All posts by Katherine Amy Vega

Manager & Concert Photographer of Burning Hot Events Photographer, Web Designer & Developer, Video Producer, Graphic Designer, Entrepreneur, Freelancer, concert-junkie, musician, dancer, #1 fan of LOTR & the Spice Girls, cat-lover, & moar!

DRMAGDN Cyborg Drummer/DJ releases captivating The Beatles remix “Something” ft. The Voice singer Michelle Ray

New York, NY — Today, DRMAGDN announces the release of his official remix track “Something” – out now on YouTubeSpotifyApple Music, Amazon Music and all streaming services.

The DRMAGDN “Something” Beatles Remix (on BMG) is a heartfelt re-imagination of The Beatles classic #1 hit song from their iconic Abbey Road record. DRMAGDN takes the original track and adds lush orchestration along with intense & breathtaking drums while updating the underlying production to a modern EDM pop style similar to DJs like KygoAlan Walker or Marshmello.

DRMAGDN says, ‘Something’ by The Beatles is my favorite Beatles tune of all time. So I jumped at the chance to do a modern remix of the song when BMG acquired George Harrison’s catalog. These musical shoes are the literally biggest in the world to fill, so I had to completely pull out all the stops on this Beatles tribute including nods to the artwork and a truly epic music video.” 

DRMAGDN not only recreated the legendary Abbey Road album cover in NYC for the artwork for his remix, but he also traveled to all the New York spots The Beatles visited on their first trip to the US launching Beatlemania (JFK Airport, Carnegie Hall & The Ed Sullivan Theater) for his music video.

DRMAGDN’s eighth single “Something” Remix is a deeply layered arrangement and cinematic take on the classic hit. The single features Michelle Ray from Team Blake on Season 4 of The Voice on vocals, Dave Eggar on strings (Grammy Award winning track “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, The Who, Bon Jovi, Fall Out Boy), Daniel Flam on horns (Grammy Award winning work with Kanye West & Rihanna’s “All Of The Lights,” Jay-Z, Lil Nas X, John Legend), Oscar Albis-Rodriguez on guitar/bass (A Great Big World, Sarah McLachlan, YouTube Audio Library) and vinyl mastering by Andy Vandette (David Bowie, U2, The Prodigy, Cirque Du Soleil, Aerosmith, Rush).

DRMAGDN drops his new “Something” Remix track following up his massive sports anthem “Get Tough” that landed him on a live radio interview on The NFL Channel on Sirius/XM Radio. Previous DRMAGDN tracks include Folkronica EDM single “Not Alone” with Jeremy O’Shea from Velvet Revolver along with members of American Authors, Rob Thomas & Capital Cities (featured in American Songwriter Magazine) and his big festival Big Room EDM track called “Say Less Be More” featuring Allé Guercio from American Idol & The Voice (as both seen together in The New York Times).

As with all of DRMAGDN’s track launches, he made a $250 philanthropic contribution to charities that speak to the heart of the song. For “Something” he donated to The Carnegie Hall Foundation for consideration for the educational clips in his music video plus George Harrison’s own charity The Material World Foundation that supports social, artistic and cultural change worldwide.

About DRMAGDN

DRMAGDN is a persona of Charlie Zeleny, who lives in the West Village in New York City and is a Drummer / DJ, Live Electronic Music Performer, Producer & Music Director. He has played The Winter Olympics, Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Metlife Stadium, Bamboozle Fest, MTV’s TRL, AOL Sessions, The View, The Today Show & Royal Albert Hall. He has toured 31 Countries, 43 US States and can be heard on 250+ records. DRMAGDN has been seen on Times Square Billboards and on the side of NYC Buildings and his tracks have hit #1 on the SubmitHub charts. He is in the Sick Drummer Hall of Fame, on Blender Magazine’s “Best Drummers of All Time List” and AllMusic says that “Drummer Charlie Z / DRMAGDN must be heard to even be believed.”

DRMAGDN writes, records and produces all his own tracks & remixes. DRMAGDN currently 3M+ total views on his YouTube channels, 1M+ total plays on Spotify with 25k+ monthly listeners, 3M+ views and 350k+ followers on Instagram, 2M+ plays on SoundCloud & 12M+ total views on his own & all influencer’s profiles on TikTok (200k+ followers) where his livestreams hit 100k+ viewers per stream.

