If I Were In England Right Now… Atlanta Music In England This Weekend

By Eileen Tilson

Cheerio, Old Chap! Since this is a semi-slow music weekend here in Atlanta, I decided to take a pretend plane ride over to England to partake in festivities that are happening across the pond. Luckily for us, the Georgia music scene is being very well represented in the U.K.!

TONIGHT:

-Georgia’s own, Zac Brown Band, has been busy in England with touring with the Kings of Leon, and tonight will be headlining the O2′s  Shepherd’s Bush Empire with Kassidy.

-And of course the world famous Glastonbury Music Festival is happening this weekend, including headlining acts from first time festivalites U2, Coldplay, Morrissey, Elbow, Beyonce, and surprise secret show from England’s most famous act, Radiohead.

SATURDAY:

-Atlanta is getting lots of love overseas with Big Boi, Cee Lo Green, and Janelle Monae on the Glastonbury West Holts Stage

-For a complete line-up and coverage make sure and check out Glastonbury’s Homepage : www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Georgia Theatre Reopens with Shows by Big Boi, Drive-By Truckers, Gillian Welch and More

We’re so excited to see that Athens’ legendary Georgia Theatre will be reopening its doors on August 1, almost two years after the building was almost destroyed by fire. The historic venue will be celebrating with two weeks of shows, featuring local heroes, touring favorites and more. Check out the lineup below. Tickets go on sale Monday, June 6 at 10 a.m. at the venue’s website, www.georgiatheatre.com.

Big Boi Gives Daughter Her Own Record Label For Sweet 16

This could be an episode of MTV’s My Super Sweet Sixteen, but in reality, Grammy–winning ATLien Big Boi will solidify his legacy to musical history by passing the torch on to his teen daughter with a star-studded launch of a newly developed record label, Purple Ribbon Kidz. Scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at a private location, Big Boi and his teen daughter Jordan Patton, will welcome a host of celebrity kids from all walks of fame for food, fun and of music during this “BIG” celebration.

Big hopes to be an active part of keeping the Outkast legacy alive by passing the torch to his 16-year-old daughter, gifting her with her own record label, complete with a superstar flagship artist, 13-year-old YouTube sensation Gabbie Rae. Partygoers will no doubt appreciate the fact that the entire launch will be hosted by kids, including a child prodigy deejay and the event’s host, child star Adrian Kali Turner. Big Boi’s Atlanta-based charity Big Kidz Foundation is known for raising money for the benefit of artistic expression in youth and encouraging them to recognize their art can create wealth. The foundation is dedicated to empowering youth and developing entrepreneurship skills in young people.

AMG Weekend Picks: Big Boi, HOToberFest, Deerhunter and More!

Oh hurrah for fall! Hurrah for fall weather! Hurrah for the start of fall beer festival! There are so many things to celebrate this weekend – and the start of October is just one of those things. We’ve got some great local stars playing packed homecoming gigs, metal legends, food and beer festivals, and of course your round-up of on-sales. … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs: Vonnegutt, Big Boi, Beach House, Eels, Goat Farm

- Local rap-rockers (it’s not as bad as it sounds, really) Vonnegutt are planning on re-releasing their EP, The Appetizer, again on Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon label, but this time with Manchester Orchestra’s Favorite Gentlemen label on board too. The lads have been making themselves known recently, with their “Follow Us” collaboration for Big Boi’s recent release, and even performed the single on “Late Show with David Letterman” last night. Check out the video over on Idolator. You can also download single “Bright Eyes”.

- Beach House are coming back to Georgia, but won’t be playing Atlanta. They will be stopping off at the 40 Watt in Athens instead, on October 16. Tickets go on sale August 27 at 10 a.m.

- Spinner is streaming the new Eels album Tomorrow Morning right now.

- Sounds like the Nameless Festival went down a treat last weekend at Goat Farm. Ohmpark has videos of All The Saints, Balkans and Abby Go Go all performing at the too-cool-for-school “venue.”

