I worship at the church of karaoke. The parishoners and I are there to confess and meditate, to feel welcomed by a community, to hear a good sermon or two, to perchance see someone speak in tongues and have the words of the Lord Bon Jovi be channeled through a mere mortal. And, of course, to have some drinks and venture to make complete fools out of ourselves.

Karaoke exists in a vacuum of taste, where anomalies and exceptions always seem to arise and mess with my preconceptions. Maybe, like me, this is the only time you can really tolerate a Billy Joel song. Maybe those two dudes doing Sum 41′s “Fat Lip” actually sound kinda good, or that girl who’s really giving it the old college try on “Since U Been Gone” elicits all this empathy, and dammit you can’t be mad because she’s having fun!

This list — boiled down, mind you, from literally hundreds of runner-ups — is an extension of that feeling that happens when you flip through the entire karaoke book and you don’t see one song you want to sing. After polling the staff and consulting some of my long-time karaoke buddies, these are the songs we all wish would be added to the karaoke canon that we personally have never seen before (we are excluding the deep cuts in Austin’s Karaoke Underground book).

And if it’s one thing most of these songs have in common, they’re totally depressing. Sorry. To make up for that, and in contrast to a lot of karaoke standards, a whole grip of these songs don’t require you to have a good voice. In fact, you could be totally tone-deaf and still do an absolutely kick-ass version of  The Fall’s “Totally Wired” because the song isn’t about impressing Cee-Lo and Adam Levine with pitch and tone, it’s about the performance. There’s plenty more like that on the list that I felt would always be fun — songs that don’t focus on notes as much as they do putting on a great show.

Don’t fret, choir nerds, it’s not all post-punk pogo-dance chant standards. There’s plenty of new vocal challenges all over the list, from tUnE-yArDs to Jeff Buckley to Dirty Projectors to Hasil Adkins. There’s a lot more. Who knows, there may even be another list further down the road. What songs would you like to sing at Karaoke that are never in the books? Let us know in the comments.

You can access the entire list on Spotify. Enjoy!

-Jeremy D. Larson
Managing Editor

Andrew Bird – “Fake Palindromes”

When to sing:  After a couple glasses of wine to keep the voice nice and velvety. It’s a short one.

Make sure to:  “Monsters?”

Animal Collective – “For Reverend Green”

When to sing: Get this out of the way early, but don’t lead with it. Avey Tare’s vocals on this are daunting, histrionic, and require full commitment or else you will be laughed off stage for singing Animal Collective at karaoke. No guarantees for that not happening anyway.

Make sure to: Differentiate between the two “Lucky child don’t know how lucky she is” parts.

Arcade Fire – “Keep The Car Running”

When to sing: Great lead-off song — not too difficult to sing, short and sweet, not too obscure, speaks for itself.

Make sure to: Totally go for it on the “Ohhhh ohhh” and punch the air on that final snare hit like a hero.

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – “Can’t Hear My Eyes”

When to sing: When you want to sing  “Brandi” by Looking Glass, but you can’t quite remember how the bridge goes, or even if there is a bridge to the song.

Make sure to: Not have a catastrophic meltdown, but you should really be laying down on the ground and arching your back over the monitors.

Azealia Banks – “212″

When to sing: After midnight, after your confidence level has peaked,  after you contemplate that Azealia Banks isn’t even old enough to do Karaoke and put this song out.

Make sure to: Have this shit well-rehearsed, because the cadence of “Bet you do like to slumber, don’t you?” is not going to come to you when you’re reading it off the teleprompter. Good luck deciding on whether or not to drop the C-bomb. That’s on you.

Beat Happening – “Cast A Shadow”

When to sing: When the eyelids are heavy, and the 500 yard stare can be trained on not just anyone, but definitely someone.

Make sure to: Study/mimic Ted Leo’s performance of it at Underground Karaoke at Matador 21.

Best Coast – “When I’m With You”

When to sing: Right after you get back inside from smoking a joint in the ally and you tell that cute guy that “this next song’s for you.”

Make sure to: Ask the DJ if he can turn up that reverb.

The Black Keys – “10 A.M. Automatic”

When to sing: When you can’t quite put into feelings that guy’s t-shirt with a bald eagle on it.

Make sure to:  Put a little extra spit on those vocals like they used to do.

Black Lips – “Bad Kids”

When to sing: After a round of Jager, or Car Bombs, or Liquid Cocaine, and after you tell them you’re absolutely not going to sing “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Make sure to: Get, like, seven people on the stage.

Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”

When to sing: When you roll up to Karaoke solo, after several drinks isolated in a cold corner of the bar, and only when the weight of the world is on your heart.

Make sure to: Sulk back to your chair when it’s all over, back to your “cabin,” as it were.

The Breeders – “One Divine Hammer”

When to sing: Directly before or after someone sings Pixies – “Hey”.

Make sure to: Remember that this song is wicked filthy — direct eye contact with crowd is at your own risk. (Dudes, ask if they have the Clockcleaner version — it’s arguably better.)

Bright Eyes – “The Calendar Hung Itself”

When to sing: There’s no real bad time to sing this, the preeminent emo song of them all, but it’s more about when you have wherewithal to sing Oberst’s lyrics.

Make sure to: Render everyone so awestruck they all want to buy you a drink at the end of it — you’re clearly not in a good place right now.

Built To Spill – “Car”

When to sing: A great opener, before you’re even finished with your first drink.

Make sure to: Close your eyes by the third “I want to see, movies of my dreams,” or you’re not doing it right.

Cibo Matto – “Birthday Cake”

When to sing: In the environment where this song is an option, everyone’s going to be OK with it any time, but it’s definitely one of those songs to play if your equilibrium’s altered to the point where pitch is “optional”.

Make sure to: Get all of Miho Hatori’s eccentricities and dialect, especially the way she says “birthssday cake.”

CYHSY – “The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth”

When to sing: When you are sure that this song will burrow into the soul of everyone watching – so, late in the night.

Make sure to: Slur each and every word, purposefully or not.

College & Electric Youth – “A Real Hero”

When to sing: After (or during) a big knife fight in the back of a bar. I don’t know if this song will ever escape its role as the soundtrack to Ryan Gosling driving off into the sunset.

Make sure to: Channel Bill Murray singing “More Than This” and you’ll be on the right track.

Das Racist – “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell”

When to sing: When you want to comment on consumptive corporate consumerism to a bar full of drunk people.

Make sure to: Replace “Jamaica Ave.” with a local thoroughfare in your city to try to get the message to resonate with your audience.

The Decemberists – “Don’t Carry It All”

When to sing: When you don’t want to sing “You Don’t Know How It Feels”, but you actually kinda do. Here’s something that sounds almost exactly the same.

Make sure to: Partake in the same kind of theatrics that The Decemberists do on stage and pretend that you’re a whale and try to eat the audience. This will go over well.

Dent May – “Eastover Wives”

When to sing: When you want to sing “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” but you’re never sure which of the 12 versions they’ll put on.

Make sure to:  Dance your white ass off while you’re up there.

Destroyer – “Your Blues”

When to sing: When the idea of singing another Bob Dylan song seems completely “repulsive,” but you’re still not of the inclination to “sing exact notes.”

Make sure to: BYO condenser mic and hold it delicately between your thumb and index finger.

Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move”

When to sing:  Get this one done early in your set – that little run up to that really high note in the pre-chorus can’t be easy after 3+ drinks. Nailing this song will win the affections of the boy in the Owen Pallett tee.

Make sure to: Remember those quiet riffs Angel Deradoorian does at the end. If you bring those out, Owen Pallett guy will definitely buy you another glass of merlot.

Dismemberment Plan – “You Are Invited”

When to sing: When you feel the tenor of the evening has taken a turn for the worse and want to relay a message of acceptance, positivity, and sing one of the greatest damn songs ever.

Make sure to: Work the crowd and tell the story – be the light at the end of all of these barfly’s nights, especially the guy who just sang “Hurt” seemingly without irony.

Elliott Smith – “Waltz #2 (XO)”

When to sing: It’s not as huge of a bummer as, say, “Needle in the Hay” or “Twilight”, but for those who like bumming people out at karaoke, this should be your go-to bummer jam. Bonus points if you bring your mother along.

Make sure to: Nail the “and on and on and on” perfectly or Howard Sims will be there with his shepherd’s crook so fast.

The Fall – “Totally Wired”

When to sing: The obvious time is after you just did some coke in the bathroom but feel free to make it a joke song — change lyric to “tired”!

Make sure to:  Respect Mark E. Smith and add a supurflous “uh” after every phrase (“I’m totally weird-uh, to be wired-uh”).

The Flaming Lips – “Do You Realize??”

When to sing: Late enough and drunk enough so that you consider Wayne Coyne’s questions about universe. The precise moment this can happen varies greatly from person to person.

Make sure to: Really ask the question, every time. It’s not a rhetorical question, it’s incredulous! Grapple with reality up there.

Free Energy – “Dream City”

When to sing: When you want to sing “The Boys Are Back In Town” but the last time you did you got kicked off stage for trying to sing all three lines of the guitar solo by yourself.

Make sure to: Wear a leather jacket.

Frightened Rabbit – “The Modern Leper”

When to sing: After an unstable amount of whiskey, and after you overheard someone talk about Mumford.

Make sure to: Think about the Scottish accent, but man, don’t go all Groundskeeper Willie on it. Let it alone if you have doubts.

Fugazi – “Waiting Room”

When to sing: When you have two people who can do both Guy Piccatio’s and Ian McKay’s parts. Then, and only then, should you do “Waiting Room”.

Make sure to: Sing when you feel like the fever of the room is about at this level.

Girls – “Lust for Life”

When to sing: It’s such a short song (only a minute and 30 seconds of singing) that it needs to be early on when people might still be paying a bit of attention. No flare, just a great song.

Make sure to: Figure out how Christopher Owens does the half pouty/half whiney thing before you step up.

Gogol Bordello – “Start Wearing Purple”

When to sing: After your fifth shot of Stolichnaya, and only if you’re wearing suspenders.

Make sure to: Take off your shirt but keep your suspenders on. Also buy a round of vodka for everyone pre-song and toast the audience during the high note and you will be crowned King Gypsy-Punk for the rest of the night.

Grinderman – “No Pussy Blues”

When to sing:  When you’ve squeezed the last ounce of pathos out of  ”Just a Gigolo”, and you’ve just gotta lay down some real talk with the bar.

Make sure to: Never unclench your teeth throughout the whole song — that’s part one of the Nick Cave impression. This is part two.

Guided By Voices – “Tractor Rape Chain”

When to sing: When you think you’re as drunk as Robert Pollard would be.

Make sure to: Elucidate to the DJ (and audience) that the word in questions is (probably) referring to parallel lines made by a tractor in a rapeseed field. Or not — your call.

Hasil Adkins – “She Said”

When to sing: After some rye whiskey, moonshine, or corn liquor.

Make sure to: Not memorize the lyrics, but memorize how Adkins says the words, which will be no where near how they are supposed to sound. The whole thing will work better if you pronounce “head” like “hayee.”

Hunx and His Punx – “U Don’t Like Rock N Roll”

When to sing: Immediately after some group of moms sings “I Love Rock  Roll”. That would be great.

Make sure to:  Wear a bedazzled leather jacket. Pants optional.

Interpol – “Obstacle #1″

When to sing: When you’re wearing black suit, shirt and tie, and you’re totally ready to make the same note that spans over 50% of the song interesting.

Make sure to: Import Carlos D’s New York Doesn’t Really Care swagger.

Islands – “Rough Gem”

When to sing: After someone sings Whitesnake or Dokken or Aerosmith — when things are decidedly un-twee.

Make sure to: Play air piano on those three timeless piano plunks on the chorus.

Jamie Lidell – “Multiply”

When to sing: When you want to sing  Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat” but don’t want to hear anyone say “Why didn’t you do the Napolean Dynamite dance?”

Make sure to: Right after you fling your leopard-print suit-jacket on and take one last sip of your dirty martini. Study up on Lidell’s dance moves.

Janelle Monáe feat. Big Boi – “Tightrope”

When to sing: Two or three times a night is totally acceptable.

Make sure to:  Put in the version with the rap in it. I’m sure they have it, but you don’t want to get all “Waterfalls (No Rap)” on the mic. Also, put some voodoo on it, yeah?

Jay Reatard  - “It Ain’t Gonna Save Me”

When to sing: If you’re feeling like Jay, or if you’re feeling like a tribute to Jay.

Make sure to: Have a lot of fun singing a really, really dismal, depressing song.

Jeff Buckley – “Grace”

When to sing: On a night where you truly think that you can sing this. Which means you’re a ringer and you don’t really belong at the karaoke joint, or your liquid courage has overcome your actual talent. Also acceptable: on a $50 dare.

Make sure to: If nothing else, if you punt the riffing or that high G and make Buckley roll over in his grave, just make sure you hit the last little vocal riff — it’s just too perfect.

Jens Lekman – “The Opposite of Hallelujah”

When to sing: After a glass of champagne or two, when those bubbles start to go to your head and put a spring in your step. You’ll need it for those tambourines and handclaps.

Make sure to: Mime picking up a seashell to illustrate your homelessness. You can be the crab, too, if you feel so inclined.

The Jesus Lizard – “Seasick”

When to sing: Preferably after someone sings “Piano Man”, or something really just bad. Show them what bad really means.

Make sure to: Bow/curtsey gracefully when you’re done. Expect it to go something like this. If it’s not going like that, you’re doing it wrong.

Joanna Newsom – “Inflammatory Writ”

When to sing: When you’re wearing a flowery dress and want to be the first person to sing the words “poetaster” and “ululate” in a bar.

Make sure to: It’s got the swagger of a great drinking song, so hoist your stein and rock to and fro, and sing heartily about mollusks’ weddings and writers’ block.

Joy Division – “Transmission”

When to sing:  Because it’s not really a participation song and, depending on where you take it, more of a performance, doing this early in the night is advisable, odd as it may seem.

Make sure to: Not mimic Ian Curtis’ dance moves. You can’t do them, and may god help you if you get laughs. Totally cool to be inspired by Curtis, though.

The Knife – “Heartbeats”

When to sing: After everyone’s had enough clear, expensive drinks to get down to this sultry slow burner.

Make sure to: Not pick the Jose Gonzalez version and get all “Blower’s Daughter” on everyone.

Kurt Vile – “Freak Train”

When to sing: When you want to transfer your drunken ramblings from the bar to the mic. In fact, you could have never heard this song and as long as you’re all-in on the lyrics, it will be fantastic.

Make sure to:  Just walk right into a cab when you’re done singing because you shouldn’t be fit to drink anymore.

Lana Del Ray – “Video Games”

When to sing: It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you.

Make sure to: Everything you do, you tell me all the time.

LCD Soundsystem – “Drunk Girls”

When to sing: When you hear someone of any sex go, “Oh my god where did Chrissy even go?” and when you got a posse behind you to to shout “drunk girls” and “drunk boys.”

Make sure to: BYO Sennheiser 509.

Lush – “Ciao! (feat. Jarvis Cocker)”

When to sing:  When you’re sick of duets that only serve to profess two people’s Endless Love for one another and you want one that’s just full of bile and vitriol.

Make sure to: If you want, play the opposite emotion, like the audition scene from Mulholland Dr!

M.O.P. – “Ante Up”

When to sing: When the “Scenario” call-and-response just doesn’t seem hard enough.

Make sure to: Go so hard. If you’re not aggro-rapping like Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame, you will fall into another terrible hip-hop karaoke performance so ante up.

Mclusky – “Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues”

When to sing:  When no one can see, or hear, and it’s the end of the world and you’re ushering everyone to their graves with the karaoke version of “Nearer My God To Thee”.

Make sure to:  Intone “sell me to wonderluuust” like Andy Falkous does.

Misfits – “Where Eagles Dare”

When to sing: After doing a “waterfall” with your group because you signed them up for this and they’re all going to…

Make sure to:  Huddle around the mic, arms around each other, and show everyone what a drunken group shout song really sounds like.

Mission of Burma – “That’s When I Reached For My Revolver”

When to sing:  Since it doesn’t have the bite that some of these other post-punk numbers do, you can sing it early and embrace that final chorus in arena-karaoke fashion.

Make sure to:  Not pick the Moby version. Ahh, that’s not a half-bad version.

The Mountain Goats – “This Year”

When to sing: When the taste of scotch is rich on your tongue, naturally.

Make sure to:  To do that little “ahha” thing before “listen to the engine whine.” And, make it through this night, if it kills you.

My Morning Jacket – “Gideon”

When to sing: Probably one of the hardest songs on this list, so you could really bring the place down if you’re aligned for it. If you got that high note, go for it anytime, and show that dude who just did “With Or Without You” what the deal is.

Make sure to:  Remember that you can hit the super high note like Jim James does live  – just scream that sawngun out.

The National – “Mr. November”

When to sing: This fall seems to be another perfect time, no?

Make sure to: Amble through the crowd really slowly, steadily stepping on tables and chairs, and if you run into a tiny girl in the bar, do this.

Neutral Milk Hotel – “Song Against Sex”

When to sing: When you want to sing “Too Drunk To Fuck” but you don’t have the drugs to take to soothe  your mind — you’re always sober.

Make sure to: To preface your performance by alerting the audience that there will be strictly be no video recording or photography of any kind. In fact, you should probably be doing that before every song anyway.

The New Pornographers – “Bleeding Heart Show”

When to sing: When you have a cast of at least A.C. Newman, Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, and Dan Bejar to join up for the “Hey la’s”, a crucial moment that cannot be left to the karaoke track.

Make sure to: Just give the guy who’s playing Dan Bejar a tambourine and a drink. He doesn’t need to be on stage the whole time.

Nick Lowe – “I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass”

When to sing: Such a great lead-off song, or you could win the night if you can get the DJ to give you a fast pass to the mic right after someone breaks a pint glass.

