191 Toole Avenue
Tucson, AZ
March 29, 2024
by Mary Andrews
Victoria Canal made her first visit to Tucson, Arizona on her tour promoting her most recent EP release, Well Well. 191 Toole is a relatively small venue and as soon as Canal took the stage she coined the show a ‘living room’ concert. She seemed to be awestruck by the landscape she has seen since she has been in Arizona. She presently lives in London. Needless to say, there is a big difference in the scenery. As in most living room concerts, the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly.
Multi-instrumentalist, Lucy Clearwater performed a 30 minute set singing her self-penned songs from her upcoming EP release, April. Clearwater is a consumate singer/songwriter whose set was a prime example of an intimate yet dynamic acoustic performer. She is touring North America alongside her BFF, Canal. As an old soul and world traveler, Clearwater’s songs are emotional and vulnerable. She is well worth checking out if she is in your area of the world.
Canal casually saundered on stage followed by Clearwater and her bass player. She starts playing keyboards, but she is just as comfortable donning her guitar early in the set. Her voice was commanding yet vulnerable at times quickly engaged the crowd.
The show is all about her songwriting. Canal introduces each song with a story of how she came to write the songs.Her songs address issues such as depression, grief, body dysmorphia, and queerness. Sbe has a way of softening the heavy topics. “Braver” is about her mother, who grew up in Alabama and Georgia but emigrated to Spain. “You’re braver than I’ve ever been,” the chorus runs, and Canal spoke about how her mother not only moved to a country whose language she couldn’t speak but also broke off an engagement in order to marry the first man she met in Spain, Canal’s father.
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While introducing “Yes Man,” Canal mentioned that she wrote the song while on a writing retreat in Spain with Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay. He gave her the task of writing a song on his Veillette Gryphon guitar in the time it took for him to do his daily laps of the pool. Canal accomplished the task very well.
“She Walks In” addresses body image and body dysmorphia. Around the most brutal lines of the song, “I’m ugly and nothing will fix it, I’ll never be pretty to you.” Canal seemed unable to sing at moments.
During most of the set, Canal is very relaxed onstage, feeding off the energy of the fans. She encouraged audience members to hug single members in the crowd (And they did just that). Canal’s default sound is a whispery head voice, but at times, she sang with loud, wide, pain-filled wails. iIf the song touched something unexpected inside her, the crowd was very aware of Canal’s feelings.
Canal created an atmoshere of self acceptance.Throughout the night she took every opportunity to speak to her audience. She touched upon her struggles with her body image and that it helps to know that many people are struggling with it too. She performed an encore per request from her audience after she jokingly said she hadn’t prepared an encore but would “pull one out of my ass and come back if you want me to.” Canal’s lyrics and dynamic vocals truly made her stand out on stage. If you have the opportunity to experience Canal’s concert, please go.
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]]>Feb. 17, 2024
Silver Legacy
Reno, NV
On February 17, 2024, I had the opportunity to take my wife to see Air Supply in concert. Prior to the show, I was unaware of the band’s immense popularity in the Philippines. In an interview, they expressed their deep connection with the country, stating that they have become a part of the Filipino DNA. Therefore, it was no surprise that the Philippines was chosen as the location for the world premiere of “All Out Of Love the Musical”, an original musical based on the band’s classic love songs. It took six years to bring the production to the stage, but they felt that it was the perfect medium to showcase their music.
Russell thinks that Filipinos’ emotional and passionate nature makes them excellent singers.
Inigo Pascual and Miguel Odron remake Air Supply’s classic hits “All Out of Love” and “Lost in Love” as part of Tarsier Records Air Supply Reimagined Project.
They were amazed by the number of remakes of Filipino songs that have been released. They enjoy hearing others perform their songs in a different way than the original recording and find it comforting.
I believe that the reason why Filipinos hold a special place in their hearts for this particular show is because there are always a large number of Filipinos in attendance. At one point during the show, after the third song was played, the performers asked if there were any Filipinos in the audience, which was met with a resounding response of laughter. Looking around, I noticed that most of the people sitting near and around me were indeed Filipinos. The show itself was quite enjoyable, with the performers treating the audience as if they were in their own living room. Additionally, many of the fans were able to get up close and personal with the band during the show.
For some background Air Supply is a soft rock formed in Australia in 1975. They met a chords try out for Jesus Christ Superstar. And at the tryout they became friends and know they had something why could work with. Over the years they have had many session player but Air Supply is really the same two guys Graham Russel and Russell Hitchcock.
They claim they have never had a fight. And I really believed that by how they interacted with each other during the show. And as they get closer to their 50th anniversary their shows became more magical with each performance.
https://www.facebook.com/inyourfacephotography/videos/807103341439801
The setlist were the following:
Sweet Dreams
Even the Night
Just As I Am
Every Woman
Here I Am
Chances
Goodbye
I Can’t Wait Forever
G’s Spot
Two Less Lonely
The One that I Love
Lost in Love
Making Love
“It was a wonderful night, closing out with “Without You” and “All Out of Love”, after hearing all of their hits. Even if you don’t know all of their songs, I’m sure you’ve heard them time and time again. Just a friendly reminder that their 50th anniversary is coming up and they are going on tour. If they come to a city near you, be sure to check them out.
