You know MC Magic when you hear him, and not only because the Phoenix producer/rapper/singer often intros himself at the top of his songs. Whether on one of his own records or features for Latin rappers like Brown Boy, Arion, and Ms. Krazie, Magic (real name Marco Cardenas) is instantly…
Wes Miles, the leader of the indie rock band Ra Ra Riot, remembers how much fun he had staying home from school because it afforded him the opportunity to watch science-fiction movies. He would watch the original Star Wars trilogy, only to go back and have a repeat viewing of…
Indie folk star Ryley Walker didn’t really take to Phoenix the last time he played here. Google does not offer any clues of the exact date when the Rockford, Illinois, native previously performed in the Valley. It’s difficult to confirm if the sordid events he described even took place. Yet…
It’s strange to let 27 years pass before seeing one of your favorite bands again. But somehow, that’s how much time had elapsed since the first and, until last weekend, only time I had ever seen The Who. I hadn’t intentionally avoided seeing them again, but over the intervening years, it…
After selling out the 2,650-capacity Celebrity Theatre in August, Brian Wilson will return to the venue once more on May 22, 2017, the singer announced today. Wilson has been touring the country for the 50th anniversary of the iconic Beach Boys album Pet Sounds, hailed critically as one of the most…
If there’s one thing we learned at Desert Trip, it’s this: Our parents used to rage. And given half the chance, they still know how to throw down. All over the Empire Polo Club grounds at Goldenvoice’s massive classic-rock festival, folks in their 50s, 60s and even 70s were getting…
For the first time since 2013, Green Day will play another concert in the Valley, the band announced today. The band is scheduled to play Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 1. Against Me! will open. Green Day just released Revolution Radio on Friday, October 6. It is the band’s 12…
Up for seeing a great concert this week? If so, we’ve got a few suggestions for y’all. As a matter of fact, we’ve got 10 of ’em, and the list includes shows from a wide variety of genres and formats, from post-punk and indie folk to hip-hop and good ol’…
Failure celebrated the 20-year anniversary of Fantastic Planet by playing the influential record from to back Saturday night at Livewire in Scottsdale. Typically when a band plays a record in its entirety it can be a mixed bag, since the surprise element that is so important in a concert experience…
As a proud 10-time Coachella attendee, I was more than a little curious when Goldenvoice announced Desert Trip, fondly referred to as “Oldchella.” Leave it to the creators of the two-weekend music festival to find another way to make history. When Desert Trip instantly sold out both weekends, it was…
It’s 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday, and a classic rock cover band is serenading a small, mostly middle-aged crowd lazing around a pool at the Shadow Hills RV Resort in Indio, California. They’re belting out Van Morrison’s “Wild Night,” which seems like an odd choice for this hour — or…
Here are our picks for the best concerts in Phoenix this weekend. For more options, check out our comprehensive concert calendar. Cyndi Lauper – Friday, October 7 – Talking Stick ResortIn terms of animal comparisons, Cyndi Lauper would best be categorized as a chameleon, considering the way she’s adapted and…
No matter what they do, Mumford and Sons will likely never escape their reputation as the polite British guys with the banjos. That’s not to say there was no effort involved. The quartet traded their vests and their plaid for solid colors and single layers, and the smoky lighting added…
It’s irresistible: Your favorite band releases a new album, and along with it comes a drawn-out narrative about the recent trials and tribulations of whoever in the band. It’s kind of like reality TV or gossip mags for the more self-aware or artsy crowd, to get a taste of the…
If chains of love got a hold on you, then you’re in luck. Bon Jovi will come to Phoenix for the This House Is Not For Sale tour on Saturday, March 4. The band will come play a concert at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The tour is in support of the…
Those of us who grew up watching MTV in the ’90s will no doubt remember Rock The Vote’s push to get young adults out to the polling places. Flash forward to the present: Despite the fact that young voters were a key factor in getting Barack Obama elected in 2008,…
There has never been a mega-festival quite like Desert Trip. There are just six acts and only one stage. No art installations, no dance tent, no bands you never heard of serenading you in the distance while you stand in line at the beer garden. Just a half-dozen rock &…
Got any big plans this week? You probably should, considering there are few (if any) reasons to stay home. The weather’s certainly nicer, your television is choked with wall-to-wall election coverage, and there’s a grip of great concerts and nightlife events happening over the next several nights. Naturally, most of…
Just because its been three years since Alice In Chains has put out new music doesn’t mean that the band or singer William Duvall hasn’t had a busy summer. After opening five shows on the Guns N’ Roses reunion tour they are now headlining a tour of their own that…
Up for seeing a great concert this weekend? If so, we’ve got a few suggestions for y’all. As a matter of fact, we’ve got a 13 of ’em, and the list includes shows from a wide variety of genres and formats, from emo and dream pop to blues and folk. If…
We sincerely hope y’all have some disposable income saved up from the summer. Because if you like great music and really like seeing it live, you’re going to buying plenty of concert tickets over the next few weeks. That’s because October’s concert calendar is pretty much all treats and no…
Psych-folk troubadour Donovan hit the stage at the Musical Instrument Museum last night for the second of two sold-out shows. His current tour is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of his Sunshine Superman record. That album’s title track was a number one U.S. hit, and the album itself contained…