Make sure to: Bring your drink up there and then either pretend to drop it and laugh it off and wink, or throw it to the ground and stare directly at the audience and stand perfectly still until you are escorted from the stage.

Of Montreal – “Gronlandic Edit”

When to sing: To make an entrance upon arriving at the bar, as the beat is conducive to Night at the Roxbury-style head-bobbing and/or your own personalized moonwalk. With moves like those, you’ll get mic priority in no time.

Make sure to: Bring some friends in a boys’ choir to sing the high falsetto.

Okkervil River – “Lost Coastlines”

When to sing:  At the peak of the night — only because I think this is one of the better karaoke songs. It’s got the makings of one of those “gather ’round, we’re doing ‘Lost Coastlines’” vibes.

Make sure to: Use the little instrumental break that everyone in the bar has to sing the “La, la, la la la la,” part that’s coming up. It’s such a perfect place to explain it.

Patti Smith – “Free Money”

When to sing: Be true to Patti and do it sober!

Make sure to: Not go all Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs on this one — your melody rides the feeling.

Pavement – “Unfair”

When to sing: When you’re at a place on the Sunset Strip and you don’t want to sing “AEnima” again because no one really got it the first time.

Make sure to: Bring out those Malkmus histrionics and also let the DJ know that there really should be like every Pavement song in this book.

Peaches – “Fuck the Pain Away”

When to sing:  When the idea of singing “Closer” seems too dominant and chauvinistic, and you want something a little more coquettish and submissive, yet just as fucking graphic.

Make sure to: Go in knowing that you’re about to say “Fuck the Pain Away” 24 times, and pray for semantic satiation.

The Pharcyde – “Oh Shit”

When to sing: When you want to sing “Things That Make You Go Hmmmm” but you’ve got a team of tenors with you.

Make sure to: Just get a lady to sing Slimkid3′s verse because come on.

Pixies – “Hey”

When to sing: Directly before or after someone sings The Breeders – ”One Divine Hammer”.

Make Sure To: Interact with the singer of “One Divine Hammer”. This is your future wife, or at the very least you should start a band together.

PJ Harvey – “Words that Maketh Murder”

When to sing: When you’re pretty sure everyone’s either ready to go get eggs at the local diner, or you’re desperately seeking the attention of the guy or girl wearing brown and black in the corner next to The Addams Family pinball game.

Make sure to: Start loud, get soft, and then just sort of decide whether you want to finish loud or just repeat the harmonies or pass out.

Portishead – “All Mine”

When to sing: It’s such a James Bond-y torch song – the one that can bring you glory and fame – depending on your skill set.  After midnight, to be sure, and after you’ve told seven different men your seven different names.

Make sure to:  Ask if, just this once, you can smoke in here.

R. Kelly – “Trapped In The Closet”

When to sing: This for the KJ. If you’re ever a KJ, what you do is you learn the first 10 or so parts to this magnum opus and interpolate them throughout the night. This really is the best thing a KJ could do.

Make sure to: Pull out your beretta when things get heated.

The Rapture – “Out Of The Races And Onto The Tracks”

When to sing: After the idea of impressing people with your voice has long since faded, and you believe you can entertain the masses by doing one simple thing:

Make sure to: Shake shake shake shake shake shake shake shake shake shake.

Regina Spektor – “Your Honor”

When to sing: Trying to explain to the bouncer that your belligerently drunk friend is just “fighting for your honor” and/or distract the bouncer by creating the first Regina Spektor-inspired mosh pit ever.

Make sure to: Grab an unsuspecting audience member to forcefully air-kiss.

The Replacements – “Bastards of Young”

When to sing: Right after a heated argument about what you’re doing with your life, or HBO’s Girls. The kind of performance you give will hang on how drunk you are — but that’s kind of the point with The Mats.

Make sure to: Tell the DJ that he should have literally every Replacements song in the book.

Rilo Kiley – “Silver Lining”

When to sing: You’ve been politely shot down by the fourth cute guy you’ve approached at the bar- is it your fault they’re all “seeing someone”?- and you want to show all those guys what they’re missing.

Make sure to: Not confuse it with “Dreams”. Trust me, those chord changes really sound the same, especially after one drink too many.

Rufus Wainwright — “14th Street”

When to sing: After a bottle of wine, and when you’re in any city with a gridded downtown, doesn’t matter how big.

Make sure to: Play up Wainwright’s slur if you have to and find that perfect three-glasses-of-wine legato.

Ryan Adams – “Halloweenhead”

When to sing: It doesn’t have to be October to chant this one across the bar. Be ironic, or find your inner Jack Skellington, and belt this out at Christmas shindigs everywhere.

Make sure to: ”Guitar solo!”

Scott Walker – “Jackie”

When to sing: When you can see the bottom of your first elderflower cocktail, and after you place a mint leaf behind your ear.

Make sure to: Indicate just as much, if not more, than Walker does in the above video. “My beard so very long and flowing” being one example of a shining moment for pantomime.

The Shins – “Gone For Good”

When to sing: A perfect song for an afternoon karaoke session, or one of your first songs.

Make sure to: Bring a friend who can do those harmonies cause they’re so breezy.

Silver Jews – “Punks In The Beerlight”

When to sing: Right before you propose to your burnout girlfriend.

Make sure to: Bring your punk up there with you.

Sleater-Kinney – “Dig Me Out”

When to sing: After you’ve grown tired of the same polite rebuffs you’ve been giving all night and want to transform your face into a giant “back the hell up off” sign.

Make sure to:  Furrow the brow, clench the mic, and curtsy at the end.

Sleigh Bells – “Rill Rill”

When to sing: When you want everyone to get up and sway together without singing “Time of Your Life”. Once that Funkadelic sample kicks in, it’s only natural.

Make sure to: Wear just one fingerless glove and a string of bullets, if you’ve got ‘em.

Spoon – “The Underdog”

When to sing: You’re sloppy, stained with kisses, and your high school girlfriend you haven’t spoken to in over a decade has just walked through the door.

Make sure to: Take a page or two from Tom Jones – dance, dance, dance with the horns!

The Strokes – “15 Minutes”

When to sing: That one night you decide to be bold and wear the leather jacket, despite the fact that your friends all joke around and call you “The Fonz.”

Make sure to: Stay focused, despite that dreamy guitar solo, watch for the changes, and try to keep up at the end.

Sufjan Stevens – “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.”

When to sing:  When you’re sure that you can come back from it. This is for advanced artists only.

Make sure to:  …I don’t even know. I just kind of want to hear someone sing it and just live in whatever weird moment that it manifests forever.

Supergrass – “Alright”

When to sing: Someone’s brought up at least one reference to Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Jeremy Sisto, or anything having to do with 1995′s Clueless.

Make sure to: Really belt out “But we are young!”, especially if it’s your 30th birthday.

Tapes ‘n’ Tapes – “Insistor”

When to sing:  When you want to sing Violent Femmes, but you’d rather sing a song about being a badger. The song has a great arc to it, so it should take care of itself.

Make sure to: Add that big scream in the final chorus.

Television – “See No Evil”

When to sing:  Right after the girl who sang Patti Smith asked you, “So, what are you singing?”

Make sure to:  Turn in your best Tom Verlaine impression (sing everything just a little behind the beat), and bring a beer to drink during that killer guitar solo.

The-Dream – “Yamaha”

When to sing:  When you want to branch out from your Prince standards, and “Darling Nikki”.

Make sure to:  Wear your motorcycle jacket, and take some names, lil’ mama.

The Thermals – “Here’s Your Future”

When to sing: On the eve of any Catholic-related holiday.

Make sure to: Keep the nasal passages clear; otherwise, you’ll have everyone asking what Springsteen song this is.

Titus Andronicus – “No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future”

When to sing:  After a three-Jameson rocks, and you get the idea that the only way anyone will like you tonight is if you bring everyone down to your level.

Make sure to:  Plant some ringers in the audience for the “You will always be a loser” part, and if you get everyone singing at the end you’ll be a karaoke loser forever.

Tom Waits – “I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You”

When to sing: When the night is squinting back at you, and there’s only about five people in the bar, and the bartender is wiping down the bar half-interested in what you’re doing.

Make sure to:  At the end, tell everyone to tip their bartenders.

tUnE-yArDs – “Bizness”

When to sing: Like “Tightrope”, as often as possible.  

Make sure to: BYO face paint, and see if you can find a way to do that vibrato thing Merril does at the start of the second verse.

TV On The Radio – “Wolf Like Me”

When to sing: After a spirited conversation about what, ultimately, is the best TV On The Radio song.

Make sure to: Put in a good argument for “Wolf Like Me”.

The Velvet Underground – “Beginning To See The Light”

When to sing: When your night is striking a nice balance somewhere between Loaded and White Light/White Heat.

Make sure to: Just make up whatever melody/words you want during the verse.

The Weeknd – “Wicked Games”

When to sing: When you want to bring the sexual tension from “girl look at that cute guy” to “this is unbearable and I have to leave.”

Make sure to:  Not even attempt this if you can’t hit those high notes. Consult friends before singing and listen to them if they laugh at you.

Whiskeytown – “Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight”

When to sing: When you’re drunk enough that your country roots start to show, but are still aware that you’re singing Ryan Adams.

Make sure to: Add that twang that Ryan Adams used to do.

Why? – “The Hallows”

When to sing: When you want to get back to the proto-hipster, and drop some fantastic white-boy rhymes on the mic.

Make sure to: Preface this song by “You’ve probably never heard of these guys” just for old-time’s sake.

Wilco – “Monday”

When to sing: After a couple of PBRs and after someone asks you if you know any country songs other than that Ryan Adams guy.

Make sure to: Infer that you do know more country songs, but few are as great as “Monday”.

Wild Flag – “Romance”

When to sing: I know it’s a new song in the canon, but really, when is there not a good time to sing this song?

Make sure to: Air-guitar throughout and slyly note to passersby that you saw Sleater-Kinney live before they split. Like, during the song.

Wire – “Ex Lion Tamer”

When to sing:  After you get done complaining about HBO’s Girls for the last hour and just want to grab everyone by the collars, and scream some metaphors in their faces. This is not an uncommon emotion.

Make sure to: Bring up a hype-man for the extra punch off from the mic when you sing the echo lines in the verse.

Wolf Parade – “This Heart’s On Fire”

When to sing: After about a pack of cigarettes into the night.

Make sure to: Leave absolutely all of it on stage.

And we’re back everybody! Holy shit, another week has gone by? Good riddance. MORE videos have come into our (hypothetical) hands and there’s a whole lotta swagger going on. As always, we be holding shit down for Cluster 1, always trying to bring you the freshest video content on the web, both artistically and culturally.

With all that in mind, please remember that we want to see your videos as well. You could be the next Keyboard Cat, or the next Wolf Haley, or even the next Muscles-Glasses (although this one is highly doubtful, as very few people possess his super-human abilities). Send us some stuff, just go here and show us what’s up. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter as well! -Ted Maider

f e e d b a c k – Miracle Fortress

In this candid documentary, Graham Van Pelt, aka Miracle Fortress, sat down to talk with Side B. This time, the documentary production squad asked about buzz in the blogosphere, and whether or not it’s important to him, and to artists in general. In the end, you got to keep pushing on through, no matter what.

Frightened Rabbit – “Scottish Winds”

Frightened Rabbit plays an intimate, acoustic version of this track for Invisible Children, which is an interesting charity group. Through film, music, and media, the group raises money and awareness to save child soldiers from Joseph Kony’s rebel war. What we have here is a group of tight shots, in a scenic but remote location, that shows an artist bearing his soul for a good cause.

The Front Bottoms – “Swimming Pool”

At the start of the video, the Front Bottoms state, “There’s comfort in the bottom of a swimming pool,” and I couldn’t agree more. This video also validates that point. The two protagonists go around, diving in random pools while enjoying the summer weather. Everything points back to a moment when we were all innocent, had plenty of free time, and didn’t give a shit if the old lady next door found us swimming in the heat.

I Fall Down

The title to this short is already dark enough, but the imagery is even darker. Combining both 4D Cinema with hand-drawn animation, director Jesse Collett tells the story of a singing frog, who happens to live in a gothic style junkyard. This frog soon comes across a firefly, which gives him a reason to run off into the night, and explore these dark surroundings.

Nerves Junior – “Kale”

Beautiful women seducing members of a band has become such a cliche that it was the crux of This is Spinal Tap. Despite its overuse in the past, director Zach Hart is just the man to bring the concept back. Nerves Junior‘s music video for “Kale” starts out like a simple performance clip. Then the seductresses walk out and begin enticing each band member. They move the instruments away, putting the focus of themselves. The pull between the song and the sexual keeps climbing and never really stops until the end. -Joe Marvilli

OFF! Live at FYF Festival

This past Labor Day weekend was FYF Festival in Los Angeles. Many punk, indie, and electronic acts took the five stages, but few artists rocked as hard as OFF! For those of you unfamiliar, OFF! is Keith Morris’s new project (of Black Flag and Circle Jerks), and here it goes to show why punk will never die.

Sheeped Away

Director Junaid Chundriger stated he was trying to make a cartoon like the ones from our own generation. This is understandable as most cartoons on modern TV are absolutely over-the-top (what happened to Doug and Hey Arnold!, anyhow?). Here is a heartwarming story of a farmer protecting his flock of sheep from aliens. Plus…it’s funny.

They Might Be Giants – “Spoiler Alert”

While They Might Be Giants latest album Join Us is intended for their adult fans, it doesn’t mean they’ve let go of the inner child. In the music video for “Spoiler Alert”, hand puppets sing the words along to the song. It’s a playful, colorful experience that may help those growing kids link into the band’s back catalog.

The Urbanites – “Walking Away”

You know you’re in for a treat with this video once you hear the opening synth riffs. The clip cuts between footage of the Urbanites rocking out, and people shooting at one another in the forest. It’s not like a “battle” necessarily either; it looks more like when Christopher Moltisanti used to knock people off in the first season of The Sopranos.

Wallpaper – “Stupidfacedd”

This is definitely one of the coolest videos that has been sent to me via email since that clip I got in 5^th grade where the chimp passes out sniffing himself. Wallpaper’s “Stupidfacedd” will soon be bumping in every college party/teenage girl’s car within the next month, but its video far surpasses the track. Basically, we follow that guy around for a night of sex, debauchery, and partying. Plus, who doesn’t want a Super Soaker filled with Four Loko.

Invisible Children is a charity that uses film, creativity, and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony’s rebel war. Their other goal is to restore LRA-affected communities in central Africa to peace and prosperity. To support the organization, Frightened Rabbit‘s Scott Hutchison performed an acoustic rendition of one of the band’s newest songs, “Scottish Winds”. If you’d like to donate, click the Invisible Children link above.

Frightened Rabbit’s recent musical output doesn’t just extend to a tour-only EP. At Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival last month, the band’s frontman, Scott Hutchison, tackled a song written by his current tour mates. Via SPIN.com, watch video of Hutchison covering Death Cab For Cutie’s “Different Names for the Same Thing”, from 2005′s Plans.

According to SPIN, Hutchison chose to cover the song as a thank-you to Invisible Children, a non-profit seeking to end the conflict in Uganda and stop the abduction of children for use as child soldiers. The organization has a presence on the current Frightened Rabbit/Death Cab tour.

One of the summer’s hottest tours has also led to some new music. According to Listen Before You Buy, Scottish folk-rock outfit Frightened Rabbit is selling a tour-only EP at the merch tables of their shows with Death Cab For Cutie. Along with a studio version of “Scottish Wind”, the effort includes two news songs, “Fuck This Place and “The Work”. The former features Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell, while the latter includes a guest spot by Scottish Folk singer Archie Fisher. Check out all three tracks below.

“Scottish Winds”

“Fuck This Place” (feat. Tracyanne Campbell)

“The Work” (feat. Archie Fisher)

With a new, tighter sound and an upcoming opening spot for Death Cab For Cutie’s summer tour, Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit landed on our 15 Hottest Summer Tours list for 2011. Now, it appears the guys will also have some fresh material for their month-long U.S. jaunt. During last weekend’s RockNess music festival, located on the surroundings of Loch Ness, UK, the local favorites sat down with the BBC for a short televised acoustic set. Above, watch Scott and Grant Hutchinson perform “Scottish Wind” as the winds sweep through the picturesque festival highlands. The track can also be streamed below (via Stereogum).

“Scottish Wind” (RockNess Acoustic Session)

But if there is one way to regain some of that summertime frivolity and carefree attitude, it’s once again through the power of music. Sure, there are festivals galore, but if you’re not willing to travel, and you live in, say, Omaha, Nebraska, you’re limited to what festival experience you can undertake. Of course, there is one solution to the music-going experience that takes as much effort to attend as the work ethic of a 15-year-old on the Fourth of July: waiting for that big summer tour to roll into town. Every year, with the dawning of swimsuits and as the first hints of BBQs waft through the air, artists big and small hit the road to tout their new album and play for those with a lot of time on their hands. Despite the sheer volume of shows, just what ones will truly make the thermometer go pop?

As we do every other season of the year, CoS has your back. Presented below in easy-to-digest form, kind of like the hot dog itself, we’ve compiled a list of the biggest summer tours going down as we speak. From top 40 superstars like Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj to indie phenoms like Bright Eyes and Mountain Goats and from newcomers like The Vaccines to more established acts like Eddie Vedder and Roger Daltrey, a plethora of artists are heading across the country, vying for your attention and trying to make your summer actually fun again. We’ll tell you where they’ll all be, why you should be there, and how you can get your seat. All you’ve gotta do is show up. So, slap on some sunscreen, call in sick from work if you’ve got to, and enjoy great live music before winter comes back and puts a sleeperhold on this good time we call summer.

-Chris Coplan
News Editor

Feature artwork by Cap Blackard.