]]>Tempe, Arizona
March1-2, 2024
By Mary Andrews – photo and words
Photos of Larkin Poe by C. Elliott
This was the inaugural edition of the Extra Innings Festival occurring the weekend after the Innings Festival. It’s no surprise that another weekend was added since the last six years have been so successful for the festival in Arizona. The weather has been perfect for the last two weeks. And don’t forget to check out week one coverage..
Extra Innings had opportunities to see MLB legends Adrian Gonzalez, Ryan Braun, Tim Raines, Rollie Fingers and more. There was also a live talk show, “Off the Mound With Ryan Dempster,” in which the World Series champion hosted interviews and performances from surprise guests.
The fans have been very receptive to the festival with its close proximity to Arizona State University. Here are some of the special moments of the Extra Innings Festival.
Chris Stapleton headlined Friday night. He began his set with “White Horse” playing his electric guitar as he stood at the front of the stage. He followed with “Parachute” and “Second One to Know.” He addressed the crowd, “Hello Arizona. Welcome, thank you for being here with us tonight.” Stapleton is usually a man of few words and this seemed like the longest speech that he has ever delivered.
He performed “Starting Over,” “Millionaire,” and “Hard Livin.” The fans were mesmerized by the country crooner throughout the set as he delivered many brilliant guitar solos along with 20 favorite Stapelton tunes. And let’s not forget his performance of “Tenneessee Whiskey.”
For a complete set list:
Charley Crockertt brought his classic country sound to his set to the delight of the country fans. Strange to think the singer has released 12 albums in eight years with his latest album being The Man From Waco in 2022. His set included covers of Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” and Ernest Tubb’s “Just a Drink Away.” Both songs blended seamlessly with Crockett’s original tunes. He packed many songs into his short set that seemed to be timeless and ageless.
Elle King brought her country and pop vocals to a scorching mid-day set. She dressed in a red skirt outfit that mused of a flirtiness to the large crowd. She pulled out her popular “Ex’s & Oh’s” in the middle of the set along with Stevie Nicks’ “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” and “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” were offerings from her 13 song set. Evidently country music is not a new genre for King, but she has evolved into it since her big single “Ex’s & Oh’s” in 2015, as evidenced by her latest release Come Get Your Wife. Even though she is more country now, she still has her ‘rock ’n roll’ edge fans have come to love from the singer.King is a strong woman in the country genre breaking down the doors of bro-country.
Ryan Bingham had fans craving for his brand of country rock. The field was packed to capacity as Bingham took the stage. His grins throughout the set garnered the crowd’s attention and added to their mood. His songs are personal and politically charged. The audience sang along and were fully engaged throughout the show. Bingham encouraged as much audience participation as possible, and one couldn’t help but oblige. He kicked off the set with “Nothin’ Holds Me Back.” “The Weary Kind” and “Hallelujah” were included in the offerings of the night. Setlist
Dave Matthews Band was in the headlining spot of the Extra Innings Festival on the second Saturday. One thing that fans can depend on is that no DMB show is ever the same. If you saw their previous Innings Festival show in 2020, there was very little repetition.
DMB performed hit songs as well as some covers. Who would have thought Matthews would cover David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” or Billy Preston’s “Will It Go Round in Circles?” That they did and much more. The band performed multi-genre of music. Matthew’s music crosses many generations of fans as seen in the crowd.
Their special guest, Jennifer Hartswick ,trumpeter and vocalist from Trey Anastasio Band, made the evening very special, even by DMB’s standards. Hartswick joined the band for “Jimi Thing” marking her first ever collaboration with the band. She completed the threesome of the band’s other brass including trumpeter Rashawn Ross and saxophonist Jeff Coffin. They transitioned into a cover of ZZ Top’s “Cheap Sunglasses” and after continuing on with “You & Me,” Matthews stopped to acknowledge Hartswick and thank her for sitting in with the band.
The band tours throughout the summer and it’s well worth catching their show! Setlist
The Innings Festival and the Extra Innings Festival were very special this year and left the fans craving for next year’s festivities.
]]>Tempe, Arizona
Mary Andrews
February 23-24, 2024
Spring training has ensued once again in Arizona. C 3 Presents has continued to offer music and baseball in the sixth annual Innings Music Festival with big name entertainers and baseball stars in Tempe. The weather was perfectly temperate and the musical acts were scorching.The attendence on Friday was packed, while Saturday left room to move around with ease.
The festival happened to open at the same time as Arizona’s Cactus League Spring training. Fans were able to see MLB legends Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Luis Gonzalez practicing. Ultimately, it was a win-win for players and fans alike.
Here is some of the best of the best musical acts of the first weekend.
Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined opening day with a crowd pleasing finish to the first day. Drummer Chad Smith set the tone for the set as he banged a gong to get started. The set was filled with hits as returning lead guitarist John Frusciante, bassist Flee, and lead singer Anthony Kiedis graced the stage. Frusciante fulfilled his reputation as on of the best guitarists in the business as he played electifying instrumental jams throughout the set. “Snow( Hey Oh)” was a fine example.
