Apparently arenas are just too small for rock’s arena-sized superstars, U2.

Bono (above) and the gang have booked the Georgia Dome for its 360 Tour, set to arrive a whole seven months from now on Oct. 6. (With opening act The Muse). 

Tickets range from $30 to $250 — and the floor is all general admission (and $55). They go on sale Monday at www.livenation.com, the Georgia Dome box office or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

Did you see U2’s last stadium tour, for “Vertigo”? Picked up their latest CD – “No Line On The Horizon” – yet; and if so, what do you think?

Continue reading U2 Coming To Georgia Dome In October »

Men – if you ever wanted to get next to Atlanta R&B singer Keyshia Cole, tonight just may be your shot.

Casting by Carolyn and Marvelous Entertainment are holding auditions tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 for Cole’s upcoming video. Requirements? You must be 21 to 35 with an athletic build.

If you’re interested — and qualify — just show up at Marvelous Entertainment, 1345 Boyd Ave. N.W. Atlanta, Ga. 30318.

If you’ve heard Cole’s latest CD (“A Different Me”), what do you think her next single should be? (This casting call is reportedly for a video for “Trust,” featuring Atlanta Grammy winner Monica). And how would you rate her current album?

Continue reading Male Casting Call For Keyshia Cole Video – Tonight »

As Atlanta rapper-actor T.I. headed into court this morning to be sentenced on federal weapons charges, Vibe magazine has hit newsstands with a cover story purporting to tell “the untold story behind the deal.” The deal, that is, that kept the convicted felon out of jail for a year on a deferred sentence after being caught purchasing machine guns and silencers in a metro area Walgreen’s parking lot Oct. 13, 2007.

But in the story – titled “Cell Therapy” – the Grammy winner born Clifford Harris, Jr. basically reaffirms what he’s said previously on record (“No Matter What”), on his MTV reality show (“T.I.’s Road To Redemption”) and in various interviews since he struck the plea deal a year ago today. In short, he maintains that he did not turn anyone in to get the surprising sentence of a year and a day.

Or in street language, he did not snitch.

“Ain’t no such thing as a secret snitch,” he tells Benjamin Meadows-Ingram. “If there was, there’d be …

Continue reading T.I. : “Ain’t No Such Thing As A Secret Snitch” »

Amy Ray (left) and Emily Saliers perform a free concert at Criminal Records. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

Atlanta’s own Indigo Girls have gone independent to release “Poseidon and the Bitter Bug.” Just like their last release in 2006, the pair decided to hold a free 30-minute concert at Criminal Records, drawing several hundred fans. 

This time, instead of doing it outside, they were able to perform at Criminal Records’ new locale and stage. They sampled several cuts from the new album, out today, as well as finishing again with their signature song “Closer to Fine,” a fine singalong song from 1989, 20 years ago. An attendee posted video on YouTube:

I took some video of Amy Ray singing “Sugar Tongue.” I apologize in advance for a couple of shaky moments. My cel phone went off a couple of times. I kind of did this on the fly!

They then spent the next hour signing autographs. When I went up to say hey real quickly, I asked them about going indie, and Emily Saliers said …

Continue reading Indigo Girls perform several cuts from new album at Criminal Records 3/24/09 »

It’s Day Two of two Dispatches From The Road in a row — with a twist.

While this occasional feature is usually an opportunity for a local act to send the Atlanta Music Scene a “post card” before a homecoming performance, yesterday Janelle Monae and Daddy A Go Go “penned” a “How I Spent My SXSW” after their big music weekend in Austin.

And today, Ansley Park rocker Butch Walker has gone all Zagat on us – offering up travel picks, based on his recent tour stops, before he and His Gang of Merry Musical Melodymakers hit the Variety Playhouse stage tomorrow night. (And the 40 Watt Club in Athens three days later).

Already have your ticket? Picked up his latest CD, “Sycamore Meadows”? In no way surprised that “Here Comes The…” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s singles sales chart earlier this month?

Then you’re probably a fan, who will (hopefully) enjoy the following:

Toronto: This city is one of my favorites in the world. The art, the culture, the …

Continue reading Butch Walker – From The Road »

Usually our Dispatches From The Road come from Atlanta artists advancing a homecoming date. And while Grammy nominee Janelle Monae is due back on a local stage soon — April 3 at the Rialto — we asked her and Daddy A Go Go to do something a little different, a little special, just for the Atlanta Music Scene: A postcard from their appearances at SXSW, the Austin music festival that just wrapped this weekend. 

