Unsane fit so perfectly as an opening act before the legendary and influential Melvins; so perfectly, in fact, that though Unsane drummer Vinnie Signorelli was in the hospital, according to singer Chris Spencer, Melvins drummers took turns sitting in with Unsane. Bassist Pete Shore completes the trio, but the power packed into the band’s set defies watching just three men create it. They opened with Wreck album opener, “Rat” and closed with Wreck album closer, “Ha Ha Ha,” which recalls all things noise in both its ability to fine-tune aggression and beat fans over the head with blunt trauma. Any fans waiting for The Melvins who hadn’t been previously aware of Unsane went home with a new favorite band. The energy grew by the third song in the set, “Against the Grain,” and fist pumped maniacally as the room swelled with more and more bodies edging ever closer to the stage.

After drummers Dale Crover and Coady Willis wiped the sweat from their brows, they took a few minutes to compose themselves before starting again with Buzz leading the dark ship that remains The Melvins. The uniformity struck as weird and fitting; this blend of bass-heavy punk fronted by a man with more hair than head has been known for its idiosyncrasy. Through several line-up changes Buzz Osborne leads the pack, and watching him on stage just solidified my respect for this band. He grooved in such a trancelike state that both dancing and flowing describe his affect. From songs like “Dog Island” through the Wipers cover “Youth of America” and “War on Wisdom” to “National Hamster” off the latest Scion release The Bulls & The Bees EP, they rocked loudly and just abrasively enough to leave a lasting impression. The Loft seemed a small venue for such an influential act, but the fans loved every second.

By Michael Koenig (http://vacantmoon.viewbook.com/)

Full gallery after the jump.

By David Courtright; photos by Matthew Smith

One always wonders how a singer’s artistic personality will translate in a live, or in-person setting. Does melancholic music equal depressive live show? In truth, sometimes it does. In Brooklyn’s Sharon Van Etten’s case, it was quite the opposite.

While her music can easily be called “introspective,” the singer seems far from that persona. She was engaging of the crowd, chatting casually as she tuned her guitar, scolding that obnoxious drunk in the front row who everyone kept shushing. There was an extended conversation about John Travolta. She even took requests.

Her opener was Flock of Dimes, a.k.a. Jenn Wasner (of Wye Oak), who was a contributor on Van Etten’s most recent release, the superb Tramp. Wasner’s vocals have always been impressive, and with the EARL’s excellent attention to detail in mixing, she sounded amazing with her band. (also of note: Flock of Dimes’s must-buy tour tee shirt simply says “F*** Haters” in all caps.)

Van Etten mostly played new songs, though she did delve back into her catalogue as the show went on. “Peace Sign,” a favorite from Epic, was a real crowd pleaser. She was backed by a guitar/bass player, another female vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and drummer. One would expect her set to be reserved, hushed. On the contrary, it was loud. You could tell she likes it loud. She commands her songs with a measure of clarity and precision, while inhabiting them with grace and poise. She reaches for the high notes and her eyes roll back in her head.

Highlights from the new album were “Serpents,” which seems to crank slowly into a frenzy, like an air-raid siren; “Give Out,” which she introduced as a song about moving to a new city and allowing one’s self to love after “getting the s*** kicked out of you;” and “In Line,” a “Neil Young tribute for my father.”

For an encore, she closed with the song that put her on the map in the first place, the exquisite “Love More,” which she prefaced as “the most personal song I’ve ever written and played for anyone else.” A truly splendid evening with a gorgeously talented musician.

Flock of Dimes:

Sharon Van Etten:

Friday, April 27 – Over the Rhine at Eddie’s Attic

We hope you got your tickets to see the poetic Ohio duo that make our hearts sing as beautifully as their own Karin does. Because this show is totally sold out!

SOLD OUT!

Friday, April 27 – Jesco White at Smith’s Olde Bar

The Dancing Outlaw known as Jesco White will be kicking up a country storm at Smith’s Olde Bar on Friday night.

Friday, April 27 – Bear in Heaven at The EARL

I Love You, It’s Cool is making serious waves in the blogosphere – and even in ye olde paper presses too. Bear in Heaven’s Atlanta show is looking pretty packed, so buy your tickets now!

Saturday, April 28 – Dreams So Real at Smith’s Olde Bar

Old school Georgia indie music fans will be giddy beyond belief this weekend, when Athens’ college rock legends Dreams So Real play Smith’s Olde Bar.

