In a triumphant return after ten long years away from the Valley, Dixie Chicks smashed expectations at Ak-Chin Pavilion with a show that went beyond simple country music. Visually, it was as modern and effective as they come, a slick black-and-white palette as a setting that would have looked at…
Reinvention is the mother of necessity for Puro Instinct. Centered around sisters Piper and Skylar Kaplan, Puro Instinct was once one of the buzz bands of the moment — 2011 saw the release of their heralded Headbangers In Ecstasy, a woozy, of-the-times record that brought the likes of Pitchfork knocking…
In light of the recent police shootings in Texas and the deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, both killed by members of law enforcement — just the latest three of the many examples of obscene, needless deaths in America — one could conclude that all…
After a much-needed two-year hiatus from the madness that is Insane Clown Posse’s annual Gathering of the Juggalos festival, we’re happy to report that this year, we’re going back. We’re is off to Thornville, Ohio for the Gathering, which runs July 20-23, and will be reporting throughout the week on all…
If I could pin down the year that Comerica Theatre time traveled to last night for the Taste of Chaos tour, I think it would be 2003. In 2003 Dashboard Confessional had its first top 10 album. Taking Back Sunday was still riding high on its critically acclaimed debut. Anthony Green…
Looking for a memorable concert to check out during the next few nights? You’re in luck, as there are plenty of big shows happening. In fact, we’ve got nine picks for your consideration, all of which are taking place during the next 72 hours are certainly worthy of both your…
Well, it seems like 50 Cent has been spending more time in Phoenix grocery stores than in clubs these days. Curtis James Jackson III, a.k.a. Fiddy, is back in the Valley to sign bottles of his Effen Vodka. He’ll be at the Fry’s on 1311 East Bell Road in Phoenix…
The melding of pop and country music is no new phenomenon. The marriage of the two genres has brought the latter into the mainstream and thoroughly incensed the purists of the former for decades now. Country radio today has embraced the change wholeheartedly, yet few artists are willing to admit…
Mitchell Hillman listens to more local music than just about anyone in the Valley. He presents his picks for best new local music in his column, Right Hear, Right Now. AJJ — “Goodbye, Oh Goodbye” It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than two years since AJJ (formerly known as Andrew…
Wye Oak is a band that, if nothing else, understands contrast. Their sound is a mixture of dream pop and dark folk dominated by nu-gaze, that mid-2000s renewed interest in pedal-driven walls of guitar distortion and buried vocals. It’s a moody mix, a feeling of elation and melancholy introspection. “I…
It’s a long way to the top if ya wanna rock ’n’ roll, sure, but if you’re more interested in just making sweet tunes, touring the world in a minivan, and keeping it real, you really don’t need much. Take it from Deerhoof, the strange noise pop quartet originally from…
Before Doug Hopkins tragically committed suicide in 1993, he would often tell his friends that the Gin Blossoms were ripping him off. He was fired from the band at their label’s request after recording for what would be the band’s 1992 breakthrough album, New Miserable Experience, completed in Memphis. He…
The Brick and Barley is about to get some national exposure, thanks to Jon Taffer and the folks behind Bar Rescue. The Tempe bar and grill, which got a major makeover from the Spike TV program back in January, will be featured on the program this coming weekend. According to…
The wait is over for music lovers in the East Valley. Zia Records will open its brand-new Mesa superstore on Friday, July 15, at 9 a.m. The company first announced the store opening back in April. The Mesa location will be Zia’s fifth location in the Valley, and the second…
We’ve learned a few important lessons about Phoenix’s music scene in 2016 – and its only halfway done. A lot has happened locally during the first six months of the year, ranging from old venues saying farewell to new bands making a splash, and we’ve tried to take something from…
Bad Suns stumbled upon everything: their name, their record deal, and even each other. When the band formed in 2012, then-19-to-22-year-olds had left behind former bands—not to mention high school—in favor of new projects. Fronted by vocalist Christo Bowman, the Southern California four-piece formed in 2012 and picked up where Elvis…
Apparently there’s a lot of fan overlap between Weezer and Warped Tour. Vans Warped Tour has announced that it will change the date of its Arizona stop from August 2 to August 4 in order to avoid conflicting with the Weezer/Panic! At The Disco concert scheduled for August 2 at…
It’s not difficult to hear why Pet Sounds, celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer, is considered to be one of the greatest albums in music history. It was a game changer upon its release in 1966, a marked departure point for The Beach Boys and a defining pinnacle of Brian…
Suffering from a little cabin fever after spending all of your free time indoors lately? Can’t say we blame you, considering the average temperature outdoors is around 108 degrees these days. It might do you a bit of good to get out of the house, however, and we’ve got several…
We’re big believers in that everyone should be able to enjoy any concert in any manner they’d like. That said, there’s one stipulation: Your enjoyment of a concert shouldn’t directly interfere with someone else’s enjoyment. That’s it. It’s pretty simple, there’s only one rule of this concert-going Fight Club, and…
We’d understand completely if you’re planning to lay low this weekend. And we’re sure you’d have plenty of justifiable reasons to so. It’s the dog days of summer, for instance, or you could still be recovering from the Fourth of July weekend. And the latest season of Orange is the…
Here we are at the midway point of what has been the worst year for music having nothing to do with what was issued and everything to do with who was discontinued. “Sure,” you say. “We lost a lot of giants early in the year like Bowie and Prince, but…
