News
The Dagobah System & Festival Expressions Set For SlossFest Pre-Party July 5, 2017 11:56
If you're heading to Birmingham for SlossFest next weekend, our friends at C4 Productions have your Friday night plans covered. The local event production group will host a SlossFest 'Panic Pre-Party' at WorkPlay Theatre, which will feature music from local favorites The Dagobah System and Festival Expressions. There will also be a special Birmingham Allstars set, featuring members of Little Raine Band, Tragic City, and Jova, making for a total of five sets of music from 9:00 PM - 3:00 AM.
With much excitement surrounding Widespread Panic's Saturday night show at Sloss, this pre-party will be the perfect spot to kick off the weekend. Tickets are available for purchase and moving fast, so make sure to click here and get yours in advance.
Win Tickets To See The Interstellar Boys At WorkPlay On Saturday June 6, 2017 13:33
We're teaming up with our friends at C4 Productions to offer a pair of general admission tickets to see The Interstellar Boys at WorkPlay in Birmingham, AL on Saturday night (7/29). Simply share this post directly from our Facebook page and tag a friend in the comments section of the post to enter the contest. We will announce a winner on Saturday morning.
COLLABORATION OF VETERAN MUSICIANS BRING DECADES OF EXPERIENCE TO NEW BAND HITTING THE ROAD IN SUMMER 2017
Featuring:
Todd Nance – Drums, Vocals Sam Holt – Guitar, Vocals
Daniel Hutchens - Vocals, Guitar John Neff – Pedal Steel
Jerry Joseph - Vocals, Guitar Jon Mills - Bass
The Interstellar Boys are first and foremost borne from a collection of friendships. Musical friendships that date back as far as 30 years. Todd Nance, Daniel Hutchens, Jerry Joseph, Sam Holt, John Neff and Jon Mills have shared stages and songs over the years and now form a new band that draws on those decades of collaboration. Todd Nance brings undeniable experience and depth to the band as a founding member/drummer/songwriter of Widespread Panic. Daniel Hutchens has been a driving force with the band Bloodkin for 29 years (and counting) and is widely recognized as one of the South’s great modern day songwriters. Jerry Joseph and his various bands have been recording and touring on a national/international scale since the 80’s. Jerry’s expertise as a musician/songwriter is as unquestionable as his passion for sharing the power of music. He has recently toured and taught music in such far-flung places as Afghanistan, Ghana and is soon to perform in Iraq. Sam Holt brings a reverence and intensity to playing the guitar that energizes the faithful fans of this community in a way that is second to none. John Neff (formerly of Drive-By Truckers) is the secret weapon that adds depth and soul via the pedal steel. And Mr. Jon Mills (professor emeritus of bass in the Athens, GA music scene) is the glue that keeps the whole thing tastefully held together.
Fans and industry veterans alike will find this band a compelling draw for its maiden voyage this summer season as evidenced by comments from Raleigh, NC based talent buyer Chris Malarkey (Lincoln Theatre): “When I was first approached about the possibility of bringing this lineup to town I thought ‘man, this is too good to be true’. The thought of some of the most talented musicians to ever to walk through the doors of my venues joining forces not just for a show, but for a new band, seemed farfetched at best. But, somehow, someway the stars aligned, schedules were cleared and plans were made. The Interstellar Boys are real. What I can only describe as a dream band is booked.”
This accomplished group of musicians and songwriters look to explore new terrain touring together this summer….and have their eyes on the horizon to create new material, get into the studio and keep pushing boundaries as they have always done. Amongst the upcoming summer tour dates is a stop at Birmingham's WorkPlay on Saturday, July 29th. Nashville singer/songwriter Betsy Franck will be opening the show and sitting in on a handful of tunes with the band. The event is hosted by C4 Productions, and further information is linked below.
For more information on the INTERSTELLAR BOYS, visit the band's official website.
