Shadrock Music Festival, All-American Rejects, Toubab Krewe

Big weekend in Richmond as the outdoor music season really begins.  But first, on Friday, cowboy country/western swing group Riders in the Sky will be at the Powhatan Village Building in Powhatan.  Tix are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Doors open at 6 PM. For those of you that know your Pixar, these guys sing "Woody's Roundup" in Toy Story 2, but they are much more than that. Their fiddle player, Woody Paul, was just inducted into the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame. They've played over 6100 shows in the lifetime of the band which dates back to 1977. Here they are doing "Woody's Roundup". For those that don't know, the song is supposed to be the theme song for the fictional "Woody's Roundup" TV show from the 50s:


Also on Friday, West African music by way of North Carolina comes to us in the form of Toubab Krewe, who will be at Capital Ale House. Tix are $15, show starts at 10 PM with opener Tony Furtado.  Toubab Krewe is an American instrumental band which fuses the music of Mali with American musical styles (particularly those of the Southern United States). The group’s instrumentation includes kora (21-string harp-lute), kamelengoni (12-string harp-lute), soku (Malian horsehair fiddle), two electric guitars, electric bass guitar, drum set, and African percussion. The group, which is based in Asheville, North Carolina, was founded in early 2005 and has traveled to West Africa several times, working with local musicians.  Here you can watch Toubab Krewe's entire set (with lots of guests sitting in) from Jam Cruise 2010 (click HERE, sorry can't embed it).


On Friday, Grateful Dead cover band, King Solomon's Marbles, will be at Cary St. Cafe. Show starts at 10 PM and there is a $7 cover.

If you are at home on Friday night, you can check out the webcast of Jack White's concert. The webcast will be directed by actor Gary Oldman. It will start at 9 PM ET HERE.

On Saturday, Style Weekly's Shadrock Music Festival hits Brown's Island. Appearing at the fest will be De La Soul, alt-rock stalwarts Yo La Tengo, new bands Dum Dum Girls & Shabazz Palaces, reunited Richmond band Kepone, along with Kid Is Qual, Invisible Hand, Photosynthesizers, DJ Mass FX, and The Scorpio Brothers. It'll get under way with Photosynthesizers at 12:30 PM and go until 11 PM. Tickets are $35 and if you want to VIP that will cost you $100. Here's some old school De La Soul to get you in the mood:



If you are lucky (or unlucky depending on your point of view) you may see some of these people at the Shadrock Music Festival: http://www.happyplace.com/15610/the-worst-people-you-see-at-every-summer-music-festival.

On Saturday night at The National, electronica jam band EOTO will perform for your pleasure. Tix are $18 in advance, $22 at the door. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Kraddy. Here's the preview video for the tour along with a glimpse of their new Lotus Sculpture stage set:



Sunday night at Bandito's, punk rockers The Strap-Ons and the Eurotics will be at Bandito's. Show starts at 10. I don't think there is a cover. Here's The Strap-Ons at band practice in December doing "Wicca Chicka":



Also on Sunday, Bandito's 15th Anniversary Party that was supposed to be last Sunday got moved to this Sunday because of the rain last week. The fun starts at noon and runs until 6:30. It will be outdoors with bands The Milkstains, Chrome Daddy Disco and Bio Ritmo. There will be adult beverages for the adults and a moon bounce for the kiddies.

Tuesday at The National, emo-pop band The All-American Rejects will play. Tix are $25 in advance, $28 at the door. Doors open at 6, show starts at 7with opener A Rocket to the Moon. Here's All-American Rejects new video for "Kids in the Street":



One of my favorite sites, sci-fi/fantasy/science site io9.com is counting down their 100 Albums Every Science Fiction and Fantasy Fan Should Listen To. Click HERE to start at 100 through 71.

Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Lucero, PBR, Late Night Pick: Jack White

Alt-country rockers Lucero hit the Epic Theatre (the venue formerly known as Hat Factory) tonight. Tix are $18, doors open at 8 and show time is 9 with opener J. Roddy Walston and the Business.  If you like Drive-By Truckers, Rolling Stones, The Silos, The Blasters, The Replacements or The Hold Steady, these guys will be right up your alley. The more I hear of these guys, the more I'm liking them. Here's their video for "Sixteen":


Also tonight, local faves People's Blues of Richmond will be at Republic. The show is FREE if you are over 21 and $5 if you are under 21. Show will start around 9 and Golden Butter Band will open.

