The Black Keys // Joe Louis Arena / Mar. 3
by David Nassar
The Akron-based power duo who seem to be everywhere these days – from countless TV commercials and HBO series to every 15 minutes on ESPN – are rolling into the Motor City with their latest album, El Camino, in tow. And, with the success of their last two albums, something tells me they’ll be arriving in something a bit more upscale than that rusted-out Dodge Caravan that adorns their latest album cover.
If you haven’t seen TBK before, you’re missing out one of the best live shows around. They may have polished up their sound a bit as of late, but there’s little doubt that they’ll be bustin’ out plenty of the rust-belt blues that built their early fan-base. I’ve seen them three times now (and already have my tickets for show number 4!) and, although their shows rarely last much longer than an hour, it’s an hour you’ll never forget. Sure, I’m a fan of that other Midwest blues-pop duo that TBK always gets compared to, but honestly, I’ll take a Black Keys’ show every time. Oh yeah, and as an added bonus, they grabbed themselves a band that could easily be co-headlining for their opening act: The Arctic Monkeys – another group I’ve seen that definitely won’t disappoint live. (Needless to say, I’ve been crazy-excited since I heard about this show a couple months ago.)
Take my advice – see this show! You’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t. The Black Keys play at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 3 at the Joe Louis Arena. Tickets are still available starting at $45.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Jam // Blind Pig / Mar. 3
by David Nassar
Fans of the Fab Four will want to mark their calendars as a host of local talent descends on the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor for a night of Beatles covers. The show begins with a 30 minute set from roots / rockabilly trio George Bedard & the Kingpins and continues into the evening with short sets by a variety of local talent including Match By Match, Wolfie Complex, The Ferdy Mayne, Gameboi and many more.
So dress up like your favorite Liverpool-lad, brush-up on your sing-along skills, and prepare for an evening of tunes by the most influential band of all time. Tickets can be purchased at the door for only $10 ($13 for those under 21). Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Ages 18+ .
Hoots and Hellmouth // The Ark / Mar. 10
by iSPY staff
Hoots and Hellmouth is a band that is so beloved in the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area that they don’t need much of an introduction when they come to Ann Arbor. However, recently NPR gave them a pretty nice one:
“The Philadelphia group Hoots and Hellmouth twists up the many roots of Americana to create its signature sound – an ever-shifting blend of folk, rock, country, bluegrass and blues. The four gems on the band’s newest EP, ‘Face First in the Dirt,’ feature sounds across that stylistic spectrum. ‘Threadbare’ encapsulates its laid-back bluegrass vibe, but with enough grit to make it worthy of the ‘Hellmouth’ name.”
Hoots and Hellmouth will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at the Ark in Ann Arbor with special guest Small Houses. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit theark.org/3065.html.
The Head and the Heart // Crofoot Ballroom / Mar. 11
by Mary Simkins
The Crofoot in Pontiac will soon welcome Seattle indie folk-pop band The Head and the Heart. The band, which was started by Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion) through several open mic night events at a pub called Conor Byrne in Seattle, seeks to write and perform songs which “speak to the newness of a fresh start, of the ghosts left behind, of moving forward.” They use solid harmonies, varied percussions, bass groove and light drums to get toes tapping to their upbeat music.
The Head and the Heart released their self-titled first album in June 2009 then re-mastered and expanded the album, re-releasing it in April 2011.
They will be making their way to Pontiac with guests Drew Grow and the Pastor’s Wives, a Portland band whose goal is to transcend the wispy acoustic sound of many modern musicians. To hear a few songs from The Head and the Heart, check out their website at theheadandtheheart.com. Learn more about Drew Grow and the Pastor’s Wives at drewgrow.com
The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 on the day of the show. For more information, visit thecrofoot.com/events
The Moth // Cavern Club / Mar. 20
by Richard Retyi
The Moth Radio Hour started in New York City in 1997 and has since spread across the country with a popular podcast and live satellite shows held every month in places like New York City and Chicago. The Moth gives storytellers a stage to spin tales surrounding a central theme from Lost Loves to Theft to Marriage, living up to its tagline, “True Stories Told Live.”
The Cavern Club in Ann Arbor hosts Tree City’s monthly Moth event on the third Tuesday of every month. March’s theme is Kiss of Death, and would-be storytellers are encouraged to arrive early and sign up to share their story with the assembled. The Moth has been a hit in Ann Arbor so far with the Cavern Club reaching capacity during each of the last two shows.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show, and it’s strongly encouraged that you show up early to get a seat because the space fills up quickly. Admission is $5, which is well worth the price to hear a minimum of 10 stories each month. Check themoth.org for more details.
Henry Rollins // Michigan Theater / Mar. 22
by Richard Retyi
Punk rock Renaissance man Henry Rollins has built a resume that includes music, film, television, radio, publishing and spoken word. He burst on the scene in the 1980s as the new lead singer of California punk band Black Flag before forming the Rollins Band and really making his hay. Since then, Rollins has had a TV and radio show, made cameo appearances in TV and film and traveled internationally with his one-man spoken word tour. And his latest, The Long March Tour, comes to the Michigan Theater on March 22.
Rollins’ passionate sets are crammed with tales from his past and present – USO shows in Afghanistan, politics, religion, stories from tours with Black Flag and the Rollins Band – mixed with lighter fare like visiting a Cabela’s in Oklahoma City or proper urinal etiquette. His fiery delivery and sheer breadth of material makes for a great show each time he swings through town.
The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available through Ticketmaster.
The San Francisco Symphony – American Maverick’s Festival // Hill Auditorium / Mar. 22-25
The University Musical Society (UMS) will present the San Francisco Symphony’s American Mavericks Festival in Ann Arbor on March 22 – 25, 2012. The American Mavericks Festival commemorates the San Francisco Symphony’s centennial season and begins in San Francisco March 8-18, 2012. The March 22-25, 2012 Ann Arbor performances are part of a three-stop national tour that also includes Chicago and Carnegie Hall. Ann Arbor and New York are the only places in the country that will feature the entire American Mavericks programming.
For tickets or additional information, contact the University Musical Society at 734-764-2538 or online at www.ums.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the League Ticket Office at 911 North University Avenue.