Category: Rock

In Focus: My Morning Jacket at The Beacon Theatre

Celebrating 20 years since the release of It Still Moves, My Morning Jacket and their loyal fans descended upon the Upper West Side of Manhattan for three nights of shows at the Beacon Theatre, with Madi Diaz opening up each night.

My Morning Jacket kicked off their 3-night run at The Beacon Theatre with a bang, playing their album It Still Moves in its entirety to the sold out crowd. A real treat for fans, the band returned for a 7-song encore, starting with Jim James solo on “I Needed It Most”, played for the first time since 2018.

The encore included a live debut of “Grab a Body” as well as “Feel You,” “It Beats 4 U,” and “Phone Went West” to close out the night. James spoke about how blessed we are to be in such a beautiful place that is the Beacon Theatre.

Friday night of My Morning Jacket at the Beacon Theatre started off with a full version of “Cobra,” clocking in at almost 17 minutes. The setlist that followed captivated the sold-out crowd from start to finish, with stand out songs including “O is the One That Is Real,” “Strangulation,“ and “Victory Dance.”

They returned to the stage for a 6-song encore with opener Madi Diaz joining Jim James and company to perform “The Wind” by Cat Stevens. The highlight of the encore was “Highly Suspicious,” off their 2008 album Evil Urges.

Saturday saw Diaz join the band once again, joining for “I Will Be There When You Die,” an apt song given the first lines being “Joe was born in New York City, Son of Paul and Catherine, Always down and always out, But his ‘morrows always seemed jus’ fine.”

This week, the tour marches on, playing in Albany on Wednesday, October 25 at the Palace Theatre and at The Met in Philadelphia on Friday, October 27, before heading to the Southeast and closing the tour out in Chicago November 9-11.

My Morning Jacket – Beacon Theatre, NYC – Thursday, October 19

Setlist: It Still Moves, Mahgeetah, Dancefloors, Golden, Master Plan, One Big Holiday, I Will Sing You Songs, Easy Morning Rebel, Run Thru, Rollin Back, Just One Thing, Steam Engine, One in the Same
Encore: I Needed It Most, Old Sept. Blues, Feel You, It Beats 4 U, Compound Fracture, Grab a Body, Phone Went West

My Morning Jacket – Beacon Theatre, NYC – Friday, October 20

Setlist: Cobra, Gideon, The Way That He Sings, Lay Low, Slow Slow Tune, Run It, I’m Amazed, Least Expected, Lucky to Be Alive, War Begun, Strangulation!, Victory Dance, O Is the One That Is Real, Smokin’ From Shootin’, It’s About Twilight Now, Anytime
Encore: Butch Cassidy, The Wind (with Madi Diaz), Only Memories Remain, First Light, Highly Suspicious, Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2

My Morning Jacket – Beacon Theatre, NYC – Saturday, October 21

Setlist: In Its Infancy (The Waterfall), Spring (Among the Living), Holdin On to Black Metal, Never in the Real World, Evil Urges, I Think I’m Going to Hell, I Will Be There When You Die (with Madi Diaz),
Knot Comes Loose, Heartbreakin Man, What a Wonderful Man, Honest Man, Tropics (Erase Traces), Thank You Too!, Climbing the Ladder, Off the Record, Wasted, Dondante, Love Love Love, Circuital
Encore: State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.), Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 1, Wordless Chorus

October 24, 2023
Everyday Is Like ‘SATURDAY’ – Night 1 of Morrissey at United Palace

Originally scheduled to kick-off in Mexico City on September 10, the rescheduled “40 Years of Morrissey” tour rebooted in Orlando, Florida earlier this month after the British crooner and former frontman of the Smiths had fully recovered from some recent health concerns.

United Palace | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

After sweeping through Georgia, Tennessee and Washington, D.C., the United Palace – a lavish theater nestled in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan – welcomed Morrissey (affectionately dubbed “Moz” by Smiths bandmate Johnny Marr) this past Saturday night, October 21, for the first of four shows in a brief residency.

