Photo by Logan FazioCandyland 13Soho Studios, MiamiSaturday, December 27, 2008Better Than: I expected.The Review:Culture and other similar promotions groups, in an effort to shrug off the nasty mainstream perceptions of the Nineties dance scene, like to call their large-scale events music festivals. But let’s be honest about Candyland 13, held…
Ivon David RojasDeadmau5Saturday, December 27, 2008Mansion, Miami BeachBetter than: Hip-hop Fridays at Mansion, maybe.What’s left to be said about Deadmau5 that hasn’t already been said? Virtually unknown in 2007, the young Toronto prodigy skyrocketed to sudden international stardom and relentless hype by word of mouth, Internet exposure and blessings from…
There’s something a little Sheila E about Tracy Young. Her steadfast, stoic presence when she’s doing her DJ thing reminds you of Prince’s bongo-smacking concubine in her Arsenio Hall Show heyday. For both women, that temple-of-steel impenetrability is/was their greatest weapon in a male-dominated world. On face, Young — Miami-based…
Bonerama sounds like a lot of things — a funk band, a brass band, a marching band — and yet, it sounds like nothing else you’ve ever heard. The seven-man outfit from New Orleans is fronted by four trombones that blare out traditional wah-wah funk wails into a pow-wah rumble…
South Florida is vying to become the bling capital of America — but not like you’d expect. We’ve already got BET’s annual Spring Bling in Riviera Beach, a two-day hip-hop extravaganza aimed at local urban music lovers and black college students on spring break. So it’s only fitting that there…
When you have been playing guitar professionally since age 12, are employed by the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and gig nearly 300 days a year, it’s obvious that free time is in short supply. Derek Trucks, the nephew of Allman Brothers percussionist Butch Trucks, knows that dilemma all…
For hip-hop fans in search of a swank party on New Year’s Eve, this is the place to be. Philadelphia’s legendary band, the Roots, is playing an intimate show at the Florida Room, which is a rare event on numerous levels. For starters, the hip-hop innovators are used to performing…
South Florida’s favorite jam band, the Heavy Pets, recently returned from two months of touring with an evolved writing style, a new EP, and many stories to tell. Their latest run saw them sharing the stage in other parts of the country with notable acts such as Matisyahu, Umphrey’s McGee,…
If the resilient spirit of New Orleans could be summed up with a sound, it would likely reflect the music of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, a group whose synthesis of jazz, blues, bop, funk, and R&B has made them the Crescent City’s cultural ambassadors for the better part of…
(Photo via Lanzallamas’ Myspace page.)Formed in 2006 by former Suenalo percussionist Fabi Patiño, Lanzallamas Monofónica epitomizes what is often described as the “Miami Sound” – a hodgepodge of musical influences from the South Florida melting pot. “Lanzallamas is a project that I created based on my experience in Miami,” explains…
Currently based in Seattle, prodigal Miami troubadour Sam Friend returns to the Vagabond this Friday for a little soul-soothing in his hometown. The UM School of Music grad eschews the tropical-funk-fusion or synth-driven weirdness of so many of his local peers for a more straightforward, rollicking approach. In the jangly…
New Jersey’s Streetlight Manifesto deserve a couple props, first, for still carrying the torch of third-wave ska as it was largely played at its tail end in the late Nineties: in a group of many, many musicians, and with a heavy punk edge. Second, this is impressive because the band…
It’s time for that once-a-year event that’ll leave you bright and shiny and glowing. No, I’m not talking about the wonderful feeling you’d get buying me all sorts of awesome Christmas presents — it’s the Dayglow party happening at Space. And okay, I sort of lied. Though billed as a…
The local alt-rock trio Corner 3 may have only formed in 2007, but the band is based on a longtime friendship, begun when the trio’s members were students at Columbus High in the Eighties. Frontman/guitarist/keyboardist John Lopez and bassist/vocalist Rick Sanchez began their music collaboration while still in school, and…
(Insert bad joke about Katy Perry being “hot and cold” about when she wants to play Ft. Lauderdale. )Whatever; the basic facts are thus: Katy Perry was originally scheduled to play Revolution as part of her debut headlining tour on Monday, April 27. That date has now been moved two…
Known for dark melodies laden with churning guitars, chunky riffs, and lead singer Lajon Witherspoon’s haunting timbre, Sevendust carved its niche in the alt-rock/nu-metal landscape some years back. The release of the band’s third record, Animosity, in 2001 is largely regarded as the quintet’s breakthrough into mainstream popularity. Still, by…
It seems like every time Deadmau5 leaves the house, he has to stop over for an appearance at Mansion; his last time at the club was just this past August. So what has he been up to since then? Well, there was the highly anticipated release of his debut artist…
Touane with Punisher, DJ NovaSaturday, December 20, 2008Blue, Miami BeachBetter than: your average DJ set in a favorable venue. Minimal techno is a bit of an acquired taste, much like straight liquor. Verse and chorus are the requisite ice and soda mixer most social drinkers need in their music cocktail, chords…
Sayre BermanAC/DCSaturday, December 20, 2008BankAtlantic Center, SunriseBetter Than: Volume itself.To say that AC/DC were loud Saturday night is kinda like saying the sun set and the sky turned dark; a statement of fact, perhaps, but pretty much unnecessary. To say that AC/DC were louder than any show I’ve seen since…
Here’s something for minimal techno lovers (perhaps it’ll cool down enough this weekend for a scarf?). This Saturday at everybody’s favorite micro-dance-club, Blue, Pornograph Events presents a live P.A. by the Berlin-based producer Touane. Born Marco Tonni in Rimini, Italy, he escaped his commercial-house-ridden home country for the techno promised…
For hardcore Morrissey fans, especially those of us in South Florida, 2007 was somewhat emotionally tumultuous. First, he played an amazing summer show here, in support of Ringleader of the Tormenters — good (in spite of the cruel heat). Except the show was at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre in Boca…
Photo by Jonas Grabarnick/The Opium GroupSomeone whispered “Common’s around the corner” into my ear and disappeared into the winsome mob at Louis. I had been so thrown off by the sensation of an 18th century soldier sweeping party debris across my feet, I hadn’t even realized that I had wandered…
