Kristen's Concert Picks: You'll go mad for February's tunes!

Ah February!  It's the month of love, change, and unpredictable weather... well, at least in Athens.  Let's jump into the music, and make the most of it!

Thu, February 7: Sean VanMeter@ 7 PM @ Melting Point

Rock your Mardi Gras style at this tribute to New Orleans piano greats, featuring the young and amazingly talented Sean VanMeter!

 Fri, February 8: Tealvox @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Longtime blog favorites Tealvox will be taking over the Caledonia with their awesome alt rock sound.  Catch 'em on the 8th!

Sat, February 9: Betsy Franck @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

I'll never cease to be impressed by Betsy Franck's strong southern vocals.  You won't want to miss her set!

Sat, February 9: Chris McKay @ 9 PM @ Flicker Theatre

You've heard and rocked out to the Critical Darlings, but this time the man's going solo.  Head on over to Flicker and get yourself ready for Chris McKay's awesome sound!

Tue, February 12: Grass Giraffes @ TBA PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ready for some fun?  You'll go wild for the Grass Giraffes' brand of indie rock!

Wed, February 13: Brothers @ 11 PM @ Farm255

Brother's unique sound is the lovechild of indie pop and classic rock.  You've gotta check them out!

 Thu, February 14: The Powder Room @ 10 PM @ 40 Watt

Go hardcore on Valentine's Day with the incredible explosive noise of the Powder Room!

 Fri, February 15: Sister Hazel @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Big name rockers Sister Hazel returns to Athens this month to bring joy to your ears.  Buy your tickets early for this one!

 Fri, February 15: Bit Brigade @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

If you're craving an experience like no other and you miss the games of your childhood, then Bit Brigade is your band!  Join them for a rousing rock n' play session as you delve into a pre-digital world.

 Sat, February 16: Emily Hearn @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

You'll fall head over heels for the lilting sweetness of Emily Hearn.  This singer/songwriter is one of my absolute favorites from last year's Athfest!

 Sat, February 16: White Violet and Thayer Sarrano @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

The soft rock of White Violet joins with the sweet speech-like vocals of Thayer Sarrano to form an awesome lineup.  What a combination!  

Mon, February 18: Bertis Downs Conversation @ 4 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Now this one's no show, but if you're a fan of R.E.M., you're definitely want to check out this talk given by their manager Bertis Downs.  With them through their whole 30-year career, he's sure to have some amazing stories to tell!

This is certainly going to be quite a month of shows!  As always, if you've heard of another local lineup that you love hitting the stage this month, tell everyone about it in the comments.  Hope you all have an incredible February!

Athfest 2012: Efren rocks the heat!

Friday, June 22nd, 2012 
Efren (with Betsy Franck)

Slathered in sunscreen with my press pass in hand, I trekked my way through downtown to Washington Street, pumped for the official start of Athfest 2012.  Within minutes, I could tell that the heat during this year's festivities would be brutal, but I knew as long I could catch a lineup of killer bands, it would all be worth it.  Country band the Darnell Boys were just finishing up the first set of the day as I walked up, so I opted to collapse in the shade near the Manhattan Cafe and in front of the Hull Street Stage where Efren was slated to play next.

Now, I believe it's been several Athfests since I've seen Efren last, and boy, have they changed!  They seem a little less gritty and quite a bit more southern rock than I remember them, but their sound is still solid, for sure.  A few songs in, they brought powerful singer and another one of those musicians I saw in my early Athfest days, Betsy Franck, up onstage, and I've got to say, I just loved their tunes together!  And I definitely wasn't the only one who enjoyed them either.  Several ladies up front started going wild and dancing all over the place, and pretty soon, the rest of the crowd had joined in.

 Once the set ended, we got a bit of quality country folk from the guys in Corduroy Road over on the Pulaski Street Stage before the heat just became too much, and I opted to head to the shade of the Caledonia Lounge and check out the second annual Dirty Athens show.

  For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2012, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well! 

Kristen's Concert Picks: The sounds of November waft in

For optimal viewing of these picks on a mobile device, click here!

Golden leaves flutter past your window as cool breezes pull them from their trees. Coats and boots become a fashion staple, and the scents of fall waft through the air. November has arrived, my friends, and with it comes an awesome selection of tunes!

Tues, Nov 1: Betsy Franck & Klezmer Local 42 @ 4 PM @ Little Kings
Powerful southern rock and a fun take on Hebrew-inspired tunes? What a mix!

Thu, Nov 3: Kenosha Kid & Grogus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Kenosha Kid, one of the best jazz bands in Athens, teams up with the dance-inducing sound of Grogus at the Georgia Theatre. Here's another can't-miss lineup!