Constructed in 1930, United Palace occupies a full city block and functions not only as a nonprofit performing arts center that has hosted artists the likes of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Adele, Arcade Fire and Kraftwerk, but also as a spiritual center. You may have also seen the epochal venue as a backdrop for the film John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and in the Hulu television series Only Murders in the Building.

With showtime looming, latecomers entered the majestic theater from Broadway on a chilly autumn evening and into the grand foyer, many ‘blown away’ (as I was) by the sheer grandeur of the scene. At half past eight o’clock, a pair of square-shaped, side-by-side video screens suddenly came to life and for the next 30-minutes, displayed a barrage of images and video clips featuring actors and musicians who have inspired Morrissey over the years, including Roxy Music, David Bowie, Eddie Cochran and Sidney Poitier. The biggest reaction from the audience occurred when the breakthrough video of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” featuring the iconic, closeup visage of the late Sinéad O’Connor, appeared wondrously.

Morrissey | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

At 9:10 pm, as the house lights went down, the crowd literally jumped out of their seats and erupted with rapturous applause. It was officially “Game On!” The perpetually suave Morrissey elegantly took the stage, dressed in black from head to toe, as he and his talented quintet of back-up musicians instantly transported us to 1992 with “We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful” (Your Arsenal). Over the course of nearly 90-minutes, Morrissey gifted his legion of die-hard fans an eclectic set that incorporated a glorious blend of five tracks from his days with The Smiths, highlighted by “How Soon Is Now?,” the beginning of which signaled the simultaneously raising of cell phones high into the air to forever record the moment into eternity.

Morrissey | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

The remainder of the nineteen-song set comprised tunes lifted from an extensive discography spanning Morrissey’s debut solo studio album released in 1988 (Viva Hate) to his upcoming studio album entitled Without Music the World Dies, with a tentative release date of later this year. As the night turned for home, Morrissey presented “Sure Enough, the Telephone Rings,” recorded in early-2021 and originally intended to appear on the studio album entitled Bonfire Of Teenagers – but will not be released by Capitol Records, the label Morrissey departed acrimoniously and who are now holding onto the album’s rights (at least for the time being). Morrissey and his signature baritone voice, in top form all night, exquisitely delivered the critically acclaimed “Everyday Is Like Sunday,” written shortly after the Smiths break-up, and yet another goosebump inducing moment.

Morrissey | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

Returning to the stage after a several minute interlude, each band member – Jesse Tobias (lead guitar), Carmen Vandenberg (rhythm guitar), Juan Galeano Toro (bass), Camila Grey (keyboards) and Brendan Buckley (drums) – took a moment center stage at the mic to say a few words (entirely in Español), thanking all of us for being there. Waiting in the wings, Morrissey was now rocking his own T-shirt merch which featured the likeness of Billy Halop, an American actor from Queens who rose to fame in the 1930s. As the encore performance of “Speedway” (Vauxhall and I, 1994) neared its climax, Morrissey shed his shirt and tossed it to a lucky fan, exiting the stage bare-chested to a sustained ovation from the 3,500 capacity crowd that never sat down all night long. As I filed out of United Palace within a throng of highly satisfied patrons and into the chilly October night, I was already thinking about what special surprises lie in store for the next three residency gigs.

Morrissey | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

Following the final night of the U.S. tour leg at United Palace on October 25, Morrissey’s global trek will resume on November 9 in Singapore, followed by shows in Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand on December 14. Morrissey will then take some well-deserved time off until early-February, at which time he will play the rescheduled Mexico City show on February 3, 2024, followed by South American dates culminating in Brazil on February 24.

