Central Track Contributor
Set A Record.
Just how many more times do you plan on watching the new Star Wars trailer, exactly?
Haven't you looped the two-minute clip enough already? We get it; Luke Skywalker, Millenium Falcon, geriatric Han Solo, rolly droid, Stormtrooper, crashed Star Destroyer, the em effing force.
Fortunately, there's more to life than just Star Wars. Don't believe us? Just watch. — Cory Graves
Friday
Pokey LaFarge at The Loft
Pokey LaFarge has a unique sound with its blend of old-time country, blues, folk, ragtime, early jazz and Western swing. The band started out with just Andrew Heissler, who has since adopted the Pokey persona, then he added three other members known as the Sound City Three. Now, a seven piece, and led by LaFarge's straight out of AM radio vocals, the band has gotten pretty big and should be interesting to see live — and you can, this Friday at The Loft. You'll also be able to hear Whiskey Folk Ramblers, which opens. — Carly Seitz
Sixx:A.M. at The Bomb Factory
As its name suggests, Sixx:A.M. is the hard rocking side band of Motley Crue bassist and chief songwriter Nikki Sixx. The “A” and the “M” stand for DJ Ashba, and James Michael, respectively, not that it really matters. Oddly, Disney band The Vamps is one of tonight's openers. — Lauren Rushing
Social Science (Adult Night) at The Perot Museum (Sold Out)
So here's your chance to finally drag your old ass out of the house and for once get to enjoy the museum without having to hear screaming children — or the blathering of anyone under 21 for that matter. Grab a cocktail and a babysitter and head to this month's edition of the Perot Museum's monthly, after hours, adults-only programming. Understandably, tickets to these go pretty quick, and this month's “Mysterious!” themed affair is already sold out. That said, you might want to go ahead and snatch up tickets to next month's “Naturally” themed event asap. — Ashley Gongora
Whirr at Lola's
Lose yourself in Whirr's loud, ambient sound at Dada. The California shoegazers sound a lot like guitarist Nick Bassett's last project, Deafheaven — albeit without all the screaming vocals. Make no mistake, though, that's a good thing. You might want to bring your earplugs to this one. Post-punk outfits Wild Moth and Bummer Vacation open. — Stephen Young
Big Folkin' Fest at The Prophet Bar
Started in 2012, The Deep Ellum Big Folkin' Festival is just what it sounds like: an annual, mostly local, mostly folk-based music festival. But with so many sub-genres nowadays, what does that really mean? Well, the fest's organizers say there will be a little something for everyone, with a variety of genres to be represented including Americana, anti-folk, singer/songwriter, bluegrass, indie, cowpunk, roots, folk rock, rockabilly and blues. And with 40 bands set to perform across two stages over two days, we too think you'll enjoy this fest if you like folk music, regardless of how specific your tastes may or may not be. — CS
Stone Temple Pilots at House of Blues
Let's be clear about one thing: This ain't the STP of yore. No, this is the retread lineup that features Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington on vocals. And yet the show goes on. — CG
Jake Shimabukuro at Kessler Theater
Shimabukuro is a Hawaiian ukulele virtuoso known for his fast, dexterous finger work, and for taking the oft-slighted instrument to places you never thought possible. Whether that means you'll find his work awe-inspiring or just interesting enough not to want to rip the thing from his hands and smash it really just depends on where the uke rates in your book. Still, he must be doing something right to warrant playing such a big room with such a small instrument — and on back to back nights, no less. — CG
Styles & Complete at Thee Theater
Thee Theater, located on the 2200 block of Main Street near the edge of Downtown and Deep Ellum, quietly opened its doors a few weeks back with a Waka Flocka Flame show. We recently had a chance to check it out for ourselves when Riff Raff performed at the space last month. And though it's not so much a music venue as it is a club that can capably host shows, the space appears committed to doing so. Located within the same nondescript building that used to house the Main Event Center and Purgatory before that, Thee Theater is multi-leveled with the main stage and bar located on the third floor, with a wraparound balcony sitting on the fourth floor. Hip-hop and EDM shows will fit well here; the sound is great if the size isn't huge. Check it out for yourself, as Styles & Complete, Crichy Crich, Colton Carlyle, Akooü and Dj Bomb Cat all perform at the space. — Mikel Galicia
