Last Saturday’s concert started off with a bang. While the spotlight dropped down on lead singer Tom Higgenson, audience members welcomed the rest of Plain White T’s as it opened with the song “Let Me Take You There.” The band had a full set including guitarists Dave Tirio, Tim G. Lopez and Higgenson, bassist Mike Retondo and drummer De’Mar Hamilton.
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Electric pop energy was in full swing last Friday night at The Fall Ball ‘09 presented by AP Tour at the House of Blues in San Diego.
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The line was wrapped around the building and yet kids just kept on coming, Seemingly in droves, San Diego music fans descended upon Soma on Sunday for what would truly be a night to remember.
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If you’re interested in garage-pop with a retro-inspired rock ‘n’ roll flavor, then Locksley is the band for you. This fab four, heavily inspired by the original Fab Four, are comprised of Jesse Laz on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, his brother Jordan Laz on bass, Kai Kennedy on lead guitar and vocals, and Sam Bair on drums. On tour right now with Mae and playing with opening acts Good Morning Milo and Deas Vail, Locksley made a stop at local venue Soma for an impressive show.
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Decade-spanning music heard by thousands at Viejas Arena
Pearl Jam’s 32-song marathon on Friday night at Viejas Arena was comparable to a railroad-raucous eccentricity, not unusual of its typical shows. This was demonstrated by classics such as “Corduroy,” “Even Flow” and “Yellow Leadbetter,” and also carried into new potent tracks, “Amongst the Waves,” “Got Some” and “The Fixer.”
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San Diego got down with their bad selves with a medley of hip-hop artists
Canes Bar & Grill, located in Mission Beach next to Wave House and Belmont Park, was host to a variety of hip-hop acts last Saturday, all determined to keep the crowd partying into the night.
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The handmade craftsmanship of Robert Earl Keen’s songs comes from a tradition that is not common these days. Keen’s influences draw from the practitioners that surrounded his upbringing in his native state from country legend Bob Wills to one of the godfathers of slick blues, Lightnin’ Hopkins. Such broad yet unified cultures of music surrounding his residency has made Keen one of the more gifted songwriters to come from the Lone Star state in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
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Robert Francis, Drug Rug and Portugal. The Man play hard
Seeing an unfamiliar band can result in a few outcomes. It might be terrible. It could be amazing. Or, it may fall in a mediocre slot. With many shades of gray in between, it often feels refreshing to find a group that makes you not only look twice, but also go home and buy its albums on iTunes. The performances at the Belly Up Tavern on Monday wowed and pleased even the most unacquainted audience member.
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After wondering about the dozens of variations to possibly pronounce his name, Sondre Lerche’s opening musician, JBM, sent a wave of relief over the crowd last Wednesday, at The Casbah when a proper Norwegian phonetic lesson was finally given (in the form of simply saying his friend’s name).
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Young guitarist gives his all at Open Sky Theater last Saturday
Davy Knowles may just be a guitar genius. The 22-year-old Isle of Man native proved this almost un-debatable fact at last Saturday’s concert at the Open Sky Theater at Harrah’s Rincon Casino in Valley Center.
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Viejas Arena, formerly known as Cox Arena, is no stranger to big names in music. Rock legends such as Metallica and Aerosmith have graced its stage and in early October of this year, even Pearl Jam will rock Viejas’ roof.
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The year of 1997 got off to a less-than interesting start, especially with the results of Super Bowl XXXI and President Bill Clinton’s second term in office. Yet, lo and behold, when June rolled around things would get a little bit better.
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Two awards ceremonies of note occurred last weekend. The 19th Annual San Diego Music Awards occurred on Thursday in Alpine, hosting not only an array of local musicians but also non-performing music industry dignitaries. The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on Sunday night in New York City to many more high-profile celebrities and much more low-class drama. Sure, it would have been nice to see a bleeding Lady Gaga perform while sitting next to Lauren Conrad, but here are some reasons why attending the SDMAs was far more worthwhile.
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Nickelback and Papa Roach rock local arena for fond fans
The planets of rock ‘n’ roll aligned on Saturday night as several rock gurus graced the stage at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre in Chula Vista.
