Farmland indie rockers Cursive referenced people and characters such as Edgar Allen Poe and Pinocchio on their last album — Mama, I’m Swollen — and showcased the outfit’s unique, crazed sound weaving post-hardcore, country rock and acoustic ballads into a musical tapestry. Three years later, Cursive is back with their new album I Am Gemini, a “surreal and powerful musical story about Cassius and Pollock, twin brothers separated at birth.” One is good; one is evil. It’s indie rock. But kind of out there and daring. Which is good. Cursive brings this sound to Rev Room. It’s an all-ages show with the music starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 day of show. The opening acts are buzz-worthy Conduits with their sound that channels ’70s rock such as Fleetwood Mac and shoegazers such as My Bloody Valentine, and Cymbals Eat Guitars with their indie rock that includes challenging music that might include a little noise rock or even disco on some tunes.
From the late ’70s to the early ’90s, The Oak Ridge Boys cranked out country smash after country smash: from “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” to “Elvira” to “Gonna Take a Lot of River.” It’s those hits and more that the vocal-harmony country band with a little touch of gospel brings to the University of Central Arkansas for a show at Reynolds Performance Hall. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $30, $35 and $40.
As Some Dark Holler, former Back Row Baptists’ bandleader Chris Porter and Helen Gassenheimer create “handmade America music,” rustic-sounding, narrative tales such as “Purple Hearts.” The music starts at 8:30 p.m. at Stickyz with a $5 cover for the 18-and-up show. Athens, Ga., Americana rock band The District Attorneys (also headed to SXSW) are on the bill as well.
The headliner of this Rev Room show, Texas chillwave (yes, it exists as a genre) outfit Neon Indian, is playing a SXSW showcase, but their opening band Purity Ring is playing the Pitchfork Showcase with The-Dream, Fiona Apple and others. (Yes, that Fiona Apple!) And the band’s sound? Future pop. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of show with the music starting at 8:30 p.m. for the all-ages show.
Before he became known as Darryl Philbin on The Office, Craig Robinson was a stand-up comedian. And it’s that stand-up comedic act that Robinson will bring to the University of Central Arkansas’ Reynolds Performance Hall as the UCA Student Activities Board presents Craig Robinson. Oh, and not just stand-up, but perhaps some keyboard-playing comedy bits, too. The show starts at 8 p.m. with tickets $10 for UCA students and $20 for the general public.
Karma to Burn is known as a stoner metal band that plays mostly instrumental tunes. Lo-Pan is a Ohio hard rock band. Both are coming to Downtown Music. The doors open at 8 p.m. with the music starting soon afterward. Cover is $8. But joining the two bands is Swedish “desert rock kings” Truckfighters, a band that was recently called “the best band that’s ever existed” by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme. Truckfighters play a kind of music that leans heavy on fuzz. And it’s loud. Loud and good. The band’s Mania will see its U.S. release May 8.
Here’s The District Attorneys with their “Sweetheart All Reckless And Humble”:
KSSN 96 is kicking off the weekend a night early with their Country Cares for St. Jude Kids benefit concert at The Metroplex. Tickets are $15 and all proceeds benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So what does one get for that $15, besides feeling good? Well, there is up-and-coming country artist Kip Moore, whose “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck” is climbing the country charts, and American Idol season ten runner-up Lauren Alaina, who has scored a couple of country Top 40 hits. And then there’s headliner Josh Turner, a man who has hit the top of the country charts four times, and whose new single “Time Is Love” is quickly heading toward the top of the country charts. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music starting at 7:30 p.m.
The last time Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors came through town, the band played Stickyz. Now, the band, known for their Springsteen-rock-mixed-with-country sound and a touch of Motown pop, is back, playing Rev Room. The band, which includes Holcomb’s wife Ellie, is still touring behind their 2011 album Chasing Someday. The music starts at 8:30 p.m., and no word on any opening acts. Cover is $10 for the 18-and-up show.
Martin Luther King Jr. and Langston Hughes were two of the world’s greatest orators. One is the defining icon of the civil rights movement and a true American hero. The other is likewise a true American hero and also one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Now the two treasures are being brought to life once again at the University of Central Arkansas‘ Reynolds Performance Hall with Danny Glover and Felix Justice presenting An Evening with Martin & Langston. Yes, the Danny Glover, and Justice is known for his one-man Martin Luther King Jr. show Prophecy in America. Justice portrays King, delivering King’s most memorable speeches, and Glover is Hughes, reading his words and poetry. There will be a question-and-answer session following. UCA students get in free, and tickets are $30, $35 and $40 for the general public with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.