A Perfect Circle

There is a core, built-in group of people that need no persuading to see A Perfect Circle this summer, but there’s no reason the band shouldn’t sell out every show. Never mind that Maynard James Keenan is still, on a good day, one of the best rock vocalists around–and not too shabby on a bad day–and that APC released a couple of brilliant albums in the years (mainly between Tool albums) the band was together. APC will be playing the best stuff off those few albums, as well as at least one new song–maybe even more if the band is inspired. Even those unfamiliar with APC will find something to like about seeing the veritable supergroup live. This lineup of APC features the enigmatic frontman Keenan, mercenary drummer Josh Freese, and guitarist James Iha playing real music again. They’ll be at various festivals, including Lollapalooza (and basically everywhere else), from June to August. -Harry Painter

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When and where:
05/22 – Columbus, OH @ Rock on the Range
06/29 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
06/30 – Kent, WA @ Showare Center
07/02 – Gibbons, AB @ Boonstock
07/04 – Winnipeg, MB @ Centennial Concert Hall
07/06 – St. Paul, MN @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium
07/08 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
07/09 – Toronto, ON @ Edgefest
07/10 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest
07/12 – Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion
07/13 – New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
07/15 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
07/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Penn’s Landing
07/17 – Washington, DC @ Constitution Hall
07/19 – Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre
07/20 – Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
07/22 – San Antonio, TX @ Freeman Coliseum
07/23 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
07/25 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
07/26 – San Diego, CA @ SDSU Open Air Theatre
07/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Gibson Amphitheater
07/29 – Sacramento, CA @ Memorial Auditorium
07/30 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre
08/02 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
08/05-06 – Kansas City, KS @ Kanrocksas
08/05-07 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
08/09 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

Animal Collective

Since their 2009 tour in support of the ever-rewarding Merriweather Post Pavilion, Animal Collective hasn’t really let us go a week without something new: outstanding solo records from both Panda Bear and Avey Tare, solo tours in support of Panda’s new record, an epileptic Fantasia-style feature-film, an art installation, an incredible EP, and the list goes on. But for fans of the Baltimore Psych titans, it still isn’t enough. The band hasn’t had a full-fledged tour in two years, and when they have, they’ve stuck to Europe or the American West Coast. That’s why when AnCo announced a new string of dates this spring (including the band’s first ever stop at their last album’s namesake, Columbia, MD’s Merriweather Post Pavilion), people got pretty fucking psyched. Videos from the band’s recent California dates, including their stop at Coachella, reveal that there’s a lot to expect. First off, the band will take the form of band again. Noah Lennox will sit behind a full drum set, a returning Deakin will strum some chords and noodle around on an actual guitar, Tare will take the Billy Joel approach behind a keyboard, and Geologist will do whatever inexplicable shit Geologist always does. On top of that, they’ll be debuting a slew of new material, most of which sounds bandy-er than usual. And if Coachella is any indication, the light show might be pretty epic, too. -Drew Litowitz

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When and where:
05/13-15 – Minhead, UK @ ATP Curated by Animal Collective
05/16 – Eastbourne, UK @ Winter Gardens
05/17 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
05/18 – Brussels, BE @ Cirque Royal
05/19 – Cologne, DE @ Electron
05/20 – Berlin, DE @ Astra
05/21 – Warsaw, PL @ Klub Stodola
05/22 – Krakow, PL @ Studio
05/23 – Vienna, AT @ Arena
05/24 – Zagreb, HR @ Pogon Jedinstvo
05/25 – Milan, IT @ Alcatraz
05/26-28 – Dudingen, CH @ Bad Bonn Festival Kilbi
05/28 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
05/27-06-01 – Paris, FR @ Festival Villette Sonique
07/07 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham Theatre
07/08 – Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
07/09 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
07/12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Prospect Park Bandshell (Celebrate Brooklyn)
07/13 – Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
07/15 – Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival

Archers of Loaf

The name Archers of Loaf may not spark a lot of discussion in 2011, but it sure did 15 years ago when the “White Trash Heroes” first made the rounds. The North Carolina noise rockers released four albums in the ’90s, scored some hits on college radio, and in 1995 toured with Weezer (the good kind). Their short run came to an end in 1998, but now that they’ve reunited, it’s a valuable opportunity to catch up on a slice of indie goodness on which many missed out. Imagine if TV on the Radio or Deerhunter broke up right now and came back 12 years later. This is that, kind of. -Harry Painter

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When and where:
05/21 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
05/29 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival
06/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
06/04 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
06/11 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
06/12 – Dallas, TX @ The Loft
06/25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
06/26 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
07/08 – Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
07/09 – Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
07/22 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
07/23 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
08/05 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
08/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
08/19 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
09/02 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
09/03 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
12/09-11 – Minehead, UK @ ATP’s Nightmare Before Christmas

Arctic Monkeys w/ The Vaccines

While Death Cab for Cutie and Frightened Rabbit may have had a lot in common, the case of Arctic Monkeys and newcomers The Vaccines is one of the past meeting the future. Arctic Monkeys started out as newcomers themselves before 2006′s Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not caught on big time across the globe. Subsequent albums have seen the band’s stock rise, and now, as they ready to drop their fourth album, Suck It and See, the rockers find themselves on a precipice of sorts, ready to grab some of that initial fame once again or float off into oblivion if the rest of the album doesn’t meet raving-mad fan expectations. Regardless of where they land, they’re taking their hard work and making a go of recreating their success for The Vaccines. AM’s fellow countrymen dropped their debut LP back in March and find themselves in a place Alex Turner and company once did not so long ago: great songs, beloved by critics everywhere, looking for that one spark to blow their career up and possibly put them in line for some well-deserved attention in the indie rock world. While no result is definitive, one thing is certain: This tour is going to be one crazy-good time, mates. -Chris Coplan

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When and where:
05/17 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
05/19 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
05/21 – Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
05/22 – Montreal, QC @ L’Olympia
05/24 – New York, NY @ Summer Stage
05/26 – Detroit, MI @ Clutch Cargoes
05/27 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
05/28 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
05/30 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
05/31 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
06/02 – Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre
06/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
08/01 – Dallas, TX @ The Palladium
08/02 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs
08/03 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
08/05-06 – Kansas City, KS @ Kanrocksas
08/05-07 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
08/06 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
08/10 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
08/11 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
08/12 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent

Bright Eyes w/ everyone

Long has it been rumored that Bright Eyes‘ latest release, The People’s Key, will be their last under the Bright Eyes moniker. Acting accordingly, Conor Oberst and Co. have been/will be taking their show on the road for a massive world tour to finish things off in style. Touring partners for the spring leg include Jenny and Johnny, Dawes, Titus Andronicus, Death Cab for Cutie, and a pair of shows with M. Ward. But come summertime, the real fun starts. After returning from a European tour, not only will Bright Eyes be appearing at Lollapalooza, but they’ll embark on a short tour with fellow indie rock legends The Mountain Goats. Although The Mountain Goats are listed as the opener, this feels more like a joint headlining tour. And for the eight cities lucky enough to witness it, I’m sure both acts will shine like the true veterans they are. -Winston Robbins

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When and where:
05/23 – Saskatoon, SK @ Odeon
05/24 – Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Center ^
05/25 – Calgary, AB @ Stampede Corral ^
05/27 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Amphitheatre ^
05/28 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival
05/31 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory +
06/01 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert House +
06/03 – Denver, CO @ Filmore Theater +
06/04 – Council Bluffs, IA @ WestFair Amphitheater +
06/06 -  St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant %
06/07 – Louisville, KY @ Iroquois Amphitheater %
06/08 – Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion @ Indoors %
06/09 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AC @ Indoors %
06/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Mann Center for Performing Arts %>
06/11 – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center At Wolf Trap %>
06/16 – Zurich, CH @ Kaufleuten
06/17 – Neuhausen ob Eck, DE @ Southside Festival
06/18 – Scheeßel, DE @ Hurricane Festival
06/19 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle
06/21 – Colonge, DE @ Royal Albert Hall
06/22 – Paris, FR @ Alhambra
06/23 – London, UK @ Royal Albert Hall +
06/25 – Vitoria-Gasteiz, ES @ Azkena Rock Festival
06/28 – Gothenburg, SE @ Where The Action Is
06/29 – Arendal, NO @ Hove Festival
07/01 – Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
07/02 – Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
07/04 – Hradec Králové, CZ @ Rock For People
07/05 – Vienna, AT @ Arena Wien Open Air +
07/07 – Ultrecht, NL @ Tivoli +
07/08 – Birmingham, UK @ HMV Institute +
07/09 – Kinross, UK @ T in the Park
07/10 – Naas, IE @ Oxegen
07/12 – Gateshead, UK @ Sage +
07/13 – Leeds, UK @ Academy +
07/14 – Manchester, UK @ Academy +
07/15 – Suffolk, UK @ Latitude Festival
07/27 – Lewiston, NY @ Art Park ( Free Show) #
07/28 – Belknap, NH  @ Meadowbrook Pavilion #
07/29 – Shelburne, VT @ Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum #
07/30 – Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
07/31 – Baldwinsville, NY @ Paper Mill Island Amphitheater #
08/03 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park #
08/04 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room #
08/05 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
08/06 – Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note
08/08 – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
08/14 – East Hampton, NY @ Music to Know Festival

! = w/ Titus Andronicus
$ = w/ Farmer Dave Scher
^ = w/ Death Cab For Cutie
+ = w/ Jenny and Johnny
% = w/ Dawes
> = w/ M. Ward
# = w/ The Mountain Goats

Britney Spears w/ Nicki Minaj

The key to a great tour isn’t just about how amazing the shows are or how much pyro they blast during the duration. It’s also about how the lineup works to perpetuate and facilitate a great idea or concept. In the case of Britney Spears hitting the road with Nicki Minaj in a supporting capacity, that notion is the batshit crazy, immovable object that does weird accents meeting the irresistible force of pop music who’s made a few questionable life choices (see: Kevin Federline). Along with being two of pop’s greatest commodities right now, Spears and Minaj are two very different narratives of the same sugarcoated genre. The plucky Minaj is in the boom period of her career, where a dynamic performance aboard this tour could keep her rocket ship to stardom on a path to complete domination. Spears, on the other hand, is on what seems to be her 100th career resurrection, free of all that extra weight (the metaphorical and physical variety) and ready to show the world she is still our pop princess. Sure, they’re working together to put on a great show, but with a tale of the tape like that, not to mention their diva tendencies, they’ll be going at it tooth and nails for our love and attention. And that means we win no matter who nabs the most headlines. -Chris Coplan

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When and where:
06/17 – Sacramento, CA @ Power Balance Pavilion
06/18 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
06/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
06/24 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center
06/25 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand
06/28 – Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena
06/29 – Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
07/01 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
07/04 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre
07/06 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Center
07/08 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
07/09 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
07/12 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
07/13 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
07/15 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena
07/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
07/20 – Orlando, FL @ Armway Center
07/22 – Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
07/26 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena
07/28 – Detroit, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills
07/30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
07/31 – Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
08/02 – Uniondale, NJ @ Nassau Coliseum
08/05 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ IZod Center
08/08 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
08/11 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
08/13 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre

Death Cab for Cutie w/ Frightened Rabbit

Here’s a history lesson for the indie rock fans of the world. Back in November 2008, Death Cab for Cutie tapped Frightened Rabbit to open for them during their tour of UK and Ireland. Now, some two and a half years later, the American rockers are bringing back the Scots for another round of touring as they support their new LP, Codes and Keys. In various interviews regarding the record, the band have spoken about how the album is one where they’ve matured due to each band member having endured major life changes. With marriages and kids and new residencies, the band are dealing with issues of home and belonging to the machinations of updated sonics, with the record featuring less guitars and more ambiance than other DCFC records. Undoubtedly, some fans may love the new record, while others may yearn for the indie, guitar-driven noise of previous efforts. Cue Frightened Rabbit and the sound of emotionally wounded and vulnerable young lads dealing with heartache, being forlorn, and trying to be optimistic in a world gone mad. With DCFC expanding their repertoire and Frightened Rabbit making their music tighter, fans are going to get the best of both worlds. Also, they may cry or feel some shit. -Chris Coplan

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When and where:
07/27 – Columbus, OH @ LC Outdoor Amphitheater
07/28 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
07/29 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Ampitheatre
08/01 – Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion
08/02 – Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Waterfront
08/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Mann Center
08/06 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
08/07 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
08/08 – Cary, NC @ Koka Booth Ampitheatre
08/10 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
08/11 – Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre
08/12 – New Orleans, LA @ Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena
08/13 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theater
08/15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
08/16 – La Jolla, CA @ RIMAC Arena
08/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
08/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
08/20 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pool
08/22 – West Valley City, UT @ Maverik Center
08/23 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Ampitheatre
08/25 – Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion
08/26 – St. Paul, MN @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium

The Decemberists

Folk-phenoms The Decemberists are literally at the top of their game, having just scored their first number one record with The King Is Dead. To help celebrate the accomplishment on tour, they’ve enlisted some impressive support: Mexican speed-guitarists Rodrigo y Gabriela, surf-pop revivalists Best Coast, and rising Seattle stars The Head and the Heart will all open select dates. Unsurprisingly, the festival circuit regulars will also hit at least five summer events. The real goods may come when they head the Newport Folk Festival in July; Gillian Welch, background vocalist on seven The King Is Dead tracks, is also on the bill, heralding the likely prospect of an onstage collaboration. Sadly, keyboardist/accordionist Jenny Conlee will be kept offstage through June (including Sasquatch! and Bonnaroo) while she battles breast cancer. CoS wishes her a speedy recovery, so she may rejoin her bandmates on what is sure to be a prodigious tour. -Ben Kaye

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When and where:
05/29 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Amphitheater #
05/30 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival
06/10 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
06/11 – Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Amphitheater &
06/13 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion &
06/14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Prospect Park Bandshell (Celebrate Brooklyn) &
06/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Academy of Music &
06/16 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre $
06/18 – Telluride, CO @ Telluride Bluegrass Festival
07/19 – Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Pavilion ^
07/20 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Botanical Gardens ^
07/22 – Missoula, MT @ Big Sky Brewery ^
07/25 – Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom !
07/26 – Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica !
07/27 – Interlochen, MI @ Interlochen Center for the Arts !
07/29 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Event Center !
07/30 – Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival
07/31 – Holyoke, MA @ Mountain Park /
08/01 – Lewiston, NY @ Artpark !
08/03 – Charlottesville, VA @ nTelos Wireless Pavilion !
08/04 – Cincinnati OH @ PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music !
08/05 – Indianapolis, IN @ White River State Park !
08/08 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s >
08/11 – Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Arts Center $
08/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre *
08/13 – San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Music Festival

# = w/ Rodrigo Y Gabriela
& = w/ Best Coast
^ = w/ Typhoon
! = w/ The Head and the Heart
> = w/ Caitlin Rose
$ = w/ Sara Watkins
* = w/ Wye Oak
/ = w/ Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside

Eddie Vedder

For anyone familiar with Pearl Jam, it should not be news that lead singer Eddie Vedder is a ukulele enthusiast. Vedder has been known to pull out his uke during live shows and do either simplified versions of Pearl Jam songs or songs that he’d specifically written for the ukulele. The first studio recording of a Vedder ukulele song, “Goodbye”, appeared on the soundtrack for the Jack Johnson-produced surf video A Brokedown Melody in 2004. Seven years later, Vedder has compiled an album full of his tropical ditties, including the aforementioned song and lead single “Longing to Belong”, which can be heard here. Vedder’s entrancing baritone sounds right at home over the simple chords of the ukulele. He’ll be touring 17 dates behind the album (with Glen Hansard opening) this summer. One of rock’s greats playing quality ukulele songs for an entire set? A must-see, hands down. -Winston Robbins

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When and where:
06/15 – Providence, RI @ Providence Performing Arts Center (PAC) *
06/16 – Boston, MA @ The Wang Theatre *
06/18 – Hartford, CT @ The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts *
06/21 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre *
06/22 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre *
06/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theatre *
06/26 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre *
06/28 – Chicago, IL @ The Chicago Theatre *
07/01 – St. Louis, MO @ Fox Theatre *
07/02 – Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre *
07/05 – San Diego, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall *
07/06 – Long Beach, CA @ Terrace Theater *
07/08 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern *
07/09 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl *
07/11 – Oakland, CA @ The Paramount Theatre *
07/14 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall *
07/15 – Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall *

* = w/ Glen Hansard

Foo Fighters

Of all the shows this writer saw while at South by Southwest 2011, and in the first five months of this year for that matter, no one band delivered a more awe-inspiring performance than Foo Fighters. Sure, I’m a sucker for stadium bands, but hell, they’re capable of playing a 70,000-person stadium for a reason. Two-and-a-half hour sets featuring more hooks in the first 15 minutes alone than most dream of in a lifetime? Check. Touring the hell out of the world in support of Wasting Light, which is a strong candidate for album of the year? Double check. And they have Pat Smear back in the fold? Check-a-rooni! Springsteen might not but touring this summer, but at least we have a suitable alternative. So, have yourself a Foo-tastic summer. -Alex Young

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When and where:
05/20 – Memphis, TN @ FedExForum !*
05/21 – Gulf Shores, AL @ The Hangout Festival
05/23 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Mid-America Center !*
05/26 – Missoula, MT @ Adams Center !*
05/27 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival
06/09 – Interlaken, CH @ Greenfield Festival
06/11 – Isle of Wight, UK @ Isle of Wight Festival
06/13 – Landgraaf, NL @ Pinkpop
06/15 – Milan, IT @ IdRHO Festival
06/17 – Neuhausen ob Eck, DE @ Southside Festival
06/18 – Berlin, DE @ Wuhlheide
06/19 – Scheeßel, DE @ Hurricane Festival
06/21 – Copenhagen, DK @ Refshaleoen
06/22 – Stockholm, SE @ Stockholm Stadium
06/24 – Oslo, NO @ Telenor Arena
06/26 – Helsinki, FI @  Kalasatama
07/02 – Milton Keynes, UK @ The National Bowl *^%
07/03 – Milton Keynes, UK @ The National Bowl *$#
07/06 – Madrid, ES @ Palacio de Deportes
07/07 – Lisbon, PT @ Optimus! Alive Festival
07/09 – Naas, IE @ Oxegen
07/10 – Kinross, UK @ T in the Park
08/07 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
08/09 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Center &~
08/10 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Center &~
08/18 – Kiewet, BE @ Pukkelpop
08/20 – St Polten, AT @ Frequency Festival
08/21 – Erfurt, DE @ Highfield Festival
08/23 – Cologne, DE @ Laxness Arena
08/24 – Ubersee, DE @ Chiemsee Festival
08/26 – Paris, FR @ Rock En Seine
09/14 – St. Paul, MN @ Excel Center +/
09/16 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center +/
09/17 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center +/
09/19 – Auburn Hills, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills +/
09/20 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena +/
09/22 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena +/
09/23 – Pittsburgh, PA @ CONSOL Energy Center +/
09/25 – Buffalo, NY @ HSBC Center *
09/26 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ IZod Center +/

! = w/ Motorhead
* = w/ Biffy Clyro
^ = w/ Death Cab For Cutie
% = w/ Tame Impala
$ = w/ Jimmy Eat World
# = w/ Hot Rats
& = w/ Fucked Up
~ = w/ Doughboys
+ = w/ Rise Against
/ = w/ Mariachi El Bronx

Katy Perry

If there is one female artist in today’s music industry who seems to really have struck gold, it’s Katy Perry. Her most recent album, Teenage Dream, has garnered her four number one hits along with four Grammy nominations, and now she plans on taking the album on the road. With her European leg of the tour already completed, Perry is heading back to North America in early June for a 58-show run.

