AMG Weekend Picks: Tim Minchin, Steve Earle, Kool & the Gang and More!

Folks, we know it’s unbearably hot outside. So we’ve got a list of awesome shows that are (almost all) guaranteed to help you keep your cool. Or they will at least have you enjoying yourself so much that you’ll forget that you’ve just sweated out your weight in water. And, to remind you that cooler times are just around a very-large-hot-and-humid corner, there are some great gigs going on sale for the fall and even the winter. … Continue Reading

Picture Book: of Montreal at Buckhead Theatre, May 20

By Ken Lackner

Full gallery after the jump

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AMG Weekend Picks: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Flaming Lips, of Montreal, Gruff Rhys and More!

This weekend is going to be epic, y’all. Not only is it the first Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, but there are some very beautiful glittery shows (Flaming Lips, of Montreal), and we also hear there will be bands playing all weekend at the Oakland Cemetery too! You’re spoiled for choice. … Continue Reading

Bits and Bobs, Awesome New Shows Edition: O.M.D., Of Montreal, Kylie Minogue and More!

- Get your Duckie shoes out, put on your homemade pink prom dress and prepare to dance to some retro electro sounds because ’80s synth masters O.M.D. are coming to The Loft on March 14.

- British Sea Power like to change from angular rock to sweeping gestures, but no matter what you’re going to get that northern British epicness that Wuthering Heights can deliver. We’re giddy at the prospect of them playing The EARL on April 17.

- You’ll be getting a full dose of Georgian weirdness when Of Montreal take over Buckhead Theatre with animals and glitter (we’re hoping) on May 20. Save on those fees by getting your tickets through Ticket Alternative when they go on sale tomorrow, January 15 at 10 a.m. – but hurry! There’s only a limited amount and they’ll go fast.

- If you want to catch a punk legend in a cozy atmosphere, then be sure to see Stooges bassist Mike Watt lead the missingmen into The EARL on March 25.

- Every time the play, the buzz around The Pains of Being Pure at Heart grows, so be sure to buy your tickets for their show at The EARL on April 5 now.

- And finally, wrapping up our kick-ass show announcements, Australian pop princess  Kylie Minogue will FINALLY be gracing Atlanta with her petite presence on May 6 at the Fox Theatre. Although the presales have already started, general sales start January 22.

Weekend Picks: Sovus Radio, Lauryn Hill, Ruby Velle Trio and More!

Brrrr! Looks like we might finally be coming out of this insane cold snap/winter storm tomorrow, which means we’ll all want to be out in full force to be rocking and rolling to the limit. There are some killer shows being served up for you this weekend, and the on sales tell us we also have a lot to look forward to in the spring. … Continue Reading

Picture Book: of Montreal, Janelle Monae at Variety Playhouse, November 7

By Matthew Smith (www.shadowboxerphoto.com)

Full gallery after the jump…

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CD Review: of Montreal — False Priest; Playing Variety Playhouse with Janelle Monae, November 6 & 7

of Montreal
False Priest
Polyvinyl Records

By Scott Roberts

On their 10th full-length release False Priest, goofy, but often brilliant, Athens-based band of Montreal and their musical guru Kevin Barnes have temporarily set aside a generous portion of their obvious love of ’60s psychedelia to make way for their inner Prince and Bowie. So, how you felt about the bulk of their previous work, and how you feel about the funkier side of the aforementioned pop icons, will significantly determine how you much you enjoy their new CD. … Continue Reading

Bits & Bobs: Jasmine Guy, Sufjan Stevens, Joaquin Phoenix, of Montreal, Sex Pistols

- The fabulous Jasmine Guy is joining Atlanta’s True Colors Theatre Company full time, as an actress and director for the upcoming season. Tickets for True Colors shows are on sale at the link below.

- Soft-voiced Sufjan Stevens will be making many a cool kid giddy at his show at The Tabernacle on November 16.

- The trailer for the Joaquin Phoenix documentary I’m Still Here is out, and it’s nothing if not bewildering and a little worrying. Check it out at Gawker and join the thousands of others in scratching your head and wondering if he’s for real or not.

- Of Montreal have released a video for “Coquet Coquette,” and of course it’s mad. Completely mad. Basically a bunch of savages on a desert island killing each other. Check it out on Consequence of Sound.

- And finally, the Sex Pistols have officially turned into KISS. The “punk” group now have their own perfume. The bottle says of its scent, “Is this the scent of Anarchy? Certainly, there’s a revolution in this bottle.” Oh dear. Stereogum has the rest  of the awful “description” and a picture of the bottle and box.

Bits and Bobs: Emmy Noms, Strange Boys, Gentleman Jesse, Lady Gaga, Robbie Williams and More!

- The Emmy nominations came in this morning, and it’s a pretty darn impressive list. Bits we’re most excited about? Neil Patrick Harris (two noms!), “Modern Family,” “Return To Cranford” (we’re obviously Britcentric here), Kristen Wiig, John Hamm AND Will Arnett for “30 Rock” guest spots, Alan Cumming, Betty White (SNL), Elaine Stritch (“30 Rock”), Lily Tomlin (“Damages”) and, last but not least, our beloved Coco! Also looks like “Glee” swamped the nominations, which is also pretty rad. Read the full list of nominations on Gawker.

