Maps & Atlases announces spring tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Chicago indie rock quartet Maps & Atlases are gearing up for the release of their sophomore album Beware and Be Grateful, due out on April 17 via Barsuk Records. A lengthy tour will follow the release which will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Thursday, May 24. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $11.

Stream or download the catchy song "Winter" from Beware and Be Grateful below.

Chicago & The Doobie Brothers announce summer tour, coming to Raleigh

Classic rock mainstays Chicago and The Doobie Brothers are hitting the road the summer playing big sheds across the U.S.

The pair will hit the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion (Walnut Creek) in Raleigh on Thursday, July 26 [the date has been changed to Sunday, August 5]. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 3 via Ticketmaster/LiveNation starting at $10 plus fees.

Both bands released live album of classic concerts last year. Chicago's latest is Chicago XXXIV: Live in '75 and The Doobies' is Live at the Greek Theatre 1982. Check out "China Grove" from the latter below.

Album Review: Cursive - I Am Gemini

Ambition is rarely a bad thing, but Cursive’s I Am Gemini is an example of where the big picture is a bit too big.

Simply put, I Am Gemini is the story of the confrontations of opposite twin brothers. Cursive go to great lengths to hammer it home that this is a concept album and the listener should be paying attention. They go as far as to include a script (stage directions and all) with the album that identifies all the characters.

This is helpful, but a good story should stand on its own. I Am Gemini gets cluttered with characters, plot twists, and references to Greek mythology. In the end, it feels more like a fever dream after a night of stumbling around wikipedia than a narrative.

Nick Lowe announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Acclaimed British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe and his band are hitting the road this spring on a headline tour in support of his latest album The Old Magic, released last fall via Yep Roc Records.

Lowe will play the Fletcher Opera Theater at the Progress Energy Center in Raleigh on Wednesday, May 2. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll let you know once it is. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 2 via the Progress Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $35.

[UPDATE: Singer-songwriter Tift Merritt will open the show.]

Stream The Old Magic in its entirety below.

Mike Doughty releases book, performing in Durham

Alt-rock singer-songwriter and former Soul Coughing front man Mike Doughty is hitting the road this spring in support of a very personal new project. In January, Doughty published The Book of Drugs, a memoir of his addiction and recovery.

Doughty will be at Durham's Casbah on Friday, May 11, for a reading, concert and Q&A session. Tickets are $16 and go on sale Friday, March 2, via Etix.

Watch Doughty discuss his new book with New York Public Radio below.

Edgar Meyer to host free listening session before Duke show

Celebrated genre-hopping bassist Edgar Meyer will make a stop at at the Reynolds Industries Theater on Duke's campus on Thursday, March 1, as a part of Duke Performances' 2011-12 season, but he'll also host a listening session the night before.

Meyer will be at Motorco Music Hall on Wednesday, February 29 to listen to and discuss music starting at 7 p.m., and it's free.

There are still some tickets available for the show at Reynolds Theater, which you can buy HERE or at the Bryan Center box office for $32 to $38.

New music from Lost in the Trees - "Golden Eyelids"

We're less than a month away from the release of Lost in the Trees' highly anticipated sophomore album A Church That Fits Our Needs, out on March 20 via Anti- Records, and we have another song from it to share with you.

The song is the beautifully somber "Golden Eyelids" which you can stream below. The song was premiered earlier this week by one of the most influential west coast radio stations, KCRW.

If you haven't already checked out the music video for "Red," check it out HERE.

Josh Pope becomes Cocoon, releases 'The Storm'

Local indie outfit The Light Pines called in quits last summer, but after a break from writing music, frontman Josh Pope has returned as Cocoon.

The first release from the new project are eight lo-fi home recordings titled The Storm. It's a fantastic collection of songs, which you can stream in its entirety below and buy it HERE.

There are no plans to play the songs live yet according to an interview with The Independent, but who knows what the future might hold.

Horse Feathers announces spring tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Portland indie folk band Horse Feathers are hitting the road this spring on a hefty tour in support of their forthcoming album Cynic's New Year, due out on April 17 via Kill Rock Stars Records.