Along with her collection of number ones, Perry is bringing along a few friends to open the show for her. Surprisingly, these friends are Robyn, Janelle Monáe, and Marina & the Diamonds, each opening for Perry on selected dates. The tour, appropriately titled the California Dreams Tour, promises all of Perry’s hits and fan favorites, along with a continuation of her California Candyland theme from her “California Girls” video, which for many fans may just be the biggest selling point. The North American portion of the tour begins in early June and continues through September, when Perry heads back to Europe. -Arya Davachi

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When and where:
06/07 – Atlanta, GA @ Arena at Gwinnett Center *
06/09 – Orlando, FL @ UCF Arena *
06/10 – Tampa, FL @ St. Pete Times Forum *
06/11 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Bank Atlantic Center *
06/14 – Raleigh, NC @ RBC Center *
06/15 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion *
06/17 – Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum *
06/18 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden *
06/19 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center *
06/22 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena #
06/23 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Petersen Events Center #
06/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center #
06/25 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena #
06/28 – Detroit, MI @ Palace of Auburn Hills #
06/30 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre #
07/02 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre #
07/03 – Ottawa, ON @ ScotiaBank Place #
07/05 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena #
07/07 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest #
07/08 – Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena #
07/09 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center #
07/13 – Regina, SK @ Brandt Centre $
07/14 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre $
07/16 – Calgary, AB @ Calgary Stampede $
07/17 – Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place $
07/19 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
07/20 – Seattle, WA @ KeyArena at Seattle Center
07/22 – Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena *
07/23 – Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena *
07/25 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Energy Solutions Arena *
07/26 – Denver, CO @ 1stBank Center *
07/28 – Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie *
07/29 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center *
07/30 – Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center *
08/03 – Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre *
08/05 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre *
08/06 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre *
08/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre *
08/09 – San Diego, CA @ Valley Wide Casino Center
08/12 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion ^
08/13 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl ^
08/14 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl ^
08/17 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
08/19 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena $
08/20 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center $
09/07 – San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center $
09/08 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena $
09/10 – Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Arena $
09/11 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena $
09/13 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Arena $
09/14 – Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Fieldhouse $
09/16 – Omaha, NE @ Qwest Center $
09/17 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center $

* = w/ Robyn
# = w/ Marina and the Diamonds
$ = w/ Janelle Monae
^ = w/ Oh Land

Okkervil River w/ Titus Andronicus

Okkervil River just put out a pretty cool new album. They haven’t toured in a long while, the last notable tour being their joint one with Wilco in 2009. But in a few weeks, Sheff will dawn his nicest professorial attire for a tote around the country. Shows at SXSW revealed a louder, more confident, more grandiose Okkervil River. There, the band mostly played newer material (mainly new stuff and songs from The Stage Names and The Stand-Ins, aside from Black Sheep Boy gems “A Stone” and “For Real”). So, get ready for a more raucous affair and a more volatile Sheff leading the Austin Texans into battle. Just don’t expect “Red” or “The Velocity of Saul at the Time of his Conversion”.

Joining them is the equally ferocious Titus Andronicus, still basking in the glory of their epic prog-punk masterpiece, The Monitor. While they may have lost longtime bassist Ian Graetzer, there’s no putting Patrick Stickles and his militant New Jersey-ites to rest. Expect epic renditions of already epic tracks, a whole lot of gut-wrenching fury, messy but magnificent guitar solos, antebellum facial hair, and sweaty T-shirts. And don’t forget to brush up on your Jersey iconography. It’ll be like The Boss got really angry, really drunk, and really fucking awesome (in that Civil War kind of way). With both bands on the bill, it won’t just be a one-two punch, it’ll be a one-two bayonet wound from the neck of a splintering acoustic guitar. -Drew Litowitz

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When and where:
05/31 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse #
06/01 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle #
06/02 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club #
06/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Theatre #
06/04 – New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place #
06/08 – Boston, MA @ Royale #
06/09 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom #
06/10 – Toronto, Ontario @ Phoenix Concert Theatre #
06/11 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall #
06/12 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue #
06/14 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
06/15 – Denver, CO @ The Bluebird Theater
06/16 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
06/17 – Boise, ID @ Egyptian Theatre
06/18 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre
06/20 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ The Vogue Theatre &
06/21 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom &
06/22 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fox Theater &
06/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern $
06/24 – San Diego, CA @ The Belly Up Tavern $
06/25 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre $
06/28 – Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s

# = w/ Future Islands
& = w/ Julianna Barwick
$ = w/ NewVillager

Roger Daltrey

Pete Townshend’s incurable tinnitus has put into question the continued presence of rock legends The Who as a touring unit. Plans were formulating as recently as last September, but have yet to bear fruit. The band’s other surviving member, frontman Roger Daltrey, must be as antsy as his fans, because although his guitarist remains on the bench, he’s taking their classic rock-opera Tommy on tour through the U.K., U.S., and Canada. Filling in for Townshend will be his brother, Simon, and the whole thing has Pete’s blessings. With Daltrey getting up in age and Townshend apparently unable to work around his hearing issues, there’s no telling how many more chances there will be to see The Who’s iconic catalogue played by its creators. Not to be pessimistic, but if The Who are on your bucket list, consider purchasing that ticket now. Here’s hoping Daltrey pulls a Waters and takes this definitive piece of work on a proper world tour, and maybe Townshend can even join him for at least one night. -Ben Kaye

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When and where:
07/03 – Alchester, UK @ Ragley Hall
07/04 – Gateshead, UK @ Sage
07/06 – Glasgow, UK @ Clyde Auditorium
07/07 – Manchester, UK @ Bridgewater Hall
07/09 – Nottingham, UK @ Royal Centre
07/10 – Newport, UK @ Centre
07/12 – Bristol, UK @ Colston Hall
07/13 – Southend, UK @ Cliffs Pavillion
07/15 – Guildford, UK @ Guilfest
07/16 – Hampshire, UK @ Broadlands
07/17 – Harrogate, UK @ Ripley House
07/19 – Hull City, UK @ Hall
07/21 – London, UK @ Indigo
07/22 – Norwich, UK @ Blicking Hall
07/24 – Exeter, UK @ Powderham Castle
09/13 – Hollywood, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock
09/15 – Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Pavilion
09/17 – Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena
09/18 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
09/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ MANN Center
09/23 – Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
09/24 – Hartford, CT @ XL Center
09/27 – Montreal, QC @ Place Des Arts
09/28 – Ottawa, ON @ Scotiabank Place
09/30 – Toronto, ON @ Sony Centre For The Performing Arts
10/01 – Windsor, ON @ The Coliseum at Caesars Windsor
10/05 – Minneapolis, MN @ U.S. Bank Theater at Target Center
10/07 – Hammond, IN @ Venue at Horseshoe Casino
10/08 – St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House
10/11 – Cedar Park, TX @ Cedar Park Center
10/12 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
10/14 – Kansas City, MO @ The Midland by AMC
10/16 – Broomfield, CO @ 1STBANK Center
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Nokia Theatre
10/21 – San Jose, CA @ San Jose Civic
10/22 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
10/24 – Portland, OR @ Rose Quarter-Theatre of the Clouds
10/25 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
10/27 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
10/29 – Edmonton, AB @ Rexall Place
10/30 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
11/01 – Saskatoon, SK @ Credit Union Centre
11/02 – Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre

Sade

2001. That was the year of the last concert Sade performed. So when she announces a tour, it would behoove you to pay attention. Playing in support of last year’s excellent Soldier of Love, the trek is absolutely massive with over 50 dates between now and September. She’s not the only one on the road in support of a well-received album, though. Joining her for most of the tour dates will be John Legend, who finished up 2010 with The Roots on Wake Up!. There are plenty of chances for cross-generational fanbases here. Sade’s older fans may get into Legend’s soulful croons, and young people may gain appreciation for Sade’s unique blend of smooth jazz. Nothing wrong with that at all! -Joe Marvili

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When and where:
05/13 – Berlin, DE @ O2 World
05/14 – Prague, CH @ Arena
05/16 – Zurich, CH @ Hallenstadion
05/17 – Paris, FR @ Bercy
05/19 – Munich, DE @ Olympiahalle
05/20 – Amneville, FR @ Galaxie
05/23 – Rotterdam, NL @ Ahoy
05/25 – Dublin, IE @ The O2
05/27 – Manchester, UK @ MEN Arena
05/29 – Birmingham, UK @ LG Arena
05/31 – London, UK @ O2 Arena
06/16 – Baltimore, MD @ 1st Mariner Arena *
06/18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Consol Energy Center *
06/19 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Arena *
06/21 – Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum *
06/22 – Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
06/24 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ IZod Center *
06/25 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center *
06/28 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre *
06/30 – Montreal, QC Bell Centre *
07/03 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena *
07/06 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden *
07/08 – Indianapolis, IN @ Conseco Fieldhouse *
07/09 – Cleveland, OH @ Quicken Loans Arena *
07/10 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center *
07/12 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena *
07/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena *
07/15 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ BankAtlantic Center *
07/16 – Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena *
07/17 – Orlando, FL @ Amway Center *
07/22 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Arena *
07/23 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center *
07/24 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center *
07/26 – Kansas City, KS @ Sprint Center *
07/28 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Cener *
07/29 – Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum *
07/31 – Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena *
08/03 – Detroit, MI @ The Palace at Auburn Hills *
08/05 – Chicago, IL @ United Center *
08/06 – Chicago, IL @ United Center *
08/07 – Chicago, IL @ United Center *
08/09 – Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center *
08/11 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center *
08/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena *
08/14 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena *
08/15 – Portland, OR @ Rose Garden Arena *
08/17 – Sacramento, CA @ Power Balance Pavilion *
08/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center *
08/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center *
08/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center *
08/23 – San Diego, CA @ Cricket Amphitheatre *
08/25 – San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion *
08/26 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena *
08/27 – Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena *
08/30 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center *
08/31 – Anaheim, CA @ Honda Center *
09/02 – Phoenix, AZ @ U.S. Airways Center *
09/03 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Arena *

* = w/ John Legend

Soundgarden

Ever since Soundgarden crushed Lollapalooza last August for their first show in 13 years, the question on everyone’s mind was “What’s next?”. Not much news came out in 2010, but we got what we wanted this year: a reunion tour. Crisscrossing the United States, the Seattle rockers will be playing amphitheaters and arenas throughout the entire month of July. As if the chance to hear “Black Hole Sun”, “Spoonman”, and “Jesus Christ Pose” wasn’t enough, there are the openers to consider as well. The first half of the tour will feature Coheed and Cambria. Next up will be the insanity that is a Mars Volta performance. Then to cap the whole thing off, a couple of dates with Queens of the Stone Age right in the middle of their own comeback tour. Oh, and if you still need more, how does the possibility of new material sound? Yeah, we thought you’d like that. -Joe Marvili

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When and where:
07/02 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre ^
07/03 – London, ON @ John Labatt Centre ^
07/05 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest
07/06 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena ^
07/08 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center ^
07/09 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater ^
07/10 – Mansfield, MA @ Comcast Center For The Performing Arts ^
07/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing *
07/14 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Event Center *
07/16 – Chicago, IL @ UIC Pavilion *
07/18 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre *
07/21 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Center *
07/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum *
07/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint *
07/29 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena &
07/30 – George, WA @ The Gorge #

^ = w/ Coheed and Cambria
* = w / The Mars Volta
& = w/ Queens of the Stone Age and Meat Puppets
# = w/ Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon and Meat Puppets

Death Cab for Cutie have announced more North American tour dates behind the May 31st release of their new LP, Codes and Keys. Following an intimate run of U.S. dates this spring, plus a trek through Europe, the band will launch their latest leg in Columbus, OH on July 27th. The month-long road trip will then take DCFC up into Canada, which includes an appearance at Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival, and then down the U.S. East coast, with stops in Boston, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia included. After that, the band will turn west, playing New Orleans, LA, Grand Prairie, TX, and Phoenix, AZ, before wrapping up their travels with three dates in California, one and Utah, and then an August 23rd appearance at the legendary Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison, CO. All shows will feature Scottish indie rockers Frightened Rabbit in support.

Pre-sale tickets to most of the newly announced dates will be available starting on Friday, April 29th at the band’s fan club; all remaining tickets will then go on sale to the general public the following weekend, May 6th-8th (check the band’s site for specific on-sale dates).

Codes and Keys arrives May 31st via Atlantic and pre-orders are now ongoing via the band’s website.

Death Cab For Cutie 2011 Tour Dates:
05/18 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre ^
05/20 – Chicago, IL @ Metro ^
05/21 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue ^
05/24 – Edmonton, AB @ Shaw Conference Center #^
05/25 – Calgary, AB @ Stampede Corral #^
05/27 – Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Amphitheatre #^
05/28 – George, WA @ Sasquatch! Music Festival (Sold Out)
06/01 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ^
06/03 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^
06/04 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero ^
06/05 – Boston, MA @ The Paradise ^
06/07 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre ^
06/09 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^
06/26 – Munich, DE @ Muffathalle
06/27 – Berlin, DE @ Astra
06/29 – Hamburg, DE @ The Docks
06/30 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
07/01 – Kent, UK @ Hop Farm Fest
07/02 – Milton Keynes, UK @ The National Bowl *
07/04 – Manchester, UK @ Academy
07/05 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
07/07 – London, UK @ Brixton Academy
07/27 – Columbus, OH @ LC Outdoor Amphitheater $
07/28 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre $
07/29 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Ampitheatre $
07/31 – Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Music Festival
08/01 – Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion $
08/02 – Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Waterfront $
08/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Mann Center $
08/06 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE $
08/07 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion $
08/08 – Cary, NC @ Koka Booth Ampitheatre $
08/10 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena $
08/11 – Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre $
08/12 – New Orleans, LA @ Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena $
08/13 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theater $
08/15 -  Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre $
08/16 – La Jolla, CA @ RIMAC Arena $
08/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre $
08/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre $
08/20 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pool $
08/22 – West Valley City, UT @ Maverik Center $
08/23 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Ampitheatre $

^ = w/ The Lonely Forest
# = w/ Bright Eyes
* = w/ Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, & Tame Impala
$ = w/ Frightened Rabbit

Among the tickets on sale Saturday include Frightened Rabbit, Gogol Bordello, Interpol, Neil Young, and the Smashing Pumpkins. Smokeout Fest and Farm Aid tickets are also available.

Farm Aid:

What: Willie Nelson’s annual benefit concert

When: October 2nd

Tixs: $39.50-$97.50

Buy: Milwaukee Brewers box office (414-902-4000) or tickets.com at 9:00 AM CDT

Frightened Rabbit:

What: North American tour, Chicago date

When: November 4th

Tixs: $16.50

Buy: Live Nation at 10:00 AM CDT

Gogol Bordello:

What: North American tour, Atlanta date

When: October 7th

Tixs: $29.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM EDT

Interpol:

What: North American tour, Los Angeles date

When: October 23rd

Tixs: $35.00-$39.50

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM PDT

Neil Young:

What: Gulf Coast tour

When: September

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Smokeout Festival:

What: Pro-marijuana music fest organized by Cypress Hill, featuring Incubus and MGMT

When: October 16th

Tixs: $75.00

Buy: Ticketfly.com at 10:00 AM PDT

Smashing Pumpkins:

What: North American tour, Seattle date

When: September 10th

Tixs: $40.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM PDT

Sufjan Stevens:

What: North American tour, Minneapolis date

When: October 16th

Tixs: $32.50

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Are we missing anything? Let us know below! Also, if you’re looking for shows for an already sold-out show, try our partner site Seatgeek.com.

The weekend’s good fortune prevailed. The sun returned, and so did the fans. Immediately, people of all sorts scuttled into the park. Excitement flavored the air. Two more headliners. The long-awaited return of 90′s grunge rock legends, Soundgarden, and the uber-hyped Arcade Fire set, which fans have been salivating about since The Suburbs hit the net. All in all, not too shabby of a way to pull down the curtain, blow out the candle, have the fat lady sing, etc.