Here’s Josh Turner with his “Why Don’t We Just Dance”:
The Pat Boone website is filled with facts about the singer such as Boone has sold 50 million records and had 38 Top 10 hits. And he’s not just a singer the site notes. No, Boone is also a actor, TV host, producer, songwriter, author, motivational speaker, TV pitchman, radio personality, record company head … okay, enough about Boone. Find out more about the man as he comes to the University of Central Arkansas‘ Reynolds Performance Hall for a holiday celebration with the Central Arkansas Children’s Choir. The show will include Boone classics and holiday favorites along with autobiographical tales from Boone. The show starts at 2 p.m. with tickets $30, $35 and $40 plus a $3 convenience fee for each $35 and $40 ticket.
Ohio singer/songwriter Lydia Loveless loves Loretta Lynn. And Lucinda Williams. And Hank Williams. She also loves Television (the band). And just pure punk rock. So it’s all those influences and more one finds in the gritty rock ‘n’ roll of this 21-year-old who is coming to Stickyz. Loveless is touring in support of her Bloodshot Records debut Indestructible Machine. There is a $6 cover for the 18-and-up show. The opening band is to be announced, but expect the music at 8:30 p.m.
About a month ago, Leslie Harris gave birth to her son Ayden and also learned she had leukemia on the same day. Now a number of bands and artists are coming together and raising money for the young, 29-year-old mother with a Leslie Harris Benefit at Rev Room. The all-ages event starts at 7 p.m. with a $10 cover (donations are accepted, too). The music includes acts such as Trey Hawkins Band, a southeast Arkansas band known for their rowdy and ready country rock, and party cover band Tragikly White along with local DJ Chucky P and the master of ceremonies is David Bazzel. Beyond the music, there will be a silent auction of items donated from various local businesses.
Baby Boomers unite at the University of Central Arkansas for a night of ’60s pop from Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone and The Lettermen at Reynolds Performance Hall. Tickets are $30, $35 and $40 with the music starting at 7:30 p.m. The Lettermen are known for their ’60s rock with hints of R&B on tunes such as “When I Fall in Love.” Noone is the lead singer of Herman’s Hermits, a legendary Sixties pop band that scored such hits as “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am.”
Children of Fire is the name of the newest album from Texas metalcore group Oh, Sleeper, and its tunes such as “The Marriage of Steel and Skin” and “Claws of a God” do more than scream and growl over furious rhythms. The tunes also deliver a concept album about the aftermath of the battle between God and Satan as the bands shreds and praises the Lord. Oh, Sleeper bring their Children of Fire Tour to Downtown Music along with Arizona metalcore outfit Greeley Estates, California metalcore band Ten After Two, Southern California-based metalcore act At The Skylines and San Diego screamo quintet Secrets. The doors open at 6 p.m. with the music starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 at the door.
Starting with 1962′s “Don’t Make Me Over,” Dionne Warwick started charting hit R&B, soul and adult contemporary songs, from “Walk On By,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “This Girl’s in Love With You” to “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “Heartbreaker” and “That’s What Friends Are For.” She has won Grammys, recorded No. 1 hits and had more than 50 Top 100 hits. And now Warwick brings all that star power to Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus for a special night of music. Tickets are $30, $35 and $40 with the music starting at 7:30 p.m.
Hawthorne Heights‘ newest release is the nine-track EP Hate, a collection of tunes that are heavier than anything the band has ever done but still with plenty of pop punk rhythms to go along with the post-hardcore rage. It’s an EP that more than recaptures the screamo nature of the band’s early work. The Ohio band is on the road, including a stop at Juanita’s. It’s an all-ages show with the doors opening at 8 p.m. and the music starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The opening acts are a couple of local acts: Sherwood progressive rock act Boom the Wheel and North Little Rock cabaret punk sensation Flameing Daeth Fearies.
Colin Hay might’ve contributed a tune to the Garden State soundtrack (“I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You”) but all people remember about that album is The Shins. And anyhow, Hay is probably better known as the lead singer of Australian new wave band Men at Work, a blast from the ’80s known for such tunes as “Who Can It Be Now?,” “Down Under” and the Cold War anthem “It’s a Mistake” (the band’s best song). So expect a bunch of solo tunes (His latest solo endeavor is Gathering Mercury.) from Hay plus hopefully a Men at Work classic or two when he visits Juanita’s. The doors open at 8 p.m. with the music at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 day of show.