Jack White will be playing a track or two from his new critically acclaimed album, Blunderbuss, tonight on the Colbert Report on Comedy Central at 11:30 PM and then on repeats at various times throughout the next 24 hours. Jack will be scoring the new "Lone Ranger" movie which stars Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as the Lone Ranger. He'll also have a concert webcast on YouTube tomorrow night, directed by Gary Oldman. The dude is everywhere.

Late Night Pick of the Night: The War on Drugs

Philadelphia-based Americana band The War on Drugs will be on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight on CBS at 11:35 PM. TWOD will be hittin' up Lollapalooza this summer along with a lot of shows in Europe if you be headin' abroad.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Trampled By Turtles

Check out progressive bluegrass band Trampled By Turtles making their network TV debut tonight at 11:35 PM on the Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. Trampled By Turtles will be here in Richmond to close out Friday Cheers on June 29. They'll also be hitting festivals like Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, and Firefly (in Dover DE) this summer.

Late Night Pick of the Night: The Hives

Tonight on Jimmy Kimmel, check out Swedish rock band, The Hives. Jimmy Kimmel is on ABC at 12:05 AM. The Hives are promoting their latest album, "Lex Hives".

Late Night Pick of the Night: Bruce Springsteen

If you missed the episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon that was all Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (w/Tom Morello and The Roots), you can catch the repeat tonight. The whole thing is good, but definitely worth it for Bruce's story about when he and Little Steven tried to get into Disneyland and also for a rollicking version of "E Street Shuffle" with the E Street Band and The Roots. Late Night is on at 12:35 AM on NBC.

In a Levon Helm - Bruce Springstreen connection, here is Levon & The Band doing his version of Bruce's "Atlantic City":

Earth Day, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Conspirator, Southern Belles,

If you are kicking around this afternoon (Friday) with nothin' to do or can get out of work early, People's Blues of Richmond will be playing the "End The War on Drugs" rally (I'm guessing for FREE) at Monroe Park at 5 PM. This may be some type of 420 celebration, which could add a certain haze to the rally. Here's PBR back in 2011 playing a benefit show at Cullen's Cove doing "Time of Need/Satisfied":



Friday night at The Republic and Wednesday night at Cary St. Cafe, check out Southern Belles with their country funk jam rock doing covers of The Band, Phish, Grateful Dead, and The Beatles among others. I've seen these guys a couple times over the last few weeks and they can really bring it. A lot of fun and bring your boogie shoes. And both shows are FREE. At the Friday night show, the band will play three sets including one set where they cover the Grateful Dead's epic album, "Workingman's Dead" in it's entirety. And they can pull it off.

No BS! Brass Band will be at The Camel on Friday night. No BS will be playing some new tunes from their upcoming album "RVA All Day". Cover is $7 and the show starts at 9 with the James River High School Jazz Band so get out their early and support the kids. Here's No BS! doing "Jackpot":



On Saturday, you can celebrate Mother Earth at the Richmond Earth Day Festival in the Manchester section of town. Lots of activities for the kids, beer and wine for adults, a Flood Wall climb and zip line, and of course some music. Here is the band lineup:

12:20 – 1 p.m. Rattlemouth

 1:15 – 2 p.m. Os Magrelos

 2:15 – 3 p.m. The Trillions

 3:15 – 4 p.m. Noah-O

 4:15 – 5 p.m. Against Grace

 5:15 – 6 p.m. Long Arms

 6:15 – 7 p.m. The Diamond Center

On Sunday, from noon to 6:30 PM, Bandito's Burrito Lounge will be celebrating their 15th Anniversary by partying outside in their parking lot with Milkstains, Chrome Daddy Disco and Bio Ritmo. The kids can enjoy a moon bounce while you enjoy a beer. 

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones will bring their unique brand of music to U of R's Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music for two shows on Sunday at 3 PM and 7:30 PM. Tix range from $10 to $36 depending on who you are. HERE is the article from Thursday's Times-Dispatch about Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. The band won another Grammy this year for Best Instrumental Composition for "Life in Eleven" from their latest album, "Rocket Science". Here is a selection from their show on April 10 at Rose State College in OK:

Sunday night, Conspirator featuring members of Disco Biscuits bring their electronic jam band sound to Kingdom. Tix are $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Show starts at 9 with no opener. Here's a big chunk of music from Conspirator from 10/1/2011 in Fort Lauderdale:



Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick: Kasabian, RIP Dick Clark, Levon Helm & Greg Ham

Tonight's Late Night Pick of the Night is Kasabian on Jimmy Kimmel at 12:05 AM on ABC. Morgan Spurlock will also be on discussing his new documentary on Comic-Con. Kasabian was voted  Best British Band at the 2012 NME Awards.