It’s sort of interesting how Sunday panned out, actually. Whoever scheduled the day divided it in such a way that those who favored more mainstream, aggressive acts were cattled into the south end of the park. Whereas the folks who preferred more indie-centric material had to hike it up north. In a way, it was sort of like a high school cafeteria, where particular groups flock to different tables, sneering at one another and butting heads in the lunch line.

For the most part, there was no ill will. With the exception of a roughneck crowd at MGMT (Care to explain that, anyone?), things remained civil. People danced, people headbanged, and others carried on their own business. Maybe it was because everyone has work tomorrow, but there was a lack of drunken tomfoolery usually seen at Lollapalooza. Very refreshing.

All in all, this year’s Lollapalooza concluded just fine, successfully bookmarking what may be one of the best weekends in the festival’s history. Wait, wait, don’t go down and comment just yet. Mull it over. Ask these questions: Where else would you see The Strokes? How often do you see not one, but two rare international sensations? (e.g. Empire of the Sun, X Japan) What other festival offers you the choice between Soundgarden and Arcade Fire? When was the last time you yelled out, “Holy shit, Green Day was awesome!”, without acting like a sarcastic ass in the comments below?

Rhetorical, rhetorical, rhetorical, and… rhetorical, of course. But, these are all good angles to observe. Without getting ahead of ourselves – after all, you’ve still yet to read our final report – we’re just going to say this: Lollapalooza kicked our asses this year. With smart planning (e.g. opening up Columbus Drive and expanding), great food (Damn you addicting Strawberry Lemonade!), and a handful of timeless performances, Lollapalooza reinvented itself once again. Chicago should only be so proud. Now, how about we write to City Hall and demand an extension on that irritating curfew? Huh?

Well, maybe you should read this first…

Sunday, August 8th

HEALTH
adidas MEGA, 11:30 a.m.

Photo by Lauren Guagno

Chicago may have given us rain, but HEALTH gave the Windy City thunder and lightening. With a really, really rough set time, – 11:30 in the morning on a Sunday – exhausted attendees were even more…exhausted. To add more detriment, it’s the third and final day of the festival, when everyone’s soothing sore legs and counting down the hours. Okay, so not a good slot. Add in the rain and ensuing mud fields, it’s just a downright shitty situation. Nevertheless, dedicated fans who would sit through anything, whether it be some rain or a wave of lava, stuck true to their guns and arrived onsite. What they heard, however, was something marvelous. When “Die Slow” erupted from the set, mud flew and fans drooled all the way until “We Are Water”, where the combination of what seemed like a tornado and waterfall made the setting all worthwhile. Save for a later set time, this couldn’t have been any better, weather conditions included. How’s that for looking on the bright side? -Phillip Roffman

Switchfoot
adidas MEGA, 1:00 p.m.

“It’s been a dream of ours to play Lollapalooza for a long time.” – Jon Foreman

Sometimes, you just gotta roll with the punches. Switchfoot was a huge, multi-platinum selling band just a few short years ago. Back then, they could have easily commanded a time slot much later in the day. But things happen, and now they’re a 1:00 side stage band at a festival like Lollapalooza. And while they’ve faded from the public spotlight, they’re still around and kicking. Their booking at this particular festival may have drawn some confusion, but they drew a decent sized crowd for an early afternoon set. Their days of playing to huge audiences helped their stage presence greatly – they were all over the stage and the crowd during their set. They played mostly the hits – something that cannot usually be said for an early afternoon band. Crowd pleasers like “Stars”, “Dare You To Move” and obvious set closer “Meant to Live”. They even threw in an unexpected Beastie Boys cover – “Sabotage”. My Switchfoot phase came and went a long time ago – but I can’t help but think my ninth grade self would have been pleased with this show. -Carson O’Shoney

The Cribs
Parkways, 2:00 p.m.

Bad news for Cribs fans: you made up half the audience that saw Blues Traveler the day before on the same stage at the same time. Good news: Johnny Marr is still a Crib. To say it begins and ends with Marr is unfair, The Cribs have been around for nearly a decade. They’ve enjoyed a lot of success overseas in their native country of England, but haven’t quite clicked in the States. As they arrived onstage to the opening theme for Twin Peaks, any evidence of bad weather disappeared (“This is the only time we’ve brought good weather to a festival,” said singer/guitarist Ryan Jarman). They played for a full hour, opening with the fierce “We Were Aborted” from Marr’s debut with the band, Ignore the Ignorant, whose title track was also performed. Other songs included the wild “Hari Kari”, “Cheat on Me”, and the highlight of the set, “Be Safe”, which was accompanied by a pre-recorded video/vocal by Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth). Were The Cribs able to hold the attention of the audience for a full hour? No, but there was good to be had, so ignore the ignorant. – Justin Gerber

Photo by Heather Kaplan

Blitzen Trapper
Budweiser, 2:00 p.m.

Photo by Cap Blackard

With a band like Blitzen Trapper and their classic rock meets country sound, you can tell the use of cowbell is sincere. However, as soon as it made an appearance, a bunch of people just started shouting “More!” (It’s been ten years people! Seriously, look it up!). But, those interested in the music took to singing along to their 2008 title track, “Furr”, howling out chorus lines like “I’m a rattlesnake, Babe, I’m like fuel on fire” as if they were in a Western flick. -Adam Kivel

Mumford & Sons
Playstation, 3:00 p.m.

Photo by Cap Blackard

“This is an amazing festival… it’s a good day,” said Marcus Mumford, his thick English accent charming the crowd. That is, a vast crowd extending far away from the stage under a sweltering, rejuvenated sun. Mumford & Sons‘ set opened with a raspy voiced “Sigh No More”, sending waves of claps throughout the crowd, followed by “Awake My Soul” and “Roll Away Your Stone”, where the sound of banjos filled everybody’s ears. The true crowd pleaser seemed to be, “Little Lion Man”, as the crowd vibrantly chanted in unison. Even more intriguing, the band had people jumping up and down easily, as if they weren’t watching a folk band, but were at a club, instead. -Lauren Guagno

X Japan
Parkways, 4:00 p.m.

For months, X Japan had been touted as one of the specialty adds for Lollapalooza. A rare event not to be missed, they said. Some even compared the group, which came together in 1982, to Guns N’ Roses, touting them as Japan’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band. With that much hype, who wouldn’t skip Yeasayer for them? After a tedious soundcheck, which went five minutes over, the P.A. charged the really, really, really devoted crowd (some even braving the heat in black kimonos, others crying their eyes out in wonder) with epic instrumentals. Finally, members here and there littered the stage, as those aforementioned fans wailed on and on, and a full on metal show ensued. Given the band’s tunes average seven or eight minutes, the setlist lacked some depth, but that didn’t stop them from treating the gig as if it were a two-hour show.

Photo by Heather Kaplan

All the makings of an arena rock event were present. Pyro accented heavy drum fills, solos dug deeper and deeper, all the while frontman Toshi Deyama tugged harder and harder at the crowd. Christ can he wail, too. On opener “Rusty Nail”, Deyama’s vocals rivaled those of Steve Perry, while on newer material like “Jade”, he scowled and gnarled better than Axl Rose could ever dream to anymore. To borrow from Ghostbusters, they came, they saw, they kicked our ass. Sure, the set had its fair share of window shoppers (about 20% of the crowd left after the first song); however, X Japan retained a stable and dedicated enough audience that further ventures into America shouldn’t seem unreasonable. At all. Call it a tad idealistic, but perhaps they’ll finally break through here. Better late than never, right? -Michael Roffman

Yeasayer
Budweiser, 4:00 p.m.

Photo by Cap Blackard

File this in the “Woah, I didn’t realize they were that popular” folder: I saw a girl start sobbing because Yeasayer played “O.N.E.”, apparently her favorite song (to be fair, Anand Wilder’s lead performance on the track was powerful). Looking back at the huge crowd bobbing along to early stuff like “Sunrise” and new hit “Ambling Alp” in turn, I started to wonder if a good portion of the people there weren’t just waiting for MGMT as I had earlier expected. Added bonus: apparently, Yeasayer controls the weather. “We thought it was going to rain,” vocalist Chris Keating announced, “But it does not rain on this band, ever.” -Adam Kivel

Frightened Rabbit
Sony bloggie, 5:00 p.m.

Photo by Cap Blackard

Much like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros set the day before, a great turnout was present for Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit. The crowd had to suffer through the unrelenting sun that refused to set behind one of Chicago’s many skyscrapers, but once the band came out, the sweat and heat were forgotten. First up was the exploding chorus by way of mournful ballad of “The Modern Leper”. Lead singer Scott Hutchison bounded and thrashed his way throughout the set with his guitar in tow, especially through the rousing, anthemic “Nothing Like You”. Having seen Yeasayer earlier, an argument could be made that Frightened Rabbit’s audience was much more receptive. Perhaps next year they’ll find themselves playing the Budweiser stage after The Magnetic Zeros perform at PlayStation (BONUS FACT: Waldo was spotted here in the crowd). – Justin Gerber

Erykah Badu
adidas MEGA, 5:00 p.m.

Photo by Heather Kaplan

“I’m gonna get a little funky now if ya’ll don’t mind.”

Erykah Badu’s debut Lollapalooza performance was a slow starter – but those who waited it out were treated to a wonderful show. For the first 15 minutes of her scheduled set, her DJ simply spun some classic hip-hop records. The crowd was with him for a few minutes, thinking Badu was sure to come out any minute, but after a while the crowd started to fade. Just then, Badu’s band came on to keep entertaining for another five minutes, and Fat Belly Bella (aka Badula Oblongata aka Analogue Girl in a Digital World aka about three other names) finally came out around 5:20 p.m., sporting a wild new hairdo. Her first few songs were fantastic jazzy numbers, starting with opener “20 Feet Tall”. Her voice was spot on and the band was tight – but the slower numbers were all but lost on the crowd. It wasn’t until the third song – “On and On” – that the audience really got into the set. From then on, she got funky – and the crowd loved it. -Carson O’Shoney

Wolfmother
Parkways, 6:00 p.m.

It hasn’t been easy for Wolfmother. In other words, it hasn’t been easy for vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale. Replacements galore, the Australian rocker’s yet to really have a consistent working band, but what he does have (and when he has it) works well. Really well. Surging through a powerful set Sunday evening, Stockdale unzipped classics like the always-perfect opener “Dimension”, the ever bouncy “White Unicorn”, and the made-to-be-a-closer “Joker and the Thief”. Some changes were noticeable, however.

Back in 2006, “Woman” was the bee’s knees. Nowadays, it’s sort of a bridge to better songs, like “Vagabond” or “Mind’s Eye”, which really sold this set. New tunes off of last year’s Cosmic Egg were fun, though they’re not as quick and concise as past material (though “California Queen” comes close).

Aside from some microphone issues, Wolfmother’s hour fit in comfortably with the win some, lose some entries available at the south end. It really was a shining example of a perfect evening set. Oh yeah, according to Stockdale’s insider information, a reincarnated Jimi Hendrix flew over Grant Park as a dragonfly, not to rock though, but to “bless the festival.” Hey, you gotta love a dreamer. -Michael Roffman

Photo by Heather Kaplan

MGMT
Budweiser, 6:00 p.m.

Ah, the curious case of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser. Together they make MGMT, whose latest album Congratulations has polarized fans and critics alike. Their set at Lolla was very indicitive of this predicament the young men find themselves in. Choosing to open with the acoustic “Piece of What” from Oracular Spectacular was probably not the best decision for a crowd eager to dance about in the setting sun. Following up with the goodish “Brian Eno” was also questionable. As the songs went on, Lollapaloozans by the dozens were leaving for either The National or Soundgarden, and MGMT were losing their crowd. Despite playing “Electric Feel” earlier in the set, the song was besieged by a serious lack of punch via the bass that makes the track on the album. VanWyngarden’s vocals were often lost in the mix, as well, either due to technical problems from the equipment or the man singing.

Photo by Cap Blackard

It took about 45 minutes before a pulse finally quickened in the crowd, thanks to the response given to “Time to Pretend”. From there on out, everything sounded better. Perhaps the energy of the crowd really made a difference, or perhaps sound issues were worked out. “Destrokk” from the Time to Pretend EP received a warm welcome, as did “The Handshake”, and, of course, “Kids”. Crowd surfing could be seen throughout the set’s conclusion, culminating with “Congratualtions”, which still sounds exactly like The Band’s “The Weight”. Ultimately, we were faced with a maddening, inconsistent set that lasted an hour and 15 minutes. Fortunately, the bands following were raring to go… – Justin Gerber

Flosstradamus
Perry’s, 6:30 p.m.

Photo by Cap Blackard

I will be the first to admit that I’m no electronic music connoisseur. I can appreciate it, and it’s a lot of fun to dance to, but there are times when a lot of it runs together in my mind. There are only so many different ways you can use “Satisfaction” in a dance song – but of course it still always gets the biggest reaction. Maybe it was because I wasn’t on drugs, but Flosstradamus’ set came across as just another electro set. The constant quick repeating clips on the video screens did provide plenty of entertainment while adding a certain feeling to the music though. But after a crowd-pleasing performance by last minute Dirty South replacement, JFK (of MSTRKRFT), the Chicago duo tried and failed to get the small crowd into the set. They eventually won them over, and the further into the set, the more their fans got into it. Mixing in everything from Lion King music to Barbra Streisand, Flosstradamus was never short on ideas but they didn’t pay off for me. In the end though, it was still Perry’s. There was dancing. There were drugs. And plenty of people had a great time at their show – and there’s nothing wrong with that. -Carson O’Shoney

The National
Playstation, 7:15 p.m.

Sure, Soundgarden may have been making their 13-year return and The Strokes were out to prove they’re still worth your time, but no Lollapalooza act was faced with a more daunting challenge than that of The National. After all, though the Brooklyn indie rockers were playing in support of one of the year’s best albums, they were doing so some 60 minutes before an even bigger band with an even better album was set to cap off this year’s festival in style.

Good thing The National have constructed a pretty solid blueprint over the last two years. When it comes to live performances, the formula is quite simple: play a set heavy in material from the last three albums and make sure it sounds incredibly tight. It helps to include a horn section. Then, add in a few quips from Matt Berninger – “Richie from Soundgarden,” The National frontman proclaimed when introducing Arcade Fire’s Richard Perry guest appearance on “Anyone’s Ghost”. Finally, be sure Berninger has plenty of white wine (how else do you expect him to scream during “Abel”?) and finish up with “Mr. November” into “Terrible Love”.

Of course, anyone who has seen The National over the last six months can attest that said formula is quite successful. It is also becoming somewhat predicate. Both these realities again proved true for their Lollapalooza 2010 set. If it was your first time seeing them, you were likely blown away. If it was your second, or third, you might have been a bit bored… or just waiting for Arcade Fire. -Alex Young

Photo by Heather Kaplan

Soundgarden
Parkways, 8:00 p.m.

“This is our millionth time we’ve played Lollapalooza,” frontman Chris Cornell screamed at a humble crowd, before diving head first (somewhat literally) into “Outshined”. With menacing eyes, cutthroat teeth, and from underneath a mop of messy, black hair, Cornell shook the crowd up for a solid two-hour set. But it wasn’t all on his shoulders.

Behind him, his original brethren – guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd, and drummer Matt Cameron – delivered the best gift Cornell’s unwrapped in years: Soundgarden’s long gestating, and highly overdue, reunion. Before you read on, try and forget Audioslave, or his troubled recent solo outings. Instead, shake out your memory banks and brush aside the dust. Can you remember the last time you thought Chris Cornell was foreboding?

Photo by Michael Roffman

Probably not. It’s been a long time. Thirteen years, actually. In that time, most have forgotten about the weight and pull the former Seattle quartet carried. It’s not like Cornell’s made it hard to… really, have you heard Scream? Tonight, however, all was forgotten, and all that’s remembered now is how much of a performer the far reaching vocalist can be.

From the two-hit punch of set opener “Searching With My Good Eye Closed” and “Spoonman” to the three-layered kick of “Burden in my Hand”, “Superunknown”, and “Black Hole Sun”, the set achieved exactly what it should have: polished off rockers that breathed and stretched and bled. Prior to witnessing them annihilate “Jesus Christ Pose”, it never registered that these guys hadn’t jammed together in over a decade, but they haven’t. As cliche as it sounds, they really did pick up where they left off, and without a trip in their stride, either. In all honesty, they packed their bags well for their trip down memory lane. That’s why it’s sort of funny when Cornell casually remarked, “We took a short break, but now we’re back.”

Photo by Michael Roffman

As the band grinded out one grunge anthem after another, more and more fans found themselves revisiting their glory days, too. Thirtysomethings skinned their vocal chords raw, teens poured water in their long hair before headbanging violently, and girls clamored over one another when Cornell decided to sing “Outshined” with his many loyal (some not so loyal) fans. And while a great portion of the crowd jumped ship once “Black Hole Sun” came and went, those who stayed, which were still in the tens of thousands, witnessed a pretty loud and vibrant finale: “Face Pollution” into “Like Suicide” and finally peaking at “Slaves and Bulldozers”. It’s hard to tell if this gig is permanent, but if it’s up to Cornell, he’d be wise to stick to his current deck. No gambling this time around, pal. -Michael Roffman

Arcade Fire
Budweiser, 8:30 p.m.

I had always counted Arcade Fire‘s 2005 Lollapalooza performance one of, if not the single greatest sets I’d ever seen. Now, five years later, they topped it. They had every ounce of bombast that a seasoned, headlining band should, but they also had every bit of emotional weight, unique musical sensibility, and humble interaction as any indie band. Whether it was applauding the host city (“Don’t ever let New York tell you they have a better city”), or cracking wise (“Thank you. Our band is called Soundgarden. This next song is off our album and is called ‘Black Hole Sun’.”), vocalist/guitarist/mandolinist/keyboardist Win Butler dominated the stage. That is, except for the few songs when his wife, drummer/keyboardist/accordionist/hurdy-gurdyist Regine Chassagne was. Chassagne, whose family hails from Haiti, crooned the same-named amazing tribute to her family’s homeland and its many troubles.

