Tag Archives: Tour Dates

REVIEW: The Darkness Envelops & Excites Fans at Marquee Theatre… Again (10-7-23)

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Tempe, AZ — The Darkness returned to Arizona for a triumphant show as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album Permission to Land, and the special reissue collection that was released the day prior to the show: Permission to Land…Again. They last graced the Marquee Theatre stage in March of 2022 on their “Motorheart” tour. This October 2023 show was the 4th date of the US leg of the world tour celebrating their debut, and they played a setlist full of their biggest hits from that album and beyond. The Comancheros, a country/southern rock band from Missouri, opened the show with an infectious energy that warmed up the crowd for the high-octane headliner.

The Comancheros

The Comancheros perform energetically at Marquee Theatre
The Comancheros
| Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

They began with their powerful song “Mississippi”, which electrified the room, and they followed up with a string of other hits, including “Long Hair”.

The Comancheros rock Marquee Theatre
The Comancheros
| Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

The band asked the audience if there were any beer drinkers and hellraisers in AZ while holding beer cans up in the air, then drank it up and kicked into their song titled “Beer Drinkers”.

The Comancheros raising beer at their Tempe concert
The Comancheros
| Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

They continuously engaged with the audience throughout their set and completed it  with the songs “We Own the Night,” “George Jones,” “Cowboy Song,” “Drum/Gun/Chariot,” “Shoot Me Down,” and “Bird/Time Machine”.

The Comancheros vocalist and guitarist Tanner Jones
Tanner Jones (Vocalist, Guitarist), The Comancheros
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

The Darkness

"Welcome to The Darkness" theatrical poster
“Welcome to The Darkness” theatrical poster

On October 2nd, just five days before this show, The Darkness announced the launch date of their feature-length documentary, Welcome to the Darkness, that adds to their extensive discography with seven studio albums since their start in the early 2000’s. The film will arrive in cinemas for one night only on November 9th, and will then be available on Blu-Ray and digital download on December 4th. 

The Darkness kicked off their set with a high-powered rendition of “Black Shuck.” Fans were immediately singing along and dancing fervently. The band followed that up with a string of their biggest hits, including “Get Your Hands Off My Woman,” “Growing on Me,” and “The Best of Me.”

The Darkness vocalist Justin Hawkins
Justin Hawkins (Vocalist, Guitarist), The Darkness
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

Lead singer Justin Hawkins was in top form, delivering his vocals with power and precision. He showered the audience with guitar picks, ensuring the youngest fans got their concert memento by stretching and throwing as far as he could to get closer to them from the stage.

The Darkness frontman throwing a guitar pick to the crowd
Justin Hawkins (Vocalist, Guitarist), The Darkness
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

He had the crowd in the palm of his hand with his witty banter and stage presence. Guitarist Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain, and drummer Rufus Taylor were also on fire, playing with some truly impressive musicianship.

The Darkness performing at Marquee Theatre
The Darkness
| Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

During their performance, the engagement with the audience was ongoing, including a sing-a-long with a member of the audience, also named Justin (with Hawkins grinning after the audience member shared his name). The frontman also saw a group of 4 British fans in attendance, all dressed up in Union Jack patterned suits, with their companion in a full American flag outfit, wearing a bald eagle head mask that got thrown onto the stage. The drummer put it on and wore it while playing an entire song, before throwing it back to the audience member that threw it to the stage.

Fans of The Darkness in British and US themed costumes at Marquee Theatre
Fans of English rock band The Darkness donning British and US themed costumes at Marquee Theatre concert
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

They closed out their set with a rousing performance of their signature song, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”. The crowd went wild, with smartphones raised from almost everyone in attendance, prompting Justin Hawkins to stop and playfully ask the audience to ‘place themselves in their place, and to not record the performance’ before starting back up and, delighting the audience with a fantastic show, giving it his all. 

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness doing a headstand in front of their drum kit
Justin Hawkins (Vocalist, Guitarist), The Darkness
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

For their encore, they emotionally played “I Love You 5 Times” before the vocalist announced they had one song remaining, and with a mischievous grin stating, “but is a pretty f***ing long song.” The Darkness closed the set with “Love on the Rocks with No Ice”. The shower of guitar picks continued as the band did their goodbyes, with no pick left behind. 