Click Here: Join The Official Facebook Event Page For Interstellar Boys At WorkPlay
Purchase Tickets To See Interstellar Boys At WorkPlay On July 29th
2017 SUMMER TOUR
|
7/14/17 |
Denver, CO |
Oriental Theatre |
|
7/21/17 |
Asheville, NC |
ISIS Music Hall |
|
7/22/17 |
Raleigh, NC |
Lincoln Theatre |
|
7/23/17 |
Charleston, SC |
Home Team BBQ (Downtown) |
|
7/28/17 |
Atlanta, GA |
Terminal West |
|
7/29/17 |
Birmingham, AL |
WorkPlay |
|
7/30/17 |
Chattanooga, TN |
The Revelry Room |
*More Dates TBA
Purchase Tickets To See Interstellar Boys At WorkPlay Theatre On July 29th
Winston Ramble Returns To Birmingham For "Ramble On The Road" Finale February 10, 2017 10:44
Winston Ramble describes their music as homegrown folk n’ roll. With members originally hailing from the free state of Winston County, AL, the band aims to interject the raw expression of rock n’ roll into the feel good vibes of acoustic music.
Ben Benefield’s vocals are soulful yet gritty. Combine that with some mandolin twang and church-like 4 part harmonies, and you are left feeling like you are listening to a mix between a southern rock band and a gospel bluegrass quartet. Yet, the harmony driven tunes carry a funky, sometimes psychedelic, but ultimately, an undeniable rock n’ roll vibe.
“At the end of the day, we want people to have a good time when they hear our music. We want it to make you smile, sing along, nod your head, stomp your feet, or get down and groove – and that’s because we feel that way about the music we play, and we love playing it. That attitude and energy is contagious, and hard to resist.”
-Justin Oliver, mandolin/vocals
Big Something & Funk You Storm Through Birmingham's WorkPlay Theatre February 5, 2017 13:46
Photos and Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
On a cold Friday night in Birmingham, refuge was easily found in the Workplay Theatre as two of the southeast's most promising bands, BIG Something and Funk You, delivered a raging party. Funk You, originally from Augusta (GA), was up first and certainly made the most of its opening spot. We've had a chance to catch these guys on a number of occasions over the years, but this was a seriously powerful performance.
Frontman Gavin Hamilton brings such a cool, smooth vibe, while laying down some seriously powerful vocals. Guitarist Evan Miller is quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented young guitarists in the jam scene. Will Foster (keys) had many moments to shine as well, and the rhythm section of Will Clark (drums), Palmer Owens (percussion), and Rob Thompson (bass) were on point all night. The set was highlighted by Funk You originals such as "Important To You," "Ghost For Me," "Space Monkey," "Black Dynamite," "Resolution" and a perfect cover of Pink Floyd's "Young Lust." The future is very bright for Funk You, and you would be selling yourself short not to get out to see these guys in 2017.
Fresh off of a highly praised pair of performances on Jam Cruise, which included a sit-in from Widespread Panic's JoJo Hermann, BIG Something took the Birmingham stage. With this being the band's first headlining spot in the Magic City, it was clear that they came to make a statement. The set began with "Amanda Lynn," "Song For Us," and "Blue Dream," before busting into a powerful take on "UFOs Are Real." There's a common theme of "outer space" found with this band, both lyrically and within its overall sound. The heavy use of synthesizers from Josh Kagel (keyboards) and EWI (electronic wind instrument) from Casey Cranford certainly play to that notion.
The set got particularly hot when the opening notes of "Megalodon" hit. This was the song that turned me onto this band, and I still struggle to find a song that hits me harder than this one. There is an energy to it and some seriously intriguing lyrics that keep this song in constant rotation for me. The latest release, "Tumbleweed," came next and has a similar effect to that of "Megalodon." As the band prepares to release its new album this month, "Tumbleweed" is a great sign as to what fans can expect from the release. Another personal favorite came in the form of "Love Generator," which seemed to resonate amongst the rowdy crowd. It's amazing when a band manages to communicate its message both lyrically and musically, but I've always felt that this is accomplished with this particular tune. Finally hearing it live only confirmed that notion.