Everything from their first EP (“No Cars Go”), to their first album Funeral (highlights included the anthemic “Wake Up” as an encore and the rarely played “Crown of Love”, which was dedicated to The National), to 2007′s Neon Bible (“Intervention” and its massive organ), to the week-old The Suburbs (the title track and “Ready to Start”, particularly) got the full sing-along treatment from the thousands of people in the park. The visual accompaniment added a lot, as well; the anxious, Lost Highway-esque crawl of streets for the punky “Month of May”, the kids misbehaving and eventually carrying guns for “The Suburbs”, the frantic, creeping red and white lights for “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)”, everything came together to enhance the epic music the band exhumed from their every pore.

The performance was, flatly put, ecstatic. The camaraderie and power that the band radiates is truly infectious, whipping the humongous audience up into a frenzy that led to chants of the wordless chorus of “Wake Up” ringing up and down the streets of Chicago as Lollapalooza attendees left for their homes, carrying that emotion back with them. -Adam Kivel

Photo by Heather Kaplan
——

Gallery by Heather Kaplan

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Gallery by Cap Blackard

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The band’s third album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, was released in March 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. It broke the Top 10 in both the US and UK Independent Album Charts. The album was the second Frightened Rabbit record to produced by Peter Katis, who has also produced albums for Interpol and The National, amongst others.

Tickets for select North American dates are available over at Ticketmaster.

Frightened Rabbit 2010 Tour Dates:
07/25 – London, UK @ Ben & Jerry’s Sundae Festival
08/01 – Brisbane, AU @ Splendour in the Grass
08/02 – Melbourne, AU @ Hi Fi
08/03 – Sydney, AU @ Sydney Factory Theatre
08/08 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
08/10 – Ibiza, ES @ Ibiza Rocks
08/14 – Rees-Haldern, DE @ Haldern Festival
08/15 – Leicester, UK @ Summer Sundae
08/19 – Hasselt, BE @ Pukkelpop Festival
08/20 – Biddinghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
08/21 – Shifnal, UK @ V Festival
08/22 – Chelmsford, UK @ V Festival
10/07 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market *
10/08 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
10/09 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
10/10 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore *
10/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Mayan Theatre *
10/14 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues *
10/15 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues *
10/16 – Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar *
10/17 – Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse *
10/19 – Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom *
10/20 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s *
10/21 – Houston, TX @ Walter’s *
10/23 – Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds *
10/26 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club *
10/28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom *
10/29 – Boston, MA @ Paradise *
10/30 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 *
11/01 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *
11/02 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel *
11/03 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick *
11/11 – Vienna, AT @ B72
11/18 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
11/20 – Bristol, UK @ Anson Rooms
11/21 – Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
11/22 – Newcastle, UK @ Northumbria University
11/24 – Stoke, UK @ Sugarmill
11/25 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
11/26 – Exeter, UK @ Phoenix Theatre
11/27 – Brighton, UK @ Komedia
11/29 – Leeds, UK @ The Cockpit
11/30 – Wolverhampton, UK @ Slade Rooms
12/01 – London, UK @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
12/03 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom
12/10 – Minehead, UK @ The Bowlie Weekender 2

* = w/Plants and Animals

Among the tickets on sale Saturday include Drake, Frightened Rabbit, Guided By Voices The Hold Steady, Miike Snow, Muse, Phoenix, and The Vaselines!

Drake:

What: North American tour, Atlanta and Chicago dates

When: October 6th and 13th, respectively

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Corin Tucker Band:

What: North American tour, New York

When: October 26th

Tixs: $16.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 12:00 PM EST

Frightened Rabbit:

What: North American tour

When: October – November

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster or Live Nation at 10:00 AM Local Time

Guided By Voices:

What: Tour dates for Boston, MA & Philadelphia, PA

When: November 5th and 6th, respectively

Tixs: $30.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:oo AM Local Time

The Hold Steady:

What: North American tour

When: September – October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Miike Snow:

What: North American tour, Chicago date

When: October 11th

Tixs: $24.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM CDT

Muse:

What: Second Los Angeles date, Staples Center

When: September 26th

Tixs: $35.00-$65.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM PDT

Phoenix w/ Dirty Projectors & Wavves:

What: NYC date, Madison Square Garden

When: October 20th

Tixs: $29.50-$49.50

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM EDT

The Vaselines:

What: North American tour

When: September – October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Among the tickets on sale Friday include The Airborne Toxic Event, Band of Horses, The Black Crowes, Corin Tucker Band, Dr. Dog, Foals, Frightened Rabbit, Ghostland Observatory, Guided By Voices, The Hold Steady, Klaxons, MGMT, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Vaselines. Plus, American Carnage and FYF Fest tickets are also up for grabs.

The Airborne Toxic Event:

What: North American tour

When: September

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

American Carnage:

What: Tour featuring Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax

When: September – October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster or Live Nation at 10:00 AM Local Time

Band of Horses:

What: North American tour

When: October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

The Black Crowes:

What: North American tour

When: December

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Corin Tucker Band:

What: North American tour, New York

When: October 25th

Tixs: $15.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 12:00 PM EST

Dr. Dog w/Here We Go Magic:

What: North American tour

When: October – November

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Foals:

What: North American tour

When: September – October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Band’s website or Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Frightened Rabbit:

What: North American tour

When: October – November

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster or Live Nation at 10:00 AM Local Time

FYF Fest:

What: LA-based festival featuring The Rapture, Panda Bear, Sleep, and more

When: September 4th

Tixs: $25.00

Buy: Ticketweb at 12:00 AM PST

Ghostland Observatory:

What: North American tour

When: September – November

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:oo AM Local Time

Guided By Voices:

What: Tour dates for Austin, TX; Minneapolis, MN; Newport, KY; & Carrboro, NC

When: October – November

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:oo AM Local Time

The Hold Steady:

What: North American tour

When: September – October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

Klaxons:

What: North American tour

When: September – October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

MGMT:

What: North American tour

When: October – November

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster or Live Nation at 10:00 AM Local Time

Queens of the Stone Age w/ Eagles of Death Metal:

What: North American tour, Los Angles date

When: August 12th

Tixs: $50.00

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM PST

The Vaselines:

What: North American tour

When: September – October

Tixs: Price varies depending on location

Buy: Ticketmaster at 10:00 AM Local Time

If you’re curious about the B-sides, the alternate version mutes the drums and bumps the reverb on the backing vocals creating an entirely new energy. The mature, calculated production creates a foreboding tension otherwise absent on the original. The A. Lust remix continues the deconstruction of  original — pouring a cocktail full of disorientated calamity and dizzying loops — as if we’re transported to the end of a literal winter of mixed drinks. Both are worthy footnotes to the original if only to remind us that FR can’t stand the bright poppy sun for very long.

The single can be ordered online via FatCat Records (for your listening purposes, we included a BBC performance of the song below). And if you missed Frightened Rabbit on their Spring tour, there’s still a few chances left to catch them at Glastonbury, T In The Park, and Lollapalooza among other festivals in the coming months.

Frightened Rabbit 2010 Tour Dates:
06/24 – St. Gallen, CH @ St Gallen Festival
06/27 – Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Music Festival
07/07 – Hultsfred, SE @ Hultsfred Festival
07/09 – Eadestown, IE @ Oxegen
07/10 – Kinross, UK @ T In The Park
08/01 – Brisbane, AU @ Splendour in the Grass
08/02 – Melbourne, AU @ Hi Fi
08/03 – Sydney, AU @ Sydney Factory Theatre
08/07 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
08/14 – Lohstraße, DE @ Haldern Pop Festival
08/15 – Leicester, UK @  Summer Sundae
08/19 – Hasselt, BE @ Pukkelpop
08/20 – Biddinghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
12/10 – Minehead, UK @ Bowlie Weekender 2

Pre-sale for Perch Patchwork is now available here.

Map & Atlases 2010 Tour Dates:
05/12 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater *
05/13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
05/15 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret *
05/16 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s Crystal Ball *
05/17 – Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan *
05/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore *
05/20 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brewing, CO *
05/22 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah *
06/26 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranian %
06/27 – Chicago, IL @ Green Music Festival
07/06 – St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
07/07 – Omaha, NE @ TBD
07/09 – Denver, CO @ The Marquee
07/10 – Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
07/11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
07/13 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
07/14 – Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
07/15 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project 3
07/16 – Eugene, OR @ TBD
07/17 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill #
07/19 – Visalia, CA @ Howie & Son’s Pizza #
07/20 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Muddy Waters #
07/21 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah #
07/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theatre #
07/23 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress #
07/25 – Dallas, TX @ The Loft #
07/26 – Austin, TX @ Emo Jr’s #
07/27 – Houston, TX @ Mango’s #
08/05 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig #
08/06 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop #
08/07 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern #
08/08 – Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo #
08/10 –Portland, ME @ Space #
08/11 – Boston, MA @ Middle East Upstairs #
08/12 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
08/13 – Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
08/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie #
08/15 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat Backstage
08/17 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillobox #
08/18 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House #

* = w/ Frightened Rabbit
% = w/ Fang Island
# = w/ Cults

Stay tuned throughout the weekend for any additional Coachella updates, aka possible replacement acts. Complete coverage comes on Monday.

Image via Coachella message board…

As the Washington Post reports, volcanic ash clouds from recent eruptions in Iceland drifted to parts of Europe earlier this morning, forcing authorities to shut down airspace in Britain, Ireland, and Scandinavia. How does this relate to Coachella? Well, presently, thousands of passengers destined for the United States are stranded, including a number of UK based bands scheduled to perform at this weekend’s festival.

According to Gigwise.com, Bad Lieutenant, The Cribs, and Frightened Rabbit are among the bands currently stuck in London after having their respective flights canceled. Update: Delphic and Gary Numan are also stuck in the UK. Echo and the Bunnymen, Fever Ray, and Hot Chip are safe. Update #2: The Cribs have canceled… for now. Per Contact Music, they make take a ferry to Amsterdam and fly from there. Update #3: Gary Numan now appears unlikely. Update: #4: The Cribs are officially out.

It is unclear when flights will resume, however, the Wall Street Journal notes that most flights will be canceled until at least tomorrow morning. The Washington Post predicts hundreds of thousand of trans-Atlantic passengers are going to see their flights canceled, delayed or diverted. “The short-term impact will be the greatest we have seen since Sept. 11, 2001,” explained Brent Bowen, the head of Purdue University’s aviation technology department.

We should note that a number of the festival’s larger U.K. bands, including Muse, Gorillaz, Public Image, LTD, The Specials, and Florence & the Machine are already in the U.S. We’ll of course keep you update on any lineup changes and/or cancellations.

Image via Icelandic Coastguard/AP Photo…

Since parting ways with Sergeant House records, Maps & Atlases now find themselves calling Barsuk Records home, and are currently gearing up their debut full-length LP, Perch Patchwork. The album was produced by Jason Cupp, who has previously worked with acts including Nurses, Finch, and The Elected.

The much anticipated 12-track release will be available June 29th, but Maps & Atlases have made some of the tracks available for download, like “Solid Ground” which you can hear below, or streaming at their MySpace. To help further build the anticipation for the release, Maps & Atlases will be hitting the road for a pre-album release tour this spring with Drink Up Buttercup and Frightened Rabbit.

Check Out:
“SolidGround”

Perch Patchwork Tracklist:
01. Will
02. The Charm
03. Living Decorations
04. Solid Ground
05. Is
06. Israeli Caves
07. Banished Be Cavalier
08. Carrying The Wet Wood
09. Pigeon
10. If This Is
11. Was
12. Perch Patchwork

Maps & Atlases 2010 Tour Dates:
04/10 – Rock Island, IL @ Huckleberry’s Pizza #
04/11 – Columbus, OH @ The Basement ^
04/12 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater %
04/13 – Hamden, CT @ The Space ^
04/14 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott ^
04/15 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s ^
04/17 – Purchase, NY @ Culture Shock
04/18 – Harrisonburg, VA @ The Clementine 6
04/19 – Akron, OH @ Musica ^
04/24 – Norfolk, VA @ Campus Chaos 2010
04/25 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle *
04/27 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
04/28 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall *
04/29 – Boston, MA @ Paradise *
04/30 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church *
05/01 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street *
05/03 – Montreal, QB @ Petit Campus *
05/04 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House *
05/05 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *
05/06 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House *
05/07 – St. Louis, MO @ The Old Rock House *
05/08 – Chicago, IL @ Metro *
05/09 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater *
05/10 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity House *
05/12 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater *
05/13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
05/15 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret *
05/16 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s Crystal Ball *
05/17 – Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan *
05/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore *
05/20 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brewing, CO *
05/22 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah *

# = w/ Dark Dark Dark
^ = w/ Drink Up Buttercup
% = w/ Vieux Farka Toure
* = w/ Frightened Rabbit

They continue that winning formula on their follow-up, the aptly titled The Winter of Mixed Drinks. Working once again with producer Peter Katis and now sporting a fifth member, Frightened Rabbit once again establishes itself as the U2 of indie rock. Almost every song relies on furious guitars and drums, slow builds, and irresistible choruses. “Things” kicks off the record with another grim bodily condition set to a rhythmic percussion that continues to build throughout the song without giving in to a complete release. The entire time we’re kept waiting for a breakout moment, but the tension reflects the song’s uneasy lyrics. Hutchison sings, “Shed my clothes, shed my flesh down to the bone, burn the rest.”

The album is best described as consistent for many reasons. The songwriting, arrangements, and vocals are perfectly matched for every song, even on “Man/Bag of Sand”, a brief, deconstructed version of earlier track “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”. And yet the sameness of the album’s sound makes singling out one track from another difficult. For that reason, the boisterous energy of “Living in Colour” is refreshing as the penultimate song. The stomping rhythm (tambourine included) that opens the song never ceases, and the oft-repeated phrase “Living in colour / Liv-living in colour” is as close to jovial as you get on this record. Even if certain moments still bring the track back to the grim, the band is pushing the fun level to its highest point, and that’s a welcome release on an album that rarely lets you smile without making you cry first.

Still, I can’t fault the album for being too cohesive because it works. Hutchison’s voice is incapable of sounding anything but passionate and heartbroken with every note. The band fills every bit of sonic space with an aggression that teeters on too much without crossing the line. The production is polished enough to save the band from sounding like cliché indie rockers, but it doesn’t rob the music of its rough edges. On “The Wrestle”, each instrument sounds as if it’s coming from a separate corner of a cavernous room, uniting on occasion for a clear refrain. It’s a subtle effect that makes the song interesting rather than just pleasant.

Although The Winter of Mixed Drinks lacks the irresistible charm of its predecessor’s “The Modern Leper” and “Keep Yourself Warm”, it delivers the same accessible hybrid of lo-fi and folk rock.  Because Hutchison and company fail to push themselves to new territory, the album comes off as a comfortable sequel rather than a progression. If you’re a band that knows what formula works, maybe playing it safe without phoning it in isn’t a bad move. As a listener, you still get an excellent album that sits nicely alongside the rest of the band’s catalog. Yet another win/win for Frightened Rabbit and its audience.

The Scottish quintet’s latest record will manage to come out at the tail-end of winter, with a release date of March 9th through Fat Cat Records. Musically described as airy and expansive, the album’s  forthcoming single “Nothing Like You,” is due for a February release and is propelled forward by its strong drumming and driving guitar. It can be heard at the band’s MySpace along with their November single, “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”.

After playing the first four dates of SXSW, Frightened Rabbit will take a month for themselves before heading out to Coachella on April 17th. Following the festival appearances, the group will embark on a headlining tour throughout North America, which will wrap up on May 22nd in San Diego.

Frightened Rabbit 2010 Tour:
02/02 – Sydney, AU @ Metro Theatre *
02/03 – Sydney, AU @ The Filth at Beach Road Hotel *
02/04 – Melbourne, AU @ The Palais *
03/04 – York, UK @ Duchess of York
03/05 – Manchester, UK @ Club Academy
03/06 – Aldershot, UK @ West End Centre
03/08 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
03/09 – Oxford, UK @ Academy 2
03/10 – London, UK @ Koko
03/12 – Birmingham, UK @ Academy 2
03/13 – Sheffield, UK @ Leadmill 2
03/14 – Norwich, UK @ Arts Centre
03/17 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/18 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/19 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/20 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
04/17 – Indio, CA @ Coachella
04/19 – Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
04/21 – Houston, TX @ Walters
04/22 – Dallas, TX @ Loft @ Palladium Ballroom
04/23 – Little Rock, AK @ Revolution
04/24 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
04/25 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
04/27 – Washington, D.C. @ Black Cat
04/28 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
04/29 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
04/30 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
05/03 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus
05/04 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
05/06 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
05/07 – St. Louis, MO @ The Old Rock House
05/08 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
05/09 – Milwaukee, WC @ Pabst Theatre
05/10 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
05/12 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
05/13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
05/15 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
05/16 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s Crystal Ball Reading Room
05/17 – Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan
05/19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
05/22 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah

——–

Buying albums might be ever so passé, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t quality new releases worthy of your dinero. Continuing with our theme of 2010, we have identified 35 albums you’ll probably want to buy over the next 365 days. Of course, since only about 1/4 of the albums that will be released in 2010 have actually been announced, this list is certainly heavily biased toward the first few months — though we tried to take into account some of the more realistic possibilities at the end — and subject to sudden change. But based on their creators’ track records and some early samples, we’re pretty confident in our selections. So with all that in mind, let us present you with 35 albums you should buy in 2010.

