Central Track Contributor
Get Your Eyes On Drake.
For a lucky few, the holiday shopping season came early when a Walmart website glitch accidentally sold electronics that normally go for as much as $600 to consumers for as little as $8.85.
Although most of us will never be lucky enough to catch such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity such as that, there are plenty of events this weekend that can help fill the void in your life.
No, it's not a new TV for the cost of a chicken dinner. But, hey, it's something.
Friday
Melt Banana at Dada
After 2007's oddly poppy Bambi's Dilemma LP, the Japanese noise rockers returned to their loud, fast and, most importantly, dissonant roots with the October-released Fetch, the band's first studio album in six years. We don't think it would be a stretch, at this point, to say the band is currently making the best music of its 20-year career. — Cory Graves
Beats Antique at Trees
Electronica meets world music through the Middle Eastern-inspired sounds of Beats Antique. The band's live show features a mixture of modern technology, live instrumentation and sultry dance routines from celebrated belly dancer/producer Zoe Jakes. — Porttia Portis
Green River Ordinance at Billy Bob's
After walking away from its major label deal a few years back Fort Worth's Green River Ordinance recently changed its sound to go full-on country (which explains tonight's venue choice). Tonight, the band releases its new EP on its own terms. — CG
Simian Mobile Disco (DJ Set) at It'll Do
We've taken part in enough killer Friday night parties at the New East Elm dance hall as of late to know this one should get pretty sweaty. Simply put: This world-renowned DJ duo always brings it. The production team of James Ford and Jas Shaw has worked with and remixed everyone from Florence & the Machine to Bjork andArctic Monkeys. Tonight, though, they'll be helming a good ol' fashioned dance party. — PP
Glass Candy and Chromatics at Granada Theater
The world has long praised the art of being a great musician, but something has to be said about one that performs in two different bands at the same show. Johnny Jewel goes from the evocative disco synth sounds with Glass Candy to a more post-punk vibe with Chromatics. A two-for-the-price-of-one night of Italo disco is always nice. — PP
Rania Khoury at City Tavern
Though the distinction gets thrown around a lot, nobody else around town currently deserves the “best artist you probably haven't heard of but most definitely should” tag more than Arlington native Rania Khoury. As prim and polished as is the backing play on her 18-months-in-the-making, August-released debut, Stone Wolf, it's Khoury's voice that does much of the heavy lifting on the release. And live audiences will certainly be all the more impressed at her hopping back and forth between jaunty keyboard playing and plucky, finger-picked guitar work at this performance as she sets the perfect foundation for her spot-on vocal theatrics. — CG
Lee Fields and The Expressions at Sons of Hermann Hall
If you're looking for something on the more soulful end of the Friday night spectrum, Lee Fields & The Expressions are more than capable of fulfilling that need. Fields' long-spanning career increases the sense of anguish to those lost-lover ballads that have no doubt inspired many a drunken, 3 a.m. post-breakup text. So you might want to go ahead and delete your ex's number prior to this show. Y'know, just in case. — PP
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring in Concert at Music Hall at Fair Park
Ringers and Tolkienists can rejoice over the live representation of the Academy and Grammy award-winning score to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Composer Howard Shore will bring J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginative prose to life with a complex, symphonic performance. — PP
Alive For 35 at Dallas Contemporary
The art space celebrates its 35th birthday with 35 consecutive hours of free programming that will include movie screenings, live music, Naked Girls Reading, a street art bike tour, something called “interactive wrestling” and more. Check the full schedule here. — CG
Jmsn, Zhora and Sam Lao at Three Links
In a little over a year, 25-year-old musician Christian Berishaj has released a pair of LPs and an EP under his JMSN moniker, scored key collaborations with artists like Ab-Soul and earned himself numerous comparisons to The Weeknd in the process. Similarly, both of tonight's local openers have risen to the top of Dallas' music scene in a relatively short time as well. — CG
