Michael McDonald announces Christmas shows, coming to Durham

I know we're only at the end of April but we've already got a Christmas post for you (this might be a record for us). The gravelly voiced soul singer Michael McDonald will hit the road late this year on his This Christmas Tour which will bring him to the Triangle.

McDonald will play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Sunday, December 1. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $45 to $100.

If you can bring yourself to do it this time of the year, check out a performance of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" from McDonald's live DVD/Blu-Ray This Christmas below.

Video: The Shouting Matches perform at Coachella

The Shouting Matches, a trio consisting of Justin Vernon, Phil Cook and Brian Moen, released their debut album Grownass Man a few weeks ago and they also played the Coachella Festival in support of it. Check out fantastic performances of the songs "New Theme" and "I Need a Change" from the album at the festival below.

You can also stream or download the song "Avery Hill" from the album via the Soundcloud widget below.

So far larger touring plans haven't been announced, just a few shows in the midwest. We'll let you know if the band announces a Triangle show.

Todd Snider announces 2013 tour, coming to Saxapahaw

Singer-songwriter Todd Snider has announced quite a few 2013 tour dates in support of his latest album Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables, released last year, which will bring his back to the Triangle for a big show.

He'll play the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Friday, May 31. The Ayr Mountaineers will open. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $20.

Check out a video of Todd Snider performing "Too Soon To Tell" from Agnostic Hymns & Stoner Fables for American Songwriter below.

Ani DiFranco announces fall tour, coming to Durham

Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco is hitting the road this fall on a short run of tour dates in support of her latest album, 2012's ¿Which Side Are You On?, and she'll be making a stop in the Triangle.

She'll play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Friday, September 27. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. today, April 26, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $28 to $48.

Check out the title track from the album ¿Which Side Are You On? below which features Pete Seeger on accompanying vocals and banjo.

Annuals releases first new album in five years, 'Time Stamp'

Annuals were once the biggest buzz band in the Triangle who were garnering national attention from blogs, magazines and even late night talk shows. But after the release of their last last album, 2008's Such Fun and the subsequent touring for that album, Annuals sort of disappeared for a while. They released the 2010 EP Sweet Sister and over the years would still play some shows here and there but activity was sporadic.

Well now they're back with a new album that's taken quite a while to make. It's titled Time Stamp and the band have released it digitally via Bandcamp for $8. In the text accompanying the release, the band says the don't know if the album is "a swan song, a comeback, or something else." Whatever it's the beginning of a new era or the end of the line, stream all eleven tracks that make up the album below.

There's no word on any release shows yet but if the band announces anything, we'll let you know.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra extends tour, adds fall dates

Indie rockers Unknown Mortal Orchestra released their sophomore II earlier this year and the band are spending the year traveling the world in support of it and have just extended the tour into the fall which will see band stop in the Triangle.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Sunday, October 6. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today, April 25, via Ticketfly for $12.

Check out the song "So Good At Being In Trouble" from II below as well as the band's brand new cover of the song "Rà-àkõ-st" by Lindstrøm.

Allman Brothers Band announces summer tour, annual Raleigh date

Southern rockers The Allman Brothers Band can be counted on for a summer tour. The band has rolled out a series of late summer dates, including a stop in Raleigh.

They'll play the Time Warner Cable Pavilion at Walnut Creek on Friday, August 30. Tickets will go on sale via LiveNation for 10 a.m. on Friday, May 10.

Check out a full show 2-hour from The Allman Brothers Band filmed at the band's Peach Music Festival last year below.

Hopscotch announces 2013 lineup, Big Boi, Spirutualized, Local Natives & more

Today's the day. The big Hopscotch Music Festival 2013 lineup has been revealed and as always it features a some big names, rising stars, unique performances and much, much more.

This year's performers on the big City Plaza stage will be Big Boi, Future Islands and Gross Ghost on Friday, September 6, and Spiritualized, the Breeders (playing Last Splash) and The Lollipops on Saturday, September 7.

Other notable performances include Local Natives, Kurt Vile, The Rosebuds performing Sade's Love Deluxe, Chatham County Line, Mikal Cronin, Marnie Stern, Mount Moriah, Night Beds, Amor de Dias, Kopecky Family Band, Nightlands and so many more. Check out the full lineup below.