Saturday, April 28 – Franz Nicolay at The Drunken Unicorn

The Hold Steady’s lovely Franz is coming back to Atlanta for a cozy show at The Drunken Unicorn.

Saturday, April 28 – The Beach Boys at Chastain Park Amphitheatre

It’s really happening! The legends that are The Beach Boys bring all those incredible summer songs back to the stage for their 50th Anniversary Tour on Saturday.

Sunday, April 29 – Dick Dale at The EARL

Another rock ‘n’ roll legend, the guitarist’s guitarist, Dick Dale plays a special non-smoking (hurrah!) show at The EARL on Sunday. What a perfect way to round off your weekend.

Sunday, April 29 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

In other legends-coming-to-Atlanta news, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the most American band ever helps kick off the outdoor concert series on Sunday night.

On Sales:

Corey Smith’s Red Clay Jamboree at Coolray Field, July 14 – on sale Friday, April 27

Maxwell at Philips Arena, July 27 – on sale Saturday, April 28

IDENTITY FESTIVAL 2012 at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, August 2 – on sale Friday, April 27

Honda Civic Tour presents Linkin Park and Incubus at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, August 19 – on sale Saturday, April 28

Phish at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, August 28 – on sale Friday, April 27

Music Midtown 2012 at Piedmont Park, September 21 and 22 – on sale Saturday, April 28

By Michael Koenig (http://vacantmoon.viewbook.com)

Full gallery after the jump.

By Ken Lackner (www.kenlacknerphotography.com)

Full gallery after the jump.

By Justin Lyons

Music Midtown made a welcome return last fall in a new format, but 2012′s edition certainly made more of a splash with a star-filled line-up announcement.  While many festivals use social media and creative campaigns to get their line-ups out, Music Midtown used an old fashioned technique: a press conference.  A few names leaked recently, Live Nation’s Peter Conlon saved most of the artist surprises for himself.

Taking place on September 21 and 22 in Piedmont Park, 2012′s line-up boasts big name headliners Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam.  Conlon calmly called those two bands his “wish list” acts and was happy to report they would front a more diverse line-up.  He thanked the City of Atlanta, with councilmen Alex Wan and Kwanza Hall present, and called out last year’s 38,000 attendance figure as the reason promoters expanded to two days.

Organizers avoided the typical, drawn out festival announcement process by offering up the full schedule with set times.  The 2012 lineup features the following artists on Friday: Foo Fighters, Van Hunt, T.I., Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, The Avett Brothers and Saturday includes: Pearl Jam, Ludacris, Girl Talk, Florence and The Machine, Civil Twilight, LP and O’Brother.  Three more Saturday acts will be announced before the festival commences.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m. at www.musicmidtown.com.  Early Bird general admission tickets are $55 for a one-day pass or $100 for a two-day pass + $1 for Centers for Hope and any applicable fees.  VIP packages are also available.

What are your thoughts on Music Midtown 2012?

By Hillery Terenzi

Full gallery after the jump.

By Hillery Terenzi

Full gallery after the jump.

Lazer/Wulf

By Stephanie Roman (www.stephanieroman.com)

In my research prior to hearing Lazer/Wulf for the first time, I read a bio that described the band as “an evil funk group with thrash roots, or an aggro jazz trio with sludge issues,” cringed a bit, and edged the volume down on my speakers.

In short, I was totally unprepared to experience something beautiful.

Lazer/Wulf formed in Athens and later moved to Atlanta after the departure of their vocalist, who left the band due to a vocal cord injury. The remaining three members explore symphonic metal with their latest EP, There Was A Hole Here, It’s Gone Now.

While the four tracks could stand alone, they definitely work best when presented in the complete 12-minute session. Drawing from prog rock and classical influences, the gathering storm that becomes the frenzied symphony, “We Will Meet Again,” is the perfect introduction to the talent that Lazer/Wulf has to offer. Distorted vocals, glittering electronic notes, and call-and-answer interplay between drums, bass, and guitar work together to define the dark territory ahead. Thrashing guitars make way for a creepy little Tim Burton break in “From the Second Floor.” A bonus track called “It’s Gone Now” is available only on the cassette and vinyl formats. If the band followed a more traditional style, they could reach the commercial acclaim of early Muse gems like “Stockholm Syndrome.” But Lazer/Wulf defies definition and follows their own muse for now.

Lazer/Wulf’s EP, There Was A Hole, will be available April 24 in vinyl, cassette and downloadable formats from www.lazerwulf.com

By Michael Koenig (http://vacantmoon.viewbook.com/)

Full gallery after the jump.