Thu, Nov 3: Manray @ 9 PM @ Caledonia
Craving some dark, noise rock-flavored melodies? Then you'll definitely want to check out Manray at the Caledonia!

Wed, Nov 9: Spring Tigers @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
The electro-pop of the Spring Tigers will have you dancing in no time!

Wed, Nov 9: Magical Athens Talent Show @ 10 PM @ Go Bar
Our town is full of talent, and this show's got feats and acts of all kinds! Check out these crazy displays of skill, and help 'em raise a bit of money for Nuçi's Space while you're there!

Thu, Nov 10: Groove Tangent @ 8:30 PM @ 40 Watt
You've been missing the awesome covers and the classic 50s style original tunes of Groove Tangent, haven't you? It's the 'Watt to the rescue! This Thursday, join the band for a Redcoat Band benefit that's sure to be tons of fun!

Fri, Nov 11: White Violet @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
You won't be able to get enough of the solid, soft rock tunes of White Violet. Don't miss them over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, Nov 12: Powerkompany & Gold Party @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
The sweet, ethereal melodies of Powerkompany join with the awesome electronic indie sound of the Gold Party to create yet another amazing lineup!

Thu, Nov 17: Perpetual Groove @ 8 PM @ WUOG
Headliners of last year's Athfest, you can catch this band at WUOG and then on the Georgia Theatre stage the very next day!

Thu, Nov 17: Gift Horse @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Soft, dark rock complete with artsy projections is Gift Horse's way. Enjoy!

Thu, Nov 17: Sam Sniper @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia
One of my current Athens favorites, Sam Sniper's funky take on southern rock will blow your mind. Head on over to the Caledonia to catch these guys in action!

Sat, Nov 26: Easter Island @ 9 PM @ Caledonia
When you return from your celebrations of food and family, Easter Island will be taking the Caledonia stage to serve up some rhythmic, soft rock melodies. Perfect!

What a November this will be! If you know of another rockin' Athens show that isn't on the list, comment below and tell the world all about it. Also, don't forget to check back often to see what new shows are added to the list throughout the month. Catch ya at the shows!

Kristen's Concert Picks: Spring into March's Tunes!

March won't let February take the medal for best tunes without a fight! Spring Break's on its way, but with these shows to look forward to, you can party it up all month long. This is going to be amazing!

Wed, Mar 3: Allison Weiss @ 9:30 PM @ The Caledonia Lounge
Athens' much buzzed about songstress is back to kick off our month with her truthful tunes. Enjoy!

Thurs, Mar 4: Groove Tangent & Doctor Squid @ 8 PM @ Melting Point
Want to be able to say you knew them at the very beginning? The brand new band Groove Tangent rocks the stage for the first time with old favorites Doctor Squid on Thursday at the Melting Point. While Groove Tangent plans to introduce themselves with some awesome covers, they hope to become a fixture in the Athens music scene with their own original songs in the future.

Thurs, Mar 4: Madeline @ 9 PM @ Little Kings Shuffle Club
Soft rock is the sound! With southern tunes and dark melodies flowing through her music, Madeline's show will certainly make your night.

Wed, Mar 17: The Winter Sounds @ 10 PM @ The Caledonia Lounge
After taking quite a hiatus from the music scene, the Winter Sounds return to share their delicious tunes this month with shows on both the 2nd and the 17th at Caledonia. With Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun, the 17th's show should be quite a treat for the ears.

Thurs, Mar 18: Leaving Araby CD release with Doctor Squid & the Warm Fuzzies @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
WHAT A LINEUP! Several of our favorites will take over the 40 Watt to celebrate the release of Leaving Araby's latest CD. The sheer joy emanating from these bands will make this a most glee-filled night. You won't want to miss this show!

Fri, Mar 19: Betsy Franck @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Bands, bands everywhere! The powerfully voiced Betsy Franck brings us an awesome mix of blues and southern rock for the Athens Music Collective Showcase Concert. Eight other bands are scheduled to play as well. Nice!

Sat, Mar 20: Tealvox @ 8 PM @ Nuçi's Space
These guys may be young, but they sure know how to rock! Tealvox has been making a name for itself all over the place, and now you can check them out in their hometown for yourself.

Thurs, Mar 25: Aman Amun @ 8 PM @ UGA's Black Box Theatre
Aman Amun, our favorite electronic soul-searching adventurer, brings his tunes to our yearning ears once more. He's also spreading the musical love at Farm 255 at 10 PM the next day during a Haiti Benefit concert. What wonderful news!