Vampire Weekend – Contra

What’s not to expect? Contra just might be the most anticipated followup since Nirvana tackled In Utero, or perhaps when the Arcade Fire delivered us Neon Bible. Either way, the hype is off the charts for this one, namely because some folks consider the boy’s debut to be a one trick pony. However, judging from “White Sky”, “Run”, and the recently delectable “Cousins”, it might be safe to say that those folks are more or less… wrong. What a surprise, right? -MR
Due Out: January 12th via XL Recordings

Eels – End Times

On Eels’ official website, End Times is described as “the sound of an artist growing older in uncertain times.” That description can fit Mark Oliver Everett, the lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist/creator of the band, perfectly. Being around for 15 years now, Eels has always met big philosophical issues head on and their upcoming release is no exception. Produced by Everett (aka E), the album is the story of a divorced artist who equates his personal loss with the loss of integrity in the world he’s living in. End Times is in someways a companion piece to last year’s Hombre Lobo, which deals with the desire that starts everything. Eels’ new record is the flip side of that coin. As we start a new decade, End Times is E’s way of taking one last mournful look back at what’s been lost along the way. -JM
Due Out: January 19th via Vagrant Records

“That Look You Gave That Guy”

Spoon – Transference

When Britt Daniel sits down to record something, the result is typically out-of-this-world. With 2007′s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Spoon carved out intrinsic indie-pop that rocked, rolled, and… chilled. It was short, and if it were any other band, we’d probably complain. But simplicity is king with these folks, and while that’s a formula we’ve come to enjoy and they’ve managed to successfully employ, new tracks like “Written in Reverse” suggest we might actually be in for a surprise. Oh, expect stars to paint this one highly. -MR
Due Out: January 19th via Merge

“Written in Reverse”

Surfer Blood – Astro Coast

Hype is a devious thing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it explodes… bad. When Pitchfork Media put these Florida beach kids on their proverbial shoulders, the indie blogosphere kept their eyes peeled on ‘em. Considering the band’s premiere single “Swim” snagged listeners who still have yet to hear anything else from ‘em, it’s hard to ignore this release. Expect, well, just be sure to write down the album’s release date. This one could be this year’s hottest commodity, or it could be another Black Kids situation. We’re betting on the former. -MR
Due Out: January 19th via Kanine

“Swim (To Reach the End)”

Beach House – Teen Dream

If you’re not hip to Victoria Legrand’s vocals, then you’ve gotta ask yourself, “What the fuck have I been doing for the last decade?” Simply put, they’re alien. It’s hard to imagine someone who sings like that, let alone actually know that person exists. But, for the past six years, this Baltimore duo has “blessed” the world with unbelievable dream pop. Now, 2008′s Devotion is every vinyl collector’s modern fantasy, with spooky-yet-sweet instrumentation (thanks to Alex Scally) that haunts and swoons, and if things sound as promising and as daring as new single, “Norway”, then we’re really going to sleep well in 2010. -MR
Due Out: January 26th via Sub Pop

“Norway”

Charlotte Gainsbourg – IRM

One word: Beck. For her third full-length, the French electronic pop singer teamed up with Mr. Beck Hansen, and when we say teamed up we’re talking total collaboration! He wrote the album’s music, co-wrote the lyrics, produced, and mixed the whole thing. And based on a few early listens (hear below), it appears as if IRM will further prove that anything Beck touches turns to gold. -AY
Due Out: January 26th via Because

“IRM”

Los Campesinos! – Romance Is Boring

Romance Is Boring marks the Welsh outfit’s third effort in just two short years and final with founding member Aleks Campesinos!. Not surprising a culmination of emotions will be on display — “It is a record about the death and decay of the human body, sex, lost love, mental breakdown, football and, ultimately, that there probably isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel,” the band says of the album. Depressing, yes, but the end result should be the Los Campesinos!’s most captivating and developed work to date. -AY
Due Out: January 26th via Arts & Crafts

“The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future”

The Magnetic Fields – Realism

Frontman Stephin Merritt describes his band’s eighth studio album as “my folk album.” This is not surprising considering the effort is said to replace the Psychocandy fixation of the band’s last album, 2008’s Distortion, with a sound informed by “late 1960s/early 70s orchestral and psychedelic folk.” In doing so, Merritt and Co. used no electric instruments in the studio, instead choosing to go with everything from accordions and violins to tubas and nontraditional percussion instruments like tabla and, seriously, tree leaves. Seriously. -AY
Due Out: January 26th via Nonesuch Records

“Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree”

Midlake – The Courage of Others

Tim Smith seems to be somewhat of a musical chameleon. With Midlake, he has created two records with two distinct sets of respective influences. 2004’s Banman and Silvercork was an Elephant 6 style exploration through the kaleidoscope of psych-folk, while 2006’s The Trials of Van Occupanther was a Thom Yorke’d out journey through the 70’s, with hints of Neil Young and America blended in. So what color will Smith and the rest of the Denton, Texas quintet assume with their latest, The Courage of Others? Well, according to an interview Smith did with Pitchfork, we can expect the addition of some old British folk to their jazzed out rock: “We got into British folk. We started listening to Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and Pentangle; those are the three biggies. Strawbs, Amazing Blondel, a lot of more obscure bands: Yellow Autumn, Windy Corner. A lot of Pentangle. I had never listened to that stuff before. Just like before the previous album, I had never checked out Neil Young or Joni Mitchell or anything. So the same thing sort of happened, but with British folk.” So, this thing is going to be like a depressing meet and greet between Thom Yorke and Nick Drake with some occasional shredding and some weird time changes. Sounds good to me! -DL
Due Out: February 2nd via Bella Union

“Acts of Man”

The Soft Pack – The Soft Pack

We all miss The Strokes. We want back the musical hope they generated back in 2001/2002. And while we may never get that back for a variety of reasons, San Diego rockers The Soft Pack are assuring us that the future of music is sure to be bright. Formerly The Muslims, the surf/garage rock of the foursome is undeniable catchy while maintaining a level of craftsmanship beyond their years and level of experience. The lead single, “Answer To Yourself”, with its sharp guitars and groovetastic bassline, coupled with a message of individualism, all hark back to something way old and something that music needs to move toward. While they’ve already broken big in the UK, the band is gaining notoriety in the States. And expect their debut LP to cause even bigger waves. -CC
Due Out: February 2nd via Kemado

“Answer to Yourself”

Sade – Soldier of Love

10 years is an eternity in the music industry. Heck, even anything more than a few years and your fans can begin to think you’ve dropped out of the world. But if there’s one act that deserves to wait 10 years between album’s, it’s Sade Adu. Her new album, Soldier of Love, will be the follow up to 2000′s Lovers Rock, and if you think that time has widdled away at her musical prowess, think again. The album’s first single, the title track, is a six minute epic, punctuated by strings and a menacing guitar, with a dance-y, sorrowful vibe that is powered by the sheer agony and lioness tone that is Sade. We’re not usually ones with a great deal of patience, but we’re glad we had a little for Ms. Adu. -CC
Due Out: February 8th via Epic Records

“Soldier of Love”

Massive Attack – Heligoland

Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall pulled out all the stops for their first album in six years. Not only did they round up the likes of Blur’s Damon Albarn, Elbow’s Guy Garvey, TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, Hope Sandoval, Horace Andy, and Martina Topley-Bird to serve as guest contributors, but they teased Heligoland‘s release with the stellar Splitting the Atom EP. Ah, the life and times of perfection. -AY
Due Out: February 9th via Virgin

Hot Chip – One Life Stand

One Life Stand is billed as Hot Chip’s most complete work to date, which is certainly saying something given the fact it will be following up 2008′s critically acclaimed Made in the Dark. To accomplish this feat, the English electro outfit combined soul, modern R&B, “golden age” soul, and “the sounds of Arthur Russell, Prince and Theo Parish.” Eclectic to say the least. -AY
Due Out: February 9th via Astralwerks

Yeasayer – Odd Blood

Yeasayer is no stranger to musical experimentation. But with their newest album, they’re controlling the surge of loops, effects and massive ambiance to deliver an effort that is as streamlined as can be without losing that spirit of innovation. Expect big things for the single “Ambling Alp”. While the video is a NSFW tour de force of naked people, the song itself is pure pop magic. Singer Chris Keating sounds like some voice ripped from an ’80s tape deck, with a beat from an old Big Country track that’s been mutated by heavy synth and effects that feel both artificial and wholly warm and organic at the same time. And despite being a “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel”, the song’s message is way too universal to not appeal to even the most mainstream of tastes. So while the album may have leaked in early December, it shouldn’t do anything to the impact Odd Blood will have on 2010. -CC
Due Out: February 9th via Secretly Canadian

Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

While the debut album of Local Natives was already released in the U.K. back in November, the Los Angeles indie sensations are looking to bring success stateside this coming February. Gorilla Manor‘s namesake proved to a huge influence over the band the last couple years; besides being the source of chaotic energy for them, the house was also where most of the record was written. Featuring the jungle rhythm of first single, “Sun Hands”, and a cover of the Talking Heads’ “Warning Sign”, the end result is an effort that explores obsession with both the miraculous and disastrous. With any luck, Local Natives will return from Europe to find as much fortune in Gorilla Manor as they found within that house. -JM
Due Out: February 16th via Frenchkiss Records

“Sun Hands”

Erykah Badu – New Amerykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh

Badu’s New Amerykah Part I: 4th World War was a huge hit and on the top 10 lists of many critics for 2008.  With the pressure on to deliver something even bigger, the Texas born musician is doing away with her sharp wit and socio-political message and making Part II all about what’s going on in her head. “‘Part I was the left side of my thoughts — it was more socially political and my thought process was more analytical,” Badu told Billboard in December. “This time there wasn’t anything to be concerned with — the album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings.” Expect lots of live instrumentation and everything from a harp to a Theremin as the album explores songs that Badu has said will also have an underlining rumble to them and will “feel like a hug.” That’s one embrace we’re anxiously awaiting. -CC
Due Out: February 23rd via Universal Motown

Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More

Spilling the beans on Arcade Fire’s upcoming project (see below) isn’t the only reason this British folk rock outfit is making headlines these days. Not only was their debut album produced by Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Bjork), but it has already been embraced by our friends across the Atlantic, as evident by the #11 debut chart position and the slew of glowing reviews. Plus, we really liked it as well. Needless to say, a U.S. release is a longtime coming. -AY
Due Out: March 2nd via Glassnote Records

“Little Lion Man”

The Ruby Suns – Fight Softly

Different will be the theme of this New Zealand outfit’s third full-length. “With this new album, I just wanted to do something different because doing the same thing would just be boring to me. It’s probably the opposite of what I did for the last one,” explained singer/songwriter Ryan McPhun. As he went on to note, that different is apparently something on the realm of Michael Jackson’s Dangerous. “In the last year or two, I had a break from guitar music. I’ve just been appreciating pop music.” Color us interested. -AY
Due Out: March 2nd via Sub Pop

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

The latest installment in Damon Albarn’s acclaimed project has been in the works since September of 2008. Along the way, he tapped the likes of Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Barry Gibb, and The Horrors to help out. Aside form that (and the sample below), however, we don’t know much more about Plastic Beach, but, according to the band’s unofficial website, we’ll know something come March 8th — the day the album is scheduled to be released. -AY
Due Out: March 8th via Parlophone

“Electric Shock”

The Besnard Lakes – The Besnard Lakes are the Roaring Night

Last time they were a dark horse, now they’re a natural, yet hyperbolic, state of being. Whatever the roaring night may sound like, the Canadian prog-rock masters are sure to deliver something grandiose with their third full-length. The press release for the thing makes it sound like a Bond movie told through harsh strums: “On March 9th, Jagjaguwar will release The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night, a twisting chronicle of spies, double agents, novelists and aspiring rock gods turned violent. Loyalty, dishonor, love, and hatred are all seen through the eyes of two spies, communicating through short wave in code and fighting a war that may or may not be real.” What? Yeah, exactly. With a description like that it’s hard to know what to expect sonically, but either way, this thing could be up for an Oscar when it’s all said and done (get it, cause it’s like a movie?). -DL
Due Out: March 9th via Jagjaguwar

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat The Devil’s Tattoo

For their fifth studio album Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, their first full length, non-instrumental since 2007′s Baby 81, San Francisco’s dark garage rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are releasing the effort on their relatively new Abstract Dragon record label. That means the band is going to be under even closer scrutiny regarding the success or failure of the album. And making matters even more tense, it’s also the first album for new drummer Leah Shapiro. But worry not, as Beat The Devil’s Tattoo is surely going to be a rocking good time — we’re certain of this because the album was written and recorded at The Basement Studio, the same Philadelphia music spot where Howl came to life. And if you’re up to date on your BRMC history, this is the effort that saw the band move in that great new direction. Rock on, folks, rock on. -CC
Due Out: March 9th via Abstract Dragon

Broken Bells – Broken Bells

Earlier this year, James Mercer fired keyboardist Marty Crandall and drummer Jesse Sandoval from the Shins for “aesthetic” reasons. Though it was a pretty dick move on his part — a decision which prompted a lot of head scratching and some reevaluation of Mercer’s character for fans — Mercer may be winning back some listeners with his latest collaboration with super producer/Dark Night of the Soul colleague Danger Mouse. And while Broken Bells may not be the new Shins that Mercer did the firing for, it’s shaping up to be a pretty cool warm-up for what’s to come. Current single “The High Road” has all the uplifting pop qualities of any Shins tune, with some Dangermouse-y anolog synth thrown on top, and if it’s any indication of the rest, we’ll have quite the record. So Mercer, while it may take some time to forgive your egotistical behavior, I can’t say I am not going to listen to your music anymore. Broken Bells may be too good to let grudges get in the way of. -DL
Due Out: March 9th via Columbia

“The High Road”

Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks

If you could only use the Scottish quintet’s album titles to describe them (or at least their most recent), alcoholism would certainly be a start. 2008’s The Midnight Organ Fight is surely a reference to late night intoxication, and their forthcoming The Winter of Mixed Drinks can’t really be any more direct. So they like to drink and produce some pretty dreary, yet nonetheless beautiful music. “The theme I’m going for is pushing yourself out to the edge of things and being alone, feeling lost and not knowing where you are, which is how I’ve felt recently. It’s not all fun and games, but hopefully it’ll just be less obviously personal and brutal than the last record. Less oppressive,” explained leadman Scott Hutchinson in an interview with Qmunicate.  If we’re lucky, what’s not so fun for these guys will make for one hell of listen for us at home. -DL
Due Out: March 9th via FatCat

“Swim Until You Can’t See Land”

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists – The Brutalist Bricks

Mr. Leo & crew rely on the past for their Matador Records debut. “It certainly sounds like guys of a certain age who used to be in hardcore bands,” Leo told Rolling Stone. “For better or for worse, I really don’t get mellower politically — it winds up leaving me sometimes to just want to play hardcore. I’m ultimately a better singer than I am a screamer.” Whatever its basis may be, Matador is already proclaiming it’s Leo’s “most confident, kinetic and varied work” to date. -AY
Due Out: March 9th via Matador Records

“Even Heroes Have To Die”

Titus Andronicus – The Monitor

New Jersey’s favorite lo-fi rockers return with a sophomore studio album that sticks to one particular theme: the Civil War. So, chaos with historical context! Plus, The Monitor will feature some familiar faces, many of whom will be doing some spoken word parts.The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn as Walt Whitman? Vivian Girls’ Cassie Ramone as Jefferson Davis? Need I say more? -AY
Due Out: March 9th via XL Recordings

“Four Score and Seven (Part Two)”

Goldfrapp – Head First

Goldfrapp is one of those bands that has always been well received if nothing else. The only catch is that the Alison Goldfrapp-led electro group has worked under the radar of many people, which is for the best for their unique sound and public image. But after collaborating with Christina Aguilera on her new album, Goldfrapp and Co. are surely going to gain even more attention than before. And there’s no better way to parlay that then with a new album entitled Head First. Described in press releases as “Goldfrapp’s most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance”, the album’s first single, “Rocket”, drops in early March. And with this being third third album in five years, on top of an always heavy touring schedule, Goldfrapp could have a truly golden 2010. -CC
Due Out: March 23rd via Mute Records

Jónsi Birgisson – Go

Being the lead of the Icelandic post-rock group Sigur Rós, Jónsi Birgisson has the weight of the indie music world on his shoulders as he prepares to release his new solo album, Go. But like the collaborative efforts that have marked his career, Birgisson isn’t going this alone. To begin with, the album’s production work is in the capable hands of Peter Katis, a man who sports names like The National and Interpol on his resume. Plus, Birgisson has enlisted his boyfriend and part-time collaborator Alex Somers, who, as a visual artist, is sure to add a unique visual aspect to the album. The sound of the album, though, should be able to handle the pressure all on its own. According to a May 26, 2009 post on the Sigur Rós site, the album will feature string and acoustic compositions and arrangements by composer Nico Muhly. Sounds like music to our ears. -CC
Due Out: March 23rd via XL Recordings

“Boy Lilikoi”

She & Him – Volume Two

Indie’s favorite boy-girl duo returns for the much anticipated followup to 2008′s Volume One. On this particular endeavor, M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel took a similar “organic approach,” but came up with a different type of sound. “I think that the dark shades that were on the last record are maybe a little bit darker on the new record, and the brighter shades on the last record are a little bit brighter on the new record,” Ward told Paste Magazine. “I think that people are going to hear more contrasts.” Of course, nothing can be too dark when Ms. Deschanel is involved. (Queue obligatory wink.) -AY
Due Out: March 23rd via Merge

