Halloween is just around the corner and for many folks, it’s time to start getting your costumes in order and candy bowls full. But what about those looking for something a bit more music oriented on All Hallows Day, and not in terms of Michael Jackson makeup? No worries. Thanks to some due diligence from CoS contributor Dustin Wiyrick, we got you covered…

• Paul Van Dyke, Moby, and The Crystal Method will be among the DJs offering cool beats at Seattle’s WaMu Theater for FreakNight XII.

• Speaking of DJs, Los Angeles will play host to a pretty impressive collection as well, including the likes of Justice, Simian Mobile Disco, Crystal Castles, and Soulwax, all for the HARD Haunted Mansion.

• The Big Apple will offer a number of impressive concerts, highlighted by the definition of scary, The Misfits, at B.B. King’s. Other shows of note include  Café Tacuba at Terminal 5 and Todd’s Patrick’s Big Halloween Bash, which features a bill of  Matt & Kim, DMBQ, and Ponytail. Oh yeah, and then there’s that Ryan Adams & The Cardinal’s show at the Apollo Theater, one which yours truly happens to have tickets to.

• The HorrorPops, another one of those bands that seems to optimize all that is Halloween, will take their “It’s All Hallows Eve” tour to Anaheim’s House of Blues on October 31st.

• Grand Rapids, Michigan of all places will serve as home a Halloween music extravaganza when the first annual Freak Show descends on the city with a lineup featuring Mindless Self Indulgence, Tantric, Sick Puppies, Tickle Me Pink, and others. The only catch? It’s a day early - October 30th. Then again, you’ll now have an excuse to go trick or treating the next day.

• The Voodoo Music Experience is also a bit early - alright a week early - but that’s doesn’t mean it won’t embody as much Halloween fun as any other of the aforementioned events.

• Other noteworthy Halloween concerts around the country include Stone Temple Pilots at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pehlam, Alabama, The Who at Atlantic City’s Borgata, and David Byrne at the Wang Theatre at Boston. Kings of Leon, The Stills, The Whigs and We Are Scientists make up the indie heavy bill playing at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom, while Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady will look to hold down Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

• Just because you’re in London, doesn’t mean you can’t take part in the Halloween fun. After all, the ATP curated Release the Bats festival will fill The Forum with the lovely sounds of Les Savy Fav, Shellac, Lightning Bold, and many other top notch acts.

• For those looking to stay in for the evening, but still looking for some music, the recently released Frank Zappa concert DVD may be right up your alley. Entitled The Torture Never Stops, the film features the music legend’s full 24-song set from Oct. 31, 1981 at Palladium in New York. The DVD also includes a number of “treats,” such as  the music video “You Are What You Is”, a set of temporary Zappa tattoos and a pair “No-D” glasses. Pick it up now through Zappa.com.

• As WNEW.com points out, if Halloween night doesn’t quench your thirst, then you can always head to Vegas the following evening for the Fabulous Festival. Armin Van Buuren, MSTRKRFT, and Crystal Castles will be just some of the acts included on the all-day bill.

For more Halloween shows across the country, head on over to The Music Box for an up-to-date list. Are we missing something? Educate us and other readers, and leave us a comment!

Categories: CoS Exclusive Features, News
Tags: ATP's Release the Bats, David Byrne, Drive-By Truckers, Fabulous Festival, Frank Zappa, Halloween, HARD Haunted Mansion, Kings of Leon, Matt & Kim, Stone Temple Pilots, The Cardinals, The Hold Steady, The HorrorPops, The Misfits, The Stills, The Whigs, The Who, Voodoo Music Experience, We Are Scientists