When writing show reviews, I always struggle with the journalistic imperative to report “what happened?” because usually nothing really happened other than some brooding subculture people played some notes and maybe moved around in a vaguely distinct way. The kind of stuff that is so commonplace that it’s not worth…
“How many of you are under the age of 10?” Tegan from indie-pop group Tegan and Sara asked the crowd last night at Gila River Arena. Thousands of girls, including one super-shrieky one directly behind me, screamed in delight as their young age was recognized by a band they’d probably…
Do you like music but hate overly large crowds? Is Tempe Beach Park your idea of hell? Do you hate everything you hear on AAA and alternative radio stations? Never fear. There are other things going on this weekend besides Summer Ends Music Festival, and we’ve got the six best…
Taken a look at a concert calendar recently? Like migrating birds, major music acts are flocking to the Valley as the weather shifts from outdoor sauna to merely hot. What better way to celebrate turning your air conditioner off than heading out to the biggest three-day music festival to happen…
Taken a look at a concert calendar recently? Like migrating birds, major music acts are flocking to the Valley as the weather shifts from outdoor sauna to merely hot. What better way to celebrate turning your air conditioner off than heading out to the biggest three-day music festival to happen…
In the “about” section of the Violent Femmes’ official Facebook page, under the “description” header, it currently reads: “Violent Femmes are currently touring in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the release of their first album.” It’s an album worth celebrating; recorded by a trio of Milwaukee folk punks –…
Influential pop punk legends The Descendents paved the way for bands that hit it big, like Blink-182 and Green Day. Descendents may not be a sold-out-arena sort of band, but that’s the band’s appeal — Descendents are for underdogs who are unlucky in love and like going to Wienerschnitzel. They…
Yup, it’s almost here, and we know y’all have been waiting for it tirelessly, throughout the long, hot, and brutal months. Now, it’s only mere days away. So are we talking about to the end of summer? Well, yeah, that too (since temperatures will start to decrease later this week)…
The Apache Lake Music Festival announced the breakdown of who’s playing where at the two-day event, which happens October 24-25 in Roosevelt. Now that you know who’s playing on what day, it’s time to plan your pre-Halloween weekend. The Friday and Saturday of the festival will take place on an…
Marco Antonio Solís has been rocking his infamous long hair and a full beard since the ’70s. People have always compared his looks to those of Jesus of Nazareth, but in our current era of memes, his image has made the artist one of the most viral and popular faces…
This week kicks off a helluva run for Phoenix concerts. Thursday we have Drake, Lil Wayne, and Katy Perry all performing, and Friday begins the Summer Ends Music Festival. What more could you want? Well, if you really need more options, check out the ones below, and browse our comprehensive…
On Friday, Rob Zombie officially brought the Halloween season to the Valley of the Sun in wicked style. The heavy metal musician’s show celebrated the opening of his very own Great American Nightmare haunted house at Westworld, and his stripped down performance took place in the shadow of his three…
People of the Valley of the Sun, fear not. Yes, you have suffered. Through July, with average high temps of 107 degrees, you have persevered. Through August, much of the same. Then in September, you weathered another type of extreme weather, as rainwater filled up city streets and turned neighborhood…
Right now, the world is the S.S. Turdboat and its fecal-matter hull is slowly dissolving in the piss that is society. By proxy, the United States is at war with Russia, not to mention Iraq again (or did that occupation ever really end?) as the war on drugs continues to…
Have you recovered from Mad Decent Block Party? Last weekend, everything musical in Phoenix paused to give space for what is arguably the largest EDM event that will happen this year. This week, the Phoenix music universe has adjusted, compensating for the overabundance of beats and turntables with a slew…
Filed under the category of “Everything That’s Not Mad Decent Block Party,” here are your five best options for live music this week in Phoenix. Be sure to check out our comprehensive concert listings for more options…
The Carnivores Tour featuring Linkin Park, 30 Seconds to Mars, and AFI hit the US Airways Center last night in downtown Phoenix.The evening included some of the best angst-driven rock anthems of the past 15 years — well, from at least two of the acts. The night began with a…
It’s rainy. Near-record-setting rainfalls smacked Phoenix in the lip last night, as you no doubt heard via the bomb-like thunder circa 4 a.m. today. Highways have flooded, schools have closed, and offices have turned into wastelands. One dramatic consequence of flooding is that people tend to cocoon themselves into their…
With all the city’s venue closings, Yucca Tap Room remains one of the few reasons to visit Tempe for live music. There are all the house shows, of course, but with Parliament and Long Wong’s gone, Yucca stands out the most. And Friday, it hosted a mini-showcase of the Valley’s…
Blake Shelton, The Band Perry and Neal McCoy Ak-Chin Pavilion 9/5/14 It’s the beginning of September, and it’s still more than 100 degrees after dark. Everyone within a seven-row radius is fanning themselves or buying water bottles to roll on themselves. All musicians, by the end of their sets, looked…
“Mexican rap at Herberger? How does one even begin to understand that?” exclaimed Phoenix resident Kimberley Corral upon seeing the electronic billboard outside the theater that read, “Bocafloja En Concierto.” This was a common reaction shared by a surprised audience that has always seen Herberger Theater Center as a setting…
Ding, dong, the witch is dead. (The witch is the heat, here; bear with me.) Supposedly. It might be September, but it’s still 106 degrees, but out-of-towners don’t know that. So with the turning over of the calendar comes a slew of great bands coming to Phoenix and a revitalization…