Bits & Bobs: The Ting Tings, Big Boi, John Legend, The Roots, Free Energy

- The Ting Tings have put up a new song, “Hands,” on their Facebook page for all their fans to listen to (you must “like” the band first in order to be able to listen). It’s a bit more moody than their debut, but still oozes fun, just in a more ’80s, Duran Duran kinda way. We like it.

- We’re happy to hear that Big Boi will be playing three shows in Atlanta in the next couple of month: supporting STS9 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on August 28, Opera on September 4 and the Tabernacle on September 28. Creative Loafing‘s Crib Notes has the scoop.

- The world is in a bit of a rough place right now. Luckily we have folks like The Roots, John Legend, Common and Melanie Fiona to tell us things might be alright. Legend is about to release his collaborative record, Wake Up, with the Roots on September 21, and we’re given a little taste of it with the title track, a cover of Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes’s 1975 hit “Wake Up Everybody.” These fellas have good heads on their shoulders – nice to see someone does. Check out the video over on Idolator.

- Finally, Free Energy is offering up a free download of the Fool’s Gold remix of “Bang Pop” on Stereogum. For those interested, Free Energy is playing The EARL with Titus Andronicus on September 20.

Bits and Bobs: Gogol Bordello, Mumford & Sons, Andre 3000, Noot D’Noot, David Cross, Johnny Marr

- The Buckhead Theatre just announced two more great shows for the fall. Gypsy punks Gogol Bordello play on October 7 (on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.) and England’s favorite folk rockers at the moment Mumford & Sons play November 7 (on sale Friday at 10 a.m.)

- Famed music photographer Michael Schmelling is releasing a new book called Atlanta in November. It’ll capture the Atlanta hip-hop scene and will feature established folks like Outkast as well as up-and-comers. The book will also have a collection of interviews with the likes of Andre 3000, Big Boi, Gucci Mane, Ludacris and more.

- If you haven’t had a chance to buy your copy of the recently-released sophomore album from Noot D’Noot, then head on over to Ohmpark and have a listen to From Ever Since, and then buy it.

- Local-lad-done-good David Cross has wrapped up a new series for IFC called “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret,” which also stars his “Arrested Development” co-star Will Arnett. The show basically does what it says on the tin; the lead character, Todd Margaret (played by Cross), meanders through life making bad choices. Hilarity (and much cringing) ensues. Zap2it has some good quotage from David Cross. You can check out more clips on the IFC website, including the theme tune, “Life is Sweet” by Johnny Marr. The show starts October 1.

Bits and Bobs: Rosanne Cash, Band of Horses, Scissor Sisters, R.E.M., Big Boi

- Rosanne Cash, country star and daughter of the legend that is Johnny Cash, will be signing her book, Composed, at Agnes Scott College’s Presser Hall on August 14. The event is presented by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival (AJC DBF) and Yuengling Beer and is hosted by Agnes Scott and A Cappella Books, and will include a performance by Cash herself. … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs: Arcade Fire, Limelight, Colour Revolt and More

- Arcade Fire will make a sure-to-be-watched-by-millions-of-hipsters everywhere (ourselves included) appearance on “The Daily Show” on August 12, just a few days after their album is released.

- Famed Atlanta nightclub Limelight will be making a comeback (sort of) for one night only at the Buckhead Theatre. Atlanta INtown has some reminisces and details. And if you really want a giggle, watch the videos (unable to embed, unfortunately) of buff men, skinny ladies and bad dancing.

- For all you Twihards out there, in honor of the latest bloody (which we mean in more ways than one) film, Rolling Stone has put up a gallery of skillfully photo-shopped rock ‘n’ roll vampires. While we do take issue with their use of the word “rockers” (erm, Miley Cyrus?), it’s still a good bit of fun.

- Big Boi throws his “Art of Life/Canvas for Kidz” benefit July 17, which will feature one-of-a-kind, original art work from some of our favorite people (Martha Stewart, Janelle Monae, George Clinton) up for auction. There’s other fancy stuff up for grabs as well as some great food, all in aid of Big Kidz Foundation. Atlanta INtown has more information.

- Paste Magazine reports on Colour Revolt‘s new album (The Cradle, our August 10) and gives away one of its songs for free. The band will also be playing The EARL on August 20.

