Cut Copy – Marquee Theatre, Tempe – 11/6/13

Cut Copy Marquee Theatre Wednesday, November 6, 2013 Australian synth-pop/new wave rockers Cut Copy made its long awaited return to Marquee Theatre last night in support of the band’s forth full-length album, Free Your Mind. Cut Copy played an energetic hour-and-a-half set that embraced what a dance party should be…

Clairy Browne and the Bangin Rackettes – Crescent Ballroom – 11/5/13

Clairy Browne and The Bangin RackettesCrescent BallroomWednesday, November 5, 2013 Clairy Browne and The Bangin Rackettes visited Downtown Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom last night and they were a bonafied Rhythm and Blues snoozer. The entire performance was devoid of anything that even remotely resembled soul. The Melbourne based nine piece just…

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Crescent Ballroom – 11/03/13

Few bands merit having the wall of talent that is Phoenix’s Haymarket Squares open for them at Crescent Ballroom. But Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is one that did when they brought their twangy, country, bluesy sound through downtown Phoenix Sunday night. “The Rev,” Breezy Peyton, and Ben “Big Bird”…

Top 5 Must-See Phoenix Shows This Week

If you’re listening to Christmas music already and you don’t live or work inside a Macy’s, I believe very strongly that you’re doing something wrong. Nevertheless, it is not in the spirit of Christmas (music) for me to shun you until the day after Thanksgiving, when I literally transform into…

Dolly Parton: This World’s Going Crazy, but Family Still Matters

Dolly Parton is not interested in reinventing herself. At a time when a lot of her peers are at least interested in saying they’re looking to shake things up and start over, Dolly Parton–who just announced a Comerica Theatre show on January 28–was excited to tell us about all the…

Blunt Club’s Halloween – Yucca Tap Room – 10/31/2013

“Halloween is like drama club… on crack.” That was Dumper Foo, the Blunt Club’s resident live artist. Foo, a local celeb in his own right, came in sporting a Bob Ross afro, a paint pallet at the ready for his homage to the happy tree afficianado, Bob Floss. The Blunt…

Top 5 Must-See Phoenix Shows This Weekend

Final Halloween costume-related update: At least one of these weekend shows will offer you a discounted ticket in exchange for coming in costume, which is a little like getting a free meal for dragging your Christmas tree somewhere in February. If you’d like to know which one, you can just…

Kevin Devine: Kickstarter Success “Was Bonkers”

by Chris Parker “For a long time, you’re chasing being thought of as this terminally unique snowflake,” says Brooklyn singer/songwriter Kevin Devine. “And then you kind of realize you’re a worker among workers — and you put your boots on.” The 33-year-old musician is reflecting on the reverse metamorphosis that…

Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman: “God Doesn’t Need a Lawyer”

For Jon Foreman and the rest of Switchfoot, there is no point in doing things the easy way. Easy would be trying to carve out a rock ‘n’ roll career for themselves in either the mainstream or Christian scenes, rather than both. Easy would be taking their lifelong love of…

Megadeth – Arizona State Fair – 10/30/13

Megadeth – See Also: Megadeth at the Arizona State Fair (Complete Slideshow)Arizona State FairOctober 30, 2013 It was pretty easy to tell who was at the State Fair for Megadeth last night, and who was there for fried twinkies. You just had to look for the people wearing ’80s-style jean…

The Blow – The Rhythm Room – 10/30/2013

The Blow The Rhythm Room Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Khaela Maricich of the Blow came on stage howling to get the crowd’s attention, then transitioned into an acapella version of “You’re My Light” as Melissa Dyne orchestrated the lights and sound off-stage on a booth near the bar. The crowd…

Robin Thicke Cancels Phoenix Performance, Gives Crazy Interview

Robin Thicke’s performance at the Arizona Jazz Festival was canceled abruptly Sunday, depriving people who insist on dressing like him for Halloween one last look at his unnervingly perfect hair. Word at the festival and on their website is that illness is the reason for his absence, which wasn’t confirmed…

Top 5 Must-See Phoenix Shows This Week

Do you have a Halloween costume yet? Okay, okay. Do you have two Halloween costumes yet? Just keep your audience in mind if you plan on starting the evening handing Krackel bars to seven-year-olds and ending it dancing with somebody who’s also wearing an Anthony Weiner costume. (View our complete…

Gin Blossoms – Harold’s Corral, Cave Creek – 10/25/2013

Gin BlossomsHarold’s CorralFriday, October 25, 2013 The Gin Blossoms know exactly what they are, and they’re good at it. During the summer they’ve been playing the nascent ’90s nostalgia tour circuit, blowing through “Hey Jealousy” and “‘Til I Hear It From You” and “Follow You Down” between the one-hit wonders…

Alabama Shakes at the Arizona State Fair (PHOTOS)

Last night’s Alabama Shakes concert was like being teleported back in time. Brittany Howard sings with a soulful ferocity that is only matched by someone like Janis Joplin or Mama Cass. Her guitar hooks channel the likes of Chuck Berry, with a heaping dose of Southern blues. Howard even looks…

Top 5 Must-See Phoenix Shows This Weekend

I’ve been talking to the judges, and they tell me that–because this is the last genuine weekend until Halloween–they’re going to uphold your appeal about being able to wear costumes without being judged too badly about it. Well, most costumes. Good luck trying to get that super hilarious Miley Cyrus…