The tour will stop at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, May 15. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $12.

Stream the fantastic first single from Cynic's New Year, "Fit Against the Country," below. You can download the song for free if you sign up for the band's mailing list HERE.

Portlandia: The Tour plays to sold out Durham crowd

Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen brought Portlandia: The Tour to a sold out crowd at Durham's Carolina Theatre Wednesday night.

The duo shared scenes from the second season of Portlandia and played songs from and inspired by the show, but the bulk of the evening centered on audience participation.

Durham resident and Mountain Goats frontman John Darnielle joined Brownstein and Armisen on stage early on to help answer questions about the city, which pretty much turned into a free-for-all. There were opinions aplenty on the subject of best local coffee shop, local bars, and where to find a good biscuit (prompting Brownstein asked if a biscuit was the same as a scone). Bike Coffee (which is exactly what it sounds like) seemed to truly amaze Armisen, so if the concept of a micro food truck appears on a future episode of Portlandia or Saturday Night Live, you'll know why!

The Clean announces US tour with Times New Viking, coming to Chapel Hill

Photo by Tim Soter

New Zealand indie rock band The Clean are making a rare visit to the states in late spring and will be bringing Merge labelmates Times New Viking along for the ride.

The bands will play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Friday, June 8. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 24 via Etix for $12.

The Clean's latest album is 2009's Mister Pop. Stream or download the song "In the Dreamlife You Will Need a Rubber Soul" from the album below.

Grouplove announces spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Los Angeles indie pop band Grouplove are hitting the road this spring in support of their debut album Never Trust a Happy Song, released in September.

After hitting Coachella earlier in the month, the band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, April 30. Company of Thieves will open. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 24 via Etix for $15.

The band's songs have been featured in a number of commercials and television shows, but most would recognize "Tongue Tied," which was featured in an iPod Touch commercial. Check out the music video for the song below.

Beach House announces spring shows, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Jason Nocito

One of Baltimore's great indie duos, Beach House, will play a few shows this spring and will make a stop in the Triangle.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, May 5. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, February 22 via Etix for $20.

The band's latest album is the acclaimed Teen Dream, released in 2010, but later that year, they recorded an iTunes session which included a new song titled "White Moon." Stream that song below.

Ketch & Critter of Old Crow Medicine show announces March tour, coming to Saxapahaw

Founding members of the supurb string band Old Crow Medicine Show, Ketch Secor and Critter Fuqua, are teaming up for a short tour as a duo in March and will make their way to the Triangle.

The pair will play the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Friday, March 16. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $18.

Check out a video of the duo performing the Old Crow hit "Wagon Wheel" at a gig in Floyd, VA, in January below. The song was recently certified as gold by the RIAA, having sold over 600,000 copies. The song took the slow road to gold, logging more than seven and half years between the release and certification. It's a song with incredible staying power.

Album Review: Lambchop - Mr. M

The 11th album from Nashville’s legendary Lambchop, Mr. M, focuses on coping with life after the death of the band's good friend and regular collaborator Vic Chesnutt.

Every song here is surrounded with lush orchestral arrangements. What continues to make Lampchop great is its patience. There’s never a rush to get to the next note. Each swell and harmony resonates and entices.

The beauty of the music belies the sadness in Kurt Wagner’s lyrics. Throughout Mr. M, we can find the multitude of emotions that come with the death of a friend. There’s frustration on “If Not I’ll Just Die” (“Don’t know what the fuck they’re talking about”). On the desert rock influenced “B2B,” he paints a picture of apathy (“Took the Christmas lights off the front porch February the first”). “The good life is wasted on me,” Wagner sings as he wonders like so many before him why he’s been so lucky on “The Good Life (is Wasted).”

Cake announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Alt rock perinneals Cake have announced a spring tour promoting their latest album Showroom of Compassion, released last year, which will kick off right here in Raleigh.

Cake will play the Raleigh Amphitheatre on Sunday, April 15. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Feb. 24, via Ticketmaster and the venue box office with prices at $17 and $32.

Check out the music video for "Sick of You" from Showroom of Compassion below along with a complete list of tour dates.