Flea leaped through the air in his purple shirt with musical chops that added to the intensity of the band’s performance.
Flea and Frusciante were head to head several times during the set seemingly challenging each other with each’s groove. Kiedis had his own swagger with his commanding vocals as the crowds joined in singing their familiar songs.
Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/red-hot-chili-peppers/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-6badceb6.html
Even though Greta Van Fleet has matured as the years have past, they still have that young boy aesthetic, facial hair and all. Josh Kiszka’s vocals seem to favor Robert Plant’s voice. That said, his vocals are impressive. The band totally performs to impress their young crowd especially seen with brother Jake on lead guitar.
311 had the fans singing their faces off as they danced in place when lead singer Nick Hexum hit the stage with “Beautiful Disaster.” The set was hot in more ways than one.
Setlsit: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/311/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-6badceae.html
The Beaches’ all girl alternative rock band was a pleasant surprise in the afternoon set. Bassist Jordan Miller had a perfect voice to expose their music to the crowd with harmonies presented by the rest of the band. Highlights included “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Paranoid” and”Everything Is Boring.” They are presently on their ‘Blame My Ex’ tour.
Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-beaches/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-7bad228c.html
Phantogram gave fans a splendid set in the afternoon. The band is listed as a duo, but the show is definitely led by Sarah Barthel doing vocals, guitars, keyboards, and synthesizers. Barthel takes command of the stage from start to finish. Electronic rock never had so much energy. The red-haired singer dances, spins and throws her hair about as she sang the songs “Don’t Move,” “Mouthfull of Diamonds,” and “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore.” The set left the crowd wanting more.
Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/phantogram/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-1badc94c.html
Macklemore was the highlight of Saturday’s fare. His present tour is dubbed the ‘Ben’ tour. That happens to be the title of his latest album. Five minutes late, the rapper ran on the stage singing “Chant” from his latest album with a cavacade of support performers including background singers, dancers and musicians.
His energy was infectious and the crowd was thrilled to experience Macklemore. “Thrift Shop,” “No Bad Days” and “White Walls” followed. Fans were eager to sing along. Maclemore informed the crowd he and his family had been in the Phoenix area for the entire week and took in some of the local sights. He also discussed struggling with addition in the past and mentioning that the fans with addition problems were not alone. There seemed to be an intimacy Maclemore had with such a huge crowd.
Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/macklemore/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-63ad3e77.html
This was the second appearance for Young the Giant at the Innings Festival and again they were a welcome sight. The first song of the set was “Wake Up” and was a crowd pleaser. Sameer Gadhia, the band’s lead singer. guided the band through songs from their latest album “American Bollywood.” Fan favorites like “Cough Syryp” were also performed.
Set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/young-the-giant/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-6bad3e76.html
Hozier was Saturday’s headlining act. He is on his ‘Unreal,Unearth’ World Tour promoting his new album of the same name. He stepped out on a blue darkened stage and started performing “DeSelby (Part 1) and (Part 2). Then he slid into the more familiar “Jackie and Wilson.” Hozier has a commanding stage presence. Other songs included tracks from his three studio albums. “Cherry Wine” and “Take Me to Church” were among the songs included in the set. Hozier is adorned with incredible vocals, stage presence, and musical talent. Well worth attending.
Setlist: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/hozier/2024/tempe-beach-park-tempe-az-7bad3e70.html
It was a great weekend of great vibes and rock music during this two day weekend. New this year: Innings Festival will continue next weekend with an Extra Innings Festival with Chris Stableton and Dave Matthews Band headlining. We will report on this next week.
]]>Chicago, Illinois
By: Jenafur Schlangen
The Kills’ live performance was an electrifying testament to the raw, unbridled energy that defines their unique sound. Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, the dynamic duo at the heart of the band, commanded the stage with magnetic charisma. On this Valentine’s Day, 2024, at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, Mosshart’s vocals, a perfect balance of sultry and gritty, intertwined seamlessly with Hince’s masterful guitar work.
The setlist was a journey through their discography, from the edgy garage rock of “No Wow” to the haunting allure of “Black Balloon.” The Kills’ stage presence was minimalist yet potent, creating an intimate connection with the audience. The chemistry between Mosshart and Hince was palpable, translating into a performance that felt both raw and refined. The night was a sonic exploration, leaving the crowd immersed in the enigmatic allure of The Kills’ rock and roll mystique. #MindBlown
Their new album, God Games is out now!