Lydia Loveless at Magnolia Motor Lounge
To hear Grantland tell it, Bloodshot artist Lydia Loveless is the female equivalent of Sturgill Simpson, a performer making some good ol' fashioned, honest to god, anti-bro country, country. That's not completely accurate, though, as the rough-edged alt country songsmith doesn't lean heavy on the same nostalgia vibes Simpson is best known for. — CG
Crankology Bouldering Competition ad Dyno-Rock Indoor Climbing Center
If rock climbing is your thing, you can compete in Dyno-Rock's annual bouldering competition this Friday. Even if you suck at climbing and have no upper body strength, you might still have a chance at winning, as there will be beginner, intermediate and advanced categories. If you don't want to compete but still enjoy watching climbers, you can cheer on competitors as a spectator. Heck, even if you don't like rock climbing whatsoever, the free beer, free music and free music might appeal to you. (Technically, it won't be free considering you have to pay at least $10 to go to the event, but still.) — CS
Drew Holcomb at Granada Theater
Just a couple nights removed from an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Drew Holcomb and his East Nashville-based backing band brings its Petty-flavored brand of American rock to Dallas. Humming House opens. — CG
Party at the Park at Lone Star Park
This Friday, The Tejas Brothers will play at Lone Star Park's “Party at the Park,” which happens every Friday in the park's courtyard, excluding concert nights. Attendees may enjoy $2 beer specials, and, if they get to the park early, they can see the first live horse race at 6:35 p.m. — CS
Matt Pond PA at Dada
Philly-born, New York-based indie rock forebearers Matt Pond PA will play some songs from its forthcoming, crowd-funded State of Gold LP. Says the band of its new material, “So far, the songs rhythmically shift from the past. We've been experimenting and orchestrating with delays and polyrhythms. Wilder sounds to reflect the wildnesses, inside-out.” — CG
Godsmack at South Side Ballroom
Remember when Godsmack's hit song “I Stand Alone” was use for the trailer for The Scorpion King, starring the incomparable Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? It's still hilarious. — Chase Whale
Buckcherry at Gas Monkey Live
Buckcherry is not a Chuck Berry cover band, though they'd probably be a whole lot more well-liked if they were. No, this is the L.A. rock act to blame for 2006's “Crazy Bitch.” — LR
Sir Michael Rocks at Three Links (Sold Out)
As a teenager, he started making music under the name Mikey Rocks as one half of groundbreaking duo The Cool Kids. Now, the more adult, Sir Michael Rocks, is back in town supporting his first solo record, last year's Banco. Robb Banks and Pouya open. — LR
Sam Robertson at Dan's Silverleaf
After a two-years-and-some-change hiatus, Denton singer-songwriter Sam Robertson is back, and she'll perform her first comeback solo set tonight at Dan's. The welcome committee also features sets from fellow Dentonites Chinaski the Fury and Claire Morales. — CG
Back to the Future II at Inwood Theatre
Sequels are mostly always terrible, sure, but somehow Back to the Future II manages to stand pretty well alongside the first one. One word: Hoverboards. — CG
Vincent Neil Emerson & the Old Souls at The Free Man (Free)
Though we Dallasites haven't quite caught on yet, up-and-coming Fort Worth honky tonker Vincent Neil Emerson is the real deal. The originals he'll perform tonight from his forthcoming debut LP hold their own alongside the Waylon Jennings and Billy Joe Shaver covers he's sure to pull out. As a performer, he brims with precisely the down home charm to pull it off with gusto, making it all look a little too easy in the process. — CG
Deep Inside at Crown and Harp (Free)
Every third Friday of each month, DJ BOXX and special guest DJs make the guests at Crown and Harp come alive with their house beats. This month's house music event is this Friday, and the special guest will be Jwho. There's no cover at this event, and you don't have to worry about a bunch of high school kids since it's 21+, so all the more reason to go. — CS
Saturday
National Record Store Day at Good Records & Josey Records