Kurt Vile announces spring dates, coming to Durham

Singer-songwriter Kurt Vile is hitting the road again this spring for a few shows in support of his latest album Smoke Ring For My Halo and the newer companion EP So Outta Reach.

He'll play the intimate Duke Coffeehouse in Durham on Saturday, March 24. Duke Coffeehouse doesn't offer advance tickets, so you'll have to get them at the door on the day of the show.

Stream the song "The Creature" from the So Outta Reach EP below.

Video: Justin Timberlake plays Justin Vernon on SNL

Over the weekend, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver was all the buzz on the web after Justin Timberlake played him in a sketch on Saturday Night Live.

The sketch was based around musicians coming to visit Beyonce (Maya Rudolph) and Jay-Z's (Jay Pharoah) new baby Blue Ivy Carter, which was capped by Timberlake showing up as Vernon to play a version of "Holocene" about the baby. I won't give any more away, because you need to see it for yourself, so check it out below.

During the goodnights at the end of the show, Timberlake was holding a sign that said "I Heart Bon Iver." The whole thing was all in good fun and also happened to be the funniest bit of the show.

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Texas blues soul band Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears are hitting the road this spring on a headline tour in support of their sophomore album Scandalous, released last year.

The band will make a stop at Kings in Raleigh on Thursday, May 3. The Preservation will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $12.

Check out the trippy animated music video for "Mustang Ranch" from Scandalous below.

Steve Martin announces 2012 dates with Steep Canyon Rangers, returning to Durham

After playing a sold out show at the Durham Performing Arts Center last year, legendary comedian, actor and musician Steve Martin will return to the venue this year with local string band Steep Canyon Rangers by his side once more.

They'll play DPAC on Sunday, June 3. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 24 via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $58 to $125.

Martin's latest album, Rare Bird Alert, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, but lost to Alison Krauss' latest. Stream the title track from Rare Bird Alert below.

Eleanor Friedberger announces spring tour, coming to Durham

Photo by Michael Rubenstein

Singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger is hitting the road again this spring in support of her solo debut Last Summer, released last year via Merge Records.

She'll come back to the Triangle to play the Casbah in Durham on Friday, April 20. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $12.

Those who are checking out the Portlandia show at the Carolina Theatre on February 22 will have a chance to see Friedberger sooner, because she's billed as a "special musical guest" on the tour.

Alabama Shakes announces spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Up and coming southern rock/soul band the Alabama Shakes have been creating a lot of buzz lately and they haven't even released their debut album yet. They will be releasing their debut on April 9 titled Boys & Girls, but before that, they'll make a stop in the Triangle.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, April 6. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 24 via Etix for $12.

The band performed on Conan, so check out their killer performance of "Hold On" below along with a web exclusive performance of "I Ain't the Same."

City and Colour announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green, better known by the moniker City and Colour, will hit the road in late spring in support of his latest album Little Hell, released last year.

He'll play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Friday, June 1. David Bazan will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $25.

Stream the songs "Northern Wind" and "Fragile Bird" from Little Hell below. Check out the song "Wolves and the Door" from David Bazan's latest album Strange Negotiations below as well.

The Beach Boys announce 50th anniversary reunion tour, coming to Raleigh

Just days after the band's Grammy performance, the Beach Boys have announced a massive tour that will, for the first time in two decades, include Brian Wilson.

The Beach Boys will play the Raleigh Amphitheatre on Sunday, April 29. Tickets go on sale next Saturday, Feburary 25, at 10 a.m. via the Progress Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster. Ticket prices will start at $29.50. UPDATE: The Progress Energy Center box office will NOT be open Saturday morning. For low-fee tickets, you can use the box office at Walnut Creek.

Click through for a complete list of tour dates. The band had promised a 50-date international tour and list below only includes 37 stops, so expect some updates in the future.

The Donkeys announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Photo by Christina McCord

California band The Donkeys are hitting the road again this spring in support of their latest album Born With Stripes, released last year on Dead Oceans Records. The band played King's in Raleigh last spring and they're coming back to venue almost exactly a year later.