The Kills —> Official Website
Returns Bigger Than Ever In 2024
Adding 4th Stage And 40 More Bands
May 16-19, 2024
At Historic Crew Stadium In Columbus, OH
Disturbed (Thurs), The Original Misfits (Fri), Pantera (Sat), Slipknot (Sun)
Evanescence, Limp Bizkit, Judas Priest, Staind
Headline The Pinnacle Of Rock Festivals In America
Additional Performances Breaking Benjamin, From A Day To Remember, Falling In Reverse,
Sleep Token, Rise Against, 311, Seether, In This Moment & Many More
120 Bands In Total
Passes On Sale Friday, December 8 At 10:00 AM ET At www.SonicTempleFestival.com
With Payment Plans Available As Low As $10 Down
After roaring back into Columbus, Ohio in 2023, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival turns the volume up to 11 in 2024 with its biggest event ever, May 16-19 at Historic Crew Stadium. Festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents is adding a 4th stage and 40 more bands, plus art activations, for nonstop entertainment over four full days at The Pinnacle of Rock Festivals in America.
Headlining Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival are some of rock and metal’s biggest artists including Disturbed (Thursday), The Original Misfits (Friday), Pantera (Saturday) and Slipknot (Sunday). Additional performers include Evanescence, Limp Bizkit, Judas Priest, Staind, Breaking Benjamin, A Day To Remember, Falling In Reverse, Sleep Token, Rise Against, 311, Seether, In This Moment, Mudvayne, Cypress Hill, Sum 41, Kerry King, Mr. Bungle, Theory of a Deadman, Anthrax and many others. 120 bands in total will play across four stages for the first time in the festival’s history, also marking more stages and bands than ever before at an event at Historic Crew Stadium.
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival passes go on sale Friday, December 8 at 10:00 AM ET with payment plans available for just $10 down at www.SonicTempleFestival.com. In addition, an exclusive Sonic Temple presale for festival email and SMS subscribers begins Wednesday, December 6 at 10:00 AM ET. Sign up now for access here.
David Draiman of Disturbed says, “We can’t wait to be back headlining Sonic Temple once again. Playing in front of all those rock fans at Historic Crew Stadium in Ohio has always been an amazing time for us.”
“Historic Crew Stadium is such a special place to not only DWP, but rock fans in America, as thousands of fans discovered their first rock festival in the U.S. right here in Columbus,” says Chamie McCurry, Chief Marketing Officer at Danny Wimmer Presents. “We’re beyond thrilled to elevate Sonic Temple by introducing a fourth stage and over 40 additional bands, all without increasing prices. It’s our commitment to giving fans more rock for their buck! Sonic Temple is the ultimate destination where music, art, and food unite to create a community that will be remembered for years to come.”
The current Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival 2024 music lineup is as follows, with more to be announced: Slipknot, Pantera, Disturbed, The Original Misfits, Evanescence, Limp Bizkit, Judas Priest, Staind, Breaking Benjamin, A Day To Remember, Falling In Reverse, Sleep Token, Rise Against, 311, Seether, In This Moment, Mudvayne, Cypress Hill, Sum 41, Kerry King, Mr. Bungle, Theory of a Deadman, Anthrax, Polyphia, Architects, Royal Blood, Bad Religion, Clutch, STARSET, Black Veil Brides, Wage War, Tech N9ne, Electric Callboy, Slaughter To Prevail, In Flames, Avatar, Atreyu, Flyleaf W/ Lacey Sturm, L7, The Amity Affliction, August Burns Red, Living Colour, Machine Head, P.O.D., Movements, Code Orange, THE CHATS, The Ghost Inside, Baroness, Of Mice & Men, Kittie, Destroy Boys, Drain, Apocalyptica, Jehnny Beth, Enter Shikari, All That Remains, Kid Kapichi, Reignwolf, Dirty Honey, POLARIS, While She Sleeps, Saint Asonia, Saliva, Helmet, Magnolia Park, New Years Day, Kim Dracula, Kublai Khan TX, Bob Vylan, Red Fang, Currents, Soulfly, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, FLAT BLACK, Nova Twins, Miss May I, Drowning Pool, Taproot, Taipei Houston, Terror, Gel, Fleshwater, Scowl, Militarie Gun, Nita Strauss, Dead Poet Society, LACUNA COIL, PLUSH, SiM, Nonpoint, Tim Montana, Point North, FIRE FROM THE GODS, Eva Under Fire, Blind Channel, The Chisel, Spite, Harms Way, Bodysnatcher, I SEE STARS, RAIN CITY DRIVE, Crobot, Sleep Theory, Imminence, Return To Dust, Bad Nerves, Empire State Bastard, GIDEON, Catch Your Breath, Calva Louise, VUKOVI, Moon Fever, Dying Wish, thrown, HotBox, TX2, Lø Spirit, Fuming Mouth and Mike’s Dead.
In addition to 120 music artists and four stages during the four-day event, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival also offers art installations, partner experiences, award-winning spirits, and delectable eats.
Knotfest has heralded Sonic Temple for providing “a slate of historic performances” while Columbus Underground has said the festival “proves that rock can unite in unexpected ways.”
Pass options for Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival include single day and weekend VIP (with access to the VIP area, field, and stadium), Field GA (access to field and stadium) and Stadium GA. Stadium passes allow close general admission access for stages 2, 3 and 4, but only provide stadium seating for the main stage. In addition, those who purchase Columbus Owner’s Club passes will enjoy the ultimate VIP experience. And for the first time ever, Sonic Temple fans can live the sweet life by securing their own suite to entertain and party like a rockstar. For all pass details and prices, visit https://sonictemplefestival.com/passes/. Festivalgoers are encouraged to buy early to save, as pass prices increase throughout the coming months, based on quantities of each pricing level. A limited number of specially priced tickets for military personnel and first responders are on sale now via GovX, while supplies last.
