Music
Pop Culture
Liberace and His Rhinestone Rappers
On the eve of a Soderbergh biopic, looking back to the OG of ghetto glitter
May 21st, 2013
When Macklemore raps, Yo, that’s $50 for a T-shirt, of his Gucci-sporting contemporaries in newfound cultural touchstone “Thrift Shop,” he just sounds so damn sad. Read more »
Soundscraper
Bowling for Bands
May 21st, 2013
Punk Rock Bowling is back again, and the musical lineup looks superb. There’s plenty of classic testosterone-fueled punk on hand (Agnostic Front, The Damned, D.R.I.), sure. But there’s also more diverse, quirkier fare this time around. Case in point: new-wave pop radicals Devo, and a group comprising former members of hardcore icons Black Flag called, well, Flag. (They play the music of Black Flag, but shouldn’t be confused with the “official” Black Flag, see?) Sadly, unless you already bought tickets, you can’t see these groups. But here are two smaller, even more varied club shows to which you can still buy admission via PunkRockBowling.com. Read more »
Music
Your Rock ’n’ Roll Poolside Concert Primer
May 21st, 2013
I love the smell of chlorine in the evening, along with the sound of amplified guitars and pounding drums. Which means it must be summer in Las Vegas, where the best concerts occur near bodies of water. Here’s a cool list of musical options in the coming months. Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan corners the indie-rock market by pouring the sonic equivalent of a bottomless, punked-up piña colada. Mandalay Bay Beach and Paradise Beach at the Hard Rock offer rad events, too. Other oases to keep an eye on for live music as the season grows hotter: the pool at South Point, M Resort’s DayDream Day Pool (with DJs spinning on weekends), and the pool at Red Rock Resort: Read more »
Tour Buzz
Tour Buzz: Billy Idol, Fleetwood Mac, Pitbull and Ke$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 »
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 »