Bombadil releasing 'Metrics of Affection' in July with big hometown show

Quirky Triangle pop band Bombadil are never one to rest on their laurels if they can help it. After releasing the album All That the Rain Promises in the fall of 2011, the band are back with their fourth album, Metrics of Affection.

The album will be out on July 23 and on the Saturday following the release, July 27, the band will celebrate the album with a big release show at Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh. Plume Giant will open. Tickets will go on sale soon via Etix for $10.

Bombadil were recently in Nashville and recorded a session for the series Harvey's Kitchen. They performed a song from the new album titled "Learning To Let Go," which you can watch below.

Album Review: Young Galaxy - Ultramarine

Young Galaxy’s fourth album, Ultramarine, represents the Vancouver band’s complete immersion in synth-pop and electronic disco.

This journey was started on the previous album, Shapeshifting, with the help of Swedish electronic producer Dan Lissvik via Skype. This time around, Young Galaxy flew to Sweden to record with Lissvik in person. The result is a fully-realized transformation from indie to electronic music.

The opening track, “Pretty Boy,” is evidence enough. The beat scampers about playfully while decorative synths and occasional strings fade between speakers. Lead singer Catherine McCandless’ vocal shimmer and elevate the song into something majestic.

The Love Language finally sets release date for third album

After a three-year wait and a lot of false starts, The Love Language are finally almost ready to release their highly anticipated third album. It is titled Ruby Red and will be released on Merge Records on July 23.

The album features ten new songs; you can see the full track list below and the album art to the right. You can pre-order the Ruby Red from Merge Records now and the first 250 orders will receive an 11-song demo cassette titled Black Mountain Demos.

The Love Language will be playing the big Carrboro Block Party outside the Cat's Cradle on Sunday, May 5 with Lost in the Trees and Loamlands.

Robert Plant announces summer tour, coming to Cary

Rock legend Robert Plant and his band the Sensational Space Shifters are getting ready to head out on the road this summer. On previous legs of the tour, the band have been playing a hefty dose of Led Zeppelin songs during their sets, though reimagined for Plant's new band.

The tour will make a stop at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Saturday, July 20. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 26, via Etix for $65 (reserved seats/tables) or $50 (general admission lawn).

Check out a trailer for Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters tour below.

Ben Folds Five releasing live album from 2012-13 dates

After releasing their first new album in 13 years last year and hitting the road on a big our supporting it (which brought them to Cary), Ben Folds Five are gearing up for another big year which will include the release of their first live album.

The band will release the simply titled Ben Folds Five Live on June 4. The album features 15 songs performed on their tour last year and and early this year. Check out the full track list which includes where and when each song was performed below.

As we previously mentioned, Ben Folds Five have joined Barenaked Ladies Last Summer on Earth Tour, which also includes Guster, and will be playing the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Sunday, July 28. Check out more info about the tour HERE.

Warren Haynes & the NC Symphony to celebrate to Jerry Garcia

This summer, a collaboration between acclaimed Asheville guitarist and singer Warren Haynes and symphonies from around the U.S. will celebrate the rich catalog of the late Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead. The set will include songs Garcia wrote for The Dead as well as songs that were staples of Garcia and The Dead's live shows.

Haynes will perform with the North Carolina Symphony at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Thursday, June 20. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. today, April 22, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $29 to $53.

Check out the complete Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration tour schedule below.

Bob Mould rips through Sugar, Hüsker Dü & solo tunes at Cat's Cradle

All photos by Kevin Norris

Veteran indie rocker Bob Mould and his band rolled into the Cat's Cradle last night to treat fans to a set that heavily featured songs from his past bands, Sugar and Hüsker Dü, as well as songs from his latest album, Silver Age.

The trio took the stage with a vengeance, playing at ear-splitting volume and started the evening with the first five songs from Sugar's 1992 debut album Copper Blue, in order. Mould may be 52 years old now, but he has the fire of a much younger performer. He paced around the stage and turned everything up to eleven as the crowd ate up classics like "Changes" and "Hoover Dam."

Kurt Vile announces hefty 2013 tour schedule

Indie singer-songwriter Kurt Vile just released his fifth full-length album Wakin on a Pretty Daze earlier this month and he'll be hitting the road on a big world tour which will make it's way to the Triangle this summer.

Vile and his band The Violators will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, July 18. Ticket information is not available yet but we'll keep you posted. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $15.

Check out the music video for the song from Wakin on a Pretty Day from the album Wakin on a Pretty Daze below.

