Photo credit: Jazmyne Simmons

Musiq Soulchild popped by Maggiano’s in Buckhead today to chat with a table of media folks about his upcoming album, “Musiqinthemagiq” (try typing that one five times in a row).

Sharply dressed in a three-piece gray suit, plaid tie and omnipresent tinted glasses, the Atlanta transplant said he’s been digging the vibe of the city since moving here from Philadelphia three years ago.

“I love the people and the energy. It reminds me of Philly. There’s a lot of trendsetting things that happen in Atlanta,” he said.

While he doesn’t think that being in the Hip-Hop of the South has altered his overall sound, he did acknowledge that “Radio,” from 2008’s “onmyradio” album, was a valentine to the city.

“I got bit by the Atlanta bug and that song just came out,” he said, noting that when he first moved, some peers asked if he considered the Atlanta sound “real” music.

“That [song] was my way of saying, I ain’t got no …

Continue reading Musiq Soulchild talks about the magic in upcoming CD »

The Sprite Step Off, back in Atlanta for a second year, comes to the Fox Theatre at 5 p.m. Saturday. The challenge involves regional college fraternities and sororities showing off their best moves in a tournament-style competition.

The event will be hosted by DJ Rock-T of the Tavis Smiley Show, and will also feature a performance by Atlanta-based R&B singer Ciara.

The Sprite Step Off is also partnering with the Hill Street Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club to host a community service activity and will present the organization with a check for $4,500 and donate more than 50 books.

Winners of this round of the Step Off challenge will advance to the national finals in Washington D.C. May 21 and compete for two $100,000 scholarships.

Tickets are $20. Info: www.spritestepoff.com.

Continue reading Sprite Step Off event includes Ciara performance »

Composer Nico Muhly joins modern chamber ensemble eighth blackbird for a day of workshops and conversations at Kennesaw State University on April 1. The ensemble will premiere a new work by Muhly on April 2. Photo: Samantha West

TODAY-SATURDAY
Eighth blackbird and Nico Muhly
This is one of those rare modern classical events that will have appeal beyond the usual classical audience. Muhly has fans in the indie rock world through his own recorded work and work with bands such as Grizzly Bear and Antony and the Johnsons. He has a pretty extensive catalog of compositions at 29 and his first opera will be premiered by the English National Opera this year (and at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 2013). Eighth blackbird has worked frequently with Atlanta School composer Jennifer Higdon. The ensemble performs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Jennifer Higdon’s “On a Wire” concerto for sextet and orchestra on the just-released inaugural CD from the ASO’s new in-house …

Continue reading Live music picks: April 1-7 »

Gainesville, Fla. quartet Against Me is just one of the many bands that will converge on Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood when the Vans Warped Tour comes to town in July. Tickets go on sale April 1. Photo courtesy Mutiny PR.

ON SALE NOW
Langhorne Slim and the Law. 8:30 p.m. April 19. The EARL. $14; $12 in advance. TA.
Devin the Dude, Count Bass D. 10 p.m. April 23. The Loft. $20; $15 in advance. TA.
Joan as Policewoman. 8:30 p.m. May 2. The EARL. $10. TA.
Movits, Cousin Dan. 8:30 p.m. May 4. The EARL. $10. TA.
Wintersleep. 8:30 p.m. May 9. The EARL. $10. TA.
Better Than Ezra. 9 p.m. May 13. Center Stage. $25; $22 in advance. TM.
Fake Problems, Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Into It.Over It. 8:30 p.m. May 17. The EARL. $10. TA.
Here We Go Magic. 8:30 p.m. May 18. The EARL. $10. TA.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. 9 p.m. May 20. The EARL. $10. TA.
Bob Schneider. 8:30 p.m. May 25. The Loft. $20. TA.
Sam Bradley, Holly Conlan. 9 p.m. June 4. The EARL. $14; $12 in advance. TA.
Eternal …

Continue reading Hot tickets: March 29 »

Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks played a sold-out Phillips Arena last night, Thursday, March 24, 2011.

It turns out that the interesting-yet-odd pairing of Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart is more odd than interesting (for visual proof, check out our photo gallery from the show).

Separately, they’re terrific.

Together? Meh.

At Thursday night’s Philips Arena show – only the second date of the “Heart and Soul” tour after the kickoff in Fort Lauderdale was scotched Sunday due to Stewart “having the flu” – the venerable duo dazzled during their respective sets.

At 7:28 p.m., Stewart waltzed out on stage in his best boat captain getup to introduce “one of the truly great, iconic voices of rock ‘n’ roll…and I’m not talking about myself.”

