San Francisco – All venues are not created equally. The Constitution of this country will have you believe that we still hold the ideals of equality and the inherent right to happiness/prosperity/whatever in regards to all Americans, but that can’t be said of just about everything that falls under the American umbrella. While this terribly over-quoted, misquoted, and admittedly
London – The annual Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent Competition, supported by PRS for Music and the PRS for Music Foundation, reached its climax on Saturday evening in the Somerset village of Pilton, close to the actual festival site. As a first round judge, Best New Bands has followed the action keenly and was especially pleased that one of
Los Angeles - Just a few weeks ago the Troubadour night club hosted one of the biggest comebacks in music history when Axl Rose and Slash performed on stage together for the first time in over two decades. Despite being one of the most heralded guitarists in rock history, just a few days later, The Wild Feathers may have upstaged Slash.
New York – Dawes has announced plans for a busy summer season, highlighted by a major US headline tour. The dates begin Sunday, July 3rd at Manteo, NC’s Waterside Theatre and then continue through late July (see itinerary below). Dawes will be joined on the newly announced dates by such stellar support acts (and Best New Bands
Chicago – When was the last time you attended a show that left emotionally wrenched? In a good way, of course… For me, it was last Thursday night, when U.K. post-punk band Savages unleashed one of the most powerful performances I’ve ever seen. The ladies of Savages – Gemma Thompson (guitar), Ayse Hassan (bass),
Portland – Montreal punk band Solids has premiered a new music video, for the single “Blank Stare,” from the EP Else. The illustrated video was directed by visual artist, and friend of the band, Emilio Esteban. It is what he describes as “a disruptive visual attempt to burn down a house, save dogs, and end with a blank stare at
Oakland – “I want to be a pop idol.” That is Oscar Wilde’s first and only line in the 1998 film Velvet Goldmine, director Todd Haynes’ love letter to the glam rock phenomenon that took London by storm, during the 1970s. In the film, Wilde is found on a doorstep, affixed with a precious jewel that is meant
Chicago – Last Friday night, Austin guitar wizard Gary Clark Jr. performed a sold-out show in Chicago, at the Riviera Theatre, in support of his second studio LP, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim. I’ve been stumped as to what to say about this show. The show was brilliant. Stunning. Breathtaking. Phenomenal. Extraordinary. But there are
San Francisco – Usually, crowded shows are not my cup of tea. As someone who likes to hang in the back of the venue, a sold out show does not offer the same sort of space than that of a less populated one, even when hugging the wall along the side or leaning against a pillar towards
Los Angeles - After original lead singer Daniel Blumberg left Yuck in 2013, many speculated that his departure would cause the band to fold. Instead, the remaining members trudged on to release Glow & Behold in 2013. While it was not poorly received, critics found the energy from the band’s self-titled debut did not carry over with the loss