Commentary Archive
Coolest Concert Posters
July 21, 2013
It goes without saying: posters are a driving force in filling seats for an event. Their promotional advantages trace back to the 1800s, when monochromatic posters displayed headshots of vaudeville performers and freak show stars to passer-bys. Of course, bands can’t resort to relying on freak show acts to flaunt their poster. But that doesn’t
Ten Most Controversial Rock Songs
July 20, 2013
The Kingsmen – “Louie Louie” Originally a 1955 Richard Berry track, The Kingsmen’s hit cover was the subject of an FBI investigation in 1964, triggered by a parent who was upset by the song’s “obscene” lyrics. The FBI’s response was that the song “unintelligible at any speed”, and after interviewing a member of The Kingsmen
Greatest Bands to Never Score a Number One Single
July 19, 2013
The music charts are an unpredictable beast. Fergie has three times as many #1 singles as Led Zeppelin, The Who, and the Grateful Dead combined. It’s difficult to dissect why exactly this is, other than the fact that certain artists have no desire to appeal to the majority. Their own artistic vision and judgment has
Best Summer Festival Smartphone Apps
July 18, 2013
We’re in the midst of summer, which also means we’re in the midst of festival season. Although a variety of festivals have already taken place in May and June, from Cannes to Glastonbury, but there are still a bevy that have yet to arrive. In years past, festival-goers were forced to rely on crumbled-up print-outs
Hip-Hop’s Biggest Feuds
June 28, 2013
Hip-hop’s glamorisation of gangs and violence has always been one of its most troubling attributes. But it’s fair to say that the genre might not have become the major worldwide musical force it is today without the headline-grabbing conflicts between its biggest players. Here’s a look at five of the biggest feuds to have emerged
Top Ten European Music Festivals
June 28, 2013
Way Out West – Sweden Way Out West is one of Sweden’s premiere music festivals, despite only being around since 2007. Swedes are renowned for their efforts to be environmentally friendly, and this festival is no exception, even offering the controversial all-vegetarian food option. With Neil Young, Tame Impala, and Kendrick Lamar among the acts
Top Ten Artists Who Need to be Playing Las Vegas Residencies
June 23, 2013
It takes a special type of artist to headline a residency show anywhere, much less the epicenter of all residency events: Las Vegas. There’s no specific criteria for an artist to reach the status to receive an invitation to lead a residency event in Vegas, nor is there a specific style — every style from
Best Opening Bands of Summer’s Mega Tours
June 22, 2013
A summer mega tour isn’t worth its namesake if it doesn’t feature a proper pre-game. Although the main act is the ever-important draw to ticket sales, an opener can be equally important. In addition to attracting a larger fan base, their music sets the tone and level of excitement for the act to follow. For
Ten Most Memorable Concerts at Red Rocks
June 21, 2013
Many consider Red Rocks Amphitheatre a treasure of outdoor music venues. The rock structure near Morrison, Colorado has been hosting concerts since 1906, when magazine publisher John Brisben Walker turned his vision of an acoustically perfect outdoor venue into reality. Since then, the Amphitheatre has hosted a number of legendary concerts: Jethro Tull Jethro Tull’s
Looking into the Likelihood of a David Bowie Tour
June 10, 2013
David Bowie’s twenty-fourth album, The Next Day, was recorded secretly, and unlike most albums today featured no cameos. Combine that with an understated album cover depicting the title on a white square covering Bowie’s head, and it’s clear that The Next Day is presented with a straightforward veteran-like demeanor. It doesn’t offer any bells and
