By: Shelby Lum
Well we all survived the Mayans’ 2012 prediction, and come Monday will all be rolling into 2013 for another year to come. Artists are flooding Atlanta and all of our venues to kick off a brand new year, but the festivities aren’t just on Monday! Shows are all weekend long, so extend your celebration to Friday. Here are our weekend and New Year’s Eve picks:
Friday, December 28th-Anthony David Holiday Jam Session at Vinyl
The Grammy nominated singer, Anthony David, will be at Vinyl to kick off your weekend on the right foot. The R&B artist has been part of the Atlanta music scene since he started in 2004.
Friday, December 28th-Sean Paul at Smiths Olde Bar
Sean Paul, part of the hip-hop duo, YoungBloodZ, is now touring and collecting fans as a single artist. He has focused on taking his music back to the “old school” roots, and has dedicated himself to making a unique type of music that shows off his talent.
Friday, December 28th-Brian Webb with special guests at Eddie’s Attic
Years ago, during the early 90s, Brian Webb began his music career here in Atlanta at Eddie’s Attic. He is now returning to the place of his debut. The folky singer is coming back south, and more refined than ever.
Friday, December 28th-Dead Confederate plays ‘Wrecking Ball’ with special Guests at The EARL
The EARL is bringing the alternative country, psychedelic rock, and grunge band into Atlanta for two days, so if you can’t catch them on Friday, you will get another chance on Saturday. Morris and Howle have been playing together since high school, and added the rest of the band while in college. They’ve toured across the country and are now coming back home to Georgia for the New Year! Don’t miss the chance to see your local band play at The EARL.
Friday, December 28th-The Queers with the Manges at Star Bar
Three decades later, The Queers, punk band out of New Hampshire, are still touring with more experience and expertise than ever. Much like the Ramones, The Queers play a style of pop punk that including a wide set of covers.
Saturday, December 29th-Dead Confederate plays ‘Peyote People’ with special guests at The EARL
Here’s your second chance to see Dead Confederate at The EARL! If you want to see both acts you can also get a two day ticket for both nights.
Saturday, December 29th-Treedom with Vincent the Dog at Vinyl
Treedom is funky, quirky, and performing at Vinyl on Saturday. Like many Georgia bands, they formed in Athens, and have been releasing their own material after beginning on a set of covers. Finding their own “electric groove”, the band has hit a rhythm within their own sound.
Saturday, December 29th-von Grey at Eddie’s Attic
The four piece, all girl and all sister band, von Grey has a unique factor most bands don’t have: all the members are under 18. Not one of these young musicians is legal yet, but that doesn’t show in their folky, acoustic sound. Petra (lap guitar, vocals, and piano) hits just 12 years old. The AJC has said von Grey is “nothing short of stunning”. Catch their performance at Eddie’s, where each of the girls are sure to be playing several instruments.
Saturday, December 29th-Cole Swindell at Peachtree Tavern
Cole Swindell began his music career right here in Georgia at Georgia Southern University. Good friend Luke Bryan and he have been teaming up since they met at school. Don’t miss this country star on the rise.
Sunday, December 30th-The Hackensaw Boys with special guest Danny Barnes at Smiths Olde Bar
The Hackensaw Boys are anything but typical in a world of pop music that is churned out on a daily basis. These Virginia natives are an all string band. You will be sure to see the fiddle, standing bass, guitar, banjo, and more at their performance at Smiths. They are known to get a little rowdy, so prepare yourself for a night of energy!
Monday, December 31st-Man or Astro-Man? with special guests at The EARL
The surf-rock, space rock band is returning to Georgia for the New Year. They are bringing all their obscure electronic instruments (anyone heard of a theremins or tesla coils?), and all of their anarchist lyrics to The EARL. For a night of synthesizers and music unlike anything you have heard, check out Man or Astro-Man at The EARL.
Monday, December 31st-Michel Malone’s NYE Bash with Gareth Asher at Eddie’s Attic
If a mellow evening is more of what you had in mind for your new year, Eddie’s Attic is bringing Michelle Malone, Atlanta singer-songwriter. Appearing with names like ZZ Top, John Mayer, and Ellen DeGeneres, she is an artist who can be admired by all. Her deep southern influences are clear when she brings on stage her harmonica, bottleneck slide, and of course her renowned vocals. Joining her will be Gareth Asher at Eddie’s Attic.
Monday, December 31st-New Orleans Suspects at Smiths Olde Bar
The New Orleans Suspects will be bringing all their New Orleans energy to Atlanta. Jeff Watkins, who had been the band leader for James Brown’s band, is part of the New Orleans Suspects as well.
Monday, December 31st-New Year’s Ever Dance Party with KEEP ON MOVIN! at The Basement at Graveyard Tavern
Planning on a relaxed evening for your New Years? The Basement may not be your place to go. The boys of Electric Western Records are hosting this party that will keep your dancing the entire night.
Monday, December 31st-New Year’s Eve Party with Greg Bates at The 120 Tavern and Music Hall
Nashville country singer, Greg Bates will be in Atlanta for the New Year. He made his Grande Ole Opry debut this April after his single “Did It For The Girl”.
Monday, December 31st-Noot D’Noot with Carnivores at The Drunken Unicorn
Atlanta locals, Noot D’ Noot will be at the Drunken Unicorn. Beyond genre classifications, they were voted by Creative Loafing “Best Band to Rock the Casbah”. A long night of partying with Noot D’ Noot will lead up to the New Year at the Drunken Unicorn.
Monday, December 31st-Old School Saturday new Years Eve at The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel
Dress to the nines for the Old School Saturday event at the Sheraton in Atlanta. A night of classy fun will be in store for all who attend! Suits and gorgeous dresses are a must. Old School Saturday will be back in Atlanta again for this New Year’s Eve party.
Monday, December 31st-Ponderosa at Vinyl
With the help of producer Dave Fridmann who have helped bands like The Flaming Lips and MGMT, Atlanta band, Ponderosa will be at Vinyl. With their neo-psychedelic sound they are a far cry from your typical southern rock band, and are a show to see as they begin their rise in popularity.
Monday, December 31st-Royal Thunder with Spirits and the Melchizedek Children at 529
This female led rock, blues band’s debut album was rated by Pitchfork at a 7. In 2010, Royal Thunder signed with independent label Relapse Records. For a southern twist on rock and blues, head to 529 for your New Years Eve.
Monday, December 31st-An Evening with Umphrey’s McGee at The Tabernacle
Umphrey’s McGee will be in Atlanta for four days leading up to new years, and will be performing at the Tabernacle each night. The progressive rock band can help you ring in the new year with a bang. With their strong jam band roots and influences, they are known for their improvisations and their ever changing lineups. With four days to see them, there is no excuse to miss these guys at least once before 2013.