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Soma San Diego usually hosts the youthful angst of our society, teens crammed together in the cement box of a venue. The all-ages musical haven was packed on Friday night — but there was a wider range of ages and styles found in attendance.
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While a vast mass of patrons waited for Street Scene, some serious backwoods soul was brewing last Thursday at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. I’m talking about the humid funk blues of JJ Grey & Mofro. Progressively working its chops since the earlier end of the decade, the band keeps dishing out healthier portions of backwater heat that spread from its back-porch groove to our north county staple venue (a fitting match).
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There is no better way to spend a summer afternoon with San Diego’s hot sun beating down your back than to enjoy it poolside with the live stylings of Lady Dottie and her band of blues aficionados, The Diamonds, by her side.
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Everyone knows that homegrown is always the best. Ocean Beach’s own Slightly Stoopid proved this true on Saturday night with a hometown performance on their Blazed and Confused Tour with Snoop Dogg, Stephen Marley and Mickey Avalon.
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Chris Martin is a rock star. And as cliché as that might sound, it’s true: Martin is a bona fide rock star.
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Nothing really exemplifies the words ‘triple threat’ quite like a concert tour with Billy Talent, Rancid and Rise Against.
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Since Incubus broke into the music scene in 1991, its following has always been as strong as its music has been deep. From the albums “Fungus Amongus” debuting in 1995 to “Light Grenades” in late 2006, Incubus has continuously set the tone for rock bands the world over. With six albums and a pending seventh under the band’s belt and the recent release of its first greatest hits album titled “Monuments and Melodies,” Incubus hit the ground running by kicking off its 2009 United States and Canada tour at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre in Chula Vista.
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Love Is All, the sizzling five-piece hailing from the bright lights of Gothenburg, Sweden recently dropped by local rock venue The Casbah to share its lo-fi, drum-heavy, synthetically deep indie-rock sound.
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From legendary to utterly forgettable, music has always been defined by an artist’s ability to amaze listeners with unparalleled skill and superior live performances. It is when someone is unable to describe an artist that they become great.
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Jimmy Herring is always seeking the waves of musical innovation and creation. Throughout the past 28 years, Herring immensely acknowledges his good fortune of playing with such heavy hitters as the Allman Brothers Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Dead, while being a well-known player in the Jam Band Revolution with Aquarium Rescue Unit and current standing as lead guitarist for Widespread Panic.
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Fans of No Knife, young and old alike, gathered together for the band’s final performance at Solana Beach’s Belly Up Tavern on June 18. People in attendance varied from old-school No Knife fans from its ‘90s heyday to newer, freshly 21-year-old kids anxious to get the party started. No Knife has been defunct until recently, reuniting for a few shows and to open for Jimmy Eat World’s “Clarity X 10” Tour.
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Working its way into San Diego’s reggae scene, local jam band Last Stone recently rocked the Gaslamp’s Stage Bar and Grill.
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At approximately 8 p.m. an influx of hot girls could be spotted at the House of Blues in downtown San Diego, dressed to a T in their “evening out” best, complete with sheer leggings, high heels, a cleavage-hugging tee and a face full of makeup. This would lead an innocent bystander to only one conclusion: Gavin Rossdale is in town.
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Roughly four years ago, as a newcomer to the Los Angeles music scene, an early arrival to a Los Lobos show at House of Blues in Anaheim resulted in a rather gratifying experience. A seemingly honest mistake of timing led me to witness a young maestro by the name of Jackie Greene.
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At first glance, one might think San Diego isn’t a happening spot for old-school country, burlesque or rockabilly aficionados. Well, tell that to the good people who came out to Belly Up Tavern June 6 to check out HELL ON HEELS Burlesque Revue and local Johnny Cash cover band Cash’d Out. Audience attire ranged from the typical So Cal shorts and sandals to full 1920s finger waved hairdos and cherry red lipstick accenting pinstripes and pencil skirts.
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It wouldn’t be a typical night at famed San Diego music venue Anthology without breathtaking music and a maxed-out seating capacity. One such night, was no exception, with a folk-rock performance by Brandi Carlile on Friday, June 5.