Steely Dan announces 'Mood Swings' 2013 tour, coming to Raleigh

Steely Dan are preparing to hit the road again and this summer they'll take their Mood Swings: 8 Miles To Pancake Day Tour all across the U.S. where they'll play more than 40 shows. The tour will bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees back to the Triangle in mid-September.

The band will play the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Wednesday, September 18. Ticket information is not available yet but we'll keep you posted.

Check out one of my favorite Steely Dan tunes, "Reelin' in the Years," below.

Schoolkids lines up five Record Store Day in-stores including Aoife O’Donovan & METZ

Earlier this we already told you about some of the great exclusive releases coming your way on Record Store Day this weekend and now we have a bunch of Schoolkids Records in-stores to tell you about.

The Raleigh store will host five acts on Saturday, April 20 starting at 1 p.m. with Yep Roc artist Aoife O’Donovan. She'll release her debut solo album, Fossils, on June 11.

Next, at 2 p.m., Greg Humphreys (of Hobex and Dillon Fence) will perform at the store.

Album Review: Kopecky Family Band - Kids Raising Kids

Kids Raising Kids may be the Kopecky Family Band's first full-length record, but the Nashville collective sounds like experienced professionals on its debut.

The album opens with the robust "Wandering Eyes.” It’s a song that highlights the strengths and appeals of the band: percussive grooves, shout-along choruses, and smooth transitions between styles.

The Kopecky Family Band is hard to classify. There’s plenty of rock, pop, and country influence, but the group rarely lets one style dominate for long. “Heartbeat,” the records bouncy second track, sounds like some amalgam of Arcade Fire and The Love Language with its mix of orchestral rock and sunny pop.

The Breeders, Matthew Dear & Sleep to play Hopscotch

While the big 2013 Hopscotch Music Festival lineup is still a week away (it'll be announced on April 24), the festival already teased us with the first announcemen, John Cale, a few months ago. Now they've released a few more big names.

Indie icons the Breeders will play the City Plaza Stage on Saturday, September 7, to play their 1993 album Last Splash in its entirety. The band will re-release a super deluxe edition of the album on April 23 featuring the album, four EPs, a live album and a disc of a BBC live session and demos from the era.

In addition to the Breeders, Texas avant-pop singer-songwriter Matthew Dear and California stoner metal band Sleep have also been added to the festival bill. Stay tuned as we will bring you the big lineup announcement next week.

Night Beds announces big spring and summer tour

Up and coming indie singer-songwriter Winston Yellen, better known as Night Beds, will be hitting the road on a big U.S. tour in late spring in support of his debut album Country Sleep.

The tour will stop at Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Monday, June 17. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $10.

Check out a stellar live in-studio performance of the song "Ramona" from Country Sleep below.

The dB's, Superchunk, Tift Merritt, Avett Brothers & more prep Record Store Day exclusive releases

Record Store Day is upon us once again this weekend, on Saturday, April 20. Local independent record stores will continue the great tradition of the day by stocking tons of great exclusive releases by bands big and small which always includes some treats from Triangle acts (and those with Triangle ties). Here are a few of those releases.

The dB's will release a special 12-inch vinyl which includes three new studio tracks, "Revolution of the Mind," Lakefront" and "Orange Squeezer," and a live song recorded in New York titled "pH Factor."

Superchunk are always good for an exclusive release and this year they'll release an 7-inch vinyl of two new songs, "Void" and "Faith."

City and Colour announces new album, big fall tour

Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green, better know as City and Colour, will release his fourth full-length album, The Hurry and the Harm, on June 4. After touring Europe this summer, the band will return to North America for a big fall tour which will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll make a stop at The Ritz in Raleigh on Tuesday, September 24. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. today, April 12, via Etix for $30. Every ticket will include a download of a live show recorded in Toronto last year as well as a download of the new album when it is released.

Check out the lyric video for the song "Thirst" from The Hurry and the Harm below.

Album Review: Wake Owl - Wild Country

Colyn Cameron's debut EP as Wake Owl, Wild Country, borrows from so many current trends that it gets buried under them.

Wild Country fits into the growing category of Americana-flavored pop. Cameron’s tunes are pristinely packaged bundles of bittersweet melodies and longing lyrics that wouldn’t be out of place on pop radio, on tour with a band like The Lumineers or on a TV show like Nashville.