Blood, Sweat & Tears, and The Buckinghams at the University of Central Arkansas’ Reynolds Performance Hall is an unlikely pairing. But the ’60s American rock ‘n’ roll sound of The Buckinghams, known for hits such as “Kind of a Drag” and “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song,” and the jazz rock with a touch of pop of Blood, Sweat & Tears, known for hits such as “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and “Spinning Wheel,” is a double shot of nostalgia for Baby Boomers. The show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with The Buckinghams opening and last till 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $35 and $40.
For a band that’s been kicking around for more than 25 years, Mojo Depot still, well, kicks it, this week bringing their original jammy blues rock plus covers of The Rolling Stones, Robert Earl Keen and others to Stickyz. There’s no opening act with the music starting at 9:30 p.m. with a $5 cover for the 21-and-up show. The Little Rock group consists of Tyndall Jackson on guitar, Rob Moore on vocals and guitar, Jason Adams on drums and John Wright on bass, and was formed as The Loose Change before heading to California and releasing their debut album Phantom Train and following it up with Crazy to Believe before returning to Little Rock.
Jersey ska punk outfit Streetlight Manifesto is influenced in part by the Stand By Me soundtrack and Nirvana, and is coming to Downtown Music as part of their The Ship of Fools Tour. The band is self-described as “one part rock, one part ska, with influences from Latin, klezmer, folk, world, funk, jazz and classical thrown in.” The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. The opening acts are Terrible Things, a pop rock group consisting of ex-Taking Back Sunday veteran Fred Mascherino, Coheed and Cambria alumnus Josh Eppard, and Hot Rod Circuit guitarist Andy Jackson; Massachusetts pop rock band A Loss for Words, and Oregon punk country outfit Larry and His Flask.
The last time pop country duo Sugarland visited the metro, it was as the opening act on Keith Urban’s Escape Together World Tour appearance at Verizon Arena. Now, the Country Music Association’s 2010 Vocal Duo of the year returns to Verizon Arena as headliners on their The Incredible Machine Tour 2011. The Grammy winner’s October 2010 album The Incredible Machine has spawned two Top 20 single already. The pair’s fourth album and sound is sweet pop country, borrowing big classic rock hooks for tunes about heartland culture sung in a sweet Southern drawl. Joining Sugarland will be openers Little Big Town, a country music vocal group known for Top 10 hits such as “Little White Church,” and Casey James, a third-place finalist in American Idol season nine. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the music at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.75, $45.75 and $55.75, and available at the Verizon Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 or on line at www.ticketmaster.com. (Expect to pay more through Ticketmaster.)
Glen Campbell, an Arkansas native known for his classic ’60s and ’70s tunes such as “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights,” returns to The Natural State for a performance at Reynolds Performance Hall. Tickets for the Country Music Hall of Famer’s show as part of the University of Central Arkansas’ Public Appearances’ Nostalgia Series are $30, $35 and $40 with Campbell being joined by daughter Debby Campbell for the 2 p.m. concert.
Little Rock act Living Sacrifice was one of the pioneers of the Christian metal scene, forming in 1989 with their praise-worthy thrash metal, releasing a number of solid albums and slowly evolving their sound. The group broke up in 2002 but reformed in 2008, and the quartet has a new album out, the January release The Infinite Order, and are on the road, bringing their A Very Metal Christmas Tour to Downtown Music. Supporting acts are Tennessee heavy metal band The Showdown, Atlanta metal band Becoming the Archetype, North Carolina metalcore band To Speak of Wolves and Detroit death metal outfit As They Sleep. The music starts at 6 p.m. with advance tickets $13 and day-of-show tickets $15.
Mention Danzig and people go: “Mother.” And it’s true the heavy metal band’s biggest hit is the 1988 challenge to parents. But with the band fronted by former Misfits lead singer Glenn Danzig on the road for their Blackest of the Black tour, expect a heavy dose of blues-based metal when Danzig visits The Village. 100.3 The Edge presents the show that also promises the return of reformed death metal gods Possessed along with Swedish death metal band Marduk, Oregon thrash metal outfit Toxic Holocaust and Georgia metal act Withered. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the music at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Seventeen years into their history, Ohio alternative rock band Filter released their fifth album, The Trouble with Angels, in August, 10 tracks of industrial rock with references to Galileo, partying with Nine Inch Nails and the kidnapping of Jaycee Dugard. Of course, the Richard Patrick-fronted band are better known for their ’90s alternative rock hits, including “Hey Man, Nice Shot” and “Take a Picture.” So expect a dose of those hits along with complex yet brutal industrial rock when the outfit visits Revolution Music Room. The opening act has not been announced, but expect the music at 9 p.m. with tickets $15 in advance and $20 day of for the all-ages show.
