Category: Shows

The Melody Chamber Announce Debut LP

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Those of you that continue to find yourself charmed by crystalline guitar lines that seem to cascade through your speakers are going to love The Melody Chamber (not to be confused with that other like-minded act). This Richmond outfit have built a sound that holds tight to this huge cinematic presence of great guitar music, while the steadiness allows the group to illustrate their patience in the songwriting. They’ve no need to use gimmicks, instead choosing to rely upon wispy vocals melting into your heart while the rhythm section pushes the focus forward. Little details of twisting guitars and synths coat the backdrop, but you’ll come to find joy in the way they’ve mastered the simplicity of sound; look for their self-titled debut via HHBTM on November 7th.

Show Pics: The Psychedelic Furs @ ACL Live (7/15)

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…with The Chameleons.

I was out and about earlier this week for a show at ACL Live featuring a couple more bgray throwback bands. If someone mentions The Psychedelic Furs, your mental soundtrack may jump at a movie soundtrack hit. I happen to think of the darker tail end of new wave that crossed over into post-punk. Being at a show where there are equal numbers of people are unironically wearing Wham! shirts as there were wearing Sisters of Mercy shirts is about the best description of the Psych Furs split personality. “Pretty In Pink” and “Heartbreak Beat” versus “Love My Way” and “No Easy Street”, pop bangers to introspective mourning.

Opening the show, The Chameleons have their core back together. You may know them as The Chameleons UK due to publishing issues, Chameleons Vox due to the breakup, but they’re back at it. I caught a bit of Mark Burgess playing solo during SXSW, but the full band experience, getting Smithies and Burgess back at it, is what I wanted. Got it. If you don’t know the band well, have a listen to Script Of The Bridge and tell me it couldn’t be released today.

Click through for the piccies!

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Show Review: Thievery Corporation @ Stubb’s (06.28.2025)

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On Saturday night in our fair city, the air hung thick like a sweaty veil of heat and incense. Writhing and swaying bodies passed the vibe check under the towering live oak canopies of Stubb’s Amphitheater. In a quick annual return to the Capital City following a stop at Emo’s in May 2024, this was once again the kind of performance where reality feels soft at the edges. The audience was ripe for a descent into Thievery Corporation’s kaleidoscopic world, and they delivered over the sinuous two-hour set that served as the final stop of this leg of tours until the fall. With a well-deserved break imminent, the touring group pulled no punches and left it all on stage. Read more

A-Z Benefit Show @ Alienated Majesty Books 6.29

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It’s well known that we ATH kids love our old emo and 00s indie music, hell, it’s how this whole thing got started in the first place. So it would make sense for us to naturally feel a connection with upstart emo and indie booking collective Tiny Sounds. They’ve got some great local bands associated with the project and also just got a fancy Austin Chronicle Award for being the best emo bookers in town. We pick up what they putting down.

On Sunday the 29th, Tiny Sounds have this sick show going down at Alienated Majesty Books in West Campus featuring three of their best bands covering some of our all time favorites. Drunk Uncle comes in as Modest Mouse, Minuano will cover Bright Eyes, and Boyd will be acting as Pedro the Lion. We plan to be there singing along and you should too! Best of all, this is a benefit for the A-Z scholarship at Del Valle High School. All proceeds will go to support this scholarship for a top arts student at DV high school. Emo and supporting our students? You know we’re about that. Show is at 7:30 with a $10 cover.

Show Preview: Artificial Go @ Chess Club – Tonight (6.9)

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Monday nights can be such a drag, but Chess Club is giving you the perfect opportunity to get out of your house and enjoy a sweet little rock n’ roll show. Cincinnati outfit Artificial Go are blowing into town on the backs of their most excellent Musical Chairs LP (Feel It Records), and they’ve made several lists like the Stereogum Best of 2025…in case that sort of thing matters. Musically, they’ve got a bit of Raincoats, a bit of New Zealand and a bit of Dry Cleaning, but all spun in a truly unique fashion that has this dad willing to leave the house on a Monday night. Bonus points for all the great openers like Wet Dip, Variety, and Guiding Light…all acts we’ve covered on our end. Doors are at 8 PM – $15. See you there!