Wake Owl’s songs focus on acoustic strumming, mournful long tones played by violins or pedal steel, and Cameron’s edgy vocals, which at times sound like an imitation of Kristian Matsson of The Tallest Man On Earth.

Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon & Fastball join Under the Sun Tour

Just when you thought that all of the pop rock nostalgia tours one could possibly imagine had been announced, one more surfaces. This is one is dubbed the Under the Sun Tour and features Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon and Fastball. This one will be heading to the Triad instead of the Triangle though.

The tour will hit the White Oak Ampitheatre in Greensboro on Thursday, August 8. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 12, via Ticketmaster for $20 to $54.50.

Smash Mouth released their sixth studio album last year, Magic. Check out some clips from the album below. Sugar Ray hasn't released an album since 2009's horribly titled Music For Cougars.

The Mountain Goats announce duo dates, heading to Wilmington

The Mountain Goats are heading out on tour in late spring/early sumer on their first tour as a duo since 2007. John Darnielle and Peter Hughes will be hitting all ages clubs on what they've dubbed the Tuttlingen Warriors Tour 2013. Though they won't be playing the Triangle, they will be playing Wilmington.

The duo will play the Soapbox in Wilmington on Friday, June 28. The Baptist Generals will open. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 12 via Etix for $18.

The pair will also play Legends at Appalachian State University in Boone on Wednesday, May 1. It's unclear whether this will be a duo show or not since it's not connected with the rest of the tour. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $12.

Tift Merritt returning to North Carolina Museum of Art

Photo by Parker Fitzgerald

One of Raleigh's most beloved expatriates, Tift Merritt, will return to the Raleigh's North Carolina Museum of Art as a part of their summer concert series supporting her latest album, Traveling Alone.

Merritt will play the museum's outdoor stage on Saturday, August 17. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $22 (general admission) or $30 (reserved seats). Students ages 7-18 are just $11 and kids 6 and under are free.

Merritt last played the museum in 2010 shortly after the release of her last album See You on the Moon. Check out a review and photos from that show HERE.

Titus Andronicus announces spring tour with The So So Glos

New Jersey rockers Titus Andronicus are gearing up for a big tour this spring in support of their latest album Local Business and they'll be taking Brooklyn band The So So Glos along for the ride on the Bright Back the Dudes Tour.

The bands will play Motorco Music Hall in Durham on Friday, May 17. Tickets are on sale now HERE for $10.

Check out the music video for "In a Big City" from the album Local Business below. Also check out the music video for "Son of an American" from The So So Glos forthcoming album Blowout due out on April 23 down there too.

Iron Maiden announces US 'Maiden England' tour dates

British metal icons Iron Maiden have just announced a new U.S. leg of their Maiden England Tour for September and they'll make their way to the Triangle with Megadeth.

The bands will play the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion in Raleigh on Thursday, September 3. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, via LiveNation for $25 to $85.

Iron Maiden rereleased the live album and DVD Maiden England, dubbed Maiden England '88 for the rerelease, last month. Check out the trailer for DVD below.

The Black Crowes & Tedeschi Trucks Band announce summer tour

Blues rock groups The Black Crowes and the Tedeschi Trucks Band are joining forces this summer to hit amphitheaters across on the east coast.

The pair will make a stop at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Tuesday, July 23. The London Souls will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 12, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster.

The Black Crowes just released a four-disc live collection titled Wiser for the Time in March. Check out "Under a Mountain" from the collection below.

Kendrick Lamar announces hefty 2013 tour, coming to Raleigh

After releasing his breakthrough sophomore album good kid, m.A.A.d city last year, Kendrick Lamar isn't resting on his laurels. He has a hefty tour planned this year and after stopping at Duke to celebrate the end of the semester on April  24, he'll return to the Triangle for a proper show.

Lamar will play the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Sunday, June 23. ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul and Jay Rock will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 12, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $25 to $49.50.

For those wanting to lee Lamar a bit sooner, he'll be playing the Triad College Music Festival at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex on Tuesday, April 30. Tickets for the show are on sale now via Ticketmaster for $29.50.

Indigo Girls announces 2013 tour dates, coming to Raleigh

Veteran Georgia folk rock group the Indigo Girls are no strangers to the Triangle. Both the group and their solo/side projects visit the Triangle regularly, and the band will come here again on their summer tour.

The Indigo Girls will play the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh on Saturday, June 29. The Shadowboxers will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $27 (general admission) or $40 (lawn) and student tickets (ages 7-18) are $13.50.