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A jubilee of sporadic emotions were bestowed on Sunday when North Carolina’s The Avett Brothers exhaled its soulful music upon adoring patrons at Belly Up Tavern.
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Walking through Austin, Texas, the sound of Bob Schneider’s smooth, smoky voice can be audible on almost any night of the week.
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StayClassy helps support homeless youth through music, art and a good time
With late spring arriving and summer around the bend, anticipation from the young at heart is guided toward music and art festivals. During the past decade, the festival circuit has blossomed into a lucrative business venture and exposure has grown across the United States, with events such as Coachella, Bonnaroo and others getting mainstream success. With this new pop-festival market growing exponentially, it’s becoming more of a challenge to find a unique festival to pilgrimage toward … unless you happened to attend last weekend’s Elemental Experience.
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Louis XIV’s Brian Karscig makes an impromptu appearance for SD locals
Chaos ensued Tuesday night as tambourines, keyboards and boy/girl harmonies filled the leather-padded walls of local venue The Casbah as a fistful of local bands came together to play a night of indie pop before an intimate crowd. The night began as The French Semester took the stage. The only band of the evening that was not comprised of San Diego locals put on a great display of classic indie rock mixed with shoegaze and a splash of surf rock embedded within.
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Death Cab for Cutie, Ra Ra Riot and Cold War Kids delighted fans last week
What do you get when you mix riots, kids and cuties? For the hundreds who were at the Rimac Arena last Wednesday, it was a concert suitable for the gods. Bands Ra Ra Riot, Cold War Kids and headliner Death Cab for Cutie brought the thunder as the fans stood ready to worship.
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Rufus Wainwright gave fans a reason to love him more, if that's even possible
If you witnessed Rufus Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche last Thursday night at Belly Up Tavern, you saw a music venue turn into a temple for all believers and followers of amazing music.
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It was a crisp, clear night last Wednesday on Cedros Avenue, the location of famed music venue, Belly Up Tavern. With a line out the door, one couldn’t help but urge for the chance to poke his or her head in and see what all the commotion was about.
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You can’t bottle perfection, but you can definitely watch it perform. SoCal rock band Avenged Sevenfold proved this true Friday night at the San Diego Sports Arena, supported by Rev Theory, Atreyu and co-headliner Buckcherry.
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Considered one of the most talented guitar groups of the time, Derek Trucks Band is on many musicians’ (and promoters’) most wanted lists. Incredibly, DTB has toured with the likes of Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and the Doobie Brothers just to name a few. In addition, for the past decade, the Derek Trucks Band (Derek Trucks, slide guitar; Todd Smallie, bass; Yonrico Scott, drums; Kofi Burbridge, keys and flute; Count M’butu, percussion and Mike Mattison, lead vocals) has been busy, bonding the collective imagination of gospel, blues, rock, jazz, Middle Eastern spirituals and other world music into an ensemble of sound that now infuses the band’s pure creation of its latest album: “Already Free.”
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Forged in the heat of the Southwestern desert, this band's hot
It all happened in the barn-like room at Belly Up Tavern Friday night when musical group Calexico brought its scintillating sound to San Diego.
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Haunted Graffiti and Vivian Girls visit The Casbah
It was a night of lo-fi fantastics co-hosted by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti and Vivian Girls last week at San Diego’s legendary rock venue, The Casbah.
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Actress, singer and musician, this artist is a total triple threat
“California, Jenny Lewis is all yours tonight,” a smoky voice said as the indie darling took the stage before a sold-out crowd at the Belly Up Tavern Tuesday night. Known best as the adorable frontwoman for rock group Rilo Kiley, Lewis is touring in support of her new soul-inspired solo album “Acid Tongue,” which is the follow up to her critically acclaimed debut “Rabbit Fur Coat.”
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The side stage at Soma is not entirely conducive to impressive shows, yet the Saturday night Heads Will Roll tour featuring Canadian band Protest the Hero held its own in the intimate venue.
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“I’ve got the desert in my throat,” Swedish songstress Lykke Li pronounced to the sold-out crowd at Belly Up Tavern on Monday night.