First, Janelle:

“My experience at SXSW was ethereal and otherworldly. Androids, cypocalites, cyborgs, and humans from all over showed up and held hands during our sets. SXSW was even bold enough to put crazy me on the cover of their official magazine SXSWorld. We played 7 shows and tried out new tunes! I am very grateful and honored to have such out of sight and dynamite supporters that helped glide me each time I surfed the crowd! The Wondaland Arts Society and I made it a point to spray paint Imagination Inspires Nations all over Austin, TX! I hope many lives …

Continue reading Janelle Monae and Daddy A Go Go’s Dispatches From SXSW »

V-103 morning co-host Frank Ski had “the first family of music” – as he called it — in the midtown studio this morning, and before Ski got to what brought Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid, his ex-wife Pebbles (now known to some as Sister Perri) and their son Aaron in for a visit, he started with arguably the most-talked-about artist on Reid’s label at the moment: Rihanna.

“That was tough,” Reid said of the her alleged abuse by recording artist Chris Brown. “I can’t comment any more than that.. Don’t ask me about that.”

But Ski did try to get him to address it again in a different way, asking Reid how he and his company deals with such a public matter involving one of his artists? 

“We definitely go into crisis mode,” Reid said, audibly bothered by the inquiry. “Now you’ve got me shook.”

And with that admission, Ski and Wanda Smith went on to discuss “Hello World – Live Listening Lounge & The Reid Experience,” …

Continue reading Antonio “L.A.” Reid on Rihanna (Quickly) — And Why He’s In Town Tonight »

Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson’s (above) first official stop in Atlanta now has a second date added to it — April 14 at the Fox Theatre — and tickets went up at 10 a.m. this morning. (A very limited number of tickets for her April 16 show with fellow R&B singer Robin Thicke are still available). 

Plus the first line-up for the 2009 Delta Classic Chastain summer concert series has been announced, and subscription packages for that are available, starting this morning, as well.

Here’s who’s booked:

The Wednesday Series

June 24:        Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang

July 1:           Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs

July 8:           Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson

July 15:         Regeneration Tour featuring Berlin, ABC, Heaven 17, Wang Chung and Cutting Crew

Friday Series

June 5:             Pink Martini

June 26:           Atlanta Symphony Orchestra  performs the Music of Led Zeppelin

July 10: …

Continue reading Second Jennifer Hudson and Classic Chastain On Sale »

In the midst of the green-everywhere, Guinness-swigging revelry of  St. Patrick’s Day, there was some sublimeness to be found last night.

And lucky for the 900 or so people who were savvy enough to snatch up tickets quickly, it arrived in the form of a one-album artist already – almost –  too big for such an intimate venue; who gave a show almost too wonderfully-executed to be the first Atlanta performance by a 20-year-old.

Little wonder Adele was named Grammy’s best new artist this year.

London’s blues, pop and R&B stand-out entered the stage to Beyonce’s hit “Single Ladies.” She enthralled the sold-out Variety Playhouse alone with her guitar (notably on the sly and jazz-colored “Best for Last”) as well as in front of her exceptional five-piece band. And in addition to material from her “19” debut, she made especially fine work of rockers The Raconteurs’ “Many Shades of Black,” her idol Etta James’ “Fool That I Am” and fellow soul giant Sam …

Continue reading Adele In Atlanta »

You did it Zac Brown Band fans!

The Academy of Country Music Awards announced that Atlanta’s burgeoning country act won the fan-voted nomination for Top New Vocal Duo or Group; joining a few other prominent acts (Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Sugarland) with Georgia connections.

But now there is more work to do, as fan voting starts today at VoteACM.com for Top New Artist — for which the Zac Brown Band is now contending.

The winner in that category – and of course, all of the others — will be announced April 5 at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, airing at 8 p.m on CBS. Voting closes that day.

Planning to vote again for the Zac Brown Band? How do you think they’ll fare against other nominees Jake Owen and Julianne Hough?

Oh – and one other thing: Zac Brown Band is performing on GAC-TV’s “ACM Top New Artists” special March 19 at 10 p.m. .

Continue reading Zac Brown Band Wins ACM — But Fan’s Work Not Over »