We literally say it every year at this time, but Record Store Day is one of the most fun things that happens in Dallas every year. And with so many new record shops popping up in the past couple of years, there are now seemingly more independent, brick-and-mortar record shops than ever to celebrate — not to mention the copious amounts of vinyl they peddle. For years now, the mother of them all is generally the combination anniversary party, live music extravaganza put down by longtime Lower Greenville mainstay Good Records. This year's eighth annual Record Store Day shindig, which goes down Saturday, April 18, also marks the store's 15th year in business. As such, they're hosting a mega lineup feature 15 bands and 15 DJs who'll be performing throughout the day as you shop for this year's local and national special edition releases and go to town on free food and booze. Elsewhere, Josey Records looks to challenge the Good's status as the reigning RSD champ with its first RSD celebration, where Blue, the Misfit, Sam Lao, The Cush and more will perform. Those two aside, pretty much every record store in town will be doing something to mark the day. — CG
OK Go at Granada Theater
Honestly, we're not that upset that OK Go's show is sold out. It's not that we don't like them — we think they're awesome — but their live performances aren't nearly as cool as the viral videos they're known for like the one with the umbrellas. So yeah. We'd much rather dance with the guys — for free — at the after party, which will take place right next door at the Sundown. — CS
Something Wonderful at The Cotton Bowl
A while back, the minds behind Dallas' long-running Meltdown Music Festival told us they had something big up their sleeves this year. And they weren't lying; this sucker's huge. This weekend they'll introduce Dallas toa new concept called Something Wonderful, piggybacking off of the success of an already-big affair in Houston (Something Wicked), placing the thing inside of the Cotton Bowl and with trance icon Tiesto as the initial headliner. Joining him on this bill is a wide range of performers — the lineup features 16 acts in total — including such bold-faced EDM names as Zeds Dead, Carnage, Cedric Gervais and Bro Safari, as well as up-and-comers worth watching such as Mr. Carmack, Mako and Troyboi. In other words: In addition to looking like quite the dance party, this affair's shaping up to be the best excuse we've seen to walking into the Cotton Bowl for some time. — PF
Young Fathers at Trees
Scottish trio Young Fathers are an inventive blend of lo-fi R&B and alternative hip-hop, among half-a-dozen other subgenres you could aptly use to describe them. Back in October the outfit's Dead album beat out acts like Damon Albarn, FKA Twigs and Jungle to win the Mercury Prize, a prize awarded to Brittain's top album of the year. By all accounts their new one, the just-released White Men Are Black Men Too is even better. — CG
Big Folkin' Fest at The Prophet Bar
Keep on folkin' on. — CS
Ben Kweller at Shipping & Receiving
Greenville native Ben Kweller has been all over the map — sound wise — throughout his career. He effortlessly bounces from piano pop, folky acoustic numbers, country music and the more electrified rock stuff heard on his latest release, 2012's Go Fly a Kite. No matter what style he's currently dabbling in, the current Austin resident always seems to bring his A-game for his “homecoming” gigs. Salim Nourallah and Exit 380 open. — CG
Bane at Dada
It's been more than nine years since Massachusetts melodic hardcore outfit Bane has released a full-length album. Last summer, though, the band dropped what it's calling its fourth and final LP. For now, they say, the plan is to keep touring for years to come, but one can't help but feel like this could be one of the last chances to catch the band perform live. Or not. I guess we'll see. Backtrack, Malfunction, Afraid of Life and Pulled Under open. — AG
Lady Lamb at Sons of Hermann Hall
After graduating high school, Aly Spaltro — better known as Lady Lamb (formerly known as Lady Lamb the Beekeeper) — opted to put off college for a year and teach herself to play instruments instead. It was a gamble that paid off for Spaltro, who has since released a pair of really nice atmospheric, electric folk records. For more info on this show, check out our Lady Lamb interview here. — CG
Block Party at Small Brewpub
Sardonic New York folkie, Langhorne Slim, sartorial Austin rockers, Quiet Company, along with semi-local country-tronica dabbler Christian Lee Hutson and Dallas folk collective Fox & the Bird will come together to help Oak Cliff's Small Brewpub hold its first-ever block party. Raise a glass and check out the spot's newly-opened back patio at this one. — CG