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Being the son of someone famous carries a lot of baggage. Sure, one might be on easy street financially and for gatherings at famous clubs, restaurants, galleries, etc., yet scrutiny is always around the block, waiting for that certain someone to live up to the impossible.
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Thursday night at The Casbah could have been dubbed, “a night of feel goods.” The three easygoing bands to take the stage were all about making music that feels just as good to listen to as it looks to play.
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Wednesday night at the House of Blues equaled a boot full of redefined bluegrass.
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Australian metal core band Parkway Drive is primed and ready to conquer the North American music scene. With its intense vocals, bone-shattering breakdowns and infectious live sets, it is no surprise these hard core beach babes have been steadily climbing the ranks of metal. Frontman Winston McCall sat down with The Daily Aztec to discuss music, jobs and why In-N-Out Burger is overrated; proving that in person, he is just as rugged and attractive as his brutal vocals.
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To the utter delight of fans, the 'Knowle West Boy' is back
For the past five years, the musicality of Tricky has been dreadfully missing from American iPod playlists. This reality is even starker when one realizes that those who like Tricky are typically old, so they don’t own iPods. But let’s not blame this whole matter on old Tricky fans; some of the blame must also rest with Tricky himself. In 1995, Tricky was a household name. Then by 2003, after the release of his second-to-last album “Vulnerable,” he wasn’t.
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Last week’s show at House of Blues was a cornucopia of amusement. Bands Attack Attack!, William Control, Black Tide and Escape The Fate all stopped by during the This War Is Ours tour, filling the venue with steel-toe boots and studded belts.
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Killola, Semi Precious Weapons and Von Iva rock North Park last weekend
Bar Pink was definitely raging last week with three garage-glam bands rocking the cute, little pink bubbles off the bar’s walls.
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What do you get when you combine shamrocks, Sean John apparel and a dash of surfer-bros? Apparently, that’s the recipe for the diverse crowd that turned out for rapper T.I.’s last California performance. A wide variety of San Diegans made up the audience for the rapper’s significant show.
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If people often tell you “It’s a sold-out show, so get there early,” you may want to take that with the proverbial grain of salt because you could have a while to wait before the headlining act makes its stage entrance. Case in point: last Saturday night at legendary live-music venue The Casbah.
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Lights, camera, action! The House of Blues erupted last Saturday night as the SubCity Take Action! Tour took over San Diego, giving the city’s youth a fun way to give back to their community.
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With lines out the door, it was yet another packed night at San Diego’s House of Blues this past Monday, to see the sold-out show featuring two-time Grammy winner, Adele. Widely known for her hit single “Chasing Pavements,” Adele has hit the big time relatively fast for a girl who can’t even drink legally in the United States.
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The Tuesday night closing date of Jesse McCartney’s headlining tour at the House of Blues in San Diego proved the boy band prodigy can hold his own, even amongst mediocre tour mates.
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Cox Arena exploded last Sunday night as infamous metal band Slipknot took over with supporting acts Coheed and Cambria and Trivium, performing the sixth leg of its All Hope Is Gone World Tour.
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Jimmy Eat World is back from the dead, but for a limited time only. In celebration of its third album “Clarity,” released a decade ago, the band that’s to blame for the creation of the indie genre and the whole “emo” thing, departed on a 10-date tour ending in Tempe, Ariz.
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This weekend, the students and faculty of San Diego State’s School of Theatre, Television and Film will present the 12th annual Theatre of the World Festival, a culturally diverse event in which all ages are welcome to come and experience the arts.
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A rare and antiquated glimpse into musical and theatrical burlesque-style shows of years past was the order of the night on the opening night of Les Claypool’s Oddity Faire at the House of Blues in San Diego.
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Trumpets, saxophones, cellos and guitars, oh my! This eclectic compilation of instruments can only mean one thing — it’s time for a ska show.
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This Mexican sensation gets the crowd dancing at its recent sold-out concert
What does it take to change the normally patron friendly venue House of Blues into a swarming madhouse of ethnic diversity, uncouth security guards and metal detectors you ask? Why, the performance of famed Monterrey, Mexico band Kinky and its enclave of fanatic followers, of course. Judging from the screaming ticket holders at the door, the ones still waiting in line knew this would be an “interesting” night. Apparently, some sort of raffle gave away free tickets to the show, but once at capacity, House of Blues was forced to turn these guests away, sort of.