Festival attendees can enhance their Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival experience by RV camping adjacent to the venue parking lot. Camping offers the quickest access to the stages and comes with in and out festival privileges. The festival campgrounds are open Wednesday, May 15 through Monday, May 20. Please note that camping passes are incredibly limited.
The JamPack hotel package also allows fans to bundle festival passes, hotel and more and save up to 40%. Visit https://sonictemplefestival.com/passes/ for details.
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America.
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival is proud to announce its 2024 premier partners: Bud Light, Jack Daniel’s and Lyte.
For more information on Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, visit:
Website: https://sonictemplefestival.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sonictemplefestival | @SonicTempleFestival
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sonictemplefest | @SonicTempleFest
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sonictemplefestival | @SonicTempleFestival
(Sonic Temple crowd 2023 by Nathan Zucker)
About Danny Wimmer Presents: Since 1995, music industry veteran Danny Wimmer has been producing concerts and festivals, both large and small. In 2011, he founded Danny Wimmer Presents, a live entertainment company that produces the largest rock, metal, and alternative music festivals in the U.S. By combining A-list talent, bringing exceptional creativity to life, and curating local cuisine and culture, DWP is recognized within the industry for delivering exceptional entertainment experiences to fans, artists, sponsors, partners, and host cities. DWP creates unforgettable and all-encompassing festival experiences, leaving both attendees and partners with lasting and meaningful impressions. From 2020 on, DWP has been an innovator in the digital content space with over two dozen international livestreams, acclaimed social series Offstage with DWP, DWPresents Channel on Twitch, which has garnered over 25 million worldwide views since its launch in mid-2021, and The Power Hour, a weekly show dedicated to the world of rock, on AXS TV. The DWP 2024 festival lineup includes Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, GoldenSky Country Music Festival, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville.
Twitter.com/DannyWimmerPres
Facebook.com/Dannywimmerpresents
Instagram.com/Dannywimmerpresents
About Historic Crew Stadium: Historic Crew Stadium is the first ever professional soccer-specific stadium in the United States. In addition to hosting concerts, sporting events and programming throughout the year, the venue also serves as the home of Columbus Crew 2 of MLS NEXT Pro. Previously serving as the home of the Columbus Crew from 1999-2021, Historic Crew Stadium opened its doors on May 15, 1999 to a sellout crowd for a match against the New England Revolution. It has hosted numerous national and international events: eight U.S. Soccer FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – specifically four consecutive “Dos a Cero” victories for the U.S. over Mexico (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013) – FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, three MLS Cups (2001, 2015, 2020), two MLS All-Star Games and a number of concerts. It was named the world’s most influential stadium of the decade by Stadia Magazine in 2010. In 2008, the venue added a permanent stage in the North End, allowing for up to 35,000 fans to take in concerts and other marquee events.
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival Publicity Contacts
Kristine Ashton-Magnuson / Ashton-Magnuson Media, [email protected], (818) 903-4840
Selena Fragassi, [email protected], (847) 942-3093
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival Marketing Contacts
Holly Doscher / Danny Wimmer Presents, [email protected]
Kate Webster / Danny Wimmer Presents, [email protected]
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival Sponsorship Contact
Michael Pfluegl / Danny Wimmer Presents, [email protected]
Historic Crew Stadium Publicity Contacts
Rob McBurnett, [email protected]
Nate White, [email protected]
]]>Chicago, Illinois – January 13, 2024
As the frigid winds swept through the streets of Chicago, a group of dedicated music enthusiasts braved the biting cold to converge upon the historic music venue, The Metro. Bundled in layers, their breath visible in the frosty air, the anticipation of what has been an annual live music event, featuring not only talented but legendary musicians pay tribute to the late great, David Bowie. Chicagoans, known for their resilience, demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the music scene, turning the bitter cold into a badge of honor. It was a sight full of sounds that was to behold…indeed.
Upon entering the Metro’s hallowed halls, the contrast was palpable. The warmth of the crowd mingled with the energetic heat emanating from the stage. Coats and scarves were shed, replaced by the shared warmth of bodies moving to the rhythm of classic Bowie tunes, such as Diamond Dogs, Panic in Detroit, Rebel Rebel, Young Americans, and so many more, as the band played two sets in honor of what would have been David Bowie’s 77th Birthday, just a week prior to their performance.
Also in attendance on stage was critically acclaimed actor, Michael Shannon and his band, kicking off the festivities by performing Brian Eno tracks, which was a treat in and of itself. Shannon emerged onto the stage, clearly living his best life. He performed wildly but extremely happily and his band was beyond amazing at channeling Eno.