Justin Hawkins smiling widely as he plays the guitar, with Frankie Poullain playing bass in the background
Justin Hawkins (Vocalist, Guitarist) & Frankie Poullain (Bassist), The Darkness
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

Overall, The Darkness put on an incredible show at Marquee Theatre. They played a setlist full of their biggest hits and deepest cuts, and they delivered a performance that was both energetic and entertaining. If you have the chance to see them on this tour, you will be lucky to witness one of the best live bands in the world, with (at the time of publication of this article) just 9 more dates left for the US leg, and 36 upcoming world tour dates before coming back to the US in 2024 for the Monsters of Rock cruise festival in Miami, Florida. 

If you’re a fan of rock music, then you need to see The Darkness live, and they’re sure to put on a show that you’ll never forget. Make sure to catch a screening of their feature documentary on November 9th, or look for it on Blu-Ray on on its December 4th release date.

View Setlist

Photo Galleries

Photographer: Rodrigo Izquierdo

View Separately: The Darkness* | The Comancheros

*includes additional photos

The Darkness & The Comancheros – Marquee Theatre 10-7-23

Photography © Reagle Photography
All Rights Reserved

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

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)

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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.

The Smashing Pumpkins Announce “The World is A Vampire” Tour with Special Guests

The Smashing Pumpkins are hitting the road again in 2023 with their upcoming North American tour, “The World is A Vampire”. This tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans across the country, featuring special guests such as Interpol, Stone Temple Pilots, and Rival Sons. The tour will also include NWA champions, adding another layer of excitement to an already thrilling event! Wrestling fans can catch their favorites in action in most of the cities on the tour.  Dates listed below.

The general on-sale starts on March 31 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com, so mark your calendars and get ready to snag your tickets. This is an event you won’t want to miss! 

The Smashing Pumpkins promo photo
The Smashing Pumpkins | Photography: Paul Elledge

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, The Smashing Pumpkins have also released a new single called “Spellbinding”, building even more anticipation for their highly anticipated third and final act of rock opera ATUM, set to be released on May 5. Fans can now preorder a special edition box set of the album here

Limited Edition Autographed ATUM Box Set

ATUM was written and produced by frontman Billy Corgan over the past 4 years. ATUM is the sequel to 1995’s Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and 2000’s Machina/Machine of God, and it consists of 33-tracks in 3 acts. 22 tracks have been released to date, and the single “Beguiled continues to climb charts.  

For those unfamiliar with the bands joining them on tour, here’s a quick rundown:

Interpol is an American rock band known for their indie sound and melancholic lyrics. They’ve been around since the late ’90s and have a loyal following across the world.

Rival Sons is a blues-rock band from California known for their powerful vocals and guitar riffs. They’ve been rocking the music scene since 2008 and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Stone Temple Pilots, on the other hand, need no introduction. A true classic ’90s band, their unique sound and dynamic frontman made them a staple of that decade’s music scene. 

With each of these artists bringing their unique styles to the stage, “The World is A Vampire” tour is shaping up to be a truly unforgettable experience. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of it!

The Smashing Pumpkins Tour Dates:

  • 07/28 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan
  • 07/30 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan
  • 08/01 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre*
  • 08/03 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre*
  • 08/05 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre*
  • 08/06 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
  • 08/07 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre*
  • 08/09 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre*
  • 08/10 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre*
  • 08/11 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Resort & Casino**
  • 08/13 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater^
  • 08/15 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion^
  • 08/16 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP^
  • 08/17 – Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater^
  • 08/19 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre^
  • 08/20 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre^
  • 08/22 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion^
  • 08/24 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center^
  • 08/25 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion^
  • 08/30 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater^
  • 08/31 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live^
  • 09/02 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage^
  • 09/03 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre^
  • 09/06 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre^^
  • 09/08 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater^
  • 09/09 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center^

^ w/ Interpol & Rival Sons 
* w/ Stone Temple Pilots & Rival Sons 
**w/ Stone Temple Pilots 
^^ w/ Interpol 

Avenged Sevenfold Is Back! Announces Life Is But A Dream North American Tour Pt. 1 with Alexisonfire

Avenged Sevenfold just announced the first leg of their North American “Life Is But A Dream” tour, and it will feature special guest Alexisonfire, adding even more fire to the already hot stage. The tour kicks off on July 18 in Camden, NJ, and will include stops in cities like Montreal, Tinley Park, Minneapolis, Vancouver, and more. Tour dates are listed below.

Avenged Sevenfold is one of the most iconic names in modern rock and metal music, known for their thrilling performances and powerful lyrics. And just when you thought you’d have to wait another lifetime before seeing them live again, the band announced the tour with much fanfare. But that’s not all! Along with the tour, Avenged Sevenfold also surprised their fans by releasing their first single in seven years, “Nobody,” which is already receiving rave reviews. The band also announced the release of their eighth album, Life is But A Dream, which drops on June 2.

