Depeche Mode Delta Machine Tour (European Leg) at Puskás Ferenc Stadion | Budapest, Hungary | 5/21/2013 (Concert Review)
Prince with 3rdEyeGirl (Live Out Loud Tour) at DNA Lounge | San Francisco, California | Day 2 “Early Show” 4/24/2013 (Concert Review)
Prince with 3rdEyeGirl (Live Out Loud Tour) at DNA Lounge | San Francisco, California | Day 1 “Late Show” 4/23/2013 (Concert Review)
Recent Live Concert Events
Depeche Mode Delta Machine Tour (European Leg) at Puskás Ferenc Stadion | Budapest, Hungary | 5/21/2013 (Concert Review)
Well, it’s a challenge for me to be objective on this one, as Depeche Mode is my all-time favorite band. I will be covering a total of five concerts on this European Leg of their Delta Machine Tour, which officially kicked off in recent weeks. First on my itinerary last night was their date in [...]
Rolling Stones at Oracle Arena | Oakland, California | 5/5/2013 (Concert Review)
69… 69… 71… 65… Years old, respectively. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Ronnie Wood. The Rolling Stones. Synonymous with rock and roll. They rocked Oracle Arena in Oakland, California last night for two and a half hours. There were more people than seats (more on that later) and (mostly, well initially) very expensive [...]
Cowboy Junkies at Yoshi’s San Francisco | San Francisco, California | 5/2/2013 (Concert Review)
“I don’t know if you guys will get this song or not, being that you’re from California…” part of Margo Timmins’ introduction to the last song of the night, “Fuck, I Hate The Cold”, at Yoshi’s San Francisco last night. If music is the soundtrack to our lives, songs by the Cowboy Junkies must be [...]
Crystal Castles at Fox Theater | Oakland, California | 4/27/2013 (Concert Review)
Just when you think you know what to expect from a Crystal Castles concert, a naked man casually walks on stage to tend to his drum kit (not a euphemism), part of the second of two supporting bands. But of course the real show starts with the main set… and with Crystal Castles, it’s as [...]
Bon Jovi “Because We Can Tour” at HP Pavilion | San Jose, California | 4/25/2013 (Concert Review)
“I ain’t gonna waste a lot of time talking. All I’m gonna tell you is this… For the next two and a half hours, I promise to take you on a roller coaster ride you will never forget…” A pledge from the Bon Jovi front man, Jon Bon Jovi, about 15 minutes into their supporting [...]
Prince with 3rdEyeGirl (Live Out Loud Tour) at DNA Lounge | San Francisco, California | Day 2 “Early Show” 4/24/2013 (Concert Review)
“How do you like your rock ‘n roll? I don’t know about you, but I like mine funky.” Early on in Prince’s “Early Show” Wednesday night – the second evening of his two-night engagement with 3rdEyeGirl at the tiny 800-capacity DNA Lounge in San Francisco – he let us know what we were in store [...]
Prince with 3rdEyeGirl (Live Out Loud Tour) at DNA Lounge | San Francisco, California | Day 1 “Late Show” 4/23/2013 (Concert Review)
I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my life, and for a variety of reasons had never been to a Prince show before last night (as much as I rate him among my favorite artists). I can say, hands down, he is truly the most brilliant performer I’ve ever seen. It is all so [...]
Sixto Díaz Rodríguez (“Searching for Sugar Man”) at The Warfield | San Francisco, California | 4/23/2013 (Concert Review)
“I’m not gettin’ old. I’m gettin’ dead.” Sixto Díaz Rodríguez, at age 70, standing before an enthusiastic, sold out crowd at The Warfield in San Francisco last night. He took time away from his set of late 60s folk protest rock and some surprising covers to engage the audience, often with humor (and some of [...]
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Fillmore | San Francisco, California | 4/22/2013 (Concert Review)
“We did something rather foolish here…” Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Robert Levon Been, reminiscing about a past performance at the historic Fillmore, in San Francisco where the band was born. A fitting venue from which to launch their North American tour last night, supporting the new studio album, Specter At The Feast. Robert never came [...]
