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Monday, July 11, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews Live review: Desert Noises
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 9:57 AM
Desert Noises w/ Sunshone Still
The Evening Muse
July 7, 2011
The Deal: Columbia, S.C.-based Sunshone Still opens up for rock quartet out of Utah, Desert Noises on a rainy NoDa night.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / Blogaroo / Bonnaroo / News Bonnaroo: Sunday review (6/12/2011)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Jun 14, 2011 at 3:00 PM
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Manchester, Tenn.
June 12, 2011
My day got started at noon with The Head and the Heart. They're one of those buzz bands that's hitting most major music publications these days, and the first few songs proved them right. The band has solid songwriting, good vocals and just a great vibe. I'll be looking forward to hearing more from them.
I next went to catch the Smith Westerns and wasn't impressed. The indie rockers from Chicago appeared a little bit bored. The music lacked anything to grab onto and keep me interested.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / Blogaroo / Bonnaroo Bonnaroo: Saturday review (June 11, 2011)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Sun, Jun 12, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Manchester, Tenn.
June 11, 2011
There came a point, now that I'm in my fifth year covering Bonnaroo, when I decided that my goal in coming to the festival was to: a) see as many bands as I could, b) see as many new bands as I can while still checking out favorites and c) giving up on some favorites for unique opportunities.
Every year, I leave with a handful of bands that I know I want to hear more from. There are always a couple that I "eliminate" from seeing again and there are some regrets that I just live with. For example, I didn't go back to try and see Dr. John last night - but I plan on seeing him in tonight's Superjam. I skipped The Black Keys, having seen them at least three times before, in order to see, for the first time, Bootsy Collins. I missed a good bit of Buffalo Springfield for the opportunity to take photos of Eminem.
I'll start from the beginning of the day with what I did catch though. My day got started with the Neil Young-esque rock style of Alberta Cross. It was actually at Bonnaroo a couple of years ago that I discovered the band and was glad to see that they're still as solid.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / Blogaroo / setlist / Bonnaroo / News Bonnaroo: Friday review
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 9:17 AM
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Manchester, Tenn.
June 10, 2011
Another hot, sweltering day at Bonnaroo, but the main stages helped to heat things up with some incredible music.
My day got started with the somber songs of Jessica Lea Mayfield. Her brother, David, who will be playing Charlotte in the coming weeks was on stage with her at various times to sing along. Her voice sounded as strong as ever and the new songs blended well with the old — a slight difference from the albums.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / Blogaroo / Bonnaroo / News Bonnaroo: Thursday review (6/9/2011)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival
Manchester, Tenn.
June 9, 2011
It's sweltering here on the fields of Manchester, Tenn. The plan to open gates for campers on Wednesday night appears to be a huge success — not only because there were no lines to get into the festival, but also because there were a hell of a lot more people here to see all the bands.
By the time the tents started, there were large crowds soaking up every moment of sun and music.
My day got started around 2 p.m. with the Kopecky Family Band drawing a large crowd to the Solar Stage. The band often plays the Muse, but was playing to a much larger crowd here.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: 25 Minutes to Go
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Jun 6, 2011 at 10:51 AM
25 Minutes to Go, Hectagons, Calormen, 2013 Wolves
The Milestone
June 3, 2011
The Deal: 25 Minutes to Go releases its newest CD, This Time's For Serious, at The Milestone on bill that included 2013 Wolves, Calormen and Hectagons.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist / News Live review: Primus
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Primus w/ The Dead Kenny G's
The Fillmore Charlotte
June 1, 2011
The Deal: Primus returns to the stage with its original lineup to showcase new songs and offer glimpses of the past.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Spottiswoode and His Enemies
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Jun 1, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Spottiswoode and His Enemies
The Evening Muse
May 28, 2011
The Deal: After three years, Spottiswoode finally returns to Charlotte.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Deftones
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, May 27, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Deftones w/ Dillinger Escape Plan, Le Butcherettes
Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre
May 26, 2011
The Deal: Deftones hit Charlotte with two openers; show gets stopped early due to thunderstorms and tornado warning.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: The Memorials
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, May 26, 2011 at 10:33 AM
The Memorials
The Saloon
May 25, 2011
The Deal: Former Mars Volta drummer Thomas Pridgen returns to the scene with his new band, The Memorials.
The Good: First of all, I don't know the entire story. I only know that Pridgen was the drummer for the Mars Volta when they played at the Fillmore, and that Pridgen left the show in a taxi, having played his last gig with the band. Regardless of any of that, Pridgen has launched a new rock quintet called The Memorials, featuring two friends from the Berklee College of Music — Nick Brewer and Viveca Hawkins, bringing him back to the N.C. Music Factory.
The band took the stage around 11 p.m. on its way to a nine-song, hour-long set that showcased not only Pridgen's drum skills, but plenty of other talent as well.
Singer Hawkins has plenty of stage presence to go around, finding time to shake her head, dance to the beat or just engage the audience and draw them in. Her vocals found a balance between rock and soul.
Guitarist Brewer not only knew when to hold back or step out of the way to let Pridgen shine, but also knew when to unleash everything he had in a fury or neck-breaking finger-work.
It was Pridgen's drum work that took a good bit of the spotlight. He needs strong players like Brewer and Hawkins to balance things out, but he hammers away with ease and power, defining the rhythm of each song. While some might have more of a salsa beat behind the rock and others are built on pure drum riffs, it's not just a drummer's "jerk off" session. There's definitely a method to his madness.
Pridgen performed the set with his drumkit facing backwards and didn't look back at the crowd often, but there was usually a smile on his face when he did.
The band played a number of songs from its self-titled debut mixed with a few others, but the small crowd soaked up every minute.
The Bad: That I missed the opener, Lucky Five, but I was across town here.
The Verdict: A strong rock band that's fueled by drums without being overpowering. A bigger crowd would have been nice, but I'm sure word will spread quickly if/when they return.
Setlist
Nat Dis
Why Me
Give Me Stuff
GTFOMF
Day Dreamer
War
Gone
West Coast
Fluorescence
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Live review: Iron Maiden, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 6/21/2012 10
Band kicks off 2012 tour in Charlotte.
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Congrats to the Avetts!
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Beloved Charlotte School of Rock Instructor Dies