Bike Swap at Red Star Bicycles
In celebration of its one-year anniversary, Red Star Bicycles is hosting a bike swap this Saturday. Unlike regular swaps though, you can also buy and sell bikes and more instead of just trading. Lucky for you, because now you need not worry about finding nothing of interest to you and losing what you brought to another swapper, which can be a real issue at other swaps. — CS
Boil for the Brave at The Rustic
We checked and, yes, this event is an all-you-can-eat affair. As long as you think you'll eat at least five pounds, we think it's worth it, as the event is $30 and you can often find crayfish for about $6 per pound at restaurants. Even if you don't think your tummy can handle five pounds, all proceeds will go toward renovating houses for veterans in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, so you'll be helping with that. Also, your money covers entertainment from Tom Petty tribute band Petty Theft will perform this year. — CS
Wilde/Earnest at Kitchen Dog Theatre
In an attempt to explain the hipster phenomenon, Brett McCracken once wrote: “Irony, [became] a fun, subversive response to pop culture's increasingly desperate power grab. It became a defense mechanism of sorts — a way for us to exert some sort of autonomy over a machine that thinks it has us figured out. Realizing that mainstream culture was by-and-large one massive ruse, hipsters decided to ironically embrace it at the lowest common denominator level.” It's much the same thing the antagonists in Oscar Wilde's 1895 play The Importance of Being Earnest were trying to do with Victorian culture at large. The parallel, perhaps, also makes this updated, hipster version of Wilde's play seem like less of a stretch than it sounds. It closes following Saturday's performance. — CG
Allen Falkner's Freaks & Fetish at Lizard Lounge
This is the seventh year of the annual Freaks & Fetish show, and considering the lineup, it looks like this one's going to be good. Set to perform are sideshow superstar The Lizardman; acrobat Brittany Walsh, or Acrobritt, who was featured on Letterman; and burlesque dancer Sabra Johnsin. Really, the only freaky one is The Lizardman unless super flexible people or half-naked ladies freak you out, but for $10 before the show and $15 the day of, it may still be worth checking out. — CS
Joe Diffie and Sammy Kershaw at The Bomb Factory
Longtime country veterans Joe Diffie and Sammy Kershaw head the crop of acts playing at The Bomb Factory's unofficial ACM party. And if you can't make it out to this one, or don't feel like paying, it's supposedly live streaming somewhere maybe. — CG
Rawlins Gilliland at Kessler Theater
Before he became known for his role as a KERA commentator, noted letter writer and storyteller, Rawlins Gilliland was employed by Neiman Marcus for 18 years. Tonight, though, he's doing the story thing, performing Detention Hall: 70 Years of Poor Conduct, the final installment of his trilogy of one-man shows. — CG
Beer Class at Victor Tangos
For all the teachers who ask themselves, “How can I make learning fun?” take notes from Victor Tango's. The trick is to serve alcohol to your pupils — the more the better. Victor Tango's will serve up 10-plus beers at its beer class this Saturday while students learn about a variety of topics, including tasting tips, beer history and more. If you have $58 to throw down, go to class! No need to bring Adderall to this one; we're sure Victor Tango's will keep you plenty engaged. — CS
Lee “Scratch” Perry at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill
Without dub music there'd be no dubstep, theoretically speaking, anyway. So thank/blame Jamaican dub pioneer Lee “Scratch” Perry for the existence Skrillex. — CG
Secret Show in Downtown Dallas
Is it still a “secret” show if you make a Facebook event for it and invite everybody in town? Ronnie Heart, War Party, Duo Contra and high school wunderkind Sad Cops will perform at a yet-to-be-disclosed location downtown. Check this page on Saturday for that sole secret detail. — CG
Maze, Bobby Brown, Cameo at Verizon Theatre
Maze, of “Joy and Pain” fame, Bobby Brown of smoking crack fame and Cameo of drumming gorilla fame share this throwback triple bill. — CG
Dead Flowers at Three Links
While that other Folkin' Fest is going on down the road, BFF vets — and actual bffs — will help Dallas' Dead Flowers kick off its upcoming tour. Those would be The Van Sanchez, Heavy Glow and The Jack Kerowax. — CG
Vexed UK at Rubber Gloves