In sad news, they say these things come in threes and we've had three rock n' roll related deaths in the last two days. You have, of course, heard all about Dick Clark. Today it was announced that Levon Helm, singer and drummer of The Band, passed away (story HERE). Also, Greg Ham of Men at Work passed away. Yes, I know, his legend may not live up to the other day, but he rocked a mean flute on "Down Under" and sax on "Who Can It Be Now?". So give him some props, too. (Story HERE.)

Late Night Pick: Andrew Bird; Levon Helm is Gonna Die; Mickey Hart: "We Weren't a Girl Scouts troop"

Tonight, check out Andrew Bird on a repeat of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Late Night is on NBC at 12:35 AM. You can check out video of Andrew performing a few songs from his latest album "Break It Yourself" solo at Rolling Stone Studios HERE.

In sad news, it looks like we are about to lose one of the all-time greats, Levon Helm, of The Band. A message on Levon's web site says that he is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Read the full story HERE.

In happier news, HERE'S a short interview with the always funny, mystic and excitable Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. My favorite quote; "

I don't think there could be a Grateful Dead now. I mean, considering the laws of the country. We were a bunch of outlaws running about the country, ingesting psychoactive drugs, playing this amazing music from another time and space. So we were exploring a new musical topography. It would be really hard to get away with that these days, especially going through airports and everything – borders. Let's think about the reality of being the Grateful Dead: We weren't a Girl Scouts troop. So it had its dangers. But the upside was more than the dangers of being in it. And everybody loved each other."

Late Night Pick of the Night: First Aid Kit

Tonight's Late Night Pick of the Night is Swedish sister group indie pop rock group, First Aid Kit. They'll be on Conan tonight on TBS at 11 PM and then the repeat at 1 AM. This is the band's US TV debut and they will be wrapping up their first US tour at the second weekend of Coachella this weekend. Of course when you think Swedish sister duo acts you think alt-country and they definitely have that vibe, even down to the subject matter of their first single, "Emmylou" about Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons. I bet they'll do that one tonight and it's a really good song.

Alison Krauss, Shpongle, Wonder Years, Pretty Reckless, Washed Out, Lovedrug, Barstool Heroes

Feeling better today, at least well enough to be able to sit at the computer instead of curled up in bed in the fetal position like I was yesterday. Still not feeling well enough to go to a wedding today and I'm subsisting on a diet of pretzels and water.

Currently watching We Were Promised Jetpacks on the YouTube Coachella webcast. Oh wait, now I'm switching channels to watch the weirdness that is Tune-Yards. I love when YouTube does the webcasts with more than one channel.

Anyway, back to where we left off, which was Sunday. Sunday afternoon, you can see the outlaw country of Barstool Heroes at The Republic. FREE to get in and it'll start at 4 so you can still get home and get a good night's sleep. And few things are better than a good beer buzz as the sun goes down.

Also, on Sunday, bluegrass/Americana queen Alison Krauss comes to the Landmark Theater with her band Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:30, tix are $51.50 and $61.50. Their most recent album, "Paper Airplane", won the Grammy this year for Best Bluegrass Album. Here they are doing the Bob Dylan classic, "I Believe In You":



For something completely different, check out psychedelic, ambient, techno, trance band Shpongle and their killer light show at The National on Sunday night. Tix are $25, doors open at 8 and the show starts at 8 with openers Party Liberation Front (Reinhold) and The Polychrons. Here's the promo for the tour and you can get a little taste. I couldn't find a good video. Why do people even bother to post crappy videos where the sound sucks and the camera is shaking all the time on YouTube? You are wasting my time, your time and the whole world's time. Just enjoy the show while you are there.