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This is complete chaos. Of course, the fans would have it no other way last Wednesday night at the House of Blues for the fifth annual Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour.
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I don’t remember who said, “Where words fail, music speaks,” but looking at how many people identify so deeply with their artists of choice, it’s no surprise to me that somebody said it.
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Rapper Jayceon Taylor shows he’s still got what it takes to be a solo performer
If there was ever any doubt about the future of The Game’s career after his liberation from 50 Cent, cynics need only have witnessed the around-the-block line to get into Thursday night’s show at the House of Blues in San Diego.
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Does the delicate chirping sound of the morning sparrow excite you? Do you jump for joy at the whistling sound of a tea kettle? If you answered yes to either or both of these questions, then Andrew Bird (aptly named) would have clearly seduced you with a captivating evening this past Sunday night at Soma.
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The jazz-tastic Michael Wolff Trio brightens the stuffy, academic landscape
Few music enthusiasts would go to the library on a Thursday night, let alone to listen to jazz. But those who did were in for a treat when the Michael Wolff Trio played last week at the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla.
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House of Blues hosted a ska-tastic show Sunday night with a multitude of local and not-so-local talents that kept the audience on their feet from the beginning to the end of the show.
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DeVotchKa's complex music is better suited for a film soundtrack than live
Come one, come all, the circus is in town! Actually, it was more like a freaky carnival at the Belly Up Tavern last Wednesday, in case you missed it.
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Grammy-nominated pop-artist Katy Perry proves she truly is the cat's meow
We’ve all heard Katy Perry’s hot summer hit, “I Kissed A Girl” one way or another — whether you are driving down the Interstate 8 and are dumbfounded by the song’s blatant stupidity, or dancing atop a frat house speaker with your girlfriend’s tongue down your throat.
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Even though the band calls itself 'Saints of Los Angeles,'its bad boy image is still apparent
Grab your hair spray, leather pants and bottle of Jack Daniels: The four savage members of the ‘80s-hair metal band Mötley Crüe is back, having kicked off its Saints of Los Angeles Tour at Cox Arena Monday night. Bringing along three warm-up acts, the tour gave a healthy dose of rock to the almost sold-out arena.
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Critically acclaimed metal bands are currently touring, spreading their experimental music to all
Heavy. Metal. Two words that accurately sum up Monday night’s Meshuggah concert at the House of Blues in San Diego. From Marines to middle-aged metalheads and everyone in between, a variety of metal enthusiasts descended upon downtown San Diego to witness the masterful metal quintet, Meshuggah.
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As a youngster, Lil Wayne was rapping alongside his mentors Bryan Williams and Juvenile in Cash Money Records’ southern inspired rap group Hot Boys. Then he grew into his own entity, gradually coining him the reputation as of one of the hardest working rappers in the business.
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Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings land in San Diego bringing hip, groovy soul into the hearts of all
Step aside Aretha, there’s a new super soul sister in town. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings is a relatively young band with an old soul, bringing back the funky spirit of 1970s R&B.
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Did you find yourself in a state of shock and awe last Thursday night? If not, then you probably weren’t at Kaki King’s solo acoustic show at Anthology.
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Upon first glance you would swear singer Claudia Gonzalez-Tenorio of the Mexican-American trio Cava was Selena reincarnated. It’s sound is soaked with Latin flavor, tinged with an aftertaste of ska-reggae and filled with feminine energy and soul.
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'Tis the season for old school boy bands to make a comeback
Boyz II Men continues to harness the charm and energy of boys, while growing into its own more mature performing entity as men.
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There is so much to say about last Friday night. With five bands unique and creative heading up just one night, it’s hard to know where to start. In that case, it’s always best to begin at the beginning.
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When a show gets moved from a venue’s side stage to its main stage, it can mean one of two things: Either the promoters grossly overestimated the band’s popularity, or the show is going to be epic.