Photo Credit: Jenafur Schlangen
And so, under the shadow of a snow-kissed skyline, the Metro became a refuge for those who weathered the bitter cold. A testament to the indomitable spirit of Chicagoans, who not only survived the chill but turned it into the backdrop for an unforgettable night for this annual live music event. It was definitely an evening shared passion, reverberations of music, unity, and sheer joy linger in the hearts of attendees.
Do not miss next year’s event. You will not be disappointed…guaranteed.
Official Website (Sons of the Silent Age) —> CLICK HERE
Tour 2023
Andrew Latshaw
November 4th was a mild Saturday for a nice drive from Canton, OH to Pittsburgh, PA for the Mac Sabbath show at Jergel’s! I had never heard of this venue, and so I was not sure what to expect. When I get there, the parking was free, which was great! There was a line out the door for the show, which I thought was awesome for the band! As I get inside and checked in, I saw that the line was for the band but also for the people to be seated to eat.
Jergel’s was definitely an awesome venue! It is new, it is clean, and so well lit! However, the really awesome part was it is two levels, and it is like an Applebee’s had a baby with a concert club! It was so cool! The food there was fantastic, and not at all overpriced. I cannot say much for the drinks since I do not drink…
I went to the merch tables and said hello to the people letting them know I was shooting the show that night, and being there for Mac Sabbath, I had no idea who the openers were and I had never heard of Playboy Manbaby and or Cybertronic Spree.
Playboy Manbaby was the first to kickoff the festivities there that night, and they would also be the opener for the Cleveland show at the Masonic Temple Live the next night, on the 5th of November. Playboy Manbaby was truly an unexpected surprise to me! Seeing these guys warming up, and getting ready to start the show, the first thing that came to mind was these guys are either going to be really bad, or absolutely awesome… it did not take long to solidify that they were the ladder of the two!
They were hysterical, and their sound is not something I can really compare it to… having seen and shot them twice, I am at a loss for words here. The best I can muster is, and I mean this in the absolutely best manner possible! If George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic had a musical love child with Napoleon Dynamite, that would be Playboy Manbaby!
They were eclectic, they were energetic, the music was funny but engaging and uplifting! They were truly something that I was not ready for, and could not have been forewarned about. They are a band I hope to see again soon, and getting the opportunity to talk with a couple of the members in Cleveland at the Masonic before the show Sunday evening, I can testify that these guys are humble, friendly, and loving life!
Second to take the stage, and direct support for Mac Sabbath was Cybertronic Spree, which they were also completely unknown to me prior to this show. On a side note, I saw the tour poster, and I saw the names of the bands touring with Mac Sabbath. I had the opportunity to look these guys up, but I personally like the surprise and seeing the acts at the show for the 1st time. To whomever is reading this, you may like a different approach, but me? I hate spoilers, and so the wow factor was definitely there when Cybertronic Spree took the stage!
When I was at their merch booth, everything they were selling had this 80’s cartoon feel to it, theme if you will. Their logo is a modified Decepticon logo! That struck me as odd, and when they took the stage looking like the robot version of the transformers, I was blown away! Luckily for me, I was at a club. I was camped out in my spot for the night and so being awe struck through most of the first song, I was not too upset that it took me a moment to get my bearings to start snapping shots of these characters!
There were 5x members in total, and I was immediately taken back to watching the Transformers as a kid back in the 80’s! I was laughing and mesmerized at the overwhelming waves of nostalgia these musicians were creating for me!
Their music was also original works, I think that they did play one cover of a song that they said was the catalyst of them forming the band.
Having seen the show at Jergel’s on Saturday, I was blowing up my social media pages telling everyone about these two bands! I have already seen Mac Sabbath in the past, and I am already a die hard fan of them, but Playboy Manbaby and Cybertronic Spree, I had to make sure that everyone in Cleveland knew about them, that they had to see them at the beautiful venue that is the Masonic Temple Live!
As mentioned before, there were 5x members of Cybertronic, due to the lighting at both venues, one of the members remained in the shadows for both shows, and I was only able to get pics of 4 of the 5 members.
I strongly recommend checking these bands out! They are both fantastic acts, and they are worth your time, and deserve your attention. If they are playing a show in your area, I promise that you will be grateful that you went to the show! These bands are not your typical pop culture, rubber stamp sounds! They are playing original music that had kept me smiling for almost a month straight!
Before I dive into the Mac Sabbath portion of the review, I want to start off with a pinch of my backstory… I have been interested in art all my life, one form or another. I went to school for animation, and had photography roommates, but never did anything with that myself.
As the years went by, I took interest in photography and started taking pics with my iPhone 4s walking around the streets, alleys, and cemeteries of Little Rock. One day, I bought a hobbyist camera, and that is when I stopped walking around the rabbit hole and decided to just jump in face first!
I have been going to concerts since I was a kid, and then as a teenager, I really loved the concert life! While I was not a musician of any sort, and knew a couple bands, I never really got into the music life. There was a summer I chased Ozzy on tour, I went to 11x shows across 5x states. A couple years later, I chased KISS on their tour, and saw them 8x times in 5x states.
