Here’s a quick look at the best shows and events happening in Atlanta this weekend Thursday, May 23rd through Sunday, May 26th!
10 Year Anniversary of Animals As Leaders w/ The Contortionist at The Masquerade
Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00pm
Sometimes, a band’s music registers just as seismically on an emotional wavelength as it does on a sonic spectrum. Animals As leaders—Tosin Abasi [guitar], Javier Reyes [guitar], and Matt Garstka [drums]—reimagine, reinterpret, and refresh instrumental prog, experimental metal, modern jazz, alternative, and even world music to a point where the reaction becomes primal on their fourth full-length album, The Madness of Many [Sumerian Records].
“What you’re hearing is the madness of the band, what happens in our heads, and what it sounds like when you put it all together,” exclaims Javier. “For us, that’s the sound of the new album. It’s simply the madness of these three individuals. We’re trying to create something that only we can do.”
That’s why Animals As Leaders have risen to celebrated heroes of their respective instruments since first emerging in 2007. Most recently, 2014’s The Joy of Motion bowed at #24 on the Billboard Top 200, moving 13,000 copies first-week. Along the way, the trio has earned acclaim from the likes of Consequence of Sound, Revolver, Ultimate Guitar, and Rolling Stone who extolled them, “as satisfying in their visceral kick as they are in dazzling displays of dexterity.” Tosin would grace the cover of Guitar World twice, while Matt covered Modern Drummer. Consistently delivering a captivating show, they’ve toured alongside Deftones, Between The Buried And Me, Periphery, and many others in addition to Tosin joining Joe Satriani at the G4 Experience and Steve Vai and Nuno Bettencourt for the Generation Axe Tour. Matt remains a sought-after talent, performing on Late Night With Seth Meyers and at drum clinics and festivals worldwide, and Javier’s solo project Mestis stands out as a fan favorite.
Palaye Royale / Weathers / