Daniel Johnston at the Kessler Theatre: Review and Cartoon

A friend of mine, on hearing that I was to see Daniel Johnston perform live, said, “his stuff is rough, but he is plugged into a scary truth.” That is a brilliant summary of Johnston’s music. His style is raw and unsophisticated, but also hyper-direct and fiercely penetrating. His lyrics…

The State Fair of Texas: This Year’s 11 Best Concerts

Another Texas State Fair is upon us and when you’re not trying to stuff as much fried, doughy goodness into you or riding any number of spinning rides hoping said dough won’t unexpectedly leave your body, you might want to take a breather and listen to some music. It’s just…

Black Milk at Club Dada, 9/20/13: Review

Following an understated introduction, Black Milk’s band appeared on stage and began to play, starting with an actual drum roll. Those drumstick snaps seemed to stretch for an impossible duration, each thump another block stacked atop a mounting tension that felt like it could topple at any moment. And then…

The Nine Best Concerts In Dallas This Week, September 19-25

Good god, Dallas. It’s going to be a cheap Monday. This weekend you’ve got live music in the city, in the suburbs, Fort Worth, and everywhere else in between. Unfortunately it’s not a matter of who you’re going to see, it’s who you’re going to have to miss. It’s 2013,…

The 39 Best Show Announcements of September (So Far)

Every week more and more shows are added to the Dallas Observer live music calendar — here’s how to make sure your show is included. And you can always peruse every upcoming concert on our calendar. Below are this month’s additions, the newest are in bold…

I Saw the Perfect Horror Movie DJ Set at Texas Theatre

On Friday (the 13th) I went to see David Cronenberg’s The Brood at Texas Theatre. Arriving thirty minutes early seems like an unnecessary precaution. The place was sparsely populated save for a few regulars, some employees, and two DJs — Gabe and Gavin G — set up in a corner…

Elm Street Music and Tattoo Festival: Review and Photos

Gavin Cleaver: Who wants to pay twice for a thing? No one, that’s who. So when Deep Ellum venues come together for a night like this weekend’s Sailor Jerry/Oliver Peck/Reverend Horton Heat Elm Street Tattoo and Music Festival, and you can see several bands by simply walking around Elm Street…

Dia De Los Toadies 2013: Review and Photos

Of all the different live show scenarios, all the varying combinations of performer and setting, there’s nothing quite like seeing a band in their hometown. The sixth annual Dia De Los Toadies Festival, a Texas institution, was the perfect hometown hero live music experience. This year, the fest took place…

Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z Announce Fall Tours

Yeezus has risen! This morning, Kanye West took to Twitter to announce his first solo tour in five years. The 23 city run starts on October 19th in Seattle, and will hit Dallas’ American Airlines Center on December 6th, before wrapping up in Houston. As if that wasn’t enough to…

Cassette Store Day: Consider The Tape

You’re more than likely familiar with Record Store Day. It’s the holiest of high holidays here at DC9 At Night, in which we all face east and pray toward Good Records. What you might not know, is that vinyl’s plastic, two-reeled cousin has a dedicated spot on the calendar too…