Friday marked the last appearance of Vans Warped Tour in Dallas. The 24-year-old music extravaganza is the longest-running music festival in U.S. history. But aside from that, Warped always seemed to find a way to bring loads of bands, brands and important causes to the masses, consistently and affordably. So…
Some shows this week take place in sweet, sweet air-conditioned venues, so there’s no excuse not to head over to hear the likes of soul star Musiq Soulchild at Music Hall at Fair Park or local rock darling True Widow after a movie screening at Texas Theatre. Need some nudging to…
Lindsey Jordan’s Snail Mail project has only been around for a few years, but the buzz surrounding the band has elevated quickly. It’s already a headlining act with a few tours behind it, including a few stops in Texas. The band released its debut EP, Habit, in 2016 and their…
It’s a lighter list of concert announcements this week. The Fourth of July holiday transitions the calendar into the second week of summer, and fall will be here shortly. Look for more bands and artists to ramp up their touring schedules in the coming weeks. This week, we’ve got appearances…
“In Bed With” is a Dallas Observer series in which we delve into the homes and personal lives of Dallas music industry professionals. Kenneth Pritchard just cut his hair short after six years of whipping it back and forth onstage. On paper, he’s a music teacher and a dedicated homeowner…
Since riding a wave of female domination in the ’90s, country music radio has seen a gender imbalance for the last 18 years. Three years after Keith Hill, a country radio consultant, sparked what’s known as “Tomato-Gate,” the genre isn’t any closer to gender equality. “Trust me, I play great…
Despite having a pretty full schedule with his day job, Dicky Barrett still has time to front, write, record and tour with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Creating a mix of ska, rock, punk, metal and pop, the Boston nine-piece has been around since the early 1980s. The members made a…
In contemporary music, it’s not rare to hear sounds echoing those of a previous generation. Some acts like the nostalgia behind the sounds; others want to further the genre. This, perhaps, is why many revival bands emerged in the early 2000s and continue to pop up today (see post-punk and…
It’s hard to imagine a summer without a Warped Tour. After this year, the cross-country tour will end. Founder Kevin Lyman has branched off to a cruise and overseas shows, but there will be a void for fans in America who grew up on it. Originally meant to be a…
Cedric Moses, who performs under the stage name Mozez Tha Great, is all smiles lately. How could he not be? Moses is days away from accomplishing a goal he set for himself more than four years ago. On Saturday at Trees, Mozez Tha Great will headline I am Dallas Hip…
James Alex has always worn his influences on his sleeve. Since his band’s inception, Beach Slang has drawn easy comparisons to the Replacements. Nevertheless, Beach Slang has developed a loyal following, with honesty and catharsis being front and center for Alex’s songwriting and ethos. He is revisiting his anthems, stripping…
In between hot dogs and beer, celebrate America’s birthday this week with some great music. Catch the final Vans Warped Tour when it stops through town Friday, EDM darling Louis the Child at South Side Ballroom on Thursday night, ska legends The Might Mighty Bosstones at Dos Equis Pavilion on…
Duncanville native Rakim Al-Jabbaar is the son of Big Al from the seminal rap crew Nemesis, one of the first hip-hop acts from Dallas to gain national fame in the late ’80s and early ’90s. His namesake is Rakim of the legendary rap duo Eric B. & Rakim. History has…
John Prine has a hell of a sense of humor. Spend a couple of hours in the same room with the guy, and it’s hard to come away feeling any different. He’s one of America’s greatest purveyors of sad songs — the greatest, quite possibly — but that doesn’t mean…
Dezi 5, one of Dallas’ most beloved performers, is back in town this weekend. He performs Friday night during the Deep Pride show at the Ruins in Deep Ellum. While in New York, Dezi 5 has been displaying his energetic brand of stage performance throughout the five boroughs. He released an EP…
Concert announcements this week bring new shows to the stages of House of Blues, The Bomb Factory, South Side Ballroom, Dan’s Silverleaf, Verizon Theatre, Trees and The Statler Ballroom. A variety of genres are on display as both rising stars and seasoned professionals set up shop. As music fans are…
It’s time to get schooled in the Dallas music scene. Local Education Fest IV is Saturday at Three Links. Yet another creation from the mind of King Camel’s Jeff Brown, Local Education Fest is the Dallas Observer Music Award-nominated festival that seeks to showcase the best of what Dallas bands…
Enter Dos Equis Pavilion during the day, especially a day in June, and you’re making a statement that you truly love who’s going to be on the stage. You agree to shake hands with the devil, dress as loosely as possible, and take on the heat to see your favorite…
Word came down late Wednesday afternoon that the Bomb Factory will host a public memorial for Vinnie Paul this Sunday, July 1. Dubbed “Vinnie Paul, A Public Celebration of Life,” the event is free to the public, but you need a wristband to get in. Born Vincent Paul Abbott, the…
Jim Pasant has a distinguished spot in the upper echelon of Dallas DJ vets, with just short of three decades in the DJ trenches. Along with being a veteran crate digger, he also has a producer credit for the infamous Starck Club documentary that will finally be available for public…
Since 2013, Summer Salt has played various shows in its home state of Texas and toured across the country with bands such as The Walters and Turnover. Next month, the Austin-based coral reef rock band will return to Dallas for its headlining tour. The first show of the tour will…
Jessica Burnham brought a fresh perspective to Deep Ellum when she assumed the role of executive director of the Deep Ellum Foundation in 2016. Before leaving the post earlier this summer, she led the way for Deep Ellum’s public safety program and worked to unite the disparate communities that live,…
