Friday, August 28, 2015

New old music from Superchunk - "Born to Run" (Bruce Springsteen cover)

The 40th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's classic 1975 album Born to Run was earlier this week and local indie rock icons Superchunk dug up a live cover of the album's title track to mark the occasion.

Their version of "Born to Run" was recorded in 2000 when Superchunk was on tour with ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead and Crooked Fingers. They closed each show with everyone on stage covering the song, including Eric Bachmann playing Clarence Clemons' classic saxophone solo. Check out it below.

Mac McCaughan of Superchunk will be playing the Hopscotch Music Festival in a couple of weeks. His set will be at the Lincoln Theatre at 9:30 on Thursday, September 10.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Justin Townes Earle announces 'Absent Fathers' fall tour

Singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle released his sixth full-length album Absent Fathers earlier this year and he his heading out this fall on a big U.S. tour in support of it that will bring him back to the Triangle.

He will play the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Monday, October 12. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $25.

Check out the music video for the song "Call Ya Momma" from Absent Fathers below.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Made of Oak announces debut EP & local release show

Nick Sanborn, best known as half of the breakout duo Sylvan Esso and a touring member of Megafaun, will release the debut EP of his solo project Made of Oak this fall on Partisan Records.

The EP is titled Penumbra and will be out on November 6. Check out a teaser video for the EP below.

Made of Oak will play the Friend Island day party at the Pour House during the Hopscotch Music Festival on Saturday, September 12.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Brian Wilson announces fall tour with Al Jardine

Legendary Beach Boys singer-songwriter Brian Wilson is hitting the road this fall in support of his latest album No Pier Pressure and he is bringing fellow ousted Beach Boy Al Jardine and guitarist and singer Blondie Chaplin along for the run.

The tour will come to the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Thursday, November 19. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 28, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $57 to $255.75.

Check out Wilson, Jardine, Chaplin and Wilson's band performing "The Right Time" from the PBS Soundstage concert celebrating the release of No Pier Pressure below.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Hopscotch Music Festival announces 2015 day parties

The 2015 Hopscotch Music Festival is just three weeks away and the festival has just announced the usual smorgasbord of day parties, including two big ones presented by Etix and Squarespace.

The first big day party on Friday, September 11, will feature OBNOX, Loud Boyz, Pie Face Girls and Bodykit at CAM Raleigh from noon to 5 p.m.

The second one on Saturday, September 12, will feature two stages at the intersection of Fayetteville and Davie Streets. The Salisbury Street Stage will feature Dead Tongues, Skylar Gudasz, Michael Rault and Canine Heart Sounds. The Wilmington Street Stage will feature T0W3RS, Jenny Besetzt and Astro Cowboy. There will also be more that 40 vendors present at the Hopscotch Makers Market and as well as the Hoopscotch event.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Deerhunter cancels tour dates, including Hopscotch

Fresh on the heels of announcing a new album a few days ago titled Fading Frontier, Georgia indie rockers Deerhunter have canceled a number of their upcoming tour dates, including their upcoming appearance at the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh.

The band was set to play the big City Plaza stage on Thursday, September 10, before headliners Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Adjustments to the schedule for the City Plaza stage that night have not yet been announced.

[UPDATE:Canadian rockers Ought will replace Deerhunter on the City Plaza stage on September 10.]

Neon Indian announces new album, fall 2015 tour

Texas electro pop band Neon Indian will release their third full-length album on October 16 titled VEGA INTL. Night School and they'll hit the road this fall in support of it.

The group will come to the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Wednesday, November 11. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $15.

Check out the song "Slumlord" from the new album VEGA INTL. Night School below.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Stevie Wonder extends 'Songs in the Key of Life' tour, coming to Charlotte

Legendary R&B singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder has extended his fall tour celebrating his classic 1976 double album Songs in the Key of Life that will feature him playing the entire album as well as some of his other hits.

Sadly the tour is not stopping in the Triangle, so if you want to see Wonder play this class album in North Carolina you'll have to head to the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on Saturday, November 14. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 21, via Ticketmaster for $39.50 to $129.50 plus fees and tax. The Live Nation pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. tomorrow, August 20, via their site and app.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Brandon Flowers cancels six upcoming shows, including Raleigh

The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers was scheduled to hit the Triangle tomorrow night in support of his second solo album The Desired Effect, but the show as well as five other upcoming tour dates have been canceled.

The Raleigh show, set to take place at The Ritz tomorrow night, August 14, will not be rescheduled. Ticket refunds will be issued. Tonight's show in Charlotte at the Fillmore is canceled as well. No reason has been given for the cancellation thus far other than "unforeseen circumstances."

Archers of Loaf announce fall shows, coming to Carrboro

Archers of Loaf at Cat's Cradle, 2011
Photo by Kevin Norris
Chapel Hill rockers Archers of Loaf are getting back together again this fall to play a few shows this fall and will once again play a big show in the Triangle.

The band will return to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, October 17. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, via Ticketfly for $20.

Merge Records released remastered, deluxe editions of Archers of Loaf's back catalog in 2011 and 2012. Check out the music video for "Web in Front" from the 1994 album Icky Mettle below.