Ben Rector at South Side Ballroom
Though some critics have pointed out the Tulsa-born singer-songwriter's just-released The Walking In Between — the first released on his new Aptly Named Records label — doesn't represent much growth for the artist, we're guessing most fans of Rector's trademark positivity don't mind too much. A little sunshine and optimism backed by a solid soundtrack never hurt anyone. — PP
At Night, Year of the Bear, Jay Arner and The Fibs at Crown and Harp
The new wave-influenced electronic stylings of Dallas' At Night top of this nearly all-local bill that also features performances from Fort Worthians Year of the Bear and newcomers The Fibs along with relatively obscure Canadian artist Jay Arner. — CG
Pillow Fighters Release Party at ATAMA
Monster Bot Studio and Sleepy Dan Brand are teaming up for the first time to release a limited-run serious of Pillow Fighter toy sets. The idols are representative of the Pillow Monster printed design series from Sleepy Dan and each set of three comes in a numbered edition box, so it's a while-supplies-last type of endeavor. — PP
Stephen Kellogg at Cambridge Room
No Friday night in Dallas is complete without at least one folksy, Americana option. Add a hint of pop and you have Stephen Kellogg. After nine years of touring with the Sixers, the band went on hiatus in 2012, leaving Kellogg to pursue a solo tour with his recently released album, Blunderstone Rookery. — PP
2013 Fall Artists Open Studios at Continental Gin Building
For the 25th year. the 40-plus artists and designers who take up residency in the Continental Gin Building will open up their studios for their bi-annual open house. Feel free to check out and/or purchase the photographs, jewelry, paintings and other artworks you find. — CG
Wayne “The Train” Hancock at Love and War in Texas (Plano)
Wayne “The Train” Hancock's blend of western swing and old-time honky tonk are the closest thing you'll find to the sounds of Hank Williams Sr. these days — especially now that Hank III's begun to lean so heavily on his punk and metal sides. Fort Worth rabble rousers Convoy & The Cattlemen open. — CG
Saturday
Flea Harvey's at Lee Harvey's
Art, antiques, kitsch, collectables, breakfast tacos and Full City Rooster coffee? Sounds like we got ourselves a nice little Saturday planned. — CG
An Evening With David Sedaris at Bass Performance Hall
The art of satire lives with acclaimed author David Sedaris. Sharp observations of the human condition and social critiques have led Sedaris to a Grammy nomination and praise as one of America's bitchiest, most humorous writers. It'll be a cynic's delight. — PP
Johnny Marr at Granada Theater
For those still desperately wishing for The Smiths to have a reunion tour: Sorry, it's not going to happen. And after Morrissey cancelled a pair of dates earlier this year, we're still not clear when he'll be back. But, in the mean time, here is the next best alternative. Johnny Marr brings his signature sound and a batch of stunning new tunes tonight. It may not be a long-awaited reunion, but it'll more than get you through. — PP
Hoodie Allen at South Side Ballroom
Allen's hoards of adoring teens helped him sell out The Prophet Bar and House of Blues on his last two trips through town, and we don't expect tonight to be much different. The upside for you older Hoodie fans? Despite the huge crowd that's bound to show up tonight, we're guessing the lines at the bar will be all but nonexistent. — CG
Big Freedia at Dada
When it comes to ass, there's no doubt: Big Freedia is the queen. Her last performance at the venue back on New Year's Eve only confirmed as much, too, as ass was — as Freedia puts it in some of her songs — everywhere during her set. For their part, the whole crowd was joining in on the fun; during each song, a rotation of audience members joined Freedia on stage, shaking their asses, too. — Mikel Galicia
Shlohmo and XXYYXX at Trees
For those looking for a late-night option for Saturday, Sholomo and XXYYXX at Trees is your lo-fi, psychedelic, hip-hop-infused answer. Doors open at 10:30 p.m., so you have plenty of time to engage in the Saturday routine of your liking. — PP
RAFT Waterfront Food & Goods Market
This weekend, a free outdoor market will temporarily popup along the banks of the Trinity River at the Santa Fe Trestle Trail in Oak Cliff. Vendors, art, music and yard games abound. — CG
So You Think You Can Dance? at Verizon Theatre
The 10-season-strong show makes a stop in Dallas to showcase popular routines from 10 of the most recent season's finalists, including some created exclusively for the tour. — PP