DRMAGDN’s grand total is now over 21M+ total plays/views and 700K+ verified followers across all social media platforms.

DRMAGN Tour Dates 2023
DRMAGN Tour Dates 2023

International Superstars Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin & Pitbull Join Forces for the Trilogy Tour

Multigenerational global powerhouses Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull who are known for their incredible blends and versatility of musical genres, have announced that they are joining forces with a one-of-a-kind arena run across North America this fall. For the first time ever, they will share the stage for The Trilogy Tour featuring three unique headlining sets from each artist.  

“It’s a true honor to tour with Enrique and Ricky, 2 music icons, who broke global music barriers for our culture and open doors for someone like myself,” said Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull). “We’re excited to take The Trilogy tour around the world and give our fans the time of their Trilogy lives, Dale! 

Enrique Iglesias expressed his enthusiasm, saying. “I am incredibly excited to be going on tour with my friends Pitbull and Ricky.  The Trilogy Tour will be an amazing experience for ALL of our fans. It’s going to be a once in a lifetime tour.” 

Ricky Martin added, “Going back on the road with not only Enrique, but now with Pitbull it’s very exciting. This tour will be a wild party from beginning to end so get ready, it’s going to be epic!” 

Produced by Live Nation, the 19-city tour kicks off on October 14 at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena and makes stops across North America in Toronto, Boston, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena on December 10. Fans can expect an unforgettable night of music as the megastars deliver an electrifying mix of their biggest career-spanning hits with influences of reggaeton, salsa pop, dance, and electronic music, backed by  world-class production and state-of-the-art visuals. 

TICKETS: Tickets for this run of shows will be in high demand, therefore Verified Fan will be fans’ best shot at tickets. Fans can register now through Sunday, June 4 at 11:59pm ET for the Verified Fan presale HERE. Fans who are selected to receive an access code will be able to participate in the Verified Fan presale starting Wednesday, June 7. More information on Verified Fan can be found HERE. A limited number of tickets will be sold during a general on sale starting Friday, June 9 at 10am local time at Ticketmaster.com while supplies last.  

VIP:  The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include an invitation to the pre-show VIP lounge, exclusive VIP tour poster, specially designed VIP gift item and more. For more information, visit vipnation.com

The Trilogy Tour Dates

  • Sat Oct 14 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
  • Tue Oct 17 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
  • Fri Oct 20 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
  • Sat Oct 21 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
  • Thu Oct 26 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
  • Sat Oct 28 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
  • Wed Nov 01 – Chicago, IL – United Center
  • Fri Nov 03 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
  • Thu Nov 09 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
  • Fri Nov 10 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
  • Fri Nov 17 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
  • Sat Nov 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
  • Sun Nov 19 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
  • Fri Nov 24 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
  • Sat Nov 25 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
  • Thu Nov 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
  • Wed Dec 06 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
  • Fri Dec 08 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
  • Sun Dec 10 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

Black Veil Brides & Ville Valo Co-Headline Fall Tour of U.S. & Canada

This fall, the classic season for dark and romantic music, BLACK VEIL BRIDES and VV (VILLE VALO) will co-headline a massive tour in select cities across North America. Presented by Hot Topic, the BVB & VV 2023 tour (featuring special guests DARK DIVINE) combines three unique bands who champion the heavy-hearted, hopeless, and broken with mixtures of high intensity and melody.

Produced by Live Nation, tickets to the tour will be available starting Tuesday, May 30 at 12 pm ET via presales with additional presales running throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, June 2 at 10 am local time on LiveNation.com. For more information on the presales visit BlackVeilBrides.net.

“We cannot wait to join forces with Ville Valo and give both of our audiences in North America an unforgettable experience each night,” says Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack. “This run has been in the works for quite a while. We couldn’t be happier now that we can finally share the news. Ville is an icon. We have all been fans of his not only for his work in the hugely influential band HIM but as a torchbearer for an entire generation of rock fans and musicians.”

