Kristen's Concert Picks: April brings the rock!

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Don't let work and classes and all this crazy weather get you down.  When it comes to rockin' tunes, April's not fooling around!

Tue, Apr 3: Tumbleweed Stampede @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre Rooftop
Get your dance on with Tumbleweed Stampede at the beginning of the month as part of the Georgia Theatre's new Get Up Get Down concert series!

Fri, Apr 6: Ruby Kendrick @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

If sweet melodies tickle your fancy, you'll definitely want to catch Ruby Kendrick's set at the Caledonia!

Fri, Apr 13: Hope for Agoldensummer @ 8 PM @ New Earth Music Hall

Hope for Agoldensummer was one of the very first acts I saw in Athens, and their sweet, folksy sound still gets me every time.  Beautiful!

Sat, Apr 21: Futurebirds @ 9 PM @ Georgia Theatre 

That's right! Southern rockers Futurebirds will be taking the Georgia Theatre just after the middle of the month to give everyone the sound they've been craving.

Sat, Apr 21: Manray and Lazer/Wulf @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Is dark, melodic rock your tune style of choice?  Well, then, have yourself a nice delicious dose of Manray and Lazer/Wulf. Excellent!

Tue, Apr 24: Gringo Star @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre Rooftop 

If you're dying for a spectacle and yearning for a band that sounds like no other, don't miss Gringo Star's rooftop set!

Wed, Apr 25: The Skipperdees @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Want a bit of soulful folk and southern style?  Look no further than the Skipperdees.  What talent these girls have!

Fri, Apr 27: Dreams So Real @ 8 PM @ Melting Point

Remember back in 2009 when Dreams So Real reunited to headline Athfest?  Well, it looks like luck has shined down on us once again!  Another rockin' show?  It's a dream come true!

Sat, Apr 28: Powerkompany @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

The strong, otherworldly sound of Powerkompany is just what you'll need to end the month.  Enjoy!

No doubt, April will be an incredible month of tunes!  As always, if you've heard of another awesome Athens show you think everyone should know about, give us all the details in the comments below.  Happy listening, my friends!

Switching it up with Gringo Star and Sunspots

Explosive energy was the name of the game over at the Max Canada last night!

Featuring a brand new lineup of members, the guys of Sunspots bounced around the stage giving us a set of solid, upbeat indie rock. Seriously, their energy was downright shocking! The shoeless singer led the pack, literally leaping up and down during the songs to the great excitement of the crowd. Enthused by their wild spirit, the audience begged for more after they finished what seemed like the shortest set ever, and, most joyfully, they rewarded us with one final Sunspots tune.

Next it was time for Gringo Star to make its grand entrance. Apparently, these guys have been getting pretty big in Atlanta, and if their first impression is any indication of their general insane style, it doesn't surprise me in the least that the fans are buzzing about them. Honestly, I've never seen such a display of lasers, twinkling stars, epilepsy-inducing lights, and fog on that small a stage! I'll admit, in the beginning, all the blinking and flashing overpowered their tunes a bit; in such limited space, having every one of the senses engaged was quite overwhelming. Soon enough, though, I experienced their sound, and what a sound it was! To be honest, it's rather hard to find words to describe their style. If haunted carnival undertones flirted with an overarching hard rock influence inside a ball of pure energy, Gringo Star's tunes would feel right at home. And somehow, while these multitalented band members switched up instruments between every single song, they managed to give their entire set a cohesive sound. See what I mean when I call them indescribable? Truly both awesome and insane in a way I've never experienced before! And man, their energy was just contagious!

Then, as night eased into the wee morning hours, the ever-amazing blast of noise that is Bambara finished the show off with their spectacular set. If you've never read my blog before, let me just tell ya, my love for Bambara speaks for itself. What a wild night of tunes!