Dr. John & The Nite Trippers announce fall tour

Legendary New Orleans pianist and singer Dr. John will be heading back out on the road this fall with his band The Nite Trippers in support of his latest album, 2014's Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch, an album of songs made famous by Louis Armstrong.

The tour will come to the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Saturday, October 3. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $41 to $105.83 (plus fees. An online pre-sale has already started and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, using the password SATCH.

Check out the song "Sweet Hunk O' Trash" from Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch below.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

The Jacksons plot 50th anniversary tour, coming to Durham

The Jacksons are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their legendary group, once led by the late superstar Michael Jackson, with a tour consisting of three of the four living members, Tito, Jackie and Marlon, but not Jermaine.

The tour will come to the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Monday, October 5. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $47 to $180.75. The online pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. today, August 12, via Ticketmaster with the password JACKSONS.

Check out a video of the Jacksons performing a few different songs at a show in Indio, CA earlier this year below.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Deafheaven announces new album 'New Bermuda,' fall tour

San Francisco black metal band Deafheaven will release their third studio album on October 2 titled New Bermuda and they'll hit the road on a big North American tour this fall.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, November 8. Tribulation will open. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $18.

Check out a short teaser trailer for new album New Bermuda below.

Friday, August 07, 2015

Benji Hughes signs to Merge Records, new music out this fall

Charlotte singer-songwriter Benji Hughes has just become the newest artist to join the Merge Records family and he'll have new music out on the label this fall.

Hughes will release two new 7-inches on October 9. The first is "Freaky Feedback Blues" with the b-side "Jazz x 10" and the other is "Shark Attack" with the b-side "Mama, I'm a Zombie." He will release a new full-length album on Merge early next year.

Hughes will play Local 506 tonight, August 7. Tickets are $10 in advance via Ticketfly.

Thursday, August 06, 2015

King Mez featured on Dr. Dre's new album 'Compton'

Raleigh rapper King Mez has been out in Los Angeles working with Dr. Dre for a while, his timeout west has resulted in a big placement on Dre's new album, his first in 16 years and possibly his last, Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre.

Mez is listed as a featured artist on "Talk About It," also featuring Justus, "Darkside / Gone," also featuring Marsha Ambrosius, the late Eazy-E and Kendrick Lamar, and "Satisfaction," also featuring Snoop Dogg and Marsha Ambrosius.

The album is already streaming via Apple Music to folks who have signed up for a free trial. It will be available to purchase on iTunes at midnight tonight or you can pre-order it now.

The Get Up Kids announce 20th anniversary tour

Missouri pop rockers The Get Up Kids are regrouping again later this year to continue celebrating their 20th anniversary with a big North American tour that is currently scheduled to wrap up right here in the Triangle before Christmas.

The band will return to the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Wednesday, December 16. Into It. Over It. and Rozwell Kid will open. Tickets will go on sale at noon on Friday, August 7, via Ticketfly for $19.50.

Check out the band performing the song "Mass Pike" at a show earlier this year below.

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Daryl Hall & John Oates announce fall 2015 tour

Philadelphia pop soul duo Hall and Oates will be hitting the road again this fall on a short run of U.S. dates that will bring them back to the Triangle.

The group will return to the Durham Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, December 8. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 7, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster.

Check out a video of Hall and Oates performing the song "Private Eyes" at their show at DPAC in December of 2011 below.

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Eric Church, Willie Nelson, The Roots, Modest Mouse, Sheryl Crow & more playing new Raleigh festival

The Triangle is getting another big festival to add to the calendar along with the Hopscotch Music Festival, World of Bluegrass festivites, and Moogfest coming next year.

This fall the first American Roots Music & Arts Festival will come to Walnut Creek Amphitheater on October 17 and 18 featuring an eclectic lineup. Country superstar and North Carolina native Eric Church will headline both nights and the rest of the lineup includes Willie Nelson, The Roots, Modest Mouse, Sheryl Crow, Warren Haynes, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Grace Potter, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Chris Stapleton, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon and Greensky Bluegrass. More performers will be announced later.

Matt Pond PA releases 'The State of Gold,' announces fall 2015 tour

Philadelphia indie rockers Matt Pond PA just released a new album in June titled The State of Gold and the band is hitting the road on a big U.S. tour this fall in support.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle Back Room in Carrboro on Thursday, October 15. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 7, via Ticketfly for $13.

Check out Matt Pond PA's recent performance for KEXP featuring two songs from The State of Gold, "There Were Times" and "Take Me With You."

Monday, August 03, 2015

Chance the Rapper announces Family Matters Tour

Up and coming Chicago rapper Chance the Rapper whose latest release, a collaborative album with Donnie Trumpet and The Social Experiment titled Surf, was just released a few months ago. He is hitting the road this fall on the Family Matters Tour that will stop in the Triangle.

He'll play The Ritz in Raleigh on Monday, November 9. D.R.A.M., Towkio and Metro Boomin will open. Tickets are on sale now via Live Nation for $39.50 ($53.38 with fees and tax).

Check out the recent Action Bronson music video for the single "Baby Blue" featuring Chance the Rapper below.