Watch Moz’s Saturday night performance of “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want,” recorded by the Smiths and released in 1984 as the B-side of the single “William, It Was Really Nothing,” below:

Setlist: We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful > Our Frank > Suedehead > Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before* > Alma Matters > Half a Person* > I Wish You Lonely > Let Me Kiss You > How Soon Is Now?* > Girlfriend in a Coma* > Darling, I Hug a Pillow > The Loop > The Night Pop Dropped > Sure Enough, the Telephone Rings > Irish Blood, English Heart > Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want* > Everyday Is Like Sunday > Jack the Ripper
Encore: Speedway
*the Smiths cover

UPCOMING MORRISSEY WORLD TOUR DATES

11/09/23 – Singapore, Singapore @ Star Theater
11/16/23 – Chek Lap Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong @ AsiaWorld-Expo
11/18/23 – Bangkok, Thailand @ Samyan Hall
11/22/23 – Jakarta, Indonesia @ Istora Senayan Jakarta
11/28/23 – Tokyo, Japan @ Toyosu Pit
12/01/23 – Perth, Australia @ Perth Concert Hall
12/04/23 – Melbourne, Australia @ Palais Theater
12/05/23 – Melbourne, Australia @ Palais Theater
12/08/23 – Brisbane, Australia @ Fortitude Music Hall
12/10/23 – Sydney, Australia @ State Theater
12/11/23 – Sydney, Australia @ State Theater
12/14/23 – Auckland, New Zealand @ The Civic
02/03/24 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Palacio de los Deportes
02/08/24 – Lima, Peru @Anfiteatro del Parque de la Exposición
02/10/24 – Bogata, Columbia @ Movistar Arena
02/15/24 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena
02/17/24 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Movistar Arena
02/22/24 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Espaço Unimed
02/24/24 – Brasilia, Brazil @ Opera Hall

October 24, 2023
blink-182 Announce Summer Tour with Pierce The Veil, Coming to Citi Field

Multi-platinum and award-winning rock group blink-182 just announced this summer they are heading on a headlining tour with pop-punk support act Pierce The Veil, coming to Citi Field on July 21, 2024.

Following the massive success of their colossal global outing and recent headlining festival performances at When We Were Young Festival, Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker will hit some of the biggest venues nationwide next year, debuting their new album One More Time.

blink-182 started rocking almost thirty years ago in a San Diego garage. They have sold over fifty million albums worldwide, and according to the New York Times, “No punk band of the 1990s has been more influential than ‘blink-182’. With Delonge back after nearly a decade, fans can expect that electric on-stage magic that the trio has delivered over the years.

Tickets will go on sale starting Friday, October 27 at 10 a.m.

BLINK-182 2024 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:

*With Support from Pierce The Veil

+With Support from Alexisonfire and Pierce The Veil

Jun 20 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center*

Jun 21 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center*

Jun 24 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center*

Jun 25 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena*

Jun 27 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena

Jun 30 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park*

July 02 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena*

July 03 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena*

July 06 — Los Angeles, CA — SoFi Stadium*

July 08– Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center*

July 09 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center*

Jul 11 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center*

Jul 13 – Portland, OR – Moda Center*

Jul 14 – Quincy, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre*

Jul 21 – Flushing, NY – Citi Field*

July 23 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park*

July 24 — Hartford, CT — The XFINITY Theatre

Jul 26 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center*

Jul 27 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena*

Jul 29 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena*

Jul 30 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena*

Aug 01 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena*

Aug 02 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse*

Aug 06 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center*

Aug 07 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum*

Aug 09 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center*

Aug 10 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center*

Aug 12 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena*

Aug 13 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center*

Aug 15 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre+

BLINK-182 WORLDWIDE TOUR DATES:

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND

!With Support from Rise Against

Feb 8 – Perth, Australia – RAC Arena!

Feb 9 – Perth, Australia – RAC Arena!

Feb 11 – Adelaide, Australia – Entertainment Centre!

Feb 13 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena!

Feb 14 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena!

Feb 16 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena!

Feb 17 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena!

Feb 19 – Brisbane, Australia – Entertainment Centre!

Feb 20 – Brisbane, Australia – Entertainment Centre!

Feb 21 – Brisbane, Australia – Entertainment Centre!

Feb 23 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena!

Feb 24 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena!

