Ultra Day 1: Duran Duran and Erasure, March 25

Duran Duran and ErasureUltra Music FestivalBicentennial Park, MiamiFriday, March 25, 2011Better than: ’80s night at an Irish pub.In another time and place, seeing Duran Duran and Erasure grace the same stage back to back would be magical. On this evening, which comes following nearly six combined decades between the two…

Live: Bonnie Riot at Green Room, March 24

​Bonnie RiotGreen Room, Fort LauderdaleThursday, March 24, 2011Better Than: A night without some digital love.The Review: Amidst people sipping sophisticated drinks and relaxing on white couches, the Green Room becomes a magical place. Hanging from the ceiling are three-dimensional star lamps and a chandelier creating A Midsummer Night’s Dream ambiance…

Ultra Music Festival 2011 Set Times; 2012 Dates Announced

Abundantly clear that our Miami sibling Crossfade is behind the bulletproof glass where every decision regarding Ultra Music Festival actually happens. Two nuggets of useful information just popped up regarding Ultra 2011 and Ultra 2012.Most helpful at this very moment is the schedule of acts for tonight, Saturday, and Sunday,…

Live: Boom Chick at Laser Wolf, March 23

Boom Chick Laser Wolf, Fort LauderdaleWednesday, March 23, 2011Better Than: Skipping out on seeing The Kills for free at a local bar, only to find out a year later you’d be paying $30 for a ticket. Maraca in one hand, drumstick in the other, Boom Chick’s Moselle Spiller was armed…

Bonnie Riot Headlines Digital Love Thursday at Green Room

West Palm Beach’s Bonnie Riot pulls you deep into a swirling, shape-shifting psychedelic mass. The song “She” exemplifies this perfectly and sends your brain into overdrive. Between its androgynous vocals and thudding drums, the song just seeps into you and gets your adrenaline pumping. Each of their songs seems to be…

Black Finger at Elwood’s 3/26

Leading lights of the new Lake Worth crop of rootsy acts, Black Finger is a rock band, and that’s it. And that’s a good thing. Instead of relying on subgenre flair, the quartet plays straight-ahead, slightly shuffling, twangy tunes meant straight for the heart of the Great American Songbook. The…

Rachel Goodrich at Propaganda 3/27

Although glockenspiel and ukulele queen Rachel Goodrich is no longer local — she recently relocated to Los Angeles — she’s still a hometown hero. On the heels of the February release of her self-titled album, Goodrich is coming back for a few concerts in the area, including one at Propaganda…

Citizen Cope at Culture Room 3/24-25

Here’s a chance to get to know Clarence “Citizen Cope” Greenwood at a two-night intimate serenade experience. This time, it’s without the steady drumming, melodic keys, and seductive strums of the guitar, as good-vibin’, life-lovin’, mumblin’ son of a gun Cope will play selections from his four albums solo. Cope’s…

Collie Buddz at Revolution 3/25

Bermuda’s Collie Buddz’s cultural authenticity still runs pretty high despite his position as a white guy doing reggae. Is it his worldly credentials or his vanilla-yogurt-smooth voice? Check out his recent Playback EP for yourself. It’s far from Jamaican roots, but Collie never sounds like he’s trying to be anything…

Heavy Boots at Monterey Club 3/25

For the past couple of years, Bobby Yapkowitz has been writing songs that have a traditional country feel. Think Gram Parsons, not Toby Keith. This past November, Yapkowitz and a few friends, including tattoo shop and Eulogy Recordings magnate John Wylie, decided that they could add something to the tunes…

Rush at BankAtlantic Center 3/30

For one of the most successful bands in history, Rush remains a pretty cryptic bunch. Formed in 1968, the Canadian trio of guitarist Alex Lifeson, drummer/lyricist Neil Peart (who joined in 1974), and singer/bassist/keyboardist Geddy Lee began as a Zeppelinesque hard-rock combo before mutating into rock’s most progressive, subversive A-list…

Torche at Propaganda 3/26

Is Torche a metal band? Depends on whom you ask. Despite their pop leanings and lead singer/guitarist Steve Brooks’ repeated claims that Torche is not a metal band, their fan base consists largely of stoner-rock and postmetal fans. Why? Well, first, Torche is signed to Hydra Head Records, the mostly…

Tonight! Boom Chick Begins East Coast Tour at Laser Wolf

The story behind Brooklyn’s rock ‘roll duo Boom Chick is just as simple as their name. One evening on a whim, Moselle Spiller sat down at a drum set, in turn impressing musician boyfriend Frank Hoier with her natural ability to pick up a beat. It was at that point…

UPDATED: Rebecca Black Not Coming to Dadeland Mall (Yet)

We we we so excited because right after we visit Chick-fil-A for some waffle fries in the food court, we can see the Princess of Awkward Phase Pop, Rebecca Black, at Miami’s Dadeland Mall on Sunday, June 5. This is as part of her 2011 summer tour of malls. Several…

Ultra Music Festival 2011 Bingo is Here!

As per usual, our extended family at Crossfade in Miami has dreamed up a fantastic visual to accompany this weekend’s sold-out Ultra Music Festival. Combining the dry wit of Jose Duran and the artistic prowess of Mark Poutenis, this Ultra 2011 Bingo Card is as close as we’ll get to…

Live: Anthony Green at Culture Room, March 18

​Anthony Green With Jacob’s Ladder Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale  Friday, March 18, 2011 Better Than: Getting hit with flying objects.  The Review: ​Anthony Green, lead singer of Circa Survive, came out with his first solo album in 2008 called Avalon. His second solo album called Beautiful Things, is in the works…

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings at Fillmore Miami, March 20

Sharon Jones & the Dap-KingsFillmore Miami, Miami BeachSunday, March 20, 2011Last night, Miami witnessed a bright glimmer of hope, a true freedom fighter in the revolution against the evil Auto-Tuned empire that currently governs the pop music world. Drake, Keri Hilson, and Rihanna take note, Sharon Jones and her Dap-King militia are on the…

Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks Cancel Heart & Soul Tour Opener

Here comes a serious blow to everyone’s weekend: Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks’ Heart & Soul Tour isn’t going to start in South Florida after all. Back in January, it was announced that Sunday’s show at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise would be the kickoff date for a 13-show trek around…

Nobodys Hero’s CD Release Show Tomorrow At Churchill’s

When we last checked in with Miami’s Nobodys Hero, they were about to embark on a Florida tour with punk icons NOFX and the Bouncing Souls. Unwilling to rest on their laurels, the South Florida foursome is formally celebrating the release of their self-titled debut at Churchill’s tomorrow night.In a…