Observer‘s Picks for the 10 Best Concerts of the Year

What is there to say about Taylor Swift that hasn’t been said before? She’s the princess of pop, the queen of open letters to streaming services, the goddess of breakup and beef songs. There’s nothing she can’t or won’t do at this point. But even with all she’s accomplished, it…

A H.E.R. Performance Is An Art Gallery Put To Music

Half an hour before the doors even opened at the Bomb Factory on Sunday night, the line had snaked back to the corner of Canton and Malcolm X. The snake grew larger with more arriving, shaking their head and making the journey to the end. The wind wasn’t kind and…

The 10 Best Concerts of the Week: Elton John, Nite Jewel and More

This week offers another holiday concert if you haven’t already gotten into the spirit of things. The Polyphonic Spree plays its annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. Catch a two-night bill with legendary Sir Elton John at American Airlines Center on Friday and Saturday. Matthew and The…

JD McPherson Gets Festive With a Holiday-Themed Album and Tour

There are a variety of holiday gifts that are generally considered colossal disappointments. At the top of that list are socks. Interestingly enough, when singer-songwriter JD McPherson was deciding on a title for his new Christmas-themed album, socks came to mind. “I’ve had people tell me it’s both the best and the…

Watch Joshua Ray Walker Busk Outside Lakewood Landing

Joshua Ray Walker pulled the brim of his hat down and braved the cold winds of Dallas as he performed two of his songs, “Working Girl” and “Canyon,” at an otherwise silent strip mall. Browning leaves swirled around his feet as they found a new place to gather, before Walker…

Kurt Vile Set To Indie-Rock the Stage at Canton Hall

As he did in his Dallas performance last year, Kurt Vile is likely to peer between the curtains of his long, wavy, brown hair out into a sea of dedicated fans on Friday night. With his band, the Violators, behind him, Vile will hit Canton Hall’s stage in support of…

Doug Burr Returns With a Sparkling New Track, “3356 Romeo”

Denton-based singer-songwriter Doug Burr has been a regular performer around these parts for quite some time now. As a multiple Dallas Observer Music Award winner, and with an output that stretches back over a decade, he’s become a fixture on the local scene and a revered mentor to those just…

Minus the Bear Comes Through Dallas on Their Last Tour

Back in July, Minus the Bear announced they were ending their time together as a band. Instead of playing a handful of final shows near their hometown of Seattle, the band decided to do one more extensive tour across the country and then call it quits. “There hasn’t been a…