LCD Soundsystem – TBA

We know about as much about LCD Soundsystem’s third LP now as we did back in October. So, we’ll just re-paste what we wrote then: The yet-to-be untitled affair will apparently hit stores sometime in March, feature the artistic talents of Ruvan Wijesooriya, graphic designing of Mike Vandino, and mastering of Shellac’s Bob Weston, be supported by an extensive world tour, and be headed by a single that will be available as both a digital download and vinyl. As for a description of the actual content, frontman/creative genius James Murphy noted to goldcoast.com.au it is “different than Sound Of Silver and certainly different than the first one … It still sounds very much like us, like James. It’s maybe slower and it’s kind of got some more rock stuff back in it. It also has a bunch of disco influences.” -AY
Due Out: March via DFA

Interpol – TBA

There’s no title, release date, or even YouTube videos of new songs. But the boys of Interpol have confirmed that their fourth LP will see light sometime in early 2010. And based on recent comments, we have absolutely no idea what to expect. “The new record falls back towards the first,” drummer Sam Fogarino explained to Paste in November, an assessment which would be shot down by frontman Paul Banks just a few weeks later. “What we’ve worked on is a real step forward and just very different and very relaxed in what we’re doing,” Banks told BBC before noting “I don’t even know what [Fogarino]’s talking about.” Just make it good, boys. -AY
Due Out: Early 2010 via Capitol

U2 – Songs of Ascent

Considering how packed 2009 was for U2 and how much is already on the plate for this coming year, one would think Bono and Co. would take it easy when it comes to new projects. Well, I guess someone forgot to remind the acclaimed Irish outfit of this. Tentatively titled Songs of Ascent, the album is believed to be more meditative than it’s predecessor, last year’s No Line On The Horizon, and will be made up of leftover material from the last album’s sessions as well as new songs currently being worked on in New York. According to Bono, the release will be headed by its first single, a surging anthem titled “Every Breaking Wave”. Hopefully, it’ll give U2 the hit that eluded them last year. Plus, at the very least, the album should be a treat to fans used to long waits between records from the Irish rockers. -JM
Due Out: Mid-2010 via Mercury/Interscope

The Thermals – Double Negative

Despite nearly 10 years as a band and the recent finalization of its lineup as a trio, don’t expect The Thermals fourth studio album (which is under the working title Double Negative) to be anything less than energetic and confrontational.  In fact, this time around they’re going after the ruiner of lives and the creator of pop music: Love. “It’s hard to be in love with someone. If there’s a theme to this record, it’s that,” lead singer and guitarist Hutch Harris told Paste Magazine back in December 2009. “A lot of the songs are pretty brutal lyrically. It’s really negative thoughts about love and relationships.” And while the chaos and fury that is their bright and energetic form of power-punk is sure to remain, the band also promises to kick it hard ala Thin Lizzy and ZZ Top. Take that, love. -CC
Due Out: September 7th via Kill Rock Stars

Red Hot Chili Peppers – TBA

They already have a new guitarist and, soon enough, the acclaimed rock outfit will have a new album as well. Back in October, drummer Chad Smith told Clash Magazine that the yet-to-be-titled followup to 2006′s Stadium Arcadium “could be finished “Some time next year, maybe this time [next year].” Yeah, it sounded too good to be true at the time, but the band is said to be currently held up in the studio, meaning, that fantasy seems to be becoming more and more like a reality. -AY
Due Out: Late 2010 via Warner Bros.

Eminem – Relapse 2

2009 was a big year for Eminem. Relapse was his first record since 2004′s Encore, and while 2009 could have also seen the release of yet another Eminem record in the form of Relapse 2, we’re not even the slightest bit upset its been pushed back into the void of 2010. Of course, how could we not be upset? Em has promised this record to be a more “emotionally driven” effort than Relapse was. Despite this being in the public eye for the longest time, there’s not too many details to get excited about. Expect “The Warning”, a Mariah Carey diss track, a collabo with 50 Cent and production by the likes of Dr. Dre and Just Blaze. Even without too many details, we still can’t wait for Mr. Mathers to pour his heart out and undoubtedly rock us while scaring the crap out of us. Just don’t keep us waiting too much longer, please. -CC
Due Out: 2010 via Shady Records

Arcade Fire – TBA

Little is known about the year’s most awaited new album. All we do know is that it is due out sometime in 2010, Neon Bible‘s Markus Dravs will again be handling the production, and that it will probably be quite good. “I keep asking Markus how it’s going and he’s like, ‘Yeah, it’s okay’,” Mumford and Sons’ Marcus Mumford explained in a recent interview. “And I’m like, ‘What are the songs like?’ And he goes, ‘Better’.” -AY
Due Out: 2010 via Merge

Other Albums You’ll Probably Want to Buy:

• Of Montreal – False Priest: It’s been in the works for a while now, so expect that “psychedelic” album sometime in 2010. Perhaps as soon as August or September.

• The National – Vintage Rifles (?): The band teased us last summer by debuting material off the much anticipated 2007′s Boxer. Spring 2010 looks to be the time that anticipation will turn into reality.

• The Dead Weather – TBA: Jack White’s new crew spent the holidays recording the followup to last year’s Horehound. According to frontwoman Alison Mosshart, the yet-to-be-titled effort, which will be a self-produced and self-recorded affair, will likely come out sometime soon.

• Fleet Foxes – TBA: According to frontman Robin Pecknold, the Seattle outfit’s second full-length will “definitely” be out in 2010.

• The Avalanches – TBA: Word on the street is that 2010 will finally be the year the acclaimed electro outfit follows up 2000′s Since I Left You.

• Sufjan Stevens – TBA: Stevens’ label, Asthmatic Kitty, says there are no plans for a 2010 release, but if his Fall 2009 tour was any indication, a new studio album is on the way. He was debuting songs for pete’s sake!

• Cat Power – TBA: Ms. Chan Marshall is working on a brand new effort all by herself.

• Joanna Newsom – TBA: Another album we know nothing about other than that it is coming.

• The Strokes – TBA: The band hasn’t even confirmed that a new album is coming, but we can still hope.

• R.E.M. – TBA: Michael Stipe and Co. are currently hauled up in the studio working on album #15.

• Kanye West – TBA: As he revealed just yesterday, the Chicago rapper is working on something.

• Nine Inch Nails – TBA: “Sorry I haven’t been around much lately, I’ve been working on not working for a couple of months, which for me is hard work. 2010 has a number of things planned including new material from nine inch nails.”

• Radiohead – TBA: – Duh.

A complete list of announced acts can be found by clicking here. If you’re looking for something a bit easier on the eyes, we chose our “acts of note” and posted ‘em over on the Festival Outlook. Then again, with over 1,000 more names yet-to-be-named, by the time it’s all said and done, nothing will be easy on the eyes.

Registration for South by Southwest is currently ongoing, but it will, as always, cost you a pretty penny. That said, based on last year’s results, it’s totally worth it.

‘We’ve broadened our horizons sonically and it feels like a natural move forward,” explains lead singer Scott Hutchison. “Most importantly, it’s better than the last one. That’s all I wanted, really.” Again, as if that was even possible!

The Winter of Mixed Drinks was produced by Peter Katis, at Tarquin Studios in Connecticut, and engineered by Stuart Hamilton at Castlesound Studios in Scotland. It also features a guest appearance from labelmates Hauschka, who provided the album’s string arrangements.

The album is scheduled for release on March 1st in the U.K. (via FatCat Records). A U.S. release date is still forthcoming. It will be headed by its first single, “Swim Until You Can’t See Land”, which will be officially released next Monday, November 16th, but can be previewed, compliments of YouTube, below:

Frightened Rabbit 2009 Tour Dates:
11/14 – Coventry, UK @ Kasbah *
11/15 – Northampton, UK @ Roadmenders *
11/16 – Brighton, UK @ Corn Exchange *
11/17 – Southampton, UK @ University *
11/19 – Exeter, UK @ Lemon Grove *
11/20 – London, UK @ Troxy *
11/21 – Tunbridge Wells, UK @ Forum
11/22 – Cambridge, UK @ Soul Tree *
11/24 – Sheffield, UK @ Plug *
11/25 – Whitehaven, UK @ Civic Hall *
11/27 – Fort William, UK @ BA Club
11/28 – Stirling, UK @ Toolbooth
11/29 – Inverness, UK @ Ironworks
12/01 – Aberdeen, UK @ Moshulu
12/02 – Dundee, UK @ Fat Slams
12/05 – Galway, IE @ Black Box ^
12/07 – Dublin, IE @ Academy ^
12/08 – Dublin, IE @ Academy ^
12/09 – Belfast, UK @ Mandella Hall ^
12/13 – Manchester, UK @ Ritz ^
12/14 – London, UK @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire ^
12/22 – Glasgow, UK @ ABC ^
12/31 – Ediburgh, UK @ Princes Street

* = w/ Gomez
^ = w/ Modest Mouse

Monolith’s third edition will again take place at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado from September 12-13 and feature quite the indie-centric line up we’ve all come to expect and enjoy.

Saturday is highlighted by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Girl Talk, Of Montreal, M. Ward, The Walkmen, Frightened Rabbit, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, while Sunday offers The Mars Volta, MSTRKRFT, Method Man & Redman, Phoenix, Chromeo, Passion Pit, The Thermals and Wale among others.

As it stands, Monolith 2009 currently looks like this:

A Shoreline Dream, The Answering Machine, The Antlers, AutoVaughn, Avi Buffalo, Beats Antique, Boulder Acoustic Society, Caitlin Rose, Chromeo, Cotton Jones, Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Dandy Warhols, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Deer Tick, DOOM, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Features, French Horn Rebellion, Frightened Rabbit, Generationals, Girl Talk, The Glitch Mob, The Grates, Gregory Alan Isakov, Jim McTurnan & The Kids That Killed The Man, Harlem Shakes, HEALTH, Ida Maria, The Knew, Lydia, M. Ward, The Mars Volta, Method Man & Redman, Hollywood Holt & Million $ Mano, Miniature Tigers, Montonix, MSTRKRFT, Neon Indian, Of Montreal, OK Go, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Passion Pit, Phoenix, The Pirate Signal, Rachel Goodrich, Red Wire Black Wire, Savoy, Speakeasy, Tiger, Spindrift, Starfucker, Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, The Thermals, These United States, Thunderheist, Tigercity, The Twilight Sad, Viva Voice, Wale, The Walkmen, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Wendy Darling, Woodhands, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Ahead of the festivities, Monolith will also be hosting two kick-off parties on Friday, September 11th at the Gothic Theater and Moes BBQ in Denver, with a Chromeo DJ set, The Cool Kids, Hot Tub, and Boyhollow being the scheduled entertainment of the evening. The events will be open to VIP ticket holders, media and winners of the Southern Comfort ticket promotion.

Speaking of tickets, single day, two-day and VIP passes are all currently on sale via monolithfestival.com, but you better hurry, prices for all three options will go up on August 14th.

The fun, which officially gets underway on September 13th at the Monolith Festival, will come right before The Twilight Sad unveil its latest studio effort, Forge The Night Ahead, on September 22nd and shortly after We Were Promised Jet Packs release their own new album, These Four Walls – which just so happens to be occuring today. As for Frightened Rabbit? They’ll still be supporting the uber awesome The MIdnight Organ Fight.

Frightened Rabbit/The Twilight Sad/We Were Promised Jetpacks 2009 Tour Dates:
09/13 – Morrison, CO @ Monolith Festival
09/14 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
09/15 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
09/16 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
09/17 – Portland, OR @ Musicfest NW
09/18 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
09/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory
09/22 – Tucson, AZ @ Plush
09/24 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
09/26 – Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
09/27 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
09/28 – Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder
09/29 – Orlando, FL @ The Social

Musical collaborations between siblings can be equally unpredictable. You get triumphs (think of The Knife or The National) or brow-raisers (think of Donnie and Marie or Nelson).

Luckily for our ears, Scottish brothers Scott and Grant Hutchison’s band, Frightened Rabbit, leans more toward the former than the latter. Their collaboration of lead vocals and guitar, respectively, makes some of the most sincere and pleasing music of 2008.

The Midnight Organ Fight, the sophomore effort from the Selkirk band, which also includes Billy Kennedy and Andy Monaghan, plays like a teenage boy’s journal writings: heartfelt and emotional, almost to a fault. Yet, more often than not, the album works because the earnest vocal delivery sells the songs. When you’re ready to roll your eyes at the line, “It takes more than fucking someone you don’t know to keep warm,” the despair in Scott Hutchison’s voice makes you nod in agreement. Plus, from an American standpoint, brogues give most anyone some leeway to veer into melodrama now and again.

The music is consistently indie rock from the opening acoustic guitar on “The Modern Leper” to the final strums of the quiet “Who’d You Kill Now?” which sounds like a demo the brothers didn’t want to sully with sleek production. Except for two tracks, the brief closer and equally pithy musical “Bright Pink Bookmark”, the album is simple guitar and drum working in tandem with the vocals. There are no meandering solos or futuristic beeps to distract from the songwriting.

You know what you’re getting into with the opening track, which is easily the best track of the album and among the best of the year. Scott Hutchison carries a parable of a crippled leper as a lovelorn man to the edge of corniness without crossing the line. “You must be a masochist to love a modern leper on his last leg / Well, I am ill but I’m not dead and I don’t know which of those I prefer” is the kind of lyric you want to tattoo on your arm (or write on the cover of your geometry textbook) because you relate to it. Or at least you want to imagine you do.

On more than one occasion Frightened Rabbit resembles The National, though you’d be hard-pressed to confuse the two. More accurately, the band resembles a live performance of The National where Matt Berninger sounds like he’s pushing the words out instead of mumbling them as he does on the albums. And like last year’s Boxer, The Midnight Organ Fight is a sometimes quiet, always passionate album that might slip past you on the first or second listen, but after a few spins you’ll realize something’s waiting to be discovered.

Check Out:

Day one of the Fun Fun Fun Festival met the hype, but day two was meant to exceed it. Headlined by Clipse, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Bad Brains, and the Tim & Eric Awesome Show, there was an aura of excitement coming into the second and final day. On the main stage, buzz bands lined the card from the bottom up, starting with Austin’s Ume to Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit and others such as Annuals, Islands, the Black Angels, and St. Vincent. But after a long night (I didn’t get to bed till 5 AM), I found my way to the park at 2:00 to catch Austin’s own dirty funk musicians Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears.

Singer Lewis has been making waves over the year as a showman with the charisma of James Brown and an authentic quirkiness only found in Austin. After a stint opening for Okkervil River on this past tour, the Honeybears sounded amazing as they encompassing sounds complimented Lewis’ groovy voice perfectly. As for the Honeybears, the backing band formed just recently by guitarist Zac Ernst, they are getting better and better with every show, and as veterans of both ACL and Lollapalooza, it’s only a matter of time before Joe and Co. start gaining national attention behind their Jim Eno-produced debut LP.

One of the coolest features of the festival is the fact that there is literally no downtime between sets. The punk stage and indie main areas are divided into two equal stages side by side, so as soon as one side finishes, the other side is ready to go. This isn’t seen at many festivals, and with such close proximity and small crowd sizes, it truly is one of the more intimate experiences for a festival-goer.

That kind of intimacy is needed when watching the soft, indie rock of Glasgow’s Frightened Rabbit, a band that has been making waves stateside throughout the year. In the vein of the Shout Out Louds and Nada Surf, Scott Hutchinson weaves his emotive vocals with the clean guitar and drumming of his band mates. The sound is so precise that it becomes quite ostentatious, however, and I soon became disinterested.

It was off to 6th Street again to look for some food, and we ended up drifting into this restaurant called the Boiling Pot. The sign said seafood, and we said ‘hell yeah.’ But it definitely wasn’t what we were expecting. After the waitress covered our table with two massive sheets of butcher paper, it all became clear. She emptied a big bowl of roasted potatoes, sausage, corn-on-the-cob, shrimp, and a blue crab. What the menu didn’t tell us was that the eyes and guts and shells were still intact, and that we would have to eat our fish like true Cajuns, which we weren’t . It took a long time, and it took gag-reflex control, but we downed it and headed back to the park. Looking back, I’m just glad we didn’t get crawfish!

I decided to pass on Annuals and Islands due to both group’s inability to capture my attention on record with their latest efforts. This may piss off a lot of readers, but after experiencing that meal, it was time to dance, and dance, we did. We arrived mid-way through the scheduled set of France’s Toxic Avenger, but ultimately it was Los Angeles’ Frankie Chan who stole the show – spinning and mashing on stage, feeding off the energy of the excited crowd. Hipsters in pink and yellow glasses, women in all sorts of attire, black people, white people, Hispanic people, Asian people, even a dog: it didn’t matter. Everyone was there to party, to dance, and to have a great time. It truly was one of the funnest experiences I’ve ever had at a festival, as Toxic Avenger and Frankie Chan spun together, inviting the crowd up to the stage several times.

It took a lot, but I was able to pry myself away from the stage to get into position for St. Vincent. The Black Angels were just finishing up their set, and the crew were setting up the stage for a full band show. St. Vincent’s Annie Clark likes to mix it up a bit – there are days she’ll perform solo, like at ACL last year, where she’ll have her musical toys to accompany her, or there are days when she’ll have her full band to help fill out the sound a little more. Hammering through most of the songs off her spectacular debut Marry Me, the quirky Clark was still able to take the reigns despite the band behind her. Most of the effects, like the fantastic second microphone she uses for distorted vocal work, are her own doing, but when she took a seat behind the keys for a beautiful rendition of the title track, she seemed right at home. The crowd didn’t seem to appreciate her ‘busting out the jams,’ as she put it, but that didn’t phase her one bit. On the vicious set-closing Your Lips Are Red, St. Vincent made a lasting impression on their return “home to Texas.”

I didn’t stick around too long for Minus the Bear, but the few songs I heard sounded pretty good. They’ve never done anything for me though, and neither have the rest of the acts performing on the day, so I ended up leaving. But even though I decided to skip out on a lot of the buzz acts, I still had a great time, and I strongly recommend the festival to anyone who’s looking to visit Austin next year. You won’t be disappointed.

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