The Weeknd
Friday, June 15, at House of Blues, $30/$35-$49.50
At age 22, critically acclaimed R&B innovator Abel Tesfaye, the man behind The Weeknd, has accomplished more than most artists in a lifetime. All of his music has been released via digital download, and now it looks like he's ready to capitalize on the hype with a tour that will pass through Dallas.
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Bodyguard, Moon Diagrams
Saturday, September 8, at Granada Theater, $22/$24
It's been two years since Ariel Pink's Before Today put him in the upper echelon of rock geniuses/weirdos. There have been announcements of a forthcoming album, set to release this year, presumably around the time this tour comes to the Granada Theater. Pink is a spectacle of bad fashion and wild showmanship, which makes for a consistently great live show.
Latin Energy Festival
Sunday, June 10, Fair Park Exposition Plaza, $15
KNON 89.3-FM's 11th annual Latin Energy Festival takes place this weekend from noon to 8 p.m. at Fair Park. Many genres will be represented within the day-long music lineup, including Tejano from Los Reyes Del Sabor and hip-hop from Snow Tha Product and II Kold Syndicate.
Grant Jones, Kirby Brown, Barstow
Saturday, June 16, at Main Street Garden, $40
Interesting thing about this show is that it takes place in the middle of a bartender competition at Dallas' first cocktail festival. Apparently it starts early (noon), and the drinks will flow freely, so don't show up to this thing on an empty stomach.
1310 The Ticket's Musers Salute Texas
Thursday, July 12, at Granada Theater
According to the Granada's press release, there will be a mystery band on this early morning event. Last year it was The O's, so there's no telling who will perform this year. And if you're a fan of visiting Ticket live-spots, this promises to be one of the better ones.
Sixpence None the Richer, Sleeperstar
Thursday, August 2, at Trees, $15
Sixpence None the Richer are still trying to recover from the career-ruining label battle they were in a decade ago. Even with the massive (and annoying) 1997 hit single "Kiss Me," the band faded into obscurity before even getting a chance to follow up. Now, they've regrouped and are set to release Lost in Translation, their sixth studio album.
The Walkmen
Wednesday, September 19, at Granada Theater, $22
We already mentioned this show earlier this week, but whatever. It's going to be a great show.
Florence & The Machine, The Maccabees
Sunday, September 30, at Gexa Energy Pavilion, $25
Florence & The Machine has bumped up a few notches since the band's last show at Palladium Ballroom last month. Will the band be able to fill the 20,000 seater? With their growing popularity, they just might.
Gotye, Kimbra, Jonti
Friday, October 12, at Verizon Theatre, $40-$45
European multi-instrumentalist Gotye made a pretty good racket with his popular single "Somebody That I Used to Know." Still, I'm not sure how he's going to do in a venue the size of Verizon Theatre. There might be some extra leg room for fans at the show that night.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Thursday, October 25, at Verizon Theatre
Neil Young is consistently awesome live. His last show here in town took place at the Meyerson with just Young and his electric guitar. This one will feature his long-time backing band Crazy Horse and promises to have some of the hair-raising rock and roll moments Young has been kicking out for decades.