Next up was a nod to the late Prince, as the boys busted into a super funky take on the hit song "1999." You can't go wrong digging into the Prince catalog late into the night, and justice was undoubtedly served on Friday night. Before this smokin' set came to conclusion, the band worked its way into "The Curse of Julia Brown," giving frontman Nick MacDaniels one more chance to showcase some seriously power vocals. Guitarist Jesse Hensley and Cranford wasted no time trading licks across stage, and while it was chilly outside, the WorkPlay Theatre couldn't have been hotter. After a quick exit, they returned with for a encore featuring The Who's "Baba O'Riley," which sent the room into an all out frenzy.
While BIG Something might be new to the Birmingham market, Friday night was most likely just the beginning of many memorable nights with these guys. The seasoned veterans from Burlington (NC) have been turning heads and building a massive following across the country since 2009, and if you haven't yet jumped on the bandwagon now is the time. Keep an eye out for the announcement on BIG Something's annual festival "The Big What?" which is held each summer and always features a serious collection of the jam scenes most promising acts.
Watch a clip of BIG Something performing "Megalodon" here:
Watch a clip of BIG Something performing Baba O'Riley here:
Setlist: Funk You - WorkPlay Theatre - 02.03.17
1: What's On Your Mind, Important To You, Ghost For Me, Space Monkey, Black Dynamite, Young Lust, Central Ave, Resolution
Setlist: BIG Something - WorkPlay Theatre - 02.03.17
1: Amanda Lynn, Song For Us, Blue Dream, UFOs Are Real, Megalodon, Tumbleweed, 1999, Love Generator, The Curse of Julia Brown
Encore: Baba O'Riley
Evan Miller of Funk You
Gavin Hamilton of Funk You
BIG Something
BIG Something
Nick MacDaniels & Jesse Henley of BIG Something
BIG Something
Winston Ramble Announces "Ramble On The Road" Tour Dates January 24, 2017 12:55
Winston Ramble describes their music as homegrown folk n’ roll. With members originally hailing from the free state of Winston County, AL, the band aims to interject the raw expression of rock n’ roll into the feel good vibes of acoustic music.
Ben Benefield’s vocals are soulful yet gritty. Combine that with some mandolin twang and church-like 4 part harmonies, and you are left feeling like you are listening to a mix between a southern rock band and a gospel bluegrass quartet. Yet, the harmony driven tunes carry a funky, sometimes psychedelic, but ultimately, an undeniable rock n’ roll vibe.
“At the end of the day, we want people to have a good time when they hear our music. We want it to make you smile, sing along, nod your head, stomp your feet, or get down and groove – and that’s because we feel that way about the music we play, and we love playing it. That attitude and energy is contagious, and hard to resist.”
-Justin Oliver, mandolin/vocals
Win Free Tickets to See Perpetual Groove at WorkPlay Soundstage (Fri. 4/15) April 12, 2016 07:43
Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Live & Listen is excited to announce that we are teaming up with our friends at WorkPlay in Birmingham, AL for multiple ticket giveaways this Spring and Summer. Next up is one of the hottest bands on the jam/festival scene, Perpetual Groove. PGroove is fresh off of a major 2015 reunion tour and rolling into Birmingham, AL on Friday, April 15th. New wave synth-rockers Downright will provide direct support on Friday night. See below for complete details on how you can win a free pair of tickets to the show.
About Perpetual Groove:
Based in Athens, GA, Perpetual Groove is a long time well established touring act with an enthusiastic fan base and international critical acclaim. PGroove's music has been described by their fans as anthemic arena rock. Their large catalog of original music offers something for everyone. The addition of an intense, retina burning, intelligent light show creates an atmosphere unlike any other, assuring fans they'll get a highly polished, yet different show each night.
After a two year hiatus Perpetual Groove is back.
We have one pair of tickets to giveaway, and we will announce a winner at 3:00 PM CST on Thursday (4/14). The winner's name (+1 guest) will be placed on the list at Will Call at WorkPlay on Friday night.
How the contest works....
1: 'Like' this post directly on our Facebook page.
2: Share this post directly from our Facebook page. Make sure your privacy settings are set to 'Public' so we can see that you shared the post.
3: Tag a friend who you would like to take to the show in the comments on our Facebook page.
4: The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Thursday (4/14) at 3:00 PM CST.
Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen