Central Track Contributor
Get Creative with Tyler.
Well, you made it, Dallas. You've reached the top of the hill. All that's left is coasting through the rest of your Friday afternoon and sliding into the beckoning arms of the glorious three-day weekend laid out before you.
It's gonna be a good Memorial Day weekend too. Enjoy it: It's basically your last chance to have some fun outdoors before Texas completes its yearly transformation into a desolated, unforgiving hellscape.
Friday
Black Flag at Trees
One of the two newly reconstituted versions of pioneering punk band Black Flag comes to Trees tonight. This is the one that includes Ron Reyes, Greg Ginn and Gregory Moore — not to be confused with the one featuring Keith Morris, Bill Stevenson and Chuck Dukowski that's currently touring under the name FLAG. This is just the beginning, too: Reyes, Ginn and Moore plan to release the first new material to be issued under the Black Flag name since 1985 later this year.
Captured! By Robots at the Double Wide
Former Blue Meanies bassist Jay Vance performs as JBOT, a human enslaved by his robot bandmates. The story behind these robots is that they supposedly ripped JBOT's intestines and eyeballs out. So expect plenty of gross out humor and sight gags.
Datahowler and Sealion Album Releases at Three Links
The surf-punks in Sealion have a new one called Kenneth, named for a toy dinosaur kept inside the band's touring van. Electronic wizard Datahowler has a new-ish one called Crystal Gazers, which has been out for a while now but it finally earning its physical release. So, naturally, the two Deep Ellum mainstays decided to join forces for this celebratory release show at Three Links. War Party opens.
Bobby Lee at the Addison Improv
Catch average Asian Bobby Lee at the Addison Improv all weekend long.
DJ Sober’s Birthday Bash at It’ll Do
The revered DJ Sober is throwing himself a big ol' birthday party at the It'll Do tonight, and he's bringing along a whole cast of friends to help him celebrate. Picnictyme's hosting. Sober's Boston-based DJ pals, Bladerunners, will be offering up a set, too. Expect all sorts of excessive partying at this one.
Pool Gathering Cookout at the Fraternal of Eagles Pool
Bring your own meat and cook it on the grill at the FOE's kickoff to summer. Don't worry, hipsters: You're totally welcome to attend.
Blake Ward and Tony Schwa at Ku De Ta
Hey, that event listing rhymes! Also, it marks the kickoff to DJ Blake Ward's summer series at the upscale Ross Avenue pool, which you can see these days in the background of a new Taco Bueno commercial running before videos on YouTube.
Miguel Campbell at Beauty Bar
Deep house DJ Miguel Campbell will be on the ones and twos on the heels of the release of his first solo LP, Back in Flight School
PVC Street Gang, The Chloes and Bitch Bricks at The Crown & Harp
Three area bands that, to varying degrees, probably don't the shine they deserve, share this strong triple-bill.
Arlington Center Stage Music Festival at Levitt Pavilion
For a free event, this Arlington festival actually has a fairly outstanding lineup. Day One is highlighted by local darling Sarah Jaffe and the folkies in Delta Rae.
Quaker City Night Hawks at Sundance Square
Enjoy a free show from Fort Worth rockers Quaker City Night Hawks in Sundance Square as part of the 19th Hole series thrown by the folks at the Colonial — as in after the golf tournament, not the literary period.
Catamaran at Dada
Indie rock specialists Catamaran are promote the release of their excellent new single “All Around,” at this affair with some help from Dead Mockingbirds, Playtime Rabbit and Sophmore.
The Angelus at Rubber Gloves
The Angelus’ moody psychedelia should make for a dark, introspective evening in Denton tonight, if that's your thing.
Walker and the Texas Dangers at Prophet Bar
You've got to give the punk-tinged bluegrass band Walker & The Texas Dangers this much credit: Their name is at least kind of funny.
Aruna at Lizard Lounge
The Los Angeles-based EDM vocalist Aruna will be performing and DJing at the Lizard Lounge.
Saturday
The Real World Auditions at RedRock Bar & Grill
Find out what happens when people stop acting polite, start acting real and start auditioning for reality TV shows. Or just read about what happened when we auditioned last year.
Taylor Swift at Cowboys Stadium
You will never, ever, ever forgive yourself if you miss serial heartbreak victim Taylor Swift at Cowboys Stadium. Ah, check that. You probably will. Anyway, buzzy English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran opens.
The Black Angels at the Granada
Austin psychedelic heroes The Black Angels take the stage at the Granada behind their new effort, Indigo Meadow. Guitarist Christian Bland was in terrific form when his side project opened for Cat Power at South Side Music Hall in January, so don't expect anything less from his main baby this time through.
Jambalaya Festival featuring Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Zeds Dead, Big Boi, RL Grime and G-Eazy at the Palladium Ballroom
Odd Future's Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt headline stacked bull at the venue soon to be known as “The Venue Formerly Known As The Palladium Ballroom and Now Known As The South Side Ballroom.” The fact that Big Boi's billed so lowly on this lineup in the wake of his recent Viscious Lies & Dangerous Rumors effort should tell you everything else you need to know about the depth of Jambalaya's roster.
Wild//Tribe's Last Show at Three Links
Pour one out for Fort Worth hardcore act Wild//Tribe, who are ending their run as a band tonight, just about a year after being signed to Southern Lord Records.
March Against Monsanto at Dallas City Hall
Join likeminded foodies, activists and people who hate things that have a bit of an evil edge and make your voice heard.
Pink Smoke at the Double Wide
Couldn't just quite work out all your aggression at Black Flag on Friday? Your best Saturday night bet for getting your rocks off is at this show featuring the old-school punk stylings of local upstart Pink Smoke.
Locals Unite at Lizard Lounge
Area DJs Titan, Johnny Funk, Raydar + Shaolin, Hunter Vaughan, DJ Yosh, Shooknite, Air DJ, Ynfynyt Scroll join forces for this all-local dance bash at the Lizard Lounge. Warms the heart, if not the dancefloor. Cover is $15, unless you're under 21 (then it's $20) or among the first 102 people (in which case cover is free).
The Hush Sound and Hockey at Trees
Late last year, Chicago's The Hush Sound reunited after a four-year hiatus. Now, the charming indie quartet intends to release a new full-length. So expect them to be working through some new material after a set from Portland electro act Hockey, who open the show.
Home by Hovercraft, Fox & The Bird and Hares on the Mountain at Good Records
Area folk collective Fox & The Bird will be pushing their new “Wreck of the Fallible” single as part of tonight's triple in-store bill, which also features the step-dance pop of Home by Hovercraft.
Indie in the Big D on Haskell Avenue
Just another affair in the seemingly endless string of gatherings of vendors selling vintage stuff and handmade crafts? Perhaps. If you want to be a dick about it. In reality, this one's a little bigger, its vendor list's a little deeper, and there's even an all-day offering of mostly hip-hop-leaning acts performing, too.
Paul Oakenfold at LeVu
House DJ and current movie soundtrack fixture Paul Oakenfold is something of an iconic fixture, but charging fans $50 to see a DJ set seems pretty outrageous, whether he's remixed a James Bond theme or not.
An Evening with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds at The Majestic
Formerly ubiquitous R&B producer and artist Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will get the old(er) folks all hot and bothered at The Majestic. Seriously, there's gonna be so much reminiscing about the '90s at this one, you guys.
Ladies Stay Crazy Dance Party at The Texas Theatre
The Texas Theatre's monthly ladies’ night dance party is Star Trek-themed, so remember to dance long and prosper.
Ice Eater, Cutter and Son of Stan at Lola's Saloon
Fort Worth post-prog outfit Ice Eater heads a triple bill at Lola's to promote the release of their first studio LP Don't Care.
Downtown Arlington Center Stage Music Festival at Leavitt Pavilion
The Saturday schedule at the free Arlington festival is headed by The Polyphonic Spree and Calhoun.
Build a Better Jason Benefit with White Ghost Shivers, Bobby Patterson and John Singer Sergeant at the Kessler Theater
The Kessler hosts a benefit to help Oak Cliff's newly cancer-free biking and art advocate Jason Roberts with his remaining medical bills. Tickets for the show are $25, and you'll see performances from some of Roberts' personal favorites, including White Ghost Shivers, John Singer Sergeant and Bobby Patterson. A few yet-to-be named special guest will also perform, we're told.
Eleven Hundred Springs at Dan's Silverleaf
You really have to see Eleven Hundred Spring at least once. These local country boys are talented as all get out, and about as Texan as Texan gets, too.
Frankmusik at the Curtain Club
London-based electronic artist Frankmusik makes some pretty catchy pop tunes with his retro synths and Commodore 64 samples, and his booking to the Curtain Club for this show is probably that venue's most interesting score in years.
Sunday
Soundgarden at the Palladium
The Seattle grunge legends continue their reunion run at Palladium. Their new effort, King Animal, is just OK, but you shouldn't miss the opportunity to maybe hear “Fell on Black Days” played live by something close to the band's original lineup.
Paul Oakenfold at Sisu Uptown
Oakenfold continues his North Texas swing with another $50-a-head gig at Sisu.
#popUpdallas Neon Summer party at Ash Studios
Deep Dallas Music and Green Bandana group host an all-day party featuring music from Missile, Mr. Kitty and Taylor Effin Cleveland. Oh, and an open bar, too. Tickets are $10 if you get them in advance.
Downtown Arlington Center Stage Festival at Leavitt Pavilion
The final day at Leavitt Pavilion is led by the Old 97's and Telegraph Canyon.
Tomato Battle Dallas 2013 Fair Park
This event sounds really fun — like a really big, really red food fight — but, thing is, it costs $50. If you just really need to throw a tomato at someone, you can always go buy one at Tom Thumb and chuck it at your roommate. She'll be pissed, but you'll be happy to still have $49 in your pocket.
Dallas Margarita Meltdown 2013 in Bishop Arts
Twenty bucks gets you all the margaritas you can stand from some of Dallas' best restaurants.
Fever Dreamer and Dustin Cavazos at Dada
Dallas garage-rock act Fever Dreamer heads a diverse bill also featuring Oak Cliff rapper Dustin Cavazos.
Air Review and Dark Rooms at The Where House
Air Review might be the name you recognize on this bill — and rightfully so. But this show's also serving as the release party for the debut album from Daniel Hart's new Dark Rooms project, which is among the best albums we've heard all year, local or otherwise.
Brave Combo at the National Polka Festival in Ennis
Metroplex institution Brave Combo closes the National Polka Festival in Ennis, just as is the case most years. But the delicious eats this festival promises might be worth the trip on their own.
Third Annual Brew-B-Q at Deep Ellum Brewing Company
Speaking of eats and drinks: DEBC hosts its third annual Brew-B-Q this weekend. They'll be serving up their own delicious craft beers, plus barbecue from the newly crowned second-best such joint in Texas, Pecan Lodge.
Monday
The Lonely Wild at Dada
A wild weekend of concerts at Dada concludes with a show from the alt-country influenced indies in The Lonely Wild.
Memorial Day at Lone Star Park
Bring in summer with some horse racing at Lone Star Park. Festivities include a food truck spectacular. Also? A Winstar Casino-sponsored chance to win a million bucks.