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This band is one of the hottest things from South America
Roughly translated from Brazilian Portuguese, Cansei de Ser Sexy means “I got tired of being sexy.” From the electricity the band’s performance generated Monday night, it didn’t seem like it was tired of anything at all.
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Underground metal band, Five Finger Death Punch, saves the best for last at its final tour stop
Hollywood-native Five Finger Death Punch ended its tour in style Thursday night at the House of Blues downtown. Heavy-metal enthusiasts moshed the night away to San Diego’s own hardcore band Mower, as well as the head banging tunes of Another Black Day, and the female-fronted growls of In This Moment.
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Aimee Mann's Christmas Show provided a unique '50s charm with quirky magic, music and laughter
Christmas is a little more than two weeks away, but it’s never too let late to get into the holiday spirit. Knowing this, Aimee Mann grabbed some friends and created her third annual Christmas variety show. The Belly Up Tavern was decked out in ornaments, twinkling lights and, oh yeah, that massive faux shark hanging above the bar.
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The lead singer of pop-rock band, Cute Is What We Aim For, needs a haircut. Regardless, his hair did not prevent his band from performing last Wednesday night at the House of Blues San Diego for the MySpace Music Presents tour. Fellow headliner Secondhand Serenade and supporting acts Automatic Loveletter and A Rocket to the Moon made the audience’s heart race and burn during the concert sponsored by the iconic social networking Web site.
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Hold on to your whiskey drinks, it’s The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady and the Drive By Truckers ended their Rock and Roll Means Well tour last Tuesday at The Wiltern in Los Angeles and both bands did not disappoint.
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The nostalgia was in high gear as fans took a blast to the past to watch an ‘80s musical comeback
They’re back! The New Kids On the Block, also known as NKOTB, came to Cox Arena last Tuesday night to share its late ‘80s boy band style and energy with San Diego.
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If you think screamo died with the “Macarena,” you’re probably right. If you think there aren’t a few bands that have the potential to bring it back, unlike the “Macarena,” then you’re probably wrong.
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Sometimes a show just doesn’t go a band’s way. The Misery Signals and Bring Me The Horizon’s show at West Hollywood’s The Troubadour was a clear portrayal of that fact.
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Fan of reggae? Then Groundation will tickle the little Rasta in your soul
For the Rastafarian band Groundation, three words sum up its musical movement: spiritual, roots and reggae.
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Standing with a half-grin at a towering height on the center stage, a jean-clad, buttoned- up Mason Jennings entered wearing his predictable pair of mountain boots. As he prepped his harmonica for play, the crowd at House of Blues in downtown San Diego cheered and chanted his name.
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Creepy stalkers, finding a pirate’s cave, and being eaten alive by a lake are just some examples of the subject material the band Ludo sang about last Saturday night as part of its “Apocalypse Now On Ice Tour” at Soma.
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The night of Nov. 10, Grammy Award-winning musician Alanis Morissette graced the stage of the San Diego Civic Theatre.
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Her latest performance at PETCO Park was an iconic moment in musical history
Icon. Diva. Sex symbol. Rock star. These are just a few of the words that come to mind when you hear the name Madonna.
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Maylene and the Sons of Disaster attempt to remaster dirty Southern rock, sort of
There’s Southern rock, then there’s dirty Southern rock. And then, there’s dirty Southern rock that’s filthier than hell.
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Long, crazy hair, high-pitched voices singing and dancing to poppy, electronic rock. All these things describe what was going on inside the House of Blues last Sunday as Cobra Starship took the stage, along with the other bands that opened for the SassyBack Tour. For the masses that don’t know what Cobra Starship is, it can’t be easily defined.
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Gaslight Anthem, Thrice and Alkaline Trio urged the crowd to keep moving
With a receding economy, an unpopular war, an even less popular president and one of the most important elections in this nation’s history approaching rapidly, the feeling in the air is just right for an old-fashioned punk rock show. Last Thursday in Cox Arena, that show materialized.
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Legendary artist proves he can definitely 'Keep on Rockin' in the Free World
It felt like 1972 inside Cox Arena last Wednesday when Neil Young walked onstage.