Bits and Bobs: Big Boi, The Fat Boy Chronicles, Gary Numan, Dragonette, MIA

- Big Boi has the whole of his upcoming record, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (out July 6) streaming on his MySpace.

- The Fat Boy Chronicles has its Atlanta premiere tonight at The Plaza Theatre. The movie is sold out, but there will be a few tickets available for the after show concert at Vinyl, featuring bands from the soundtrack – including All Get Out, Weapons of Audio and Club Awesome.

- The Electro Godfather (the ElectroFather?) Gary Numan will be playing the entirety of his seminal 1979 album The Pleasure Principle at The Masquerade on October 18. Tickets go on sale July 2.

- Fabulous, stylin’ and cool band Dragonette has their song “Pick Up The Phone” as the iTunes Single Of The Week. The band plays Drunken Unicorn August 16 (tickets).

- M.I.A. drops the kick-ass rough ‘n’ ready “Teqkilla” today, as well as a nice handful of remixes of “XXXO” – they’re all up to listen to on her MySpace page.

Collective Efforts and Vonnegutt at Smith’s Olde Bar – June 18

Atlanta hip hop crew Collective Efforts aren’t about the bling or the thug life. But if you’ve lived in Atlanta in the past decade you’d know that. Influenced by golden-era hip-hop, funk, 70′s soul, rock and every day life - Collective Efforts have been releasing records independently and performing live all while staying true to their style and avoiding the hip-hop clichés and prison (T.I. and Lil’ Wayne, if you’re reading this – take notes).

Originally three MCs and a DJ, Collective Efforts have since evolved into an even bigger collective. Now with a full backing band (think The Roots), the music and live show have turned into something completely new, all while keeping that Collective Efforts charm, of course.

Catch Collective Efforts live this weekend – they’ll be performing with up-and-coming act Vonnegutt (who make a nice little cameo in Big Boi’s new video) at Smith’s Olde Bar on Friday, June 18.

Picture Book: Big Boi, Yelawolf, Jay Electronica for KIN at YAARAB Shrine Temple, May 27

By Jason Travis

Big Boi’s New “Shutterbug” Video: Mad, Crazy, Cool

We like to see Big Boi embracing his inner bizarre. And though this latest gem from the Outkast star doesn’t quite reach Janelle Monae or Andre 3000 weirdness, “Shutterbug” and its accompanying video is comfortably odd – and there’s a nice Dungeon Family shout out too.

Janelle Monae’s The ArchAndroid Comes Out Today!

Atlanta’s own fabulous star-in-the-making Janelle Monae is releasing her first full-length album today, on her own Wondaland Arts Society label in conjunction with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy records. The ArchAndroid is already making its way up the iTunes charts – right now it’s at number 11 on the Top Albums chart – so make sure you do your part and buy this amazing piece of art. There will be references to future worlds, poetic social commentary, sharp sounds mixing every genre from Stax soul to Studio 54 disco to mountain bluegrass to sweet Tin Pan Alley, and so much more than you could every dream of.

Yeah, the girl has style so killer it could defeat a Roman army, but her music and message goes so much deeper that we can understand why she rarely wants to talk about her clothes (though she did grace the pages of Vogue in April with a few words on couture and where she gets those wicked shoes).

Live Review & Picture Book: Janelle Monáe and The 54 @ Smith’s Olde Bar, April 6

Review & photos by Micah McLain

Janelle Monáe and the rest of the Wondaland Arts Society took over Smith’s Olde Bar this week in order to preview both halves of her soon-to-be-released album, The Archandroid. As soon as you stepped into the upstairs room at Smith’s for the second half preview on Tuesday night, you could tell that this was not going to be your average small-venue show. Attendees of the sold out event were greeted by a life-size standee of Monae holding a sign informing them that no one would be allowed to enter the room once the performance began (not even the President of the United States or the Queen of England). Local alternative rock four-piece The 54 was a worthy precursor to what was to come, blasting through an intense and hard-rocking opening set of tunes from their upcoming album. … Continue Reading