Feb 26 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena!

Feb 27 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena!

Feb 29 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena!

Mar 02 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena!

Mar 04 – Christchurch, NZ – Christchurch Arena!

LATIN AMERICA

March 2024 – Lollapalooza Argentina, Chile & Brasil, Estereo Picnic, and Asuncionico

**Exact performance dates to be announced

March 2024 – Monterrey, Mexico @ Pal Norte Festival

**Exact performance date to be announced

March 27, 2024 – Lima, Peru – Estadio San Marcos

April 2, 2024 – Mexico City, Mexico – The Sports Palace

April 3, 2024 – Mexico City, Mexico – The Sports Palace

April 5, 2024 – Mexico City, Mexico – The Sports Palace

April 6, 2024 – Mexico City, Mexico – The Sports Palace

EUROPE

^With Support from The Story So Far

Aug 26 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena^

Aug 27 – Dublin, Ireland – Royal Hospital Kilmainham^

Aug 29 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro^

Aug 30 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro^

October 24, 2023
Rochester Band The Left-Handed 2nd Baseman Release New Album ‘The Dogs Race to the Door’

Modern rock-folk band ‘The Left-Handed 2nd Baseman’ have announced the release of their latest album, The Dogs Race to the Door.

The Left-Handed 2nd Baseman (LH2B) is based in Rochester and became the creation of singer/songwriter/producer Fran Broderick. They fuse diverse musical influences ranging from alt-folk to synth-pop, the result by stirring anthems is anchored by Broderick’s captivating lyrics.

The upcoming release for The Dogs Race to the Door arrived on October 21 and marks the first full album with the LH2B band and the first album since 2018’s Trench Digging During Peacetime. Including 10 new songs while 2 are reworked tunes from 2015’s Eudaimonia. The band includes vocalist/guitarist Fran Broderick, drummer Zak Mendoza, bassist Dan Carter, Shane Kelsen on piano, organ & synth, rhythm guitarist Ben Rossi plus backing vocals and co-producer Brendan Simms.

The Dogs Race to the Door uses a collection of combined acoustic sounds while implementing synthesized elements to create an upbeat soulful mix of alternative folk songs. Their vocals are gruff yet heartfelt and exhibit themes of overcoming hardship, their experience with manhood while articulating these themes through storytelling. This album is sure to get your body grooving, head bobbing and feet moving

Key Tracks: I-90, Branch Collar, A Man Under the Influence

October 23, 2023
Watch The Rolling Stones Promote Album at Surprise Racket Show

The Rolling Stones celebrated their first album release of original music in 18 years, Hackney Diamonds, at a small surprise show at Racket in NYC on Oct. 19.

Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards perform during the Rolling Stones’ surprise set at Racket. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RS.

The night started with a DJ set courtesy of Quest Love, and Samantha Urbani. Different VIP guests including Elvis Costello, Daniel Craig, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, and more, were in attendance. With the death of drummer Charlie Watts in 2021, the Rolling Stones performed with the core trio of Mick Jagger and guitarists Keith Richards and Ron Wood, with other musicians supplementing.

This isn’t the first time the Stones have performed an album release show in the city. The band once rolled down Fifth Avenue on a flatbed truck and on another occasion rode on a caboose into Grand Central Terminal. Their newest record Hackney Diamonds has received rave reviews, with Variety describing it as their best work since 1981’s Tattoo You, and Telegraph seeing it as “the best rock’n’ roll album of the past four decades at least.”

They opened with “Shattered,” from 1978’s Some Girls, before playing their new songs “Angry,” “Whole Wide World,” and “Bite My Head Off.” The set also featured “Tumbling Dice” and “Jumping Jack Flash” before an encore for which the Stones were joined by Lady Gaga.