They'll play Kings on Monday, May 21. Buxton will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $6.

Stream or download the song "I Like the Way You Walk" from Born With Stripes below.

Joe Pug announces new album & tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Photo by Todd Roeth

Chicago singer-songwriter Joe Pug will release his sophomore album The Great Despiser on April 24 and will hit the road on a hefty tour supporting it which will keep him on the road through early June.

Late in the the tour, on Monday, June 4, he'll make a stop at Local 506 in Chapel Hill. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $9.

Check out a teaser video for The Great Despiser below which features a bit of the song "Hymn #76" from the album.

Album Review: Craig Finn - Clear Heart Full Eyes

While Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn has never shied away from the spotlight, but on his solo record, Clear Heart Full Eyes, listeners get a clearer sense of the man behind the frontman.

Finn explores the intersection of rock and roll and religion from several angles, a topic he’s no stranger to. “No Future” tells the tale of man who has replaced God with rock and roll and who is resigned to his fate. “Good old Freddie Mercury is the only guy that advises me,” Finn sings defiantly before admitting later, “The crucifixion still gets to me.”

Lost in the Trees announces album release party in Carrboro

After announcing the rest of their first round of tour dates in support of their forthcoming album A Church That Fits Our Needs, Lost in the Trees have finally announced their big hometown release party, which will come at the end of the run.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, April 20. Tickets will go on sale today, February 14, via Etix for $15.

If you haven't already checked out the song "Red" from the new album, stream or download it below. You can also check out the music video for the song HERE.

Esperanza Spalding announces spring tour, coming to Durham

Esperanza Spalding, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, is gearing up for a new album release and has scheduled a spring tour that will bring her to the Triangle.

Spalding will play Durham's Carolina Theatre on Wednesday, May 9. Tickets range from $42-67 and will go on sale Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. via the venue box office and Ticketmaster.

Her new album, Radio Music Society, will be released on March 20. Check out Spalding's video for "Black Gold" and a list of tour dates below.

Fountains of Wayne brings quirky power pop to the Cradle

All photos by Kevin Norris

Indie pop mainstays Fountains of Wayne rolled into the Triangle Saturday night for the first time in many years to warm up a large crowd of both very young and fairly old with their clever, catchy tunes.

Things got off to a rough start as the band had technical problems right away, and instead of stopping to fix things before starting, they butchered "I've Got a Flair." After the problem was fixed, the show quickly turned around as they rocked through some songs from their catalog including the dancey "Someone To Love" and the punky "Denise."

Midtown Dickens to celebrate 'Home' at the Cradle

As we previously mentioned, Durham's Midtown Dickens will release their new album Home on April 3 via Trekky Records, and now they've announced their big local release show.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, April 7, sharing the bill with Diali Cissokho & Kairaba, who will also be celebrating the release of a new album. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $5.

Midtown Dickens recently filmed a stripped down performance of "Only Brother" for the Live at Trekky House series. Check it out below.

Watch a new mini-documentary about the making of Bowerbirds' 'The Clearing'

We shared another new Bowerbirds song, "In the Yard," with you last Friday, and now the band has released a new six minute mini-documentary about the making of their new album The Clearing, out on March 6.

In the video below, the band discusses the hardships of their relationship, both as a band and a couple, and the trying times they've been through in the past few years.

Bowerbirds will celebrate the release of The Clearing at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, March 17. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $12.

Album Review: The Explorers Club - Grand Hotel

It has taken almost four years, but Charleston, SC, pop band The Explorers Club have returned with their sophomore album Grand Hotel.

The band laid their foundation with their debut album Freedom Wind, which unabashedly harkened back to classic 1960s and 1970s pop arrangements and harmonies while remaining fresh and exciting. The new album, Grand Hotel, builds on that foundation.

From note one, the album transports one to the Pacific Coast with the lush intro "Acapulco (Sunrise)" before ripping into a pair of rip-roaring catchy tunes "Run Run Run" and "Anticipatin'."

