M. Ward plays sharp, dynamic set at Page Auditorium

Singer songwriter M. Ward brought the tour in support of his latest album A Wasteland Companion to Page Auditorium at Duke last night and the crowd was treated to a dynamic set showcasing his new music as well as his fantastic catalog.

Ward, backed by a trio of musicians, started things mellow with "Post-War," "Clean Slate" and "Watch the Show," each of which showcased his gravely baritone voice and signature guitar playing. The breezy "For Beginners" shifted the vibe set, setting the tone for the dynamic set to follow.

The back of the stage was lined with large windows which projected beautiful scenes of clouds rolling by, city buildings at night, birds flying and more. It simple and not distracting, yet one of the nicest visual elements I've ever seen used at a concert.

Win tickets to M. Ward at Page Auditorium

Photo by Autumn de Wilde

Singer-songwriter M. Ward released his critically acclaimed new album A Wasteland Companion in April and has been touring the country bringing the new songs to the masses. The tour will stop at Page Auditorium on Duke's campus on Tuesday, May 15.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show at Page Auditorium, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "M. Ward tickets" in the subject line no later that noon on Friday, May 11. One entry per person, please. We will select and notify a winner that afternoon.

Tickets to the show are available here for $22 or $28. Lee Ranaldo (of Sonic Youth) and his band will open.

M. Ward announces spring tour with Lee Ranaldo, coming to Durham

Singer-songwriter M. Ward is hitting the road in May with Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth opening each show. Ward's latest solo album is 2009's Hold Time and last played the Triangle the same year, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Merge Records (check out the review HERE).

The tour will bring Ward and Ranaldo to Page Auditorium on Duke's campus in Durham on Tuesday, May 15. Tickets will go on sale on at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 30 HERE.

Download or stream Ward's cover of the Buddy Holly classic "Rave On" from Hold Time below.

Local Natives & Blind Pilot, Aziz Ansari coming to Durham this fall

The Duke University Union has announced its major shows for fall, and indie rockers Local Natives and Blind Pilot are on the calendar, as well as Parks & Recreation breakout star Aziz Ansari.

The booking of Local Natives and Blind Pilot is a bit of a departure for the DUU, which, in recent years, has focused more on hip hop artists such as Chiddy Bang and Lupe Fiasco.

Local Natives and Blind Pilot will play Duke's Page Auditorium on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Tickets go on sale Oct. 6th for students for $15 and Oct. 7th at 11 a.m. for $25 for the general public through the Duke box office. Stay tuned for a special discount code for this show just for Triangle Music readers.

UPDATE: Use promo code TRIMUSIC for a $3 discount, limit 2. Thanks to the Duke student union major attractions committee for offering this special!

The Civil Wars announce fall tour, coming to Durham

Nashville duo The Civil Wars' star is on the rise. Their debut album Barton Hollow has taken off since it's release in February. On the tour immediately following the release, the band played a sold out show at The Pour House in Raleigh, but this fall, they're moving to a considerably larger room.

They'll play Page Auditorium on Duke's west campus in Durham on Thursday, October 20. Milo Greene will open. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $25 or $22.

[UPDATE: The show in Durham has been postponed because of Joy Williams suffering from laryngitis. Check out the statement posted on the band's website below. The show has been rescheduled to Monday, December 5. Previously purchased tickets are good for the new date, but if you can't attend the new date, call or email Duke ticketing at 919.684.4444 or tickets@duke.edu.

Matisyahu announces new dates, coming to Durham

After a sold out show at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh last November, the Hasidic rapper will return to the Triangle this November at a considerably larger venue.

He'll perform in Durham at Page Auditorium on Duke University's campus on Wednesday, November 17. Freddie Gibbs will open the show.

Tickets go on sale to for Duke students and employees on Tuesday, November 2 at 10 a.m., $15 for students and $25 for employees. The public on sale begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 4 for $30 for the public and $25 for non-Duke students. They can be purchased here or at the box office in the Bryan Center.

Win tickets to the American Beauty Project at Page Auditorium

The American Beauty Project featuring Ollabelle with special guests Jim Lauderdale, Catherine Russell, Aoife O'Donovan and David Mansfield will be at Page Auditorium on Friday night, October 15 performing songs of the Grateful Dead and we have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader.

To win, email us at trianglemusicblog at gmail dot com with "American Beauty tickets" in the subject line no later than 12 p.m. tomorrow, October 15. We will randomly choose a winner and notify them on Friday afternoon.

Tickets for the show are $18, $26 or $32 for the public or just $5 for Duke students. You can buy your tickets here or at the Bryan Center box office on Duke's campus.

Dirty Projectors wrap fall tour at Page Auditorium

All photos by Kevin Norris

New York sextet Dirty Projectors wrapped their current tour on Tuesday night at Page Auditorium on Duke's campus with a bombastic set of experimental pop.

Bright, spastic guitar riffs, staccato female vocals and a tight, groovy rhythm section dominated the night. The band's music feels improvised much of the time, but the group is so tight, it seems impossible that much of it is left to chance.

"Knotty Pine," the band's contribution to the Dark Was the Night compilation, was an early stand out in the set. They also played a few songs, "No Embrace" and "Beautiful Mother," from their recent collaboration with Bjork titled Mount Wittenberg Orca.