There’s something tinnitus-inducingly romantic about the idea of being sandwiched nightly between Black Veil Brides and Dark Divine on this autumnal trek across North America,” muses Valo. “And imagining us explore the architecture of doom and gloom from three distinctly different musical perspectives has already made the bats in my belfry suitably ravenous.” 

Andy adds, “This tour is a dream come true and will be something special. Dark Divine is new to the scene but garnering a lot of attention quickly and rightfully so. They are hands down one of the best young bands out there, and we are certain the BVB Army and VV fans will love them.” 

Committed to uncompromising expression, with a foundation in hard rock tradition and rule-breaking iconoclasm, Black Veil Brides is a transcendent celebration of life-affirming power and anthemic catharsis. A gothic vision first summoned in a small town by an isolated kid fascinated with death, rock, theatricality, and monsters (both real and imagined), Black Veil Brides is now a postmodern heavy metal institution with a legion of like-minded fans and supporters worldwide. 

2021’s The Phantom Tomorrow produced BVB’s first Top 10 single, “Scarlet Cross.” Last year’s The Mourning EP offered similar success with “Saviour II,” joining a rich catalog that includes “Knives and Pens” (over 160 million views on YouTube), the certified gold “Fallen Angels,” and the recently certified platinum “In the End.” (It’s possible Black Veil Brides may even release another brand-new song in the not-too-distant future…) 

HIM, renowned as one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time, has sold over ten million records. Ville Valo, the band’s frontman, released a series of beloved albums with HIM from 1997 through 2013, boasting influential modern goth-rock anthems like “Right Here in My Arms,” “Join Me in Death,” “Buried Alive by Love,” and “Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly.” Declaring Neon Noir a perfect record for fans of HIM, Ghost, and Evanescence, Kerrang! wrote, “If you’ve been seduced in Mr. Valo’s musical twilight before, then you can now prepare to pulse in the glow of the heartagram once again.” In a VV cover story, Valo told the magazine, “It is a continuation of what I’ve done in the past and what might happen next.”

Hot Topic Presents: DVD & VV Tour Dates

  • Sept 10 – Louisville, KY – Paristown Hall
  • Sept 11 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
  • Sept 12 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
  • Sept 14 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
  • Sept 15 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live!*
  • Sept 16 – Niagara Falls, NY – The Rapids Theater*
  • Sept 17 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
  • Sept 19 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
  • Sept 20 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
  • Sept 22 – Wallingford, CT – Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theater
  • Sept 23 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center
  • Sept 24 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
  • Sept 25 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
  • Sept 27 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe
  • Sept 28 – Gary, IN – Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana*
  • Sept 29 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!*
  • Sept 30 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
  • Oct 01 – Chesterfield, MO – The Factory
  • Oct 03 – Austin, TX – ACL Live
  • Oct 05 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater*
  • Oct 06 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha
  • Oct 07 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
  • Oct 09 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
  • Oct 11 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Convention Centre
  • Oct 12 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Event Centre
  • Oct 14 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
  • Oct 15 – Spokane, WA – The Podium
  • Oct 16 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
  • Oct 18 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert HouseOct 19 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live
  • Oct 20 – Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium

*Not A Live Nation Date

Chevelle and Three Days Grace Announce 2023 Co-Headline Tour — Coming This Fall

Get ready to rock out this fall as Chevelle and Three Days Grace team up for their highly anticipated 2023 co-headline tour, featuring special guest Loathe. The tour, produced by Live Nation, will kick off on September 8 at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA, and will make stops in 23 cities across the US, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Boston. 

Fans can expect an unforgettable night of headbanging and melodic anthems from two of rock’s biggest heavyweights. Don’t miss out on this epic tour! Tickets will be available starting with the Citi presale on Tuesday, May 30, followed by additional presales throughout the week. The general onsale will begin on Friday, June 2 at 10am local time on Live Nation.