New music video from Lost in the Trees - "Red"

As you probably already know, Lost in the Trees are back on March 20 with their highly anticipated new album A Church That Fits Our Needs. They have just released the first music video for the album's first single "Red."

As we've come to expect from the band, the video features haunting images and a creative use of stop motion photography. There's also an odd bit of Ari Picker looking a bit like he practicing John Cleese's silly walks. Check out the video below.

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's announces spring tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Indiana indie band Margot and the Nuclear So and So's are gearing up for the release of their new album Rot Gut, Domestic on March 20 and will hit the road shortly after to support it.

The tour will stop at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Saturday, April 14. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 10 via Ticketfly for $10.

Check out the nifty animated music video for "Prozac Rock" from the Rot Gut, Domestic below.

Avett Brothers, Love Language & many more playing Raleigh benefit gig

This is likely to be one of the most talked about local shows of the year. On Friday, March 23, there will be a three-venue benefit gig in Raleigh dubbed Racing the Cure to support Oliver Gant, a two-year-old battling cancer.

Many great local bands such as The Love Language, Annuals, The Old Ceremony and many more will play the event, but there is one band that stands out amongst the rest. NC superstars The Avett Brothers are set to play a 25-minute set at Kings Barcade during the event, which will surely be packed beyond belief. All bands are donating their time and talent to the event. Check out the full line-up and stage schedules below.

Two Door Cinema Club announces U.S. tour, coming to Carrboro

Irish indie pop band Two Door Cinema Club will come to the states in late spring which will bring them to the Triangle with a pair of great openers.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Monday, June 11 with Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah and Bad Veins opening. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 10 via Etix for $21.50.

Check out the music video for "What You Know" from Two Door Cinema Club's debut album Tourist History below.

Album Review: Hospitality - Hospitality

Hospitality, the newest member of the Merge family, and its self-titled full-length debut are hard to pin down because they arouse comparisons to so many different musicians and styles.

Before the opener, "Eight Avenue," is even over, one is reminded of early '00s twee, the angular structure of Deerhoof and at times the theatrical vocal deliveries of Joanna Newsome and Satomi Matsuzaki.

This all changes on the next track in line, “Friends of Friends,” which digs in with an effervescent bass line and saxophone section. Here leader singer and songwriter Amber Papini seems to sing in a more natural tone.

Madonna announces North American tour, heading to Charlotte

Pop icon Madonna didn't waste any time taking advantage of the exposure she received performing the half time show at the Super Bowl Sunday night. She has just announced a world tour in support of her new album MDNA, which will be released on March 26.

She won't make her way to the Triangle on the tour, but will play the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on Thursday, November 15. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 5 via Ticketmaster. Prices have not been announced, from the prices of other dates, they'll likely be expensive.

Watch Madonna's entire Super Bowl performance, including M.I.A.'s much talked about middle finger during the new song "Give Me All Your Lovin'," below.

Drive-By Truckers announces spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Georgia rock band Drive-By Truckers played the City Plaza stage at the Hopscotch Music Festival last fall (see a review and photos HERE) and now they're hitting the road again this spring and will stop in the Triangle for a more intimate gig.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, April 19. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8 via Etix for $25. An opener has not been announced for the show yet, but Megafaun is opening the surrounding dates.

Drive-By Truckers latest album Go-Go Boots was released last year. Check out a video of the band performing "Used To Be a Cop" from the album at Hopscotch last year below.

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) announces spring tour, coming to Durham

Indie dance band !!! (pronounced Chk Chk Chk) is hitting the road this spring on a short run of tour dates which will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play the Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Wednesday, April 18. Shabaz Palaces will open the show. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, February 7 at the Motorco box office or the venue's website for $14.

Check out the songs "The Most Certain Sure" and "AM/FM" from the band's latest album Strange Weather, Isn't It? below.

Video: Megafaun featured in Toyota Super Bowl ad

Sharp listeners may have caught a little local music during one of the many ads during Sunday night's Super Bowl XLVI. The intro of Megafaun's "Hope You Know," featured their self-titled album released last year, was used in an ad for Toyota, which you can watch below.