Check out the music video for the Indigo Girls' 1989 hit "Closer To Fine" below.

Album Review: Generationals - Heza

On their third album in five years, Heza, New Orleans’ Generationals relaxes. But while enjoyable, this easy-going set of tunes is ultimately forgettable.

Heza’s tracks are mostly built on a mixed foundation of organic percussion and electronic beats. Clear, spacious rhythms keep the songs sounding open and the hazy vocal melodies lend a sleepy daydream tone.

It’s actually quite agreeable. Tunes like “You Got Me” and “Awake” inspire deep, relaxing breathes; however, the calmness can be a double-edged sword.

Full Frame hosting free Big Star documentary screening, Fellow Travelers

To close the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham this weekend, the Carolina Theatre will be hosting a free screening of the film Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me as well as a live performance by Chris Stamey and his band The Fellow Travelers.

The performance by The Fellow Travelers will kick things off at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the Carolina Theatre with the film screening scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

The film tells the story of the famed Memphis band who didn't achieve much commercial success but developed a big following years later and would influence much alternative rock and indie rock. Check out the trailer below.

Mudhoney announces 'Vanishing Point' tour dates

Veteran Seattle alt rockers Mudhoney just released their ninth studio album on Tuesday titled Vanishing Point and are rolling out late summer/early fall North American tour dates in support of it.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, September 24. Cheap Time will open. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 5, via Ticketfly for $18.

Check out the music video for "I Like It Small" from Vanishing Point below.

The Lumineers extends 2013 tour, coming to Cary

After a bursting onto the music scene with their self-titled debut album last year, The Lumineers have been riding a wave of success which that's continued to swell in 2013. The band have just extended their spring tour and will be returning to the Triangle for a big show in Cary.

The band will return to Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Thursday, June 13 (the band opened for Old Crow Medicine show at the venue last year).  Cold War Kids and J. Roddy Walston and The Business will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 12, via the venue box office and Ticketmater for $35 (lawn) or $45 (reserved/pit).

Check out the music video for "Stubborn Love," the latest single from The Lumineers below

Lost in the Trees, The Love Language & Loamlands to play Carrboro Block Party

If you're ready for a big party with some great local bands that costs you nothing, then you'll want to check out the upcoming first annual Carrboro Block Party on Sunday, May 5.

Lost in the Trees, The Love Language and Loamlands (Kym Register and Will Hackney, formerly of Midtown Dickens) will play the party in the Cat's Cradle parking lot. It will start at 4 p.m. and will also feature food trucks and other fun things.

There will also be bands playing inside the Cat's Cradle and The ArtsCenter during the event. Those bands have not been announced/chosen yet.

Passion Pit announces 2013 tour, coming to Cary

Photo by Kevin Norris

After playing a big sold out show at The Ritz in Raleigh in October, Passion Pit are hitting the road on a big spring/summer tour that will bring them back to the Triangle and to a much larger venue.

The band will play the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary on Tuesday, June 11. Tickets will go on sale at noon on Friday, April 5, via the venue box office and Etix for $30 (lawn) or $35 (pit/reserved seats).

Check out photos and a review of the aforementioned show at The Ritz in Raleigh last fall HERE and the band's latest music video from their sophomore album Gossamer for the song "Carried Away" below.

Maroon 5 & Kelly Clarkson team up for 2013 Honda Civic Tour

Two of the biggest names in modern pop music, Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson, are teaming up and joining the 2013 Honda Civic Tour, which will be rolling into amphitheaters across the country this summer/fall.

The tour will come to the Time Warner Cable Pavilion in Raleigh on Tuesday, September 10. Tony Lucca will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, via LiveNation for $25.50 to $99.50.

Check out the video for Maroon 5's latest single "Daylight" below as well as the video for Kelly Clarkson's "Catch My Breath."

Valient Thorr announces new album, summer tour

The Triangle's own bearded rockers from another planet, Valient Thorr, have announced plans to release a new album on June 18 titled Our Own Masters. The band will hit the road on a summer in support of the album which will wrap up with a big hometown show.

The band will play Kings Barcade in Raleigh on Saturday, July 6. Gypsyhawk and Ramming Speed will open. Tickets will go on sale soon via Etix for $10.

Check out the track list for Our Own Masters below. We'll bring you some new music from the album once it becomes available.