Dressed in a sequined maroon pantsuit, Gaga made an appearance to recreate her duet with Jagger on the new song “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” off Hackney Diamonds. The band’s Racket gig marked one of their smallest venue locations to date, particularly in the area, and was the perfect intimate setting to celebrate their newest album.

https://youtu.be/Yg8XY9vNFIk?si=jM75V3XAjbMSf0QC

October 22, 2023
Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade Flies High at the Palace Theatre in Albany

Frogs and freaks flew into the Palace Theatre in Albany on Friday, October 20, heralding the return of Les Claypool and his Frog Brigade. The first tour for the group in 20 years began earlier in the year, winding its way into the Northeast for a run of late-October shows.

With draped banners of stars and stripes giving a nod to Pink Floyd’s The Wall, the stage took on a blue dystopian hue, as the six piece band – Skerik (saxophone), Mike Dillon (percussion, vibraphone), Sean Lennon (guitar), Harry Waters (keyboards), Paulo Baldi (drums) and Claypool (bass) – arrived on stage to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore), Claypool bringing up the rear. With Les dressed in all black and a bowler hat, a slow bass led intro to “Cosmic Highway” took the audience on a psychedelic ride, right into “Up on the Roof.”

Following Les offering praise to Skerik, Skerik spoke in French briefly before telling an Albany/All bunny/All moose joke that earned groans and chuckles from the audience.

A cover of The Beat’s “Mirror in the Bathroom” was an early highlight, taking the narcissistic 1980 song out for an extended spin. “David Makalaster,” the Purple Onion track, followed, with Claypool Lennon Delirium composition “Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons – Movement II Too the Moon” closing a ‘short but didn’t feel short’ 60-minute set.

With Harry Waters – son of Roger – helming the keys, set 2 began with a full rendition of Pink Floyd’s Animals, the five song suite never missed a mark, Claypool donning a pig mask while switching to stand up bass.

A pair of songs from Les Claypool and the Holy Mackerel – “Precipitation” and “Calling Kyle” would follow, with “D’s Diner” closing the second set with audience callbacks, whispered lyrics, and xylophone throughout.

King Crimson’s “Thela Hun Ginjeet,” a song that Claypool and his Frog Brigade kicked off the main stage at the first Bonnaroo (and the incredible DVD as well) would drive the energy of the audience to 11, peppering in “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” teases. As the band left the stage, walk out music of “Pure Imagination” played, calling back to Claypool’s memorable Primus and the Chocolate Factory tour.

A can’t miss tour, the Frog Brigade will be at The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ on October 24 before heading to Hulaween and ending the tour at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Halloween.

Les Claypool and his Frog Brigade – Palace Theatre, Albany – Friday, October 20, 2023

Set 1: When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Cosmic Highway, Up on the Roof, Mirror in the Bathroom, David Makalaster, Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons – Movement II Too the Moon

Set 2: Pigs on the Wing, Part 1, Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep, Pigs on the Wing, Part 2, Precipitation, Calling Kyle, One Step Beyond, Buzzards of Green Hill, D’s Diner

Encore: Thela Hun Ginjeet, Pure Imagination

Photos by Derek Java

October 22, 2023
The Darkness Shine Bright at Terminal 5

Celebrating the 20^th anniversary of their platinum-selling debut album Permission to Land, The Darkness flew into Terminal 5 this past Wednesday night, October 18 at a 3,000 capacity concert hall located in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen – for the twelfth layover on their massive, 52-date global trek.

For those unfamiliar, the British quartet of Justin Hawkins (vocals, guitar, keyboards), brother Dan Hawkins (guitar), Frankie Poullain (bass) and Rufus Tiger Taylor (drums), son of Queen’s Roger Taylor, erupted onto the music scene in 2003 with said album’s infectious hit single “I Believe In A Thing Called Love.”