Unfortunately for Nicks, whom he was talking about, the arena was about half-filled at that point, with many fans likely assuming that a 7:30 ticket meant an 8 p.m. or later start. When was the last time you attended a rock …

Continue reading Stewart and Nicks a perfect pair — apart »

Ludacris will get his game on May 14 for a free concert at Turner Field after the 1 p.m. Atlanta Braves/Philadelphia Phillies game.

The Atlanta-based rapper/actor is performing during Civil Rights Game Week, a four-day series of events organized by Major League Baseball to pay tribute to those who fought for equal rights.

“I’m a fan of baseball, and I am honored to be a part of MLB’s family and tradition of being a pioneering organization for civil rights, social justice and equity,” Luda’ said in a statement. “I have studied the strides made in baseball and in sports, and the impact they have had on social issues affecting race and race relations in America. The Civil Rights Game Week is a celebration of those achievements and a reminder of our ongoing responsibility to continue levelingthe playing field for all.”

To purchase game tickets, visit www.MLB.com/civilrightsgame.

By Melissa Ruggieri, Atlanta Music Scene blog

Follow me on Twitter: @ajclifestyle

Continue reading Ludacris to play Turner Field after Braves game »

Former Marietta resident and Wheeler High School graduate Ron Pope returns to town for a show at Vinyl on March 31. Photo: Big Hassle Media

TODAY
Five Eight
It’s finally here. This show is a celebration of the Athens/Atlanta band’s long-awaited new album, “Your God Is Dead to Me Now.” It’s been almost seven years since the band’s self-titled album (which we deemed “one of its best albums and perhaps the most consistent and satisfying rock record of the year” upon its release in 2004). For more than 20 years, Five Eight has rocked the socks off of audiences in Georgia and around the country, crafted some very fine albums and made fans of many far more famous musicians. This is the band’s first recording since the return of drummer Patrick “Tigger” Ferguson to the fold.
8 p.m. March 25. $12; $10 in advance. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road, Atlanta. 404-875-1522.

TODAY
Norma Jean
You might be forgiven for not knowing about this successful, …

Continue reading Live music picks: March 25-31 »

Think you have what it takes to impress Pebbles?

The veteran R&B star (aka Perri Reid) has teamed with Essence magazine for the “Essence + Pebble Present R&B Star” contest, which is seeking aspiring R&B singers.

Live auditions throughout the nation begin this weekend in Atlanta (10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 26-27 at Woodruff Arts Center).

Hopefuls must log on to essence.com/rbstar to enter the contest, which will bestow the winner with a one-year artist management contract with Kevin Liles’ KWL Enterprises, a feature in Essence and an onstage singing opportunity at New Orleans’ 2011 Essence Music Festival, July 1-3.

Pebbles, Liles and a local radio personality will judge the auditions and select six contestants total, from New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, to attend “artist boot camp training.”

Three finalists will then head to the Essence Music Festival, where attendees and readers of essence.com will vote for a winner.

Webisodes tracking the contest will launch on the …

Continue reading Pebbles looking for next R&B star »

Big Boi Photo credit: Hyosub Shin

Atlanta music will be the focus of Friday’s “Hoppus on Music,” the weekly Fuse TV series helmed by Mark Hoppus of blink-182.

The installment will be hosted by DJ Infamous and include interviews with Big Boi, Waka Flocka Flame and Chaka Zulu, who talk about the local music scene and the artists who have made Atlanta a national music hub.

The show airs at 11 p.m. on Fuse.

Continue reading Atlanta music featured on Fuse »

ON SALE NOW
Kenny G. 7 p.m. April 30. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre. $45-$75. TA.
Creedence Clearwater Revisited. 7 p.m. May 14. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre. $42.50-$65. TA.
Jo Dee Messina, Jimmy Wayne. 7 p.m. June 18. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre. $40-$65. TA.
Kool & the Gang. 7 p.m. July 16. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre. $40-$70. TA.
Bryan Adams. 7 p.m. Aug. 5. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre. TA.
10,000 Maniacs, Edwin McCain. 7 p.m. Aug. 20. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre. $42.50-$65. TA.

ON SALE MARCH 25
Memphis May Fire. 6 p.m. May 9. Masquerade. $10. TM.
Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven. 8 p.m. May 13. Buckhead Theatre. $21. TM.
Noah and the Whale. 8 p.m. June 15. Variety Playhouse. $17.50; $15 in advance. TM.
Ben Deignan. 8 p.m. June 18. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $12; $10 in advance. TA.
Psychedelic Furs. 7 p.m. July 6. Masquerade. $25. TM.

ON SALE MARCH 26
Steely Dan. Aug. 6-7. Chastain Park Amphitheater. $39.50-$100. LN, TM.
Journey, …

Continue reading Hot tickets: March 22 »