The band is currently on tour in Europe and posted on their blog that they were watching the Super Bowl in Ghent, Belgium, but the broadcast did not feature the commercials seen in the U.S.

Lambchop announces 'Mr. M' tour, coming to Durham

Photo by Bill Steber

The excellent unclassifiable Nashville band Lambchop are hitting the road this spring in support of their new album Mr. M, due out on February 21 via Merge Records.

The second date of the tour will bring the band to Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Saturday, April 14. Tickets are on sale now at the venue and HERE for $12.

[UPDATE: Making the bill phenomenal, Crooked Fingers has been added as the opener.]

Real Estate announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

New Jersey indie band Real Estate are hitting the road this spring in support of their acclaimed 2011 album Days and will be making a stop in the Triangle.

They'll play a show at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh presented by the Hopscotch Music Festival on Friday, April 6. Twerps and Old Bricks will open. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted. The show is FREE.

Check out the Tom Scharpling directed music video for the song "Easy" from Days below.

New music from Bowerbirds - "In the Yard"

Photo by D.L. Anderson

The release of Bowerbirds third album The Clearing is still about a month away, it's out on March 6, but we have another new song from the album to wet your appetite a bit more.

The song is the album's second track, "In the Yard," a mellow tune fronted by Beth Tacular. Download or stream the song below. Check out more info on the album and download or stream the song "Tuck the Darkness In" HERE.

Bowerbirds will kick of their tour in support of the album at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, March 17. Tickets are on sale via Etix for $12.

New music video from M. Ward - "The First Time I Ran Away"

Just last week we told you about M. Ward's forthcoming album A Wasteland Companion, and now the first music video has been released from it. The video is for the mellow song "The First Time I Ran Away" and is beautifully animated. Check it out below.

As we've also mentioned, Ward will be playing at Page Auditorium on Duke's campus on Tuesday, May 15 with Lee Ranaldo's band opening. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $28 or $22.

A Wasteland Companion will be out on April 10 on Merge Records. Check out more info on the album HERE.

Active Child announces spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Ricky Chapman

Electronic musician Pat Grossi, better known as Active Child, is hitting the road with his band this spring in support of his latest album, 2011's You Are All I See, and you guessed it, will be making a stop in the Triangle.

They'll stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, May 8. Balam Acab and Superhumanoids will open the show. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 3 via Etix for $10.

Check out the new music video for the lush track "Hanging On" from You Are All I See below.

Archers of Loaf announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh & Saxapahaw

Photo by Sandlin Gaither

If you didn't get a chance to catch the reunited Archers of Loaf the Cat's Cradle last year, you're in luck, because they're hitting the road again this spring and will play not one, but two more Triangle shows.

First, they'll play the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Friday, May 11. Tickets go on sale at 12:15 p.m. on Friday, February 3 HERE for $20.

The following night, Saturday, May 12, they'll play an inmate gig at Kings Barcade in Raleigh. Tickets go on sale at 12 p.m. on Friday, February 3 via Etix for $20.

Kelly Clarkson brings big voice to DPAC

All photos by Kevin Norris

There was a packed house at DPAC Tuesday night as Kelly Clarkson and her band rolled through a lengthy set of songs spanning her career of the past decade.

It would be really easy to write Clarkson off as just another manufactured pop singer. (Easy enough that I got a chuckle from nearly every person I told I was going to this show.) While it may have been a tv show that made her famous, her voice has brought her to where she is today.

As a singer, Clarkson displays a range you don't see too often, moving seamlessly from pop to country and rock, with a voice that could make the hairs on your arm stand on end. This was best demonstrated during stripped down portions of her set where a piano was the only thing dueling for the audience's attention.

Jukebox the Ghost announces spring tour, coming to Durham

Power pop band Jukebox the Ghost are heading back to South By Southwest this year and will be playing gigs on their way to and from Austin, TX, which will include a stop in the Triangle.

They'll play The Pinhook in Durham on Thursday, March 22. Speak and The Elwins will open the show. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $10.

Jukebox the Ghost is still supporting their 2010 album Everything Under the Sun. Check out the music video for the song "Half Crazy" from the album below.