- Robbie Williams is releasing an epic two-disc retrospective spanning two decades of pretty fab pop songs. It’s called In and Out of Consciousness – The Greatest Hits 1990 – 2010, is being released on October 12 and will feature a song written and sung with Take That’s Gary Barlow. Yes, I’m pretty giddy about this. You can watch the video for the album trailer HERE.

- Atlanta’s own rock ‘n’ roll star (well, we think he’s a star) Gentleman Jesse and his Men will be joining kick-ass Austin garage rockers Strange Boys and cool chicks Those Darlins on a short ‘n’ sweet tour this September. The crew will all be stopping in Atlanta for two gigs on September 9 and 10 at The EARL. More information is over on Paste Magazine.

- Speaking of Georgia stars, Janelle Monae and Of Montreal will be touring together on a tour of mammoth proportions, which will “transform the venues each night, so it becomes this exceptional experience for everyone,” Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes told Pitchfork last month. This we have heard about. This has gotten us all excited. But then there was the news of the actual dates and the let down – no Atlanta date to be seen. So far. We hope this will change. Creative Loafing kvetches along with us, and Pitchfork has some good quotes.

- And finally, Idolator has some stellar pictures of the stellar Lady Gaga performing in New York’s Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. The Couture Crazy will also be performing on “The Today Show” tomorrow, Friday, July 9.

Bits & Bobs: Cee-Lo Green, Steel Train, Elijah Wood, Spiderman and More!

- Ohmpark has treated us all to a lovely summer mixtape, with some Here We Go Magic, Of Montreal, Beach House and more.

- We’ve been hearing a lot about the Cee-Lo Green cover of Band of Horses‘ “No One’s Gonna Love You,” but seeing as the video is supposedly very NSFW (nudity!), we’ve been too scared to take a peep. If you’re at home – or work somewhere pretty liberal – check it out for yourself on Pretty Much Amazing.

- Steel Train did a Daytrotter session a couple of days ago. The band plays Drunken Unicorn on July 13.

- The shock announcement in the movie world is that pretty-much-unknown (even in the U.K. by the looks of things – he’s been in a couple of “Doctor Who”s and The Other Boleyn Girl but that’s about it) British actor Andrew Garfield will be the new Spiderman.

- Elijah Wood has been gathering tracks from the likes of Sonic Youth, The Kills, Sleigh Bells and Stardeath & White Dwarfs for his benefit album Elysium: A Benefit For The Art Of Elysium. The Art Of Elysium is an charity that brings actors and musicians into hospitals to work with sick children.  It’s available on iTunes now.

Bits and Bobs: Harry Potter, Andre 3000 Covering The Beatles, New Of Montreal

- The latest trailer for the new Harry Potter film is now up. Though the last book (number seven, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) will be split into two films, this trailer is for both films. And it looks epic. Check out the trailer below.

- We now have a full-length version of Andre 3000 covering The Beatles’ “All Together Now,” which first appeared in a Nike/NBA commercial. It’s over on Idolator now.

- Of Montreal will release their 10th album on September 14. False Priest will feature collaborations from the likes of Janelle Monae and Solange Knowles. You can download the first single “Coquet Coquette” on the band’s website.

Win Tickets to Converse Band of Ballers Atlanta – with The Black Lips, Of Montreal, Jermaine Dupri and More!

So Monday we brought you The Black Lips’ video that introduced the basketball tournament. Today we bring you the details – with the full, crazy lineup – and a chance to win tickets to the game from us. Email us at win@ticketalternative.com with the word “CONVERSE” in the title, and we’ll be picking winners on Friday.

Converse Band of Ballers Atlanta

May 1, 2010, Atlanta, GA -  3 on 3 / Bracket style / Half-court / Play to 10 / Win by 2
Participating Teams:

• Jim Jones & The Jones Family (Harlem, NY)
  • ˜˜˜Reigning champs of Band of Ballers NYC 2009  ˜˜˜
  • Featuring Shammgod Wells (formerly of the Washington Wizards)

• The Black Lips (Atlanta, GA)

• Bad News (Brooklyn, NY)
  • Featuring Jay Electronica, Sean Price, and Donnis

• Of Montreal (Athens, GA)

• Southern Hospitality (Atlanta, GA)
  • Featuring Shawty Lo, OJ Da Juiceman and Pill

• Steel Train (NJ)

• Jermaine Dupri and the So So Def Family (Atlanta, GA)

• Track the conversation of Converse Band Of Ballers  On Twitter- #BandOfBallers

Jim Jones & Shammgod Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSpTWT8RsU
Sean Price, Jay Electronica, And Donnis Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvEXO76sIBE
Steel Train Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luKdGqNBYks
Southern Hospitality Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU-ezoCHqOM
Of Montreal Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoKzJ4BC47g
Black Lips Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0yjtLQIC4E
2009 Band Of Ballers Recap Video: http://play.converse.com/play/show/?tag=bandofballers

Rules:

• • No actual hard tickets, winners names place on guest-list
  • Ticket guarantees entry to Converse Band of Ballers tournament +1 only.
  • All ages welcome.
  • All winners must prevent proof of identification at entry.
  • NO travel, transport, per diems, shoes, clothes, meet & greets, etc included for winner, ONLY entry +1.
  • ALL winners’ full legal names and emails must be submitted