Fri, Mar 26: Deaf Judges @ 11 PM @ The Classic Center
Wild rappers Deaf Judges are back to surprise us with their latest crazy show! What will they do this time? I can't wait to find out!

Sat, Mar 27: Venice is Sinking @ 8 PM @ Nuçi's Space
Oh, how I love them! Venice is Sinking will be here to soothe our troubled hearts with their lovely tunes near the end of March. What joy!

Wed, Mar 31: Romanenko @ 10 PM @ The Caledonia Lounge
Once again, indie band Romanenko ends our month with their wonderfully dark sound. What a perfect finish!

Wow! These nights are sure to be unbelievable! And don't forget... even more awesome shows will certainly find their way onto this list as I hear about them. Know of a show you want everyone to check out? Comment below, and tell us all about it! See you downtown, my friends!

Kristen's Concert Picks: Are your ears ready for November?

Golden leaves are falling, carpeting the ground with their brilliant color. Cool breezes make them dance across the earth just once more before they lie still. Without a doubt, November has arrived! So which shows are worth braving this month's unpredictable weather to experience? Here are my picks!

Tues, Nov 3: Augustana @ 8 PM @ Tate Grand Hall on UGA Campus
Ok, I'll admit, I only know of them through their hit song, "Boston," but this band's been all over! This month, they're coming to our very own UGA campus. The best part? It's free for students! ($10 advance for non-students)

Wed, Nov 4: Fire Zuave @ 9 PM @ Tasty World Uptown
Just plain great alt rock... That's what Fire Zuave is. They're another one of that bands I've been wanting to see since Athfest. Yay!

Thurs, Nov 5: Deaf Judges @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt Club
These wild performers thrive in the realm of the unexpected. I've seen them throw a crazy interactive beach party one day and a fog-filled vampire fest the next. What will these rappers do this time? I guess we'll have to be there to find out!

Thurs, Nov 5: Betsy Franck @ 9:30 PM @ The Caledonia Lounge
Blues and southern rock fans, I've got a show for you! Betsy Franck's incredibly strong and wonderful voice will blow you away. Another talent I first saw at Athfest, she's one to hear!

Fri, Nov 6: Aman Amun @ 9 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
A comedy show followed by astounding visual displays and groundbreaking musical stylings? A weird mixture to be sure, but it sounds like a winner from all sides. Oh yes, it's time for another delicious Aman Amun set!

Fri, Nov 6: The Goodfight @ 8 PM @ Seney Stovall Chapel
Rockin' for a good cause with Leaving Araby, Pilot Coat, and the Wellreds, this free show should be quite the experience! For more info, check out this entry.

Mon, Nov 9: Doctor Squid @ 9 PM @ Tasty World Uptown
Wow, Doctor Squid has been busy these past few months! If you haven't yet seen these upbeat rockers, you've definitely been missing out. If you've caught one of their shows before, I know you're dying for more. Well, you're all in luck! They're playing at Rye Bar on the 6th and at Tasty World on the 9th! Nice.

Fri, Nov 13: Kristen's Fake Eighteenth Costumed Concert Birthday Bash @ Time TBA @ Pineview
2-3 band lineup... More on this later. :) I can't wait!

Sat, Nov 14: The Constellations @ 9 PM @ Tasty World Uptown
And they're back! I was so worried that I'd never have another chance to see them, but here they are. What amazing fortune! Want to see a band with style, attitude, and a uniquely awesome sound? Well, you've got to check out the Constellations!

Wed, Nov 18: Aman Amun @ 11 PM @ Rye Bar
This guy just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to see what he does next! If you haven't checked this electronic rock genius out yet, this show's a must! And hey, it's free too. Zesty!

Fri, Nov 20: Hope for Agoldensummer @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Oh, I love this band's sound. They've got a quieter, folksy style that just leaves you feeling wonderful. And they play the musical saw! You can't get much better than that.

Sat, Nov 21: DJRX @ 11 PM @ Sideways
Dance time! This DJ's spinning the tracks and mixing like crazy. Get ready for a party with this guy's selection of jammin' tunes.

Fri, Nov 27: Birds & Wire @ 9 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
By some terrible conflict of fate, I've never managed to see this group in action, but my insane plans can't keep me from telling you to check out this soft and southern pop band. One day, it'll happen! I truly hope that day comes soon!

Hm, curiously enough, there seems to be a decided lack of shows on this list scheduled for the later half of November. I'm sure this will be remedied as the month goes on, though. As always, let me know if there's a show you think should be mentioned here! Also, if you want to check this list again to help you make your plans as the month goes on, press the "Monthly Concert Picks" button on the sidebar. All you need to know will be right there!

Alright, hope this month's musical adventures take you on a ride. Enjoy!