Chevelle & Three Days Grace 2023 Tour Dates

  • Fri Sep 08 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center
  • Sat Sep 09 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
  • Tue Sep 12 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
  • Wed Sep 13 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
  • Tue Sep 14 – Huber Heights, OH – The Rose Music Center
  • Sun Sep 17 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Showroom
  • Tue Sep 19 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
  • Wed Sep 20 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
  • Thu Sep 21 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theater
  • Sat Sep 23 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
  • Sun Sep 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
  • Tue Sep 26 – Nampa (Boise), ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
  • Thu Sep 28 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino – BECU Live
  • Fri Sep 29 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
  • Mon Oct 02 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
  • Tue Oct 03 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
  • Wed Oct 04 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
  • Fri Oct 06 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
  • Sat Oct 07 – Durant, OK – Choctaw Grand Theater
  • Tue Oct 10 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
  • Wed Oct 11 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
  • Thu Oct 12 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • Sat Oct 14 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway

Tina Turner Passes Away at Age 83

Today, the world collectively mourns the loss of a true icon, Tina Turner.

The legendary singer, dancer, and actress passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy that few can match. From her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her rise to fame alongside her former husband Ike Turner and later as a solo artist, Tina Turner’s life was both tumultuous and inspiring.

Embed from Getty Images

Despite the challenges she faced along the way, Tina never lost her unrelenting spirit. Her timeless hits like ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ continue to inspire generations of fans, and have earned her numerous accolades, including a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But Tina’s influence extended far beyond her music. She was an actress, a philanthropist, and a survivor who never let her difficult past define her future. She taught us all how to be strong, how to persevere, and how to rise above our circumstances.

So today, we say goodbye to a true legend. While Tina may be gone, her legacy will live on forever. Rest in peace, Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Nemophila Release “Night Flight” Digital Single & Video

TOKYO – Nemophila, the all-female Japanese band who recently wrapped up a U.S. tour, which was preceded by a performance at Aftershock 2022, have released the new song “Night Flight,” and its accompanying video.

“This is a song we’ve been playing live for some time, but have not recorded or released it until now,” explains singer/Nemophila founder mayu of the new track. “Please take a look at the video as well, as it does a great job capturing the spirit of the song.”

In March, preceding the band’s SXSW show, Nemophila released the single, “Rise”.

Today’s arrival of “Night Flight” coincides with the release of “Seize The Fate,” a concert film featuring Nemophila’s February performance from Tokyo’s Zepp DiverCity.

Guitar Girl Magazine described the quintet as “one of the most thrilling metal bands in Japan,” Distorted Sound said their music is “a reminder of just how fun heavy metal can be,” and Glasse Factory, commenting on their riveting Aftershock performance, noted “they nodded to metal legends with their styling and offered a refreshing take on their own unique blend… the excitement was tangible and radiated through the crows ad they all leaned in to watch the rising rock stars.”

Nemophila formed in 2019, playing their first live show in August of the same year, supporting Loudness and Hammerfall at Tokyo’s Metal Weekend 2019. The band have released two albums: Seize The Fate (2022) and Revive (2021). Nemophila is mayu (vocals), Saki (guitar), Hazuki (guitar), Haraguchi-san (bass) and Tamu Murata (drums).

Alicia Keys is Returning to North America with a 360 Degree Concert Experience

Alicia Keys will be launching a 23-date North American summer concert tour which starts on June 28thThe “Keys to the Summer Tour” ensues the ongoing sold-out, critically acclaimed “The Alicia + Keys World Tour”, which has spanned Europe, North America and will soon head to Latin America.  

The general on sale for the tour will begin Friday, April 21st at 9am local time. Pre-sales will run from Tuesday, April 18th – Thursday, April 20th. Alicia Keys Fan Club and Keys Soulcare Pre-Sales will launch Tuesday, April 18th at 1pm ET. Spotify, Live Nation, Ticketmaster and Venue Pre-sales will launch Thursday, April 20th at 10am local time. For more ticketing information visit LiveNation.com.

This tour will bring the GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar to arenas across North America with an all new, completely reimagined and redesigned concert experience and setlist. A first for Keys, it will feature her in an “in the round” production setup, allowing fans to experience her live performance in an entirely new and exhilarating 360-degree form. Keys is known for incorporating innovative and engaging production design into her live performances, and she worked together with director Diane Martel (director of the powerful “If I Ain’t Got You” and “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” music videos) and designer Chiara Stephenson to conceptualize and design the staging of the “Keys to Summer Tour”. 