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

Providing opening support for The Darkness were Josh Dion (vocals, drums, keyboards) and Geoff Kraly (bass, modular synthesizer), better known as Paris Monster. Formed in 2012, the indie experimental duo and local natives hailing from Brooklyn took the stage promptly at 7:50 pm. Known for their musical virtuosity, Dion and Kraly play multiple instruments simultaneously and sound more like a quartet rather than just the two of them. As Hawkins would exude to the packed venue later in The Darkness’ set, “Frankie described it to me earlier. He says, ‘it sounds like aliens came down to Earth, listened to some of our music, and then decided to do their own version of it.’ Their fucking amazing. Paris Monster, it’s my favorite band.” The highlight of Paris Monster’s 40-minute, 10-song set was the closing number “A Vision Complete,” lifted from their debut EP It Once Had Been Kind released in 2013. For fans of the beat-driven, groove-based sound, inter-mixed with elements of funk and soul, I strongly urge you to check out their first full-length album entitled Lamplight (2019).

Paris Monster | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

With The Darkness’ stage crew having put the finishing touch to the set, all of whom donned matching navy blue boiler suits complete with their nickname on the back, Abba’s instrumental “Arrival” played on tape over the house PA. And right on schedule, at a few ticks past 9;00 pm, the house lights went dark and the rock and roll outfit from ‘the other side of the pond’ appeared from the shadows.

Dan Hawkins of The Darkness | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

Playing 2003 Permission to Land’s album in its entirety (and according to Justin, “in no particular order”), the 90-minute set kicked off with “Black Shuck,” a song about the Old English legend of a ghostly black dog roaming the English coastline – which actually is the lead track from their debut album. Before exploding into “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” Justin spotted a fan along the rail sporting a brilliant, Queen-branded Hawaiian shirt that he confessed has “coveted for many moons.” After asking that the shirt be taken off and handed over, Justin quipped, “Thanks friend, you’re never going to see it again. Cheers!”

Frankie Poullain of The Darkness | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

As the festive night ensued, Justin and his mates gifted the power ballad and fan favorite “Love Is Only a Feeling,” and then ripped through their pop anthem and smash hit “Friday Night,” backed by an exceptional Gotham audience who belted out the infectious chorus in unison. With the epic gig’s denouement upon us, Justin sang a beautiful rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Josh of Paris Monster, followed by “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” – sans audience members taking pictures or video with their phones – as per Justin’s request.

Rufus Tiger Taylor of The Darkness | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

After taking a few moments off stage for everyone to catch a collective breath, The Darkness triumphantly returned to the stage rocking silk bathrobes. As Justin introduced the band before commencing the penultimate track “I Love You 5 Times,” there had been some personnel reshuffling – brother Dan was now behind the kit, Frankie had taken up an acoustic guitar, Rufus had a bass in his hands and their guitar tech, Softy, was seated at the Mellotron. The night concluded at 10:30 pm, but not before Justin majestically rode atop the shoulders of a roadie through the floor crowd during the solo to “Love on the Rocks With No Ice,” which was preceded by an impromptu jam of Don McLean’s “American Pie” (and not the full version that Justin had jokingly promised!).

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness | Photo Credit: Michael Dinger

Hawkins is the quintessential embodiment of the rock star persona, and per usual, he was at the top of his game on ‘hump day.’ His flamboyant, explosive on-stage energy was truly a spectacle to behold. Equipped with a signature falsetto and exquisitely delivered guitar solos featuring an intricate fingerpicking style, Hawkins gives The Darkness a magnificent pageantry that stands up in comparison to the likes of his biggest influences, notably Bon Scott, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant and Mick Jagger. Whether it be his dramatic gesticulations, a high-flying leap off the drum riser that would make David Lee Roth proud, or a show of strength by holding a self-supported handstand for what seemed like an eternity, he exhibited true showmanship and an enduring passion for his craft.

Watch The Darkness perform a cover of Radioheads’ “Street Spirit (Fade Out),” immediately followed by “Holding My Own” here:

This past October 6^th, an expanded edition of Permission To Land was dropped by the band as a five-LP package, a four-CD+DVD package, a double-CD package, as well as across various digital streaming platforms. Fans of The Darkness can also look forward to a feature-length documentary dubbed “Welcome To The Darkness” coming to cinemas for one night only, on November 9^th, in the UK and Ireland. Distributed by Lightbulb Film Distribution and directed by renowned photographer Simon Emmett, the film is a comeback tale of a “cult band” in search of its past glory that will also be available on digital download and Blu-ray beginning December 4^th.