Metric at Fox Theater | Oakland, California | 4/18/2013 (Concert Review)
“Do you guys remember – some of you will remember – Metric shows before cell phone cameras? It’s really funny you know; that shit changed my life.” Metric’s Emily Haines, taking a moment mid-show at the Fox Theater in Oakland last night to share some candid thoughts about how advances in technology have affected her [...]
Metric at Mondavi Center, U.C. Davis | Davis, California | 4/17/2013 (Concert Review)
“If you’re here, you know I love a sing along, so don’t let me down, alright? Hook me up.” Metric’s Emily Haines, giving her introduction to the acoustic version of their classic song, “Gimme Sympathy”, which brought the intimate show at Mondavi Center to a close last night. 2013 is shaping up to be one [...]
Yeah Yeah Yeahs at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan | Las Vegas, Nevada | 4/13/2013 (Concert Review)
“We were just having a conversation back stage – I’m not fucking with you – best Vegas show ever!” A sentiment expressed by Karen O, upon returning to the stage for the encore, leading out with “Zero”. I think many of the fans in attendance for the show were in agreement. Las Vegas seemed to [...]
Garbage at The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms | Las Vegas, NV | 4/12/2013 (Concert Review)
“Because we’re sentimental folks, and we like symmetry, and we like to tie things up. And we like to make amends, and we love to give thanks. So thank you for being here tonight.“ Shirley Manson from Garbage opened up to the fans in attendance at The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms Casino Resort [...]
New Order & Johnny Marr at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan | Las Vegas, Nevada | 4/11/2013 (Concert Review)
This is probably the first and last concert in which I will have seen and heard two of my three all-time favorite songs performed live at the same show – New Order’s “Blue Monday”, and “How Soon Is Now?” by original guitarist and co-songwriter for The Smiths, Johnny Marr. If only Depeche Mode were on [...]
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) at The Depot | Salt Lake City, Utah | 4/10/2013 (Concert Review)
“We could dance fast in those days… will you keep up?” OMD front man Andy McCluskey reminiscing about the late 70s as he introduced the final song of their encore at The Depot in Salt Lake City last night, their debut single, “Electricity”. It was a bit of personal déjà vu for me, as he [...]
Colin Hay at The Center for the Arts | Grass Valley, California | 4/7/13 (Concert Review)
Early on during his “Finding My Dance” one man show, I got the sense that Colin Hay is often the smartest person in the room, no matter how large or small the venue. More than a musician (and a great one at that), he is a philosopher, comedian, and genuinely kind man. He is very [...]
Rihanna’s “Diamonds World Tour” at HP Pavilion | San Jose, California | 4/6/2013 (Concert Review)
Rihanna is an artist that is one of the hardest working in music today (on and off stage), and her only real problem with her show at HP Pavilion in San Jose last night was that she has so many hit songs – even at just 25 years old – she could not fit them [...]
The English Beat at The Center for the Arts | Grass Valley, California | 4/5/13 (Concert Review)
“Are you ready? Are you really, really, really ready?” The English Beat front man and voice of the band, Dave Wakeling, is one of those music artists that is completely tuned into his audience, particularly in an intimate venue such as The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, California, where he performed last night. [...]
Phoenix at Freeborn Hall, U.C. Davis | Davis, California | 4/2/2013 (Concert Review)
Thomas Mars, vocalist for French alternative rock band Phoenix, was a man of few words in-between songs at their Coachella headlining warm up gig at Freeborn Hall at U.C. Davis last night, but the show was extremely interactive. By the second song of their approximately hour and a half set, he was already at the [...]
Living Colour at The Fillmore | San Francisco, California | 3/27/2013 (Concert Review)
“Yeah, we rule a very tiny kingdom…“ Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid’s modest response to a fan shouting out “you rule” in-between songs during their lengthy set, gesturing to the crowd within the historic Fillmore in San Francisco as they celebrated with their “Vivid 25th Anniversary Tour” last night. The band literally attacked the stage, [...]
“On Tour” Dates & Announcements
MS MR Release ‘Secondhand Rapture’, Continue World Tour / To Join CSS On Some Dates, Who Just Released “Hangover” Video
Today MS MR have released their debut album, Secondhand Rapture, and will continue their world tour with their own headlining shows as well as some dates supporting CSS and some festival appearances. I am a huge fan of the New York-based recording duo of Lizzy Plapinger and Max Hershenow, and definitely count their new album [...]