Keys has said, “The Keys to the Summer Tour’ is going to be completely unforgettable and unmissable! I describe it as a celebration of freedom and self-liberation! It’s going to be colorful, magical and will light up your body, soul and all of your senses! This is my first time creating a 360 experience and we’ve made sure it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen! I’m so excited to see y’all this summer!”

Lauded by critics for her stunning shows, Keys’ last tour earned rave reviews from press. The Tampa Bay Times called it an “outstanding live performance that cemented her as one of the greatest musicians and singers of all time.” 

The tour will be offering a variety of VIP packages and next-level experiences for fans. Various packages will range from inclusion of premium tickets to the chance to join Keys in an exclusive, intimate and inspirational “Soulcare Session” before the show. For more info, visit the tour’s page on VIPNation.com.

Alicia Keys Tour Dates

  • June 28 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – FLA Live Arena
  • June 30 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
  • July 2 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
  • July 3 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
  • July 5 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
  • July 7 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
  • July 9 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
  • July 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
  • July 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
  • July 14 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
  • July 15 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
  • July 17 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
  • July 18 – Chicago, IL – United Center
  • July 20 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
  • July 21 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
  • July 23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Arena
  • July 24 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
  • July 27 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
  • July 28 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
  • July 30 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
  • August 1 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
  • August 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The KIA Forum

SOLD OUT: Hobo Johnson‘s “Loves the West Coast” Tour – Coming to Crescent Ballroom

Tickets for Hobo Johnson‘s performance at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix have gone on sale! If you are a fan of his unique blend of spoken word poetry and hip hop, you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. Hobo Johnson is touring all across North America with two tour legs: the “Loves the West Coast” and “Really Likes the Midwest…and East Coast” tours. All tour dates below.

For those who may not be familiar with Hobo Johnson, his real name is Frank Lopes Jr., and he gained popularity with his hit single “Peach Scone” in 2017.

Since then, he has released five studio albums and has been praised for his raw and honest approach to music. His live shows are known for their energy and unpredictability, and he has been known to engage crowds with his infectious personality, colorful stage presence, and undeniable talent as a performer.

Hobo Johnson
Hobo Johnson

The Crescent Ballroom is an intimate venue, which will allow for an even more immersive experience for concertgoers. 

The performance is set to take place on Thursday, June 24th. Doors will open at 7:00 PM, and the show will start at 8:00 PM. Tickets are reasonably priced, and they are expected to sell out quickly. So, don’t wait too long to purchase your tickets. 

If you are looking for a memorable night of passionate and relatable music, mark your calendars for Hobo Johnson’s performance at the Crescent Ballroom on June 24th. Get your tickets now before it’s too late!

All Hobo Johnson Tour Dates Can Be Found Here:

REVIEW: M83 Brings a Double-dose of The Dreamy Vibes of ‘Fantasy’ to The Van Buren (4-10-23)

Jump to Photo Album

M83 Setlist

PHOENIX — M83, an electronic group from France named after the galaxy Messier 83, performed at The Van Buren with experimental artist Rachika Nayar opening the show in a line-up consisting of only the two acts. The night of focus here is April 10, which was the original tour launch date scheduled in Phoenix and became the second night after it sold out, resulting in an add-on of April 9.

Rachika Nayar

Rachika Nayar performing at The Van Buren in Phoenix, AZ.
Rachika Nayar
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Opener Rachika Nayar, a composer and producer from Brooklyn, New York, set an ambiance that helped prime the audience for the vibes of M83. With the stillness of the crowd that portrayed an uncertainty of how to behave during this sensory electronic set, and a respectful patience, the performance came across almost like a pre-show DJ set.

Rachika Nayar performing at The Van Buren in Phoenix, AZ.
Rachika Nayar
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Nayar has a muted stage presence, and she remained stationed at her equipment throughout the set, not speaking until the end when she expressed gratitude in an unassuming tone and wished a friend in the audience a happy birthday.

Rachika Nayar has released two albums: Out Hands Against the Dusk and Heaven Come Crashing — both featuring heavily mutated and digitally-processed guitar, along with the fragments EP featuring raw guitar. All 3 of these records are available as MP3 downloads and/or as vinyls to add to your prized collection.

M83

Anthony Gonzalez (Vocalist, Guitar), M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Touring in support of Fantasy, which was released last month, M83 opened with the deeply relaxing and ethereal “Water Deep,” continuing with the chill vibes emanated by Nayar, unlike many other acts that will typically burst onto a performance as they start their set.

