Finally, the weekend we've been anticipating for nearly four years has arrived. All that build-up and excite will all culminate in Arlington on Sunday for Super Bowl XLV.
And, trust us, the parties surrounding the event are many. So many, in fact, that we've created our own Super Bowl event page, which catalogs all this weekend's Super Bowl-related parties. Check it out if you're looking to party with celebs and all that.
But if you're just looking for a good show, we've got plenty of those, too, starting with ones we've been talking about all week.
On Saturday, The Gourds will be at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton, and Seryn will celebrate the release of their new record This Is Where We Are at Club Dada with Monahans and The Cush. Also: Abe Vigoda, Wild Nothing and Soft Environmental Collapse will be at Sons of Hermann Hall.
And, on Sunday, it just wouldn't feel like the Super Bowl unless Diddy put on an afterparty, which he is doing at Palladium Ballroom.
Of course, due to the Snowpocalypse we're experiencing, some of tonight's shows have been canceled. Namely: Binary Sunrise at Double Wide; Murder By Death at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios; Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, and Danny Balis at Sons of Hermann Hall; and The Claxton Welch Band at Poor David's Pub.
Hit the jump, though, to see some of this weekend's shows that, we are pretty sure, are still happening.
TheEvent with Prince and Erykah Badu
Friday, February 4, at InterContinental in Addison
First it was on, then it was off, now it's back on again. The drama unfolded this morning, and resulted in a reduced ticket price for tonight's show. $750 a pop, that is, which is still about 10 times as much as I've ever paid for a ticket.
Ishi, Cocky Americans, Redsean
Friday, February 4, at The Cavern
This show marks Ishi's farewell to The Cavern, which is moving away from its music format to become a two-story pub. Especially notable is the band's connection to this venue, given frontman John Mudd's constant presence there as the room's soundman, and also as the promoter of the free Wednesday night weekly event, Detour, which is now ending its run as well.
Saturday, February 5, at The Where House in Fort Worth
This annual event benefits Fort Worth Music Outreach, "a volunteer organization that raises money to buy musical instruments for at-risk youth in Fort Worth and provides them with musical instruction." And this year's bill, featuring Fort Worth bands Telegraph Canyon, Whiskey Folk Ramblers, Luke Wade & No Civilians, Ginny mac and Oh Whitney, promises not to disappoint. Entry is just $15 -- or free, if you show up to the event with a working guitar in tow. And the drinks will be cheap: The cash-only bar will feature $2 you-call-its all night long.
Willie Nelson
Saturday, February 5, at the Palladium Ballroom
The Red Headed Stranger, thankfully, is involved in the Super Bowl events after all.
Eaton Lake Tonics
Saturday, February 5, at City Tavern
Just the other day, the band announced that they would soon be no more, which is sad because its blend of melodic, smart pop was quite under appreciated during the band's six-year run. All is not lost, though. Saturday night offers one of the last chances to see the band perform, and, at the band's website, you can download all of its recorded material for free.
Blues At The Crossroads With Big Head Todd & The Monsters
Saturday, February 5, at Lakewood Theater
Big Head Todd & The Monsters are using this tribute to blues legend Robert Johnson to officially announce that they are now a dad-rock band.
The Crystal Method
Saturday, February 5, at Lizard Lounge
The Crystal Method are doing pretty good for a band that hasn't had a hit in nearly 15 years, and you better believe that the glow sticks will be twirling at this show.
Black Eyed Peas
Sunday, February 6, at Cowboys Stadium
Certainly this will be the most highly attended show of the weekend, seeing as Jerry Jones and company are trying to break a Super Bowl attendance record at Sunday's game -- not to mention the billions who will tune in on TV. But, as we've stated, The Black Eyed Peas are kind of the lowest common denominator in hip-hop, which is why the NFL expects you to tune in. So tread carefully.
Denton All-Star Band Superbowl Halftime Show
Sunday, February 6, at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton
If you aren't interested in watching the lowest common denominator in hip-hop during the Super Bowl's halftime show, just head up to Dan's Silverleaf, where the game will be on, and at half-time, a Denton All-Star Band will perform their favorite songs from previous Super Bowl half-time shows.
That's it from us. Have a safe weekend, and we'll see you back here on Monday.