Paris Monster Setlist: The Unclean > Laugh it Off > Andalusia > Hot Canyon Air > Ape > I’m Not Gonna Miss This Dive > Grandma > Darkest Days > Had Damon Caught His Sloane > A Vision Complete

The Darkness Setlist: Black Shuck > Get Your Hands Off My Woman > Growing on Me > The Best of Me > Makin’ Out > Givin’ Up > Love Is Only a Feeling > Curse of the Tollund Man > Stuck in a Rut > How Dare You Call This Love? > Street Spirit (Fade Out) > Holding My Own > Friday Night > Happy Birthday > I Believe in a Thing Called Love > Encore: I Love You 5 Times > Love on the Rocks With No Ice

UPCOMING WORLD TOUR DATES

10/21/23 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
10/22/23 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
11/07/23 – Berlin, Germany @ Admiralspalast
11/08/23 – Hamburg, Germany @ Markthalle
11/09/23 – Köln, Germany @ Essigfabrik
11/11/23 – München, Germany @ Technikum
11/13/23 – Ciampino, Italy @ Orion Live Club
11/14/23 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz
11/15/23 – Nonantola, Italy @ VOX CLUB
11/17/23 – Prattleln, Switzerland @ Konzertfabrik Z7
11/18/23 – Luxembourg City, Luxembourg @ den Atelier
11/20/23 – Rubigen, Switzerland @ Muhle Hunziken
11/22/23 – Bruxelles, Belgium @ AB
11/23/23 – Paris, France @ La Cigale
11/24/23 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
12/02/23 – Belfast, Northern Ireland @ The Telegraph Building
12/03/23 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Olympia Theatre
12/05/23 – Edinburgh, Scotland @ 02 Academy
12/07/23 – Newcastle Upon Tyne, England @ O2 City Hall
12/08/23 – Norwich, England @ UEA LCR Norwich
12/09/23 – London, England @ Roundhouse
12/11/23 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Barrowland Ballroom
12/12/23 – Manchester, England @ New Century Hall
12/14/23 – Bristol, England @ Bristol Beacon
12/15/23 – Nottingham, England @ Rock City
12/16/23 – Wolverhampton, England @ Wulfrun Hall
12/18/23 – Leeds, England @ O2 Academy
12/19/23 – Nottingham, England @ Rock City
12/20/23 – Brighton, England @ Brighton Dome
12/22/23 – London, England @ Roundhouse
01/26/24 – Wellington, New Zealand @ The Opera House
01/27/24 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Powerstation
01/30/24 – Adelaide, Australia @ Hindley Street Music Hall
02/01/24 – Fremantle, Australia @ Metropolis
02/03/24 – West Melbourne, Australia @ Festival Hall
02/07/24 – Brisbane, Australia @ The Fortitude Music Hall
02/09/24 – Bruce, Australia @ UC Refectory
02/10/24 – Moore Park, Australia @ Horden Pavilion
03/02/24 – Miami, FL @ Monsters of Rock Cruise

PARIS MONSTER

THE DARKNESS

October 21, 2023
Shower Curtain Releases Cat-Inspired Single And New Music Video

Brazilian NYC-based band Shower Curtain dropped their first single in two years, titled “Edgar.” The group released an official music video shot in New York City, following lead vocalist Victoria Winter’s cat Edgar’s point of view.

The track approaches a heavy topic, as Edgar faces many medical issues. However, the music video seeks to create a lighter tone by playing with perspective: the video shifts from following the cat’s point of view at floor level to overhead shots of people searching for him.

“Edgar” is a dreamy, melancholic rock track that shows strong, deliberate use of intense guitar riffs, as well as moments where the song pulls back to showcase clear emotion.