Anthony Gonzalez (Vocalist, Guitar), M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Fronted by 43-year-old Anthony Gonzalez, M83 has existed for about 24 years. Gonzalez is not a glamorous showman, yet his prowess shines for him. More than just a singer, he is a renaissance man responsible for lead vox, guitar, synths, keys, bass, percussion, mixing, arranging, and producing. 

Joe Berry (Synths, Sax, EWI), M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

M83 transitioned to a danceable energy with the upbeat title-track from Fantasy, which was the 8th song in a setlist of 20 (including the encore). “Fantasy” hearkens back to the primary energy of the Junk album — a personal favorite that I have kept on heavy rotation after being lucky enough to experience it live on their April 13, 2016 tour stop at Comerica Theatre (which, while I knew of M83 before that point, was what impacted me so much as to cement me as a fan).

Joe Berry (Synths, Sax, EWI), M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

It was during “Fantasy” that Joe Berry stepped away from the synthesizers and pleased the crowd with the EWI. The stage lights brightened and bathed the band in many more colors, and it was especially in that moment that the slow-roll of the night proved worth the wait. Though I may be biased as a sax player myself, I am confident in my opinion that anyone would be in agreement that the show really gets ripping once Berry starts wailing on the saxophone.

Kaela Sinclair (Vocalist, Keyboard), M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

Kaela Sinclair commands attention as the siren of a soprano vocal that is a signature and integral part of M83’s sound. You can also catch her sultry, haunting, and powerful vocals outside of M83 as a solo artist.

The band’s show ebbs and flows from there, following “Fantasy” with “Laura”, which channels the 80s prom night air that much of M83’s music exudes. Afterward, they brought some of their highest energy with “Don’t Save Us From the Flames.” “Noise” from 2003 release Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts served as a segue to “Wait” from Hurry Up We’re Dreaming (2011). Delightfully, “Solitude” from Junk was next, and the bopping “Sunny Boy” from Fantasy after that.

The tracks that go heavier on the guitars for a dramatic electronic-meets-rock sound are absolutely soul igniting. The live band is rounded out with Julien Aoufi on drums, the skills of guitarist Théophile Antolinos, and bass rhythms from Clément Libes. These 3 musicians were shrouded in smoke and lights in the background as the front of the stage was filled with the synths and keyboards, along with Gozales, Sinclair, and Berry.

Anthony Gonzalez (Vocalist, Guitar), M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

It comes as no surprise that the crowd’s energy climaxed during the encore as the group launched into the highly recognizable “Midnight City”, which has received heavy radio play since its release in 2011. If you are a regular listener of ALT AZ 93.3, you’ve heard it a lifetime’s worth. One can only long for more of M83’s superior tracks to hit the mainstream to give respite from the overabundance of formulaic, forgettable, and overplayed tracks of other artists that pervade popular music today. 

Kaela Sinclair (Vocalist, Keyboard), M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

This night of music was nourishing to the spirit with a perfect blend of chill time and outright fun, which was quite apparent by the invigorated energy that was effortlessly perceptible from the crowd leaving the venue following “Outro.” 

M83
| Photography:
Katherine Amy Vega © All Rights Reserved

See the full M83 setlist from April 10, 2023 at The Van Buren here:

Setlist

Burning Hot Events highly recommends catching this tour. There is ample opportunity to do so, as it has just started, and the band has dates scheduled all across North America up through May 16th. Check out the tour dates here:

Tour Dates


Photo Album

Photographer: Katherine Amy Vega

M83 & Rachika Nayar – The Van Buren 4-10-23

Photography © Katherine Amy Vega, Kataklizmic Design
All Rights Reserved.

Joy Kills Sorrow‘s Bluegrass Cover of “Such Great Heights” Deserves Your Attention

If you’re a fan of The Postal Service’s iconic hit “Such Great Heights,” you’ve probably heard countless covers of the song over the years. But have you ever heard a cover of a song that completely transforms it into something new and exciting? That’s exactly the case with Joy Kills Sorrow’s bluegrass version of this hit. This rendition, which was released on their EP Wide Awake in 2013, deserves your attention if you haven’t heard it yet. 