Monday at The Canal Club, Philadelphia punk pop band The Wonder Years will perform. Tix are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Doors open at 6 with openers Polar Bear Club, Transit, A Loss For Words, and The Story So Far. Here's The Wonder Years with "Came Out Swinging":



At the Canal Club on Tuesday night is hard indie rock band The Pretty Reckless (feat. Taylor Momsen of Gossip Girl, if you like that kind of thing). Tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 and the opener is The Hollywood Kills. Here's The Pretty Reckless' new video, "You":

At Kingdom on Tuesday night, indie rock band Lovedrug (my favorite kind of drug) leads a big lineup also featuring The Last Royals, The Silent Age, Parade and The Ruin City. Show starts at 6 and it's $10 to get in. Here's Lovedrug doing "Dinosaur" in a video featuring cute girls and a Yeti so you know it's good. It's the Yeti that really puts it over the top:



At The National on Tuesday night, indie electronic rocker Ernest Greene aka Washed Out will play. Tix are $12.50. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener Memoryhouse. Washed Out will be playing Lollapalooza in Chicago this year. Here's Washed Out's "Amor Fati":



I'm outta here. Gonna watch some Laura Marling on the Coachella webcast and have some more water. Mmmmm, water.

Tony Jordan

Chili Cook Off, Fair to Midland, Coachella webcast, The Atkinsons, Set Your Goals.

Lots to cover this weekend so let's get to it. I was able to get done with Friday & Saturday before I got sick as a dog. I'm sending this out now and then going back to bed. Will try and do one on the rest of the week later.

Friday night, punk pop band Set Your Goals headlines a multi-band revue at Kingdom. Also on the bill are Cartel, Hit The Lights, Mixtapes, Super Prime, Cowabunga, and The Getaways. The show starts at 5 PM and it's $15 to get in. Here's Set Your Goals doing "Gaia Bleeds":



If you're more in the mood for some folksy Americana on Friday night, hit up The Atkinsons at Cafe Diem. This show starts at 9:30 and it's free. Here's their latest tune, "I Love Everything":



If you are at home this weekend, the first weekend of the Coachella Festival (they've expanded to two weekends this year) from Indio CA will be webcast on YouTube HERE. There will be three channels to choose from so you should always be able to find something good or discover something new. The show starts at 6:55 PM ET on Friday. Highlights Friday include James, Neon Indian, Gary Clark Jr. (excellent new blues guitarist), Yuck, Dawes, Arctic Monkeys, Madness (One Step Beyond!), Pulp, Black Keys, M83. Saturday gets underway at 6:25 PM ET and highlights include Childish Gambino, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Tune-Yards, Buzzcocks, Laura Marling, Squeeze, Andrew Bird, St. Vincent, Grace Potter, The Shins, Bon Iver. Sunday starts at 6:25 PM ET again and includes Santigold, Real Estate, Fitz & the Tantrums, Seun Kuti (son of Fela Kuti), Wild Flag (love them!), Greg Ginn, Beirut, Gotye, Florence and the Machine, and TBA at 1:35 AM ET (Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, maybe?). Quite a lineup!

Saturday is the big 102.1 The X Chili Cook Off 2012 at the Richmond Raceway Complex and for once they have ditched the mope rock bands and have a nice lineup. Bands include Cake, Cage the Elephant, Neon Trees, Middle Class Rut and Civil Twilight. Gates open at 11 and the gig runs until 8. Tickets are $35 at the gate. While this is an all-ages event, they do caution against bringing kids under 10 so bear that in mind parents. Here's the latest from Cake, "The Winter":

At Kingdom on Saturday night, some prog metal from Fair to Midland. Tix are $12 and the show starts at 5 PM with openers Dead Letter Circus, Lionize, Vice Or Virtue, and Ian Thomas Band. Here's Fair to Midland doing "Dance of the Manatee" from their new DVD "Live fromthe Machine Shop":

Late Night Pick of the Night: Lenny Williams, Ting Tings

Tonight's Late Night Pick of the Week is a double dose tonight on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. R&B singer Lenny Williams, best known for his stint with Tower of Power, will be sitting in with The Roots (I think, the Jimmy Fallon site is a bit vague). Then, The Tings Tings will perform a song from their new album, Sounds From Nowheresville, which is not being very well received critically. I kind of liked them so I'm interested to hear what they are sounding like now. Late Night is on NBC at 12:35 AM.

Here's Lenny's biggest solo hit, the awesomely titled "Shoo Doo Fu Fu Ooh!".

Late Night Pick of the Night: Shooter Jennings

Tonight, watch alt-country hero and son of Waylon, Shooter Jennings, on the Late Show with David Letterman. Shooter is promoting his critically acclaimed album, "Family Man".

Late Night Pick of the Night: Pulp

Tonight on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the reunited Pulp will perform. Pulp is starting a US tour that will take them to Coachella this coming weekend. Hopefully, we'll be able to catch their performance on a Coachella webcast. Late Night is on at 12:35 AM on NBC.

Late Night Pick of the Night: All-American Rejects

Your Good Friday late night pick of the night is emo-pop band The All-American Rejects on Jimmy Kimmel tonight on ABC at 12:05 AM. AAR will be here in Richmond at The National on May 1.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Eric Hutchinson

Singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson will be on a repeat of Late Show with David Letterman tonight at 11:35 PM on CBS. Eric is getting some buzz, selling out shows in NYC, DC and Hollywood on his current tour and having some shows moved to bigger venues. And he was recently on an episode of "Live at Daryl's House" with Daryl Hall.

Frankie Rose, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Hackensaw Boys, Breathe Carolina, YARN

A surprisingly busy weekend for an Easter weekend, but that's a good thing.

Thursday night, the show at Strange Matter with Real Estate, The Twerps and Diamond Center is sold out. If you are going, make sure you get in when the music starts at 8 PM to see Richmond's own Diamond Center. They'll melt your face off with their heavy psychedelic garage rock.

At Kingdom on Thursday, you'll find the Lucky Street tour featuring Go Radio, This Providence, Tonight Alive, and Tyler Carter. The headliner, Go Radio, plays emo-y pop rock. The show starts at 6 and it's $12 to get in. Here's Go Radio performing "Goodnight Moon":



And here is Jay Mohr as Christopher Walken performing "Goodnight Moon":



Alt-country band YARN will be at The Camel on Thursday. It's $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Doors open at 8 and show starts at 9 with James Justin & Company and Farm Vegas.  Here's YARN doing "Abilene":

Richmond's NO BS! Brass Band will be at Balliceaux on Thursday night with their instrumental funk music. Show starts at 10 PM and it's FREE. Here's NO BS doing "Iron Palm":



Friday night at The National, Americana group The Hackensaw Boys will play especially for you. It's $15 in advance, $17 at the door, doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with openers Horsehead. Here's The Hackensaw Boys performing at Knucklehead's in Kansas City in February:



Also on Friday, Black Girls and Big Payback (James Brown cover band) will play a funkalicious show at The Camel. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9. No one is saying if there will be a cover charge but expect there to be a minimal one.

Saturday, electro-pop duo Breathe Carolina will be at The National headlining the Blackout Forever Tour which also features The Ready Set, Ashland High ft. Trace Cyrus (formerly of MetroStation), Matt Toka and It Boys. The doors open at 6 and the fun gets under way at 7. Tix are $16 advance, $19 at the door. Breathe Carolina has been named one of the "100 Bands You Need to Know" by Alternative Press magazine and now you know. Here's Breathe Carolina doing "Blackout" (NSFW because of couple f-bombs):



Sunday night, come down off your Easter candy high with Frankie Rose at Strange Matter. She kind of has an 80's Sundays/New Order new wave sound. Tix are $10. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with openers Dive, White Laces, and Nelly Kate. Here's Frankie's new video for "Night Swim":



Monday night, the band with the awesome name We Were Promised Jetpacks will be at The Camel with Bad Veins and New Cassettes. And we were promised jetpacks, we were all supposed to be flying around with them by now, according to all the "this will be the future" videos we used to see when were kids. Bastards. It's $12 in advance, $14 at the door. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9. Here's the video for "Human Error" from WWPJ:



Have a most excellent weekend. Give the Easter Bunny a hug for me when you see him.

Tony Jordan

Late Night Pick of the Night: White Denim

Tonight, check out one of my favorite new bands, prog-punk-psychedelic White Denim on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 AM on NBC. Hopefully, they'll have some new songs on the show and hopefully, they'll come back to Richmond real soon.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Dr. John w/Dan Auerbach (Black Keys)

Tonight, you have an appointment with the doctor, Dr. John, on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC at 12:35 AM. Dr. John's new album, "Locked Down", was released today and is getting rave reviews. Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys produced the album and he'll be sitting in with Doctor tonight.

Late Night Pick of the Night: Bombay Bicycle Club

Tonight, check out British rock band, Bombay Bicycle Club, making their US TV debut on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 AM on NBC. The band has been nominated for Best British Band in the NME (big British rock magazine) Awards.