Concert Review: Nick Lowe

By Jay Bennett

“As I walk through / This wicked world / Searching for light in the darkness of insanity.”

Knowing I’d soon hear those lyrics being sung by Nick Lowe buoyed me Tuesday night as I sat watching a 90-minute performance staged by two politicians who dodged questions, offered empty promises, took cheap shots and, in the case of Arizona’s dubiously favorite son, espoused “record over rhetoric.”

Futurekind at Last Exit

By Jonathan McNamara Last Wednesday, Music Editor Martin Cizmar gave mention of Futurekind’s CD release party held at Last Exit this past Friday. Always on the look out for a new source of sonic sensation, I took his advice and checked them out for myself. Now you can too even…

Mars Volta Bolts Dodge Before You Can Say “Amputechture”

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By Martin Cizmar

So I don’t normally write about shows I don’t see, but I’ve been hearing enough complaints about tonight’s Mars Volta show that I had to throw up a post, if only to give disappointed Phoenicians a place to leave comments bitching about Cedric Bixler Zavala.

Show Review: Sigur Rós at Marquee Theatre on Tuesday, September 30

By Steve Jansen I’ve had a private relationship with Sigur Rós for years now. You see, the mood-driven Icelandic post-rock foursome is one of those groups that I can only listen to alone, usually when I’m torn up about something. The band’s sweeping instrumentals, charged by the eerie falsetto of…

Over the Weekend: Edgefest 2008, Chandler Oktoberfest and More

By Jonathan McNamara Edgefest 2008 Music Editor Martin Cizmar lead a journalistic team of photographers, writers and one, loan videographer to bring you up to the minute Edgefest 2008 coverage on Saturday. Check this Edgefest blog recap for the whole story and don’t miss this comprehensive collection of multimedia coverage…

This Weekend: Sangria Luxe Lounge, Edgefest, Mini Luchadores

By Jonathan McNamara Friday, September 26: Sangria Luxe Lounge Ah! Wine mixed with the fruity goodness of well, fruit. It’s a classic drink, but will this new Phoenix hot spot live it to the legacy of its namesake. Find out for yourself tonight. For more information, read “Wild, Wild West…

Vampire Weekend Plays ‘Take Your Kids To A Concert Night’

It hasn’t quite been 11 months since Vampire Weekend released their first single, “Mansard Roof.” In that time, they’ve gone from the buzziest band since Arcade Fire, to a cultural touchstone for New Yorker types, to last night’s show at the Marquee, where a dad in jean shorts lifted his towheaded son on to his shoulders for a better view during “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa.”

Shiny Toy Guns at Martini Ranch

By Jonathan McNamara Shiny Toy Guns keyboardist Jeremy Dawson fiddles with a bit of plastic as he graciously subjects himself to a few questions courtesy of New Times. The band just finished their initial sound check and though they won’t hit the stage for a few hours, roadies and Martini…

The Ataris at Tempe Marketplace

By Jonathan McNamara Better than: any of the other shows I’ve witnessed at Tempe Marketplace See more shots in our Ataris slideshow. When New Times covered Carolina Liar in July, the crowd at Tempe Marketplace was less than half of what it was for The Ataris last night. Sure, Carolina…

Black Crowes Canceled

The Black Crowes show at Mesa Arts Center, postponed yesterday, is now canceled. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.

Miniature Tigers at Modified Arts

By Joseph Golfen It’s not often that you get to see a great band from their humble beginnings. But anyone who was at the Modified Arts on Sunday got that chance as local band Miniature Tigers took to the stage, sending wonderful indie rock echoing through the walls of the…

Common covers a lot of ground in Marquee show

By Martin Cizmar Common is about as close to imageless as you can get in the rap game. He’s got the pretty boy thing going, but he’s not LL Cool J or Nelly. He’s known for smart rhymes, but he’s not Talib Kweli. He’s got live instrumentation, but it’s not…

Future Shock: Horns up, Metallica is coming

By Martin Cizmar Some cool new shows announced this week, including Metallica with Austin’s The Sword and former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo’s band Down, who will bustle the shit out of your hedgerow. Metallica Tuesday, Oct. 21 Metallica released a new album this week (see earlier blog item) so they’ll…

This Weekend: Brad B., Monster Commute and Kate Voegele

By Jonathan McNamara Friday, September 12: Brad B. CD Release Party at Hollywood Alley Call me optimistic, but if there’s free music to be had, I want to hear it. My external hard drive clamors to be fed even more 320 kbps MP3s, especially if we’re talking about local acts…