Once called “the biggest musical breakthrough in Texas since Daniel Johnston,” Denton “meditation music” makers Vexed UK will call it a day after this one last performance. George Quartz, Little Beards and Baby Blood also perform. — CG
Sunday
ACM Awards at AT&T Stadium
Every year since 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards has honored the country genre's biggest and most-renowned artists. Now, to honor its own 50-year run, what's arguably the genre'e oldest and most prestigious tradition is doing things up bigger than ever before, taking over North Texas all next weekend long as it prepares to broadcast the awards live from AT&T Stadium on Sunday, April 19. It's a pretty big deal — not only because it's the first time the ceremony will be held outside of California or Las Vegas in its 50-year history, but because everyone who is anyone in country music will be there, from Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire to Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert. Huge stuff, I'm telling ya. Still, there's more you need to know heading into the show. — CG
Steve Earle at Granada Theater
Earle didn't just provide the opening theme to the fifth season of The Wire, but he appeared in a handful of episodes throughout the series' run as the role of Bubbles' HIV-positive, recovering alcoholic Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, Walon. The longtime pal of Townes Van Zandt has also played a pretty heavy role in shaping the alt-country genre in its fledgling years. — CG
Curre$y at South Side Music Hall
Being known as “New Orleans' hardest working stoner” may sound like a pretty contradictory descriptor, but, in Curren$y's case, it is entirely fitting. The Lousianna rapper has released four studio albums and 17 mixtapes since 2008. His prolific output is all the more impressive when one considers how much of his catalog is comprised of songs mentioning the amount of marijuana he smokes. — CG
Orgy at Trees
Times have changed for Orgy. The L.A. death pop outfit rose to fame in the late '90s with its “Blue Monday” cover, but has fallen quite far since. The current lineup, which features few original members, launched a crowd-funding campaign to record its most recent album, that failed miserably, raising just $8,739 of its stated $100,000 goal — only $91,000 short! — CG
JD McPherson at Sons of Hermann Hall
While McPherson's roots lay in the same Talihina, Oklahoma area that also gave us Kings of Leon, the two acts couldn't be any more different. Not only is he not a raging douchelick, McPherson's retro revivalist catalog leans more in the Buddy Holly direction. Matt Hillyer opens. — CG
American Graffiti at Alamo Drafthouse
With all the hype surrounding the new Star Wars trailer, let's not forget that the actual greatest thing George Lucas has ever made was this 1973 gem. As critic Devin Faraci suggests, it's “the only human movie Lucas has ever made.” — CG
Crunch and Brunch at The Joule
Exactly like it sounds, show up at 10:15 a.m. for an hour of power yoga followed up by brunch at CBD Provisions. $35 gets you access to both. Not a bad little way to start off a Sunday. — CG
Salute to King Crawfish Boil at The Foundry
This boil is great for those who love Cajun food of all kinds, as gumbo, oysters and andouille sausage will be available in addition to the crawfish. And it's all-you-can-eat for $20 before the event and $25 the day of. As for drinks, cocktails from Jim Bean Kentucky Fire as well as beer from Deep Ellum Brewing Company will be available. Also, Zydeco band Dr. Zog will play live music for the event. On top of that, John Arseneau and Joe Haasch of Elm St. Tattoo will be doing custom Creole-themed tattoos on-site. — CS
KNON Chili Cook-Off at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill
Taste isn't everything. In this chili cook-off, for instance, it's not enough just to cook damn good chili, you've also got to put a little showmanship into your efforts. The Black Lillies and Charlie Parr perform while the pots are being stirred and emptied. — CG
The Givers at Dada
After getting displaced by Hurricane Katrina, a handful of kids from various zydeco bands met and formed this indie rock meets Afro-pop group. It's never a bad thing when there's more saxophone in the world. Pree opens. — CG
Bulldog Bonanza at Cold Beer Company
Who doesn't love trolling the bar for bitches? Literally. Some badass bulldogs will be on site at CBC this Sunday, looking for foster and forever homes. Show 'em a little puppy love. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
