Here’s Why Christmas Shopping with Jay Z Is a Terrible Idea

Last week, upscale New York retailer Barneys announced the “New York Holiday” collection, in which it pairs with luxury-rap icon Jay Z to produce a bunch of superfluous shit you’ll never, ever buy. Amidst the $70 t-shirts and fancy knit scarves and gold double-rings (which are something that people wear,…

I’m Done Buying Every Bob Dylan Album Over and Over (Probably)

I hate to do this, but two clarifications seem important at the outset: I adore Bob Dylan and, as a lover of physical media, I’m one of the few people (20-somethings especially) still collecting CDs. With that said, I have to say this, too: There’s no fucking way I’m plucking…

Caught a Ghost’s Jesse Nolan Melds Motown with the Modern World

In a town whose notoriety is soullessness itself, it comes as a surprise that Caught a Ghost is a Los Angeles-based band, best labeled as a modernized take on Motown with enough funk to move the hips of even the most jaded music critic. It’s the most recent project of self-taught producer and songwriter Jesse Nolan, who unabashedly belies his sunny Southern Californian roots with his full-throated crooning.

Top Five Must-See Phoenix Shows This Week

Every so often The Maine comes to town playing a slightly larger venue than it did the time before. Their goal, so far as I can tell, is to take advantage of this until, having played U.S. Airways Center and University of Phoenix Stadium in short order, local government is…

Keith Urban – Ak-Chin Pavilion – 9/29/13

Keith UrbanAk-Chin PavilionSunday, September 29 One way to reverse engineer the perfect American Idol judge would be to just go to concerts until you find a bunch of people who used to watch American Idol clapping and having a good time at one. I like to think that’s how they…

Video From John Williams’ Phoenix Symphony Rehearsal

John Williams performed with the Phoenix Symphony last Saturday for a once in a lifetime event. All of the proceeds benefited the Phoenix Symphony’s community outreach programs, and as of Saturday morning, Williams’ ticket sales have raised nearly $600,000. The concert was closed to the media, but Phoenix Symphony was…

Heavy Metal Musicians Pay Tribute to Michael Jackson This Halloween

Things are really hit-or-miss when it comes to heavy metal covers of pop songs. There’s been some great ones (Exodus’ “Low Rider,” Marilyn Manson’s “Tainted Love”), and some not-so-great ones (Children of Bodom’s “Oops I Did It Again,” Evile’s “Born This Way”), to be sure. But when you get some…

Guys: Predatory Dance Floor Boners Are Not OK

Gentleman, this is a public service announcement. We know that things can get hot and sweaty on the dance floor. The atmosphere is festive, the music is peaking, and the ladies are looking good. You see one you like, and you want to dance with her. Totally cool. Men and…

Vampire Weekend at Comerica Theatre, 9/27/13

Vampire Weekend Comerica Theatre Friday, September 27, 2013 Last night’s show was just about everything a Friday night show should be: Vampire Weekend was on point and performed a great selection of songs that didn’t neglect its debut album. The crowd was into it–if the majority of the seated area…

Vintage Phoenix Memory: Dance Hall Days

It was 1981. We were young, and there was nothing better to do. And so my girl friends and I — a bony chick we called Uncle who rarely spoke and her best friend, Laytchie McJeep, a corpulent girl who never stopped talking — got dressed up in funny clothes…

Top Five Must-See Phoenix Shows This Weekend

If you didn’t happen to be in Casa Grande when Jimmy Eat World played this show, back in May, you may find it more convenient to head out to Tucson for a show from this year’s Readers’ Choice for Best Local Band. If you weren’t really into “The Middle,” for…