What is particularly impressive about this cover is how effortlessly the band took an electronic indie-pop hit and made it their own, infusing it with their signature Americana sound that is a refreshing departure from the original. Fueled by Jacob Jolliff’s intricate mandolin playing and lead singer Emma Beaton’s soaring vocals, the song was transformed into a foot-stomping bluegrass number that’s impossible not to dance along to.

Right from the beginning, the mandolin and banjo (played by Wes Corbett) take over, providing a lively and instantly engaging introduction. While staying true to the melody and lyrics, the band injects their signature style, adding instrumental breakdowns and harmonies that showcase their musical prowess. Beaton’s vocals add a touch of sweetness and vulnerability to the already poignant lyrics. As the song progresses, each instrument takes its turn to shine, from the rhythm of Matthew Arcara flatpicking the guitar, to the harmonies of Zoe Guigueno and her upright bass. You can feel the energy building up, culminating in a triumphant ending that will leave you with chills. The result is a cover that’s just as catchy and memorable as the original, but with a new energy and vibrancy that’s impossible to resist. 

What makes this cover so successful is that it doesn’t try to imitate the original, but rather reinvents it completely. It manages to capture the essence and emotion of the song while putting a new spin on it. Overall, Joy Kills Sorrow’s bluegrass cover of “Such Great Heights” is a testament to the power of musical creativity and innovation. It proves that good music can transcend genres and styles, and that sometimes the most unexpected artist can surprise you. So, if you haven’t given it a listen yet, it’s high time that changes. 

Even die-hard The Postal Service fans will find themselves tapping their feet along to this bluegrass rendition. If you haven’t heard Joy Kills Sorrow’s cover of “Such Great Heights” yet, do yourself a favor and give it a listen. Although Joy Kills Sorrow disbanded after performing their last show in 2014, their legacy includes a stunning example of how a great cover can take a beloved song and elevate it to new heights.

Ben Gibbard Returns with a “Double Feature” Performance 

Speaking of The Postal Service… lead vocalist Ben Gibbard is making a comeback to Arizona and other cities (listed below) with a “double feature” show that is sure to delight. As part of the “Give Up & Transatlanticism 20th Anniversary Tour,” The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie will be co-headlining, and Gibbard will be at the forefront of it all.

The tour runs in September and October of this year. Arizona Financial Theatre, one of the iconic spots to host this show, is set to witness an unforgettable night of music that showcases the evolution of the creative genius of Gibbard and his bandmates. (Fun fact: Jenny Lewis of The Postal Service is also a solo artist, actress, and was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and keyboardist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley.) It goes without saying that Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service carry energies that leave fans yearning for more. But, to have both bands share the stage on a joint tour is something else entirely. 

Back in 2003, The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie became musical sensations that rocked the world with Gibbard at the helm. The Postal Service’s debut album, Give Up, and Death Cab for Cutie’s fourth studio album, Transatlanticism, showcased the range of Gibbard’s vocal and songwriting abilities. It’s been twenty years since those albums’ releases, and that is all the more reason to celebrate. The “Give Up & Transatlanticism 20th Anniversary Tour” is, therefore, more than just a tour. As each band performs their respective albums in their entirety, it’s a trip down memory lane accompanied by heart-thumping instrumentals and performances that leave concertgoers reveling in nostalgia. 

With Gibbard headlining, The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie: Give Up & Transatlanticism promises to be a night to remember.
Get your tickets now!

The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie 2023 Tour Dates

      
  • September 8 – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
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  • September 9 – Kingston, RI – The Ryan Center
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  • September 10 – New Haven, CT – Westville Music Bowl
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  • September 12 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall
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  • September 13 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall
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  • September 14 – Washington, DC – Merriweather Post Pavilion
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  • September 17 – Detroit, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheater
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  • September 20 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
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  • September 21 – Philadelphia, PA – The Mann Center
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  • September 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory
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  • September 26 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
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  • September 27 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
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  • October 3 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
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  • October 4 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea Ballroom at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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  • October 7 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
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  • October 10 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre – UC Berkeley
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  • October 13 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

Featured photo (top) courtesy of Mongrel Music