In my life, between going to shows as a concert goer, and now 6yrs as a concert photographer, it is no exaggeration to say I have been to between 800-1K shows… which that prelude brings us to the point of this review. Mac Sabbath, is easily in my top 10, possibly top 5 favorite of my favorite live shows, ever!
As mentioned before on November 4th, I drove to Jergel’s in Pittsburgh and then on November 5th, I saw them again at the Masonic TempleLive in Cleveland. This was the 2nd and 3rd time I have had to privilege of seeing and photographing Mac Sabbath, and every single time, they do not disappoint!
I was telling their “Employee of the Month,” sadly his name escapes me at this writing, but he is their merch guy, about how much I love Mac Sabbath! He asked why I feel they rank so high up in my opinion. I told him that I love how engaging they are, I love the show! They are, in my opinion the perfect combination of Gallagher, KISS, OZZY Osbourne, and the old Mc Donald’s characters!
If you have never heard of or seen Mac Sabbath, their show is 2hrs of nonstop food puns and their message is fantastic! They are a band of time traveling musicians from Burminghamberger, England who have traveled from 1972 in various time machines to warn us in 2023 of the dangers of processed foods! They are the pioneer in Drive-Thru Metal!
The troupe consists of Ronald Osbourne, Slayer MacCheese, The Cat Burglar, and Grimm Alice. There are the supporting characters in their wandering band of time traveling misfits such as the Moon, the Palm-Palm looking Fry thing, and Lizard Man with his harmonica playing solo!
The show keeps you guessing! Ronald comes out at the beginning bound in a straight jacket, with a scowl and runs from one side of the stage to the other, mean mugging everyone! Then he eventually frees himself from the confining straight jacket and then the show begins!
Once loose of the restraints, Ronald does his Ozzy Osbourne influenced voice and laugh. Coming from a lifelong fan of Ozzy, Ronald’s voicing and mimic of Ozzy just makes me smile and love him more! On a side note, another thing that is helpful to know about me is that when I was in college, my roommates tried to get me on to Mtv for their show called FANATIC! Where fans are so hardcore about these stars and musicians, yeah… so that helps explain my infatuation with this music! It is parodies of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, and even KISS songs. Music I have been jamming to since I was a kid till now!
Another example is, if you are not familiar with the old Mc Donald’s characters, there was the Hamburglar. He had a had a hat, a mask that covered his eyes, and this terrifying smile that still lovingly haunts me to this day! Now, looking at how the Cat Burglar wears a similar striped outfit, a hat like the original character but his face paint is similar to Peter Chris of KISS, hence the Cat Burglar. For those familiar with a KISS concert, Peter Chirs will come out and do an acoustic song: Beth and then hand a rose to one or more of the women in the crowd. Well, the Cat Burglar sings Bread… How can you not laugh at this!?!
Tom Petty was credited for saying: “If I can make people forget about their problems for a couple of hours, I have done my job!”
Mac Sabbath does this for me! I have shot three of their shows now, and while at the show, and during the hours spent editing the pictures I shot at their shows… there is no stress of my life in my mind. There is me, there is the art I was able to capture of these guys doing their thing. They have done their job, over and over for me!
I have been telling my circle about these guys to the point of annoying people! I can honestly say that those who have gotten out to the shows, they have all thanked me for pushing as much as I did! One person came back and said that they are obsessed!
This show, it is fantastic! I will say that it is extremely interactive and so keep your electronics stowed if they are not waterproof!
In closing this review for Mac Sabbath in Pittsburgh and Cleveland this time through, if they are in your area please get out to the show and give these guys some much deserved love! They are not out there curing cancer, no. However, their warnings of how terrible processed food for you is, they may be preventing the spread of illness and issues later in life. The important thing is, in a world that we are in today these guys are out there touring the world to make people laugh. We are all guilty of taking things too seriously at times, and with the environment that we are all in these days, you cannot go to this show and not laugh! It is impossible to do that!
Personally, I feel that the world is a better place having Mac Sabbath and the likes in it! They may not solve the issues we have, but they are making it possible to smile, laugh, and forget about those stresses for a chunk of your day! That alone says they are doing their part, to which I am eternally grateful for!
Playboy Manbaby Website | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram |
Cybertronic Spree Website | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram |
Mac Sabbath Website | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram |
]]>The Midway Music Hall
Edmonton, AB
By Megan Veldhuis
Edmonton, AB
The Midway Music Hall played host to an electrifying evening on November 9th, 2023, headlined by the Alaskan powerhouse, Portugal. The Man. The night kicked off with the infectious energy of Toronto’s indie rock quintet, Good Kid. From the pulsating beats of ‘From the Start’ to the anthemic chorus of ‘Mimi’s Delivery Service,’ lead vocalist Nick Frosst and guitarist Jacob Tsafatinos commanded the stage with an irresistible fervor, turning the audience into a jumping, singing sea of fans.
However, the evening held greater significance for concertgoers than merely being about the music. Before Portugal. The Man took the stage, an Indigenous o graced the spotlight, using the platform to weave a narrative of our interconnectedness with the Earth. The audience stood in awe, momentarily immobile, as her words resonated through the hall. Portugal. The Man’s decision to amplify indigenous voices is not just an on-stage gesture; it’s a philosophy reflected in the very fabric of their PTM Foundation. This foundation, dedicated to community resilience, empathy, and awareness, showcases the band’s commitment to causes ranging from environmental sustainability to human and disability rights.