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It’s safe to say that when punk is involved, there is no set age limit for crowd-moshing. On Saturday night, 20-year-olds and 40-year-olds alike enjoyed the raucous show at House of Blues that featured historic punk bands The Adolescents and The Damned. Hailing from London, The Damned has revived its legendary punk sound with several new members and a new edge.
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These girls made love to the audience and even cuddled afterward
The thought of seeing Von Iva at an intimate bar with just the right pink lighting and glittered drum set should make you shiver with excitement. However, last Tuesday night at Bar Pink Elephant in North Park, the turnout was shockingly sparse. Not only would you have been inches from the richest voice since Aretha Franklin, you would have paid a whopping zero dollars to get in.
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The moment the band said “hello,” the power at Epicentre said goodbye. On Friday, Hellogoodbye closed the night, after Say No More, Never Shout Never and Ace Benders warmed the audience up. Teenyboppers decked out in skinny jeans, plastic watches and parental supervision filled the floor. But sadly, the venue had technical difficulties throughout the night and the bulk of the power problems occurred when Hellogoodbye hit the stage.
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Stereolab has been called one of the most influential bands of the ‘90s, and it’s not difficult to see why. Formed in England in 1990, the band has been around for almost 20 years now. It’s dealt with its fair share of complications over the years, but has endured it all, proving the band is more than a one-hit wonder.
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Last Friday night found Cox Arena packed with fans to see Tokyo Police Club, Angels and Airwaves and headliner Weezer. However, in case you didn’t get there early, Weezer guitarist Brian Bell’s side project, The Relationship, went on at 7 p.m. The Relationship, which incorporated a slide guitar into its country-tinged sound, performing a different version of Bell’s song, “Thought I Knew,” released on Weezer’s latest experimental “Red Album.” They were good, but honestly not as good as the headliners. Bell should keep his day job and continue writing songs for Weezer.
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Gym Class Heroes and The Roots kept the energy going by keeping the flow
As part of the Gym Class Heroes and The Roots’ 24-venue tour across the U.S., the alternative hip-hop talents of this amazing duo stopped at 4th and B for the night. This downtown venue was big enough to give the appearance of a large concert while still maintaining a small-concert feel. With promises of this double headliner and happy hour drink prices, the crowd came early and eager.
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If it weren’t for artists such as Santogold, the clothing decisions often made in the ‘80s and early ‘90s would go down in history as hideous, tacky and just unflattering. But thankfully, we are increasingly reminded of the high-waisted pants, floral get-ups and scrunched socks because trendy musicians are bringing back the style as “hip,” thus making us feel less guilty about the wardrobe sins we have committed in our past.
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Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay is a venue tucked away on Shelter Island in picturesque Point Loma. The venue is arguably the most beautiful in all of San Diego, with its open stage and treelined paths. Preluding this week’s recent Duffy performance, the wind blew and the twinkle of lights in the marina kept the crowd at ease while they waited. The fully stocked bar may have helped as well.
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The band’s stage presence and acrobatics enough to impress new and old fans
With no supporting act opening for it, The Mars Volta took the stage at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the San Diego State Open Air Theatre. The crowd may have varied from young indie hipsters to black-shirted metal heads, but everyone was equally excited to see the super-froed, super-genius duo Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala take the stage.
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My Morning Jacket's intoxicating, ephemeral tunes transcended time as the band served their heart to the crowd straight up like a shot of absinth. On Thursday, at San Diego State's Open-Air Theatre, they seemingly entered a zone where time stretched and shrank simultaneously.
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Group members of The Raconteurs are the perfect 'Consolers of the Lonely'
So, what is a "raconteur" anyway? According to Webster's Dictionary, it is "a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly." Obviously Jack White knows exactly just how talented he is, because The Raconteurs exhibit just that.
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Artists from all over the world inspire MSTRKRFT mixers Jesse F. Keeler and Alex Puodziukas, better known as Al-P. They have remixed more than 30 songs, blending every genre of music and attracting audiences who are familiar fans of fused sounds from the retro eras of the '70s and '80s. Their ability is unique and their talent is undeniable, as they have transformed numerous Top 40 pop hits into popular club tracks.
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