Music Festival delivered a true patriotic celebration Wednesday night, and after three years, the country music concert and firework spectacular has officially established itself as a yearly must-see event for the summer. This year featured performances from LoCash Cowboys, Tyler Farr, and country superstar Brantley Gilbert. The…
Tune the radio today to any Top 20 Country station in America and the majority of the hits are coming straight out of Georgia. A shift in the mainstream country scene is building, and sitting atop the wave is singer-songwriter Brantley Gilbert, who leads the charge with a musical style…
For an up-and-coming band, the road to fame can be grueling. Little by little, a foundation must be poured to garner a following. Phoenix rock ‘n’ roll act Stone Mary is in the beginning stages of this tedious process. In their corner, they already have the support of local club…
If you weren’t able to make it to Circus Mexicus earlier this month you’ll have another chance, this week, to catch one of the festival’s best acts, Shurman. Based out of Austin, Shurman spends little time at home–they tour the country relentlessly, spreading their shared love of music to pockets…
The Black MoodsRockBar Inc., ScottsdaleJune 15, 2013 Old Town Scottsdale came alive last night when The Black Moods blew the roof off Rockbar. On the street, the usual busy social scene of Scottsdale seemed mellow for a Saturday night. But inside, it was apparent word of mouth had spread, emptying…
Somewhere outside of Phoenix, in the blistering desert, towering rock and roll legends of the past buried a time capsule containing the key to a long lost sound. Through perseverance, talent and brilliance, The Black Moods from Tempe, AZ seem to have uncovered that capsule and tapped into the secrets…
Last week, Up on the Sun asked readers whether traveling to a different state for a music festival was worth the trip. Well, what about a different country? Last weekend in Puerto Penasco, Mexico marked the 14th annual Circus Mexicus Festival, and it was a circus indeed that rolled into…
For Authority Zero, 2013 has already been packed: They’ve accommodated new band members, new record producers, a lengthy international tour, and a brand new album, to top it off. The Mesa natives have spent a great deal of their time making all those pieces fall into place, but they’ve never…
Authority Zero just finished a lengthy European tour, but no amount of international success would make them leave the Valley behind. The boys from Mesa now find themselves back home preparing for the Summer Sickness Tour to promote their fifth album, The Tipping Point. Not that Europe wasn’t great. “We…
Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley (see the full slideshow.)Desert Sky PavilionMay 16, 2013 For me, the night the Desert Sky Pavilion (or whatever else it’s called from year to year) opens its gates for the first show of the season marks the beginning of summer. And the 2013 summer concert…