Through researching more about the band, I learned about how deep the group’s empathy grows. John Gourley and Zoe Manville’s daughter was recently diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic mutation of DHDDS. She is 1 of 6 known cases in the world. The band decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign to fundraise for her medical treatment and research about this rare condition. The link to their campaign can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-frances-get-the-treatment-she-needs?utm_campaign=p_lico+ share-sheet&utm_location=DASHBOARD&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer, and I encourage you to donate if you are able.
As Portugal. The Man took the stage, shrouded in darkness, smoke, and subtle lighting, the atmosphere transformed into a visual and auditory spectacle. The meticulous synchronization of lights with the beats, especially from their latest album, “Chris Black Changed My Life,” elevated the concert from a mere performance to a sensorial journey. The music, combined with the captivating visual elements, created an immersive experience that lingered in the minds of the audience long after the last note faded.
In essence, the Midway Music Hall wasn’t just a venue for a concert; it became a nexus of music, social consciousness, and community engagement. Portugal. The Man’s performance, coupled with their dedication to meaningful causes, turned a night of entertainment into an impactful and unforgettable event.
Portugal the Man Website | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram |
Good Kid Website | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram |
]]>Silver Legacy Casino
Reno Neveda
November 04, 2023
Daryl Hall has been touring for over a year with John Oates. And the question is can a front person of a successful duo (Hall and Oates) and you step up for a solo tour? And be able to go into the nooks and crannies of our catalog to make even the hardest hard cord fan happy.
Daryl is doing a tour with Todd Rundgren. And you say Hall without Oates. Has the band fallen to the waste side? No this is part of Daryl Hall’s musical career. Many people don’t know he has a television show called Live from Daryl’s House which can be seen on YouTube. There are over 90 episodes of the show. On this show, he invites some of the top musicians of the world into his living and they play songs from his catalog and their catalog along with covers by other bands. Some of the people who have appeared on this show include Howard Jones, Lisa Loeb, Andy Grammer, Robert Fripp, Charlie Starr, Grace Porter, Amos Lee, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, KT Tunstall, Tommy Shaw (from Styx), Toots and the Mayalls, CeeLo Green, Smokey Robinson, Rob Thomas, Keb Mo, Wyclef Jean and Todd Rundgren (2x)( both from Philly).
The show happened at the Silver Legacy Casino, a venue which I had never been to. The venue was acoustic nearly perfect. You had good sound iany you stood in the room. Both artists’ vocals were some of the bests I have ever heard from both artists. (Daryl- the first time I heard him was at SXSW at Daryl House and I also saw him at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With Todd- I have seen him with many different versions of his show, Everything from Utopia, Todd touring as the Cars, With Joe Jackson, and the best time him playing Beatles songs with Alan Parsons, Ann Wilson, John Entwistle, and Christoper Cross.
Todd opened the show, and he did his hits, The only downside was his soundboard mix was off during the first two songs, but after it was corrected, it was great. Being a small stage, he made sure he walked from one end of the stage to the other, so he got to all his fans.
Some of the hits he played were Love to the Common Man, Real Man, Hello it Me, I’m So Proud, Ohh Baby Baby and I want you.
It was a real treat for Toddstock fans.
After Todd 45 min set Daryl came to the stage. With Daryl set it was a true live at Daryl’s episode. With his backing band of great musicians,
Shane Theriot- Guitar (band leader for Hall and Oats and musical director for Daryl’s house)
Brian Dunne- Drums (Daryl’s House)
Porter Carroll Jr.- Vocal and guitar (Atlantic Starr)
Clyde James- Bass (BET Network)
Greg Mayo- Keyboards (Hall, Todd, Bon Jovi, and Blood Sweat Tears)
Mr. Casual Charlie De Chant- Sax (Mick Jagger, The Temptations, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, The Average White Band and Hall and Oates)
Like I said in the beginning Daryl liked the small venue because he could see everyone in the room (like his living room). And as he was playing in the living room, he had the feeling of being there with an unfiltered impromptu jam session with a Philly sound.
Daryl’s setlist included Dreamtime, Foolish Pride, Out of Touch, Say it isn’t So, I’m in a Philly Mood, Everytime You Go Away (which was a song he worked on with Paul Young), Sara Smile, I Can’t Go For That and Maneater.
After Daryl was done, he came back with Todd to do an encore of three songs. They started with Make my Dreams Come True at which point the crowd went nuts. Followed by Can We Still be Friends and Todd and Daryl played off each other with each taking the lead of each part.
So yes, Daryl did show he can do it by himself. He shows that he is a successful duo and has a solo career without interluding his career path.
Which brings up a point.
Shortly after the show news broke out about the lawsuit between Daryl and John (Oates) So the story continues.
Daryl Hall Website | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram |
Todd Rundgren Website | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram |
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