Guns N’ Roses With the Cult AT&T Stadium, Arlington Wednesday, August 3, 2016 The elephant had been in the room the whole night. For the first time in 24 years, Axl Rose and Slash were on stage together in North Texas, but they were keeping their distance. They would pass…
Steven Tyler Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas Monday, August 1, 2016 “This ain’t American Idol!” Steven Tyler shouted near the start of his near-sellout show Monday night at the Music Hall at Fair Park. No, Tyler wasn’t here as an occasionally snarky, yet profound television talent judge. Nor was…
By now, anyone with a Netflix account has binge watched Stranger Things and may not know what to do with themselves. Don’t worry, though, because there are plenty of other things to do in this town besides sitting on the couch. Why not find out in person if Steven Tyler’s…
Blink-182 With A Day to Remember and All-American Rejects Gexa Energy Pavilion, Dallas Friday, July 29, 2016 Bands change lineups all the time; that’s nothing new. But when a lineup change happens 24 years into a band’s existence and without the members’ consent? That’s interesting, and it added a neat…
Boris With Earth and Shitstorm Trees, Dallas Monday, July 25, 2016 Mother Earth and Father Boris sharing the same stage: It’s hard to imagine a better soundtrack for the birth of a mountain, or even a planet. And while neither of these appeared within the walls of Trees last night,…
In the fading afternoon light, Joe Mekan sits near the entrance to Gathering of the Juggalos, smoking a Marlboro and watching his fellow Juggalos pour into the festival. He’s wearing a black tank top and black beanie; tattoos cover his arms, including a work-in-progress he’s doing himself, starting with a…
I’ve been reading Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal, which was ghostwritten by Tony Schwartz, who channels Trump’s daily deal-making in what is basically a window into the life of a more charmingly juvenile version of Gordon Gekko. I like this book a lot, if only because it reads…
Brand New With Modest Mouse Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie Friday, July 22, 2016 So deciding to host your first-ever outdoor concert in the middle of July doesn’t exactly fit with conventional wisdom — or, well, common sense. But for Verizon Theatre and AEG, it worked surprisingly well on Friday night…
This week offers up a parade of pop fun for all the ’90s kids out there. Blink-182, Rascal Flatts, Alien Ant Farm and Edwin McCain are coming through town to help you relive your salad days. Take the train and catch some Pokemon on the way, just be careful not…
Pitbull With Prince Royce and Farruko American Airlines Center, Dallas Friday, July 22, 2016 It takes a lot to make Pitbull stop smiling. The Miami superstar’s sole goal in life seems to live the best life on this planet, and he almost never stops smirking. But on Friday night at…
When I told my wife I wanted to go to Gathering of the Juggalos, she had one simple request: “You have to get your face painted, and you have to send pics.” Or is that two requests? Either way, since I do pretty much everything my wife tells me to,…
Drake With Future and DVSN American Airlines Center, Dallas Thursday, July 21, 2016 There is no time for apologies when exacting revenge. That message rang loud and clear as Drake appeared on stage at American Airlines Center Thursday night, rapping the opening lines to “Summer Sixteen” with the word “Revenge”…
Of all the ways I thought I would be describing my first Gathering of the Juggalos, “like my first rave” was not on the short list. But after less than 24 hours among the fans of Insane Clown Posse, that’s how I’m feeling. It’s like I’ve traveled back in time…
Roky Erickson means many different things to many different people. To most, he’s a torchbearer of psychedelic rock and beloved Texas institution. To informed music connoisseurs, he’s the wailing voice behind such cult masterpieces as “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” “Starry Eyes” and “Two Headed Dog.” To those that dig a little…
It’s often been said that “Weird Al” Yankovic’s legacy on the music industry is how he’s become a stepping stone for new pop musicians. They hope to score more than just another “song of the summer” for their musical careers by becoming the target of his next parody. He might…
There’s no doubt Dallas concert goers are getting spoiled this week. And with events lately, we damn well deserve it. Along with the big shows coming through town, namely Drake, Pitbull and Modest Mouse, Granada Theater’s hosting a show for $5, and you get a free beer with the ticket…
After a much-needed two-year hiatus from the madness that is Insane Clown Posse’s annual Gathering of the Juggalos festival, we’re happy to report that this year, we’re going back. L.A. Weekly is off to Thornville, Ohio for the Gathering, which runs July 20-23, and will be reporting throughout the week on…
Depending on the kind of person you are, the presence of a bowlful of complementary earplugs on a venue’s bar counter is either a bad omen or a sign of great things to come. For those who gathered at the Grenada Theatre last night to see the L7, it was…
98 Degrees With O-Town, Dream and Ryan Cabrera South Side Ballroom, Dallas Monday, July 11, 2016 On Monday night, nostalgia in the flesh walked through the door of South Side Ballroom. Five female friends had dressed for the show like it was 1999: overalls, plaid shirts, chokers, jean shorts, and…
Music has a way of bringing people together. After the tragedy that rocked Dallas in recent days, the people of our city need that healing energy as much as ever. It’s a great chance to celebrate diversity, too, with a music calendar that’s all over the map. From early-’00s boy…
Book of Love With JG and the Robots and Michael Douglas Duncan Granada Theater, Dallas Saturday, July 9, 2016 Ironies abounded at Book of Love’s Granada Theater concert on Saturday night. Despite the above-average age of the audience members, it was one of the livelier shows at the Lower Greenville…
Dallasites see a lot of big acts coming through town. Why are we surprised? This town’s got some big venues and a well-earned reputation for throwing some elaborate parties. And this week is no different, even if it starts off a holiday. After July 4, Dallas plays host to the…