Janelle Monae at House of Blues
Despite cancelling a few shows in order to let her voice rest, it seems as if Janelle Monae will still be making her way to Dallas. Let's hope that the time off has brought some of the “electricity” back into her vocals and performance. See what we did there? — PP
Texas Brewvolution at Fair Park Centennial Building
The third annual North Texas Beer Week kicks off with Texas Brewvolution, a beer festival put on by the minds behind Big Texas Beer Fest and Untapped Festival. This one, however, will be a more intimate affair with only about half as many tickets being made available as compared to their previous offerings. Just make sure to bring your own designated driver. — PP
The BoonDangles at AllGood Cafe
Though AllGood owner Mike Snider was quick to let us know The BoonDangles wasn't the actual name of the act performing at his Deep Ellum restaurant this evening, he did pass along a few clues: Armed with the info that this is a popular Dallas-based two-piece whose members play guitar, banjo and kick drum, we're guessing you too can figure out this bands' true identity. — CG
Auxiliary Voice (Album Preview) at Three Links
Auxiliary Voice's upcoming album doesn't drop until December 20, but they'll be releasing its first single, “The Great & Rising Tide,” at this preview show. Show up tonight and receive a free digital download of the single and two more tracks from the soon-to-be-released album. Special guest locals Spookeasy and At Night open. — PP
Dreamy Soundz Jazz Confusion Compilation Release Show at The Grotto
Unlike the Group Therapycompilation that Fort Wort's Dreamy Soundz label released back in February, this one is completely lo-fi punk-free. As one might guess from the title, this jazz-flavored comp features Mora Collective, Flipside, Lazy Summer, Yells at Eels, Los Noviembres, Tidbits and Black Dog Revisited, with spoken word from Joncliff McKinley and Tony Rizzo. As such, a handful of the comp's featured artists will be on hand to perform tonight. CG
Absolute Battle 2013 at Crowne Plaza Downtown Dallas Hotel
Gamers don't have to spend this weekend at home, because Absolute Battle is back, promising more setups, more room and ultimately, more fun. It will host eight games, a section for gamers to bring a game of their choice, indie developers showcasing new games, and all the standard retailers. Turn out is expected to be high, so we recommend signing up early. — PP
Mike Stinson at Fred's Cafe (Free)
Once described by Billboard Magazine as the “king of the neo-honky-tonkers,” the barnyard rocker makes his way to Fort Worth for this show. A Texan by way of Los Angeles, his music has now developed Texas authenticity and sounds the best of his career — so much so that he was named Texas Magazine's 2012 Artist of the Year. Better yet, this one's free. — PP
Sunday
Drake and Miguel at American Airlines Center
For the third year in a row, the faux Ghostface Killah named Drake to his Softest Rapper in the Game list. Thanks to huge amounts of mainstream pop appeal, a brand new platinum-selling album and an arena tour, Drizzy shouldn't have too much trouble shaking the proverbial haters off. — CG
White Lung at Rubber Gloves
Interestingly enough, Vancouver's White Lung have forged a sound that takes images of classic punk albums and filters them through a lens just as sonically interesting as that of their countrymen, Japandroids. Antwon, Back to Back and Young Nuzzle open.– CG
Look What I Can Do Burlesque/Variety Show at Three Links
What better way to wind down the weekend other than a New Orleans-style variety/circus performance accompanied by a burlesque routine headlined by a performer who calls herself Oops the Clown? Clever Girl Cabaret promises a unique burlesque showcase that breaks away from the mainstream at this one. Be sure to bring tips. — PP
Flatbush Zombies at Trees
These Brooklyn-based “Beast Coast” originators have only been playing club shows for a little over a year. But don't say they didn't deserve it. They did write “Thug Waffle,” after all. — CG
Fall Open Streets on Magnolia Avenue
For four glorious hours, the City of Fort Worth will barricade West Magnolia Avenue (and adjacent streets) between 8th Avenue and Hemphill for more opportunities to bike, skate, food truck graze, and socialize sans automobile than we have space to mention. — CG
Third Anniversary Party at Anvil Pub
Believe us when we say that the owners and staff at Deep Ellum's Anvil Pub really know how to throw a good anniversary bash. Then again, you can't really go wrong with $3 Jameson drinks. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