LL Cool J Headlines “Kings of the Mic” Tour with Ice Cube, Public Enemy, De La Soul; Releases “Authentic”
LL Cool J, who is everywhere of late, starring on NCIS: Los Angeles, hosting the Grammy Awards, and today releasing his 13th studio album, Authentic. His “Kings of the Mic” tour kicks off in late May on the West Coast and runs through early July, wrapping things up at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. [...]
Cyndi Lauper to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of “She’s So Unusual” with 22-Date U.S. Tour
80′s pop goddess Cyndi Lauper will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of her landmark album, She’s So Unusual, with a 22-date tour of the United States, along with an appearance at Summer Sonic 2013 in Japan afterwards.
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo North American Tour Runs Through Summer
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, with Cheap Trick supporting on many dates, will hit major North American cities with their 43-date tour running June through August. VIP Platinum Packages are also being made available, with premium seats, meet and greet opportunities and more.
Pet Shop Boys Announce First U.S. Concert Dates in Four Years, Release New Single “Axis” from Upcoming ‘Electric’ Album
New Wave pioneers Pet Shop Boys today announced and put on sale dates for the U.S. leg of their upcoming world tour – their first appearance here in more than four years. Also today they have released a music video for “Axis”, off their upcoming album, Electric, due July 15th.
Another Planet Entertainment Announces Outside Lands Line-Up, Tickets On Sale Now
Another Planet Entertainment has announced a stellar line-up for their annual Outside Lands 3-Day festival in San Francisco at Golden Gate Park, running August 9-11. Headliners include Paul McCartney, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, Phoenix, Kascade, Vampire Weekend, Pretty Lights, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hall & Oates, and more. 3-Day tickets are on sale [...]
Mountain Winery in Saratoga Announces 2013 Summer Concert Season Line-Up
The Mountain Winery has announced this year’s Summer Concert Series, in conjunction with AXS, all kicking off May 24th with Juanes and running through October 6th with Bonnie Raitt closing out the season. With a few pre-sales having happened this week, the general sale of tickets starts April 22nd on AXS.com.
Rolling Stones Celebrate 50 Years With “50 And Counting” Tour Hitting 9 Cities in North America
Tomorrow tickets go on sale for some of the dates for the upcoming North American leg of the Rolling Stones and their “50 And Counting” tour, starting in California and working their way toward the East Coast. The LA date is TBD due to NBA and NHL playoffs. The rock and roll legends plan to [...]
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Publish Preview of New Album “Mosquito”, Kick Off Globe Trotting Tour
Yeah Yeah Yeahs have this week published their upcoming new album, Mosquito, in its entirety, two weeks ahead of the official April 16th release date. In addition, they are at the beginning of a somewhat haphazard tour that will have them playing Coachella and a handful of U.S. dates before heading out for England early [...]
The Killers Embark on Huge World Tour for 2013 in Support of ‘Battleborn’
The Killers have an incredibly aggressive tour schedule plotted out for 2013, including headlining many festivals as well as their own stand alone shows – all throughout the world, in support of 2012′s Battleborn. The Rock Subculture Journal covered two of the shows in December 2012, the second of which in their hometown of Las [...]
Metric Continues ‘Synthetica’ Tour with Coachella Appearances and Headlining Dates in U.S. and Canada
Metric has thus far this year plotted out dates through June, with appearances at Coachella as well as their own headlining shows in and around the United States. Having covered two of their shows last year, they are really a must see band with amazing music and songs from their latest studio album, Synthetica, get [...]
Podcasts & Interviews
Steve Marker, Garbage: “Rock Talk” Podcast Audio Interview
This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Steve Marker with Garbage. The band is finishing a tour in the United States currently (and I will be covering their show in Las Vegas at The Pearl Theater at The Palms [...]
Method Man & Redman: “Rock Talk” Podcast Audio Interview (Caprices Festival Special)
This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. My latest guests are Method Man and Redman. The guys were kind enough to make some time to sit down and chat with me at their hotel prior to their performance. This special edition of [...]
