Toro Y Moi at Crescent Ballroom, 3/5/12

Toro Y Moi Crescent Ballroom Monday, March 5, 2012 Chillwave/glo-fi/funk/[insert blogger-generated genre here] pioneers Toro Y Moi knows how to get people moving. At last year’s South by Stateside Festival, the band played a short, delayed set thanks to Foster the People’s lengthy set-up time. I wasn’t there, so I…

Miniature Tigers Performing at Stinkweeds This Thursday

Miniature Tigers’ brand new record, Dieyan Keytan, err, Mia Pharaoh, hits stores today, and in conjunction with the band’s complete takeover of Phoenix this week (see our sister blog Jackalope Ranch’s post about Joe Pagac’s advert-mural on Roosevelt Row, the band is performing a special acoustic gig at Stinkweeds this…

Laidback Luke on Remixing Madonna and EDM’s Mainstream Crossover

“Laidback” might fit the tone of Amsterdam-based Laidback Luke (born Lucas Cornelis van Scheppingen), but the tag might be doing a disservice to his work ethic: He’s worked with David Guetta, Diplo, Junior Sanchez, and more, and remixed pop acts like Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Chris Brown, and the…

Korn and Sluggo at Comerica Theatre, 3/1/12

​Korn and Sluggo Comerica Theatre Thursday, March 1 James Blake would’ve been in absolute hell watching Korn last night. The waifish English electronica producer, who’s loudly decried the overflowing machismo and thuggish aura of Americanized dubstep, would’ve seen his worst nightmare writ large and lit with high-tech spotlights. More than…

Benefit for Amanda Manjarrez’s Children at Roxy Lounge, 3/1/12

Albert Manjarrez, manger of The Roxy Lounge is hosting a benefit for his sister on Thursday, March 1.This event features live performances from local acoustic musicians Adam Shero, Angela Ferrari, and Javier Garcia. Amanda Manjarrez was an asymptomatic 26-year-old single mother, unaware she was ill until she tried to write…

Cloud Nothings at Crescent Ballroom, 2/28/12

Cloud Nothings Crescent Ballroom Tuesday, February 28 When I spoke with Dylan Baldi of Cloud Nothings, he said he had never been intimidated by extensive touring, high-profile shows, or recording Attack on Memory, the band’s latest record, with punk purist Steve Albini. The band’s excellent set at Crescent — airtight…

Grimes and Born Gold at Rhythm Room, 2/27/12

Grimes and Born Gold Rhythm Room Monday, February 27 Montreal-based Claire Boucher, known as Grimes, not only has a stirringly sweet voice that she layers like K-pop frosting but also a penchant for weaving bombastic beats inside ambient textures. Her latest record on 4AD, Visions, manages to embody the label’s…

Bare Wires at Yucca Tap Room, 2/27/12

Bare Wires Yucca Tap Room Monday, February 27 It was hard not to feel just a little bad for the earnest strummers in Yucca’s neighboring craft bar when Manhands, the first of four loud bands took the stage last night. I can imagine that at least a little of the…

Cursive at Crescent Ballroom, 2/27/12 (VIDEO)

Cursive Crescent Ballroom Monday, February 27, 2012 “Whenever I see a band shortly after an album comes out, I hope it’s too soon for them to play new songs live,” a friend yelled to me as Cursive tore into the opening hooks of “This House Alive,” the first track from…

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks at Crescent Ballroom, 2/24/12

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks Crescent Ballroom Friday, February 24 Okay, Phoenix. First, the good news: According to no less an authority than Stephen Malkmus, godfather of slacker cool, genuinely tall and good-looking former frontman of Pavement and current leader of The Jicks, Portland now considers Phoenix a rival city…

DanceMission at Madison Event Center, 2/24/12

DanceMission with 12th Planet and more Madison Event Center Friday, February 24 Not to be too dramatic, but I probably suffered some permanent hearing damage last night while watching 12th Planet. It would take a doctor to confirm (perhaps even Doctor P), but there’s been a constant ringing in my…

Reckless Kelly at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, 2/24/12

Reckless Kelly Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill Friday, February 24, 2012 Friday night took the record for the most double-fisting I’ve ever seen. Packing beers, the crowd seemed restless, up on their feet and screaming even before Reckless Kelly took the stage. As soon as the Austin-based…

Alejandra Guzmán at Comerica Theatre, 2/24/12

Alejandra Guzmán Comerica Theatre Friday, February 24 When we think of rock ‘n’ roll superstars, Alejandra Guzmán’s name doesn’t regularly come to mind, but it should. For the past 20 years, the Mexican rock singer has reigned as Latin America’s “Queen of Rock,” and on Friday, Guzmán showed a packed…