Show Pics: OMD at ACL Live (6/3)

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I have said it before and will say it again, I will see Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark any chance I get. The depth of their catalog and their shaping of new wave, synth pop, 80’s Top 40 and beyond.

This show had to be rescheduled due for several, not the least of which was a shoulder replacement for Andy McCluskey. Only natural given the perpetual motion machine that he is on stage, not an inch of it left untouched by the end of the first three songs. Paul Humhreys is the rock, anchoring most tracks with glorious hooks and occasionally stepping out to provide his vocal. They love these songs so much and it shows. The crowd can’t help but be persuaded.

Walt Disco and I missed our chance to connect because they were among the early Sunday Kilby Block Party performers that were bucketed on by rain. Luckily, I knew I’d get to catch them opening at ACL Live a couple weeks later and they showed why they garnered a best of SXSW 2022 award from RayRay.

Click through for a coule more notes and pics.

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KBP6: Sunday in Photos

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Trying to get through the last batch of photos from Kilby Block Party.

I will start by breaking all of the other performers’ hearts by saying Nation of Language was my favorite thing the whole weekend. In fact, I saw them again later Sunday night at their after-party. I don’t want to take anything away from the others, I had an amazing time while dodging the rain. The gallery to follow is comprised of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Real Estate, Tennis, Husbands, Nation of Language, TV on the Radio, Justice and Nation of Language (again).

It was an absolutely stunning day of jams.

Join me, won’t you? Click through and read the notes and view the photos.

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KBP6: Saturday in Photos

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OK, I may have lied about Friday being the biggest gallery from Kilby Block Party. Saturday was another super busy day for the me at the fairgrounds.

On the agenda and in order of appearance in the giant gallery to follow are Sloppy Jane, Friko, Jelani Aryeh, George Clanton, Sasami, Panda Bear, IDKHOW, Toro Y Moi, (a cameo by) OVLOV, Gang of Four (featuring Ted Leo on guitar), Wallows, (another cameo by) The Black Angels and finally, WEEZER. As usual, I’ll be sharing a few thoughts on the day after the break. Let’s just say there was some chaos, some calm, some vibes and some nostalgia.

Please join me for some fake virtual reality by clicking through…

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KBP6: Friday in Pictures

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Get ready folks. This is going to be one big gallery.

Friday was the busiest day for me at Kilby Block Party. I went from gates to close, making friends, seeing new stuff, old stuff and everything in between. The shoot plan was, and order of the gallery is, as follows; Melancholy Club, Being Dead, Been Stellar, Vagabon, Hovvdy, Perfume Genius, Momma, Built to Spill, Car Seat Headrest, Slowdive Youth Lagoon and Beach House. I did go listen to a bit of Rilo Kiley from the crowd (closed photo pit). Like I said, Friday was busy, with a couple of double sets (shooting a song or two and crossing the wilds to catch a bit of another artist’s third). I got to know my fellow photographers a bit better and a few good friends joined in the fun. The rodeo stage was cool and the weather held.

I have notes and a GIANT gallery after the jump.

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Kilby Block Party 6: Thursday in Pics

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I traveled up to Salt Lake City to take in one of the newish festivals that seems to be doing things right, Kilby Block Party. The lineup is one of the best of the year for my tastes, by far. Previous years, KBP was only two or three days; they hit four days this go round for a stellar group of artists to accomodate touring schedules with New Order, Yo La Tengo, Future Islands and Devo featured.

Click through, I have some thoughts and plenty of photos to peruse. If you were at the rail, see if you made the crowd shots. If you weren’t there, blast you favorite tunes by each artist and pretend.

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