Watch the “Nobody” Music Video:

If you’ve never seen Avenged Sevenfold live, you’re in for a treat. The band is known for their high-energy performances, mind-blowing pyrotechnics, and jaw-dropping musicianship. And with special guest Alexisonfire joining the tour, the experience promises to be even more unforgettable. Music touches our souls in so many ways. It has the power to take us on journeys we never knew existed and connect us all on a level that surpasses any language barrier. These are two bands that have impacted the music industry and listeners across the globe. 

Avenged Sevenfold, also known as A7X, hails from Huntington Beach, California. The band was formed in 1999 and has captured the hearts of metal lovers worldwide. Their hit songs include “Hail to the King,” “Nightmare,” and “Bat Country.” A7X is known for their intense guitar riffs and provocative lyrics that delve into themes of death, love, and war. Their music is a cathartic release for anyone who enjoys hard rock and metal. 

Alexisonfire is a post-hardcore band from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. They formed in 2001, and became known for their unique combination of punk and screamo. The band’s music is an embodiment of the emotions we face as individuals trying to navigate life’s challenging moments. Their hit singles include “This Could Be Anywhere in the World,” “Young Cardinals,” and “To a Friend.” 

While Avenged Sevenfold and Alexisonfire have different styles, their music is a reflection of society and the challenges that come along in life. Whether you are headbanging to A7X or listening to Alexisonfire with empathetic ears, both bands will leave you feeling a little less alone in this world.

Avenged Sevenfold and Alexisonfire have made their respective marks on the music industry, and their music will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. They are a testament to the power of music and how it can transcend boundaries and touch souls.

Make sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, March 30, when general ticket sales become available at 10AM local time on LiveNation.com.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Avenged Sevenfold and Alexisonfire at their finest. With a new album, a killer single, and a tour that promises to be legendary, Avenged Sevenfold is ready to rock the world once again!

First Leg “Life is But A Dream” North American Tour Dates:

  • Tue Jul 18 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
  • Wed Jul 19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
  • Fri Jul 21 – Québec City, QC – Videotron Centre
  • Sat Jul 22 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
  • Mon Jul 24 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
  • Wed Jul 26 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
  • Fri Jul 28 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
  • Sat Jul 29 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
  • Mon Jul 31 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
  • Wed Aug 02 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre
  • Fri Aug 04 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
  • Sat Aug 05 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
  • Mon Aug 07 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena

Godsmack and Staind Announce 2023 Co-Headlining Tour

Two of the biggest names in the music industry, Godsmack and Staind, have announced a co-headlining 2023 tour. Produced by Live Nation, this 25-city tour is set to kick off on July 18 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis, MO, and will take the bands across the U.S. with stops in Pittsburgh, PA; Salt Lake City, UT; Las Vegas, NV, and more before wrapping up in Austin, TX, at the Germania Insurance Amphitheatre on August 31. 

Both bands have established themselves as heavy hitters in the rock scene over the last two decades, captivating audiences with their unique style and intense performances. With multiple platinum-selling albums and countless hits, including Godsmack’s “I Stand Alone” and Staind’s “It’s Been A While,” fans can expect to be transported to a world of pure rock and roll energy. 

Although the Godsmack and Staind co-headlining tour won’t be making a stop in Arizona, fans can catch live performances before the tour launches – from Staind on Saturday, April 1 at Arizona Bike Week 2023, and Godsmack at 98KUPD’s UFest on May 6, 2023.

With tickets going on sale at Ticketmaster on Friday, March 31 at 10 AM Local Time, make sure to get yours early as this tour is sure to sell out fast. Don’t miss your chance to witness a once-in-a-lifetime performance from two of the best in the business. Get ready to rock!

Godsmack and Staind 2023 Tour Dates:

  • Tue Jul 18 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
  • Thu Jul 20 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
  • Fri Jul 21 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
  • Sat Jul 22 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
  • Tue Jul 25 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
  • Wed Jul 26 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
  • Fri Jul 28 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
  • Sat Jul 29 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
  • Sun Jul 30 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
  • Wed Aug 02 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
  • Thu Aug 03 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
  • Sat Aug 05 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
  • Sun Aug 06 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
  • Tue Aug 08 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
  • Wed Aug 09 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
  • Thu Aug 10 – Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
  • Sat Aug 12 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center
  • Sun Aug 13 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
  • Wed Aug 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
  • Fri Aug 18 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
  • Sun Aug 20 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
  • Thu Aug 24 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
  • Sat Aug 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
  • Sun Aug 27 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
  • Thu Aug 31 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater