A&E
Tour Buzz
Tour Buzz: Billy Idol, Fleetwood Mac, Pitbull and Ke$ha
May 20th, 2013
I heard once that Billy Idol, who’s playing the Pearl on May 25 ($49-$89), actually lived in Las Vegas for a time during the 1980s. I can’t find substantiation of this anywhere, save for the cut-up KOMP sticker that’s stuck to his guitar in the video for “White Wedding” (ROCKS LAS VEGAS), a name-check in “Eyes Without a Face” (Steal a car and go to Las Vegas/oh, the gigolo pool), and an album whose name might have been inspired by UNLV’s student newspaper (Rebel Yell). Read more »
Concerts
Concert Review: Blues Traveler
Henderson Pavilion, May 17
May 20th, 2013
Anyone playing rock harmonica without emulating the gritty, ferocious style of Richard “Magic Dick” Salwitz (J. Geils Band) is anathema to me. Still, I admit to admiring Blues Traveler frontman John Popper. Dude wails. His remarkable if polite playing was evident on a beautiful, breezy night in Henderson Pavilion. As always, the venue’s sound was great. Instead of sitting in my assigned seat, I grabbed a conveniently provided midget lawn chair and plumped down on the grassy hilltop hoping to catch a whiff of reefer. (No such luck, it being Henderson. I didn’t see a single cop or security sack, either.) Read more »
Concerts
Concert Review: The Photo Atlas
Beauty Bar, May 17
May 20th, 2013
Plagued by problems, The Photo Atlas overcame even the worse Spinal Tap moments. This Denver-based dance-punk quintet battled with power issues from the start. As amplifier lights dimmed during their first song, drummer Joshua Taylor played on. Power was restored, and they finished without missing a beat. Lead vocalist Alan Andrews Jr. said, “We lost total power and played through it. I’m proud of everyone here. It’s great to be in Vegas.” Read more »
Concerts
Concert Review: Lisa Hilton Trio
The Smith Center, May 17
May 20th, 2013
Lisa Hilton is at her best when she is guiding us down the back roads of our own emotional geography. Sure, she can riff heavy on traditional jazz, swinging with Gregg August on bass and Jaimeo Brown on drums on Nat King Cole-inspired “Jack & Jill,” but when the trio dove into “Emergency” and “Getaway,” from her most recent album, we caught a glimpse of our familiar selves in a different light. Read more »
Movies
‘Star Trek’ is Fleet Footed
J.J. Abrams’ reboot is fast and fun
May 17th, 2013
It’s lame and sort of geeky to compare franchise apples to oranges. Oh, well. Star Trek Into Darkness does everything Iron Man 3 tries to do, in the realm of global terrorism imagery reprocessed for popcorn kicks, but with a little more style, a dash more brio and invention. Read more »
Concerts
Concert Review: Molly Ringwald
Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, May 10
May 16th, 2013
The Rat Pack met the Brat Pack as ’80s film star and Concord Jazz recording artist Molly Ringwald took her audience to some less-visited selections from the Great American Songbook. It was apparent right off the bat that the still-smoking-hot 45-year-old knew how to deliver the evening’s fare. She got to the bottom of a lyric’s meaning and context. Read more »
Tour Buzz
Tour Buzz: Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, Yellowcard and Black Sabbath
May 15th, 2013
I wish I could muster more enthusiasm for the 15th annual Tiger Jam at Mandalay Bay, this one featuring Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker, on May 18 ($61-$134). Read more »
Concerts
Concert Review: Great White
Boulder Station, May 10
May 15th, 2013
These guys are the archetypal ’80s second-string rock act: big crunchy chords, addiction, public bickering, pyrotechnic tragedy and a long string of convoluted lineup shifts that has seen the band run through more than 25 musicians in its 30-year history. It’s actually pretty amazing they are a) alive, and b) now touring with three of 1982’s original founding members. Terry Ilous did just fine on vocals, earning some grudging respect from a fan who said, “he’s pretty good, even though he’s no Jack Russell.” Read more »
Concerts
Concert Review: Os Mutantes
Hard Rock Live, May 11
May 15th, 2013
It was a small but curious crowd that turned out to see the Brazilian psych-rock pioneers, who re-formed in 2006 following a hiatus of more than 30 years. With such a long stretch of inactivity, there was no sense of nostalgia as most fans were seeing Os Mutantes live for the first time, and some were probably only familiar with the band’s noted influence on artists such as Kurt Cobain, Beck and David Byrne. Read more »
