The B-52s will kick off their summer on the road with a performance on NBC’s “Today” show on Memorial Day, May 26. They’ll then join Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Tour, which will include two performances at Atlanta’s Chastain Park Amphitheatre on June 16 and 17. Today, they’re kicking off a 13-city sold-out club tour that’s taking them from Boston to San Francisco (but, unfortunately, nowhere near here).
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Duke Spirit
8 p.m., 40 Watt
Opening for tough guy, garage rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Duke Spirit is British band fronted by striking lead singer Leila Moss. With her soulful vocals, Moss commands the band through the blues to rock ‘n’ roll and Britpop. The band is touring in support of its recently released sophomore album, “Neptune.” Tickets are $15 in advance. - Trisha Klein
Luke Bryan, Ashley Ray
9 tonight and Thursday, Georgia Theatre
Country music singer-songwriter Luke Bryan released his debut album, “I’ll Stay Me,” on Capitol Records Nashville last year. His first single, “All My Friends Say,” climbed to No. 5 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Ashley Ray, left, is also a country singer on the Capitol Records Nashville label, and she is currently recording her debut album. Tickets are $20, and doors open at 8 p.m. - Trisha Klein
Tin Cup Prophette, Venice Is Sinking
8:30 p.m., Flicker Theatre and Bar
Violinist Amanda Kapousouz earned the moniker “Tin Cup Prophette” by busking in New York City’s subways. Amanda will be joined by her band, which includes local musicians Daniel Rickard and Jeremy Wheatley. Popular local band Venice Is Sinking plays orchestral, indie pop. - Trisha Klein
Music Hates You, Idiot Slowdown, Thunderchief
10 p.m., Tasty World
Catch three local bands. Music Hates You’s brutal onslaught of punk and metal has earned the band a reputation as one of the heaviest acts in town. Idiot Slowdown plays alternative rock inspired by The Smashing Pumpkins, The Rolling Stones and Radiohead, the band whose lyrics inspired their name. Thunderchief is a rock trio that combines grunge, punk and classic rock. - Trisha Klein
• 40 Watt: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Duke Spirit.
• Farm 255: Charles Harvey, Paleface.
• Flicker: Tin Cup Prophette, Venice Is Sinking.
• Georgia Theatre: Luke Bryan, Ashley Ray.
• Little Kings: Courtesan, Divided Like A Saint’s,The Egret Girl At Secret Squirrel, Owlbear, Pony Bones, Smokedog, Treyverb.
• Melting Point: Blue Rhythm Band.
• Rye Bar: Jordan Blyden, Keith Jackson Et Amos, Ryan Landford & Cole Brown.
• Tasty World (downstairs): Idiot Slowdown, Music Hates You, Thunderchief.
• Tasty World (upstairs): Single White Herpe, The Transformers, Dusty Lightswitch, Candy Maldonado.
• Washington Street Tavern: Uncle Daddy & the Time Revival.
• Wild Wing Cafe: Napoleon Solo.
• WOW Cafe and Wingery:
A press release about AthFest:
AthFest 2008 is pleased to announce the headlining artists for this year’s festival. On Friday, June 20, at 9 p.m., 17-piece psychedelic rock collective Dark Meat, recently signed to Vice Records, will perform. On Saturday, June 21, at 9 p.m., pop darlings Modern Skirts, currently in the studio with David Lowery (Cracker), will perform. Dub reggae collective Dubconscious, who will soon release their fourth CD, will close the festival on Sunday, June 22, at 7 p.m..
Additional performers for 2008 include Twin Tigers, Cinemechanica, We Vs. the Shark, Centro-matic, A. Armada, Pegasuses XL, Elf Power, Contraband, Venice is Sinking, Velveteen Pink, Folklore, Don Chambers + GOAT, Bloodkin, Ken Will Morton and others.
AthFest 2008 will be held June 18-22, 2008, in historic downtown Athens, a town long renowned for its thriving music scene. For the past 11 years, this annual music and arts festival has showcased the best in local, regional, and nationally recognized Athens-based talent. Over 150 bands and artists will perform over the course of the weekend, with most performances free of charge to the public. The festival also includes a juried artisan market, the Flagpole Music Awards show, KidsFest, and much more. From 2005-2007, AthFest was included in the “Top 20 Events for June” by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Susan Tedeschi, The Lee Boys
8 p.m., Georgia Theatre
Tedeschi (above) is a blues and soul singer and guitarist who is married to Derek Trucks of the Derek Trucks Band. On her latest album, “Hope and Desire,” she covers songs by artists such as Ray Charles, The Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin. The Lee Boys play sacred steel, a musical movement that began in the House of God Church. Driven by the pedal steel guitar, their sound encompasses elements of R&B, gospel, hip-hop, rock and country music. Tickets are $15. - Trisha Klein
Nathan Angelo, Micah Dalton, John Black
10 p.m., Tasty World
Angelo plays piano-driven pop songs with a Southern drawl. Folk musicians Dalton and Black may share a label, Athens-based Rebuilt Records, but they have distinct sounds. Dalton sings with a soulful voice similar to Ben Harper’s, and Dalton sings his folk anthems with a twang. - Trisha Klein
• 283 Bar: Paster of Muppets.
• Farm 255: Six Strings.
• Georgia Theatre: Susan Tedeschi, The Lee Boys.
• Melting Point: North Georgia Bluegrass Band.
• No Where Bar: Free Lunch.
• Rye Bar: Dub Reggae.
• Tasty World: Nathan Angelo, Jon Black, Micah Dalton.
NORML Benefit Show
7:30 p.m., 40 Watt
Catch six bands for only $5 at this benefit for NORML, a nonprofit lobbying organization that works to legalize marijuana. Acts will include Olympus Mans, a local keyboard and drums duo; The Suex Effect, an improvisational psychedelic, blues and reggae-funk trio; Gimme Hendrix a Jimi Hendrix tribute band; Cortez Garza, a local singer-songwriter who plays Americana music on his acoustic guitar; Josh Fletcher and The Six Shot Romance, a southern rock band from Atlanta; and Nautilus, an improvisational, electronic jazz and funk band. - Trisha Klein
Feather Sheds Bird, Grey, The Sane
8:30 p.m., Flicker Theatre and Bar
Singer-songwriter Jon Lowell performs solo as Feather Sheds Bird. Grey is an acoustic duo inspired by both country and ’80s rock music. The Sane, a rock band from Atlanta, plays a mix of grunge, folk, jam and garage rock influenced by the Smashing Pumpkins, Kevn Kinney, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam and Social Distortion. - Trisha Klein
• 40 Watt: Cortez Garcia, Gimme Hendrix, Joshua Fletcher & the Six-Shot Romance, Nautilus, Olympus Mans, The Suex Effect.
• Flicker: Feather Sheds Bird, Grey, The Sane.
• Go Bar: Encampments Are Bummers, The Flowers of Evil, Plum Tuckered, Tunabunny.
• Tasty World: Jamie McLean, Rhythm Token.
• Washington Street Tavern: Open Jazz Jam.
Once again, Widespread Panic will be closing out The Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival, headlining the main stage on Sunday, June 15. The only other local act I could see performing at Bonnaroo this year was the Drive-By Truckers.