Spencer Page, Daniel Taylor, Chris Ellul, and Kelvin Swaby are The Heavy: “Rock Talk” Interview (Caprices Festival Special)
Yesterday I had the opportunity and honor to meet with The Heavy backstage in their dressing room after their soundcheck for their set at Caprices Festival in Crans-Montana, Switzerland to talk to them a little bit and ask some questions about their band and perspective on a variety of topics. You can also check out [...]
Peter Hayes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: “Rock Talk” Podcast Audio Interview (Caprices Festival Special)
This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. My latest guest is Peter Hayes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The band will be releasing their seventh studio album, Specter At The Feast, next week, and the full album can be streamed on their [...]
Music News & Announcements
Contest To Win Two Concert Tickets For Killing Joke at Irving Plaza in New York City
Live Nation has provided Rock Subculture Journal with a pair of tickets to Killing Joke’s April 19th concert at Irving Plaza in New York City to give away to one of my readers. The show in New York is their first U.S. date and one of just a handful of shows announced for this tour. [...]
Electronic Beats by Telekom To Hold Exclusive Depeche Mode ‘Delta Machine’ Album Launch Event Concert in Vienna
Electronic Beats will be presenting a special Depeche Mode concert in Vienna next month, which will be free (via contest to fans) and streamed online worldwide. The Delta Machine launch party concert is slated for March 24th at MuseumsQuartier in Vienna, Austria. “Reporter Fans” are encouraged to submit their own case for why they should [...]
Travel
Hotel/Resort Review: Little America Hotel – Salt Lake City, Utah
This is part of a continuing series of my impressions and experiences staying at various hotels and resorts while traveling to attend concerts worldwide. This review is for the Little American Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is an okay value for the money, though a bit dated and at the time of my [...]
Travel Destination Journal & Pictorial: Crans-Montana, Switzerland (Caprices Festival 2013)
Having recently returned from my trip to Crans-Montana, Switzerland for Caprices Festival, I thought I would share some thoughts and feelings about the ski resort town that hosted the event for those who might have an interested in going there as a travel destination. Since I am not into skiing and snow-related sports, it was [...]
Caprices Festival Photojournal | Après-ski & Modernity | Crans-Montana, Switzerland
I did not make it to Après-ski and Modernity until the final day of Caprices Festival in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which actually worked out great as far as Modernity went, as it was the sunniest day and very clear out, so I had a nice opportunity to take in the beautiful mountains from an amazing vantage [...]
Hotel/Resort Review: Cornavin Hotel Geneva – Geneva, Switzerland
This is part of a continuing series of my impressions and experiences staying at various hotels and resorts while traveling to attend concerts worldwide. This review is for the Cornavin Hotel Geneva.
Collecting
Visit & Tour of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas (Music Memorabilia Collection Photos & Pictorial)
In my recent trip to Las Vegas to cover concerts, I visited the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as “The Joint” – their official concert venue – is inside the resort. The Hard Rock is world famous for their collection of music and rock and roll memorabilia, and the displays within this location is the [...]
Original Music/Rock/Pop Stage & Studio Used Entertainment & Pop Culture Memorabilia Live Auction Events Calendar
Below is the latest updated list of memorabilia for entertainment memorabilia, including rock and pop music stage and studio used equipment and costumes, as well as other entertainment memorabilia. Please contact me if you are aware of any coming events of interest to collectors. Please also note that I update changes/additions to the calendar until [...]
Visit & Tour of Hard Rock Cafe Maui (Memorabilia Pictorial)
Last month I had an opportunity to check out the Hard Rock Cafe Maui in Old Lahaina Town. During the visit, I took some photos of the music memorabilia on display to share in this article.
Concert Tips & Advice
Recommended & Best Three Pocket Digital Cameras for Live Music Concerts for Fans (Photos & Video) – Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, Sony DSC-RX100, Fuji X100/X100S
This is an update to my previous two articles focused on the same subject (see Article #1, Article #2), so at least some of the information will be redundant. Technology is constantly changing, evolving, and improving, so I expect that this will require an update about twice a year. My hope is that some day [...]