Future Leaders of the World‘s leader Phil Taylor has finalized the alternative rock band’s lineup, with Taylor on vocals and guitar, Ian Severson on lead guitar, “13″ on bass, Russell Bullock on drums and Justin Amato on guitar. As the band awaits the spring 2011 release of their second album, the quintet is on the road putting new and old tunes to the test, including a stop at Vino’s. The music gets rolling around 8 p.m. with tickets $10 in advance and $13 day of show.
Conway’s favorite son and American Idol winner Kris Allen returns to the University of Central Arkansas for a show at Reynolds Performance Hall that will benefit Blackbird Academy of Arts Inc., a Conway-based nonprofit that’s mission is providing quality arts instruction to the Faulkner County area. The event is underwritten by Music Empowers Foundation, and tickets are $25 with the music starting at 8 p.m.
It’s a Sunday hip-hop show at Juanita’s as Big Sean — the Detroit rapper discovered by Kanye West — comes to town to hype the release of his November debut album, Finally Famous, a collection of tunes that will feature a hip-hop who’s who, including Drake, West, Kid Cudi and Eminem. Joining Sean will be New York hip-hop artist Mickey Factz and Memphis hip-hop act Freesol along with support from local hip-hop artists Joe Average and The 4X4 Crew. The doors will open at 8 p.m. with the music at 9 p.m. No word on ticket prices, but there will be a meet and greet at Rock City Kicks at 5 p.m. for all ticket holders.
The University of Central Arkansas’ Public Appearances presents country music superstar LeAnn Rimes at Reynolds Performance Hall. Of course, everyone knows Rimes’ No. 1 smash “Blue,” and know she’s a Grammy winner for her country music so you should know what to expect by attending. Ticket pricing is available through the box office with the show starting early at 4 p.m.
Giving you the music a day early: Austin, Texas, indie rock band The Rocketboys are coming to Stickyz. The band’s latest is the self-released Build Anyway. So what does the band sound like? Well, the Austin American-Statesman describes the band’s music as “clear, ringing guitars and full-bodied keyboard arrangements, hard-driving [...]
Giving you the music a day early: The pop-flavored R&B group that brought the world “Cool It Now” is on the road for their 30th anniversary tour as New Edition visits Verizon Arena. Tickets are $58.15, $68.40 and $79.40 with fellow R&B act After 7 and R&B artist El Debarge [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Kris Allen at Magic Springs Water and Theme Park‘s Timberwood Amphitheater. This Arkansas resident won the eighth season of American Idol and will be promoting his new album Thank You Camellia. The concert gates open at 6 p.m. with an 8 p.m. showtime. [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Acadiana is a hotbed of Cajun music so let’s talk about Ryan Brunet of Cajun music creators Ryan Brunet and The Malfecteurs, who will be playing White Water Tavern with the music starting at 9:30 p.m. with a $7 cover. At the age [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Wussy is coming to Stickyz. So what does that mean? Well, Wussy is a Cincinnati rock band. Sometimes with pedal steel. Sometimes with a clavinet. Sometimes with harpsichord. It’s really hard categorizing them so let’s don’t. Just enjoy Wussy for what they are [...]
Giving you the music a day early: People who write off Nada Surf as a MTV-promoted one-hit wonder because of 1996′s “Popular” haven’t been paying attention for the past 16 years. The New York City trio’s buzzing guitar attack, pop choruses and harmonies have been featured on six subsequent albums, [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Scott H. Biram and Lydia Loveless at Stickyz — this is going to be quite a show. Why? Biram is a 21st-century blues sorcerer, throwing blues, psychobilly, country and punk in a jar with a few gulps of whiskey, violently shaking it and [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Jeez, it was about time. It has been since December that the self-proclaimed King of the Country Western Troubadours played Little Rock. Fortunately, Unknown Hinson returns with a show at Juanita’s. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the music starting at 8:30 [...]
Giving you the music a day early: Here’s a little-known fact: Outside of the city of Tahlequah, Okla., is a public use area titled No Head Hollow Public Use Area. No lie. The city is also the capital of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. Now, why are we [...]
Giving you the music a day early: It’s going to get heavy at Downtown Music. How heavy? Well, how heavy does a show that includes At Wars End, Reticient and The Revolutioners sound? Oh yeah, not that heavy if you don’t know what the bands sound like. Well, here’s a [...]
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