Photo Credit: Juliette Boulay

Shower Curtain recently evolved from being Victoria Winter’s solo project to adding musicians Jill Olesen on bass, Ethan Williams on guitar, and Sean Terrell on drums.

It feels very liberating to share this song with the world. Not only is it marking a new phase for the project but I think an overall process of maturing as a creative, letting go of the old aesthetic and sound that defined Shower Curtain when I lived in Brazil. The new sound is of course a reflection of the project evolving from a solo project into a band, and the band’s contribution to this song is evident in the instrumentation.
Victoria Winter

Shower Curtain is currently focusing on their first album, set to release sometime in 2024. In addition, they will play a celebratory show at Brooklyn venue Trans Pecos on November 9 to mark their resurgence as a group. Shower Curtain is Victoria Winter (vocals), Jill Olesen (bass), Ethan Williams (guitar), and Sean Terrell (drums).

SHOWER CURTAIN LIVE

Nov

9 – Trans Pecos – Brooklyn, NY

17 – Wonka Bar – Curitiba, BR

19 – Balaclava Festival – São Paulo, BR

October 21, 2023
U2 Expanding Sphere Residency With 11 Shows in January and February 2024

After an exciting and groundbreaking run of shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas, U2 has announced they are playing an additional 11 dates on their ‘U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere,’ run for January and February 2024.

‘U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere,’ is a first-of-its-kind live music experience that ushers in a new era of live entertainment with the world’s biggest rock band, U2, in the world’s most cutting-edge venue, Sphere. The show marks U2’s first live outing in four years and Sphere will be the only place fans can see this show, now with 36 total dates running through February 18, 2024. Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton will once again be joined onstage by Bram van den Berg, sitting in on drums for Larry Mullen Jr.

Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, U2, formed in Dublin in 1978, has since toured the globe countless times, released 14 studio albums, sold over 170 million albums, and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys and Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience award. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 and have twice been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. U2 has consistently pushed the boundaries of live performance, with ground-breaking stage shows that embrace the latest in technology and innovation.

Credit: Ross Stewart.

The Sphere, curated by Madison Square Garden Entertainment, is becoming the next-generation entertainment medium, bringing wonder to the world and redefining the future of live entertainment, where artists, creators, and technologies create extraordinary experiences, taking storytelling to a new level. The venue transforms the concert-going experience with innovative technologies that include a 16K x 16K LED display inside the main venue bowl that wraps up, over, and around the audience, creating a fully immersive visual environment. The Sphere also has the world’s most advanced concert audio system, featuring crystal-clear audio and 10,000 immersive seats including a system that utilizes deep vibrations so guests can feel the rumble of thunder or a roaring motorcycle.

Tickets will be available during a general on-sale starting Wednesday, October 25 at 11 a.m. PT. On-sale times may vary, check the Ticketmaster listing for more information.

U2 Sphere Dates

2023
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

2024
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18

October 21, 2023
Watch Steve Conte’s Video For New Single “Girl With No Name”

NYC-based singer-songwriter Steve Conte released a new official music video for his latest single, “Girl With No Name.” The video was filmed on the streets of New York, and shows iconic locations such as Times Square and the famous Flatiron Building.

Conte wrote “Girl With No Name” based on ideas of missed opportunity and attraction. He began writing it in 1984 and finished the track for his upcoming album. He cited influences such as The Beatles, XTC, and Diana Ross and the Supremes.

This is a song of regret…about missed opportunity and lack of skills in meeting someone you’re attracted to. When putting my new album together, I was looking for songs that would fit nicely alongside the songs that Andy Partridge and I had written for it and I kept thinking of this one. I wrote it back in 1984 and never forgot it – which was a good sign.
Steve Conte

Photo Credit: Anja Van Ast, 2020

Steve Conte is known as a longtime member of the rock group New York Dolls, as well as working alongside Paul Simon, Billy Squier, and Peter Wolf. Conte expanded internationally in recent years, working alongside Japanese composer Yoko Kanno to write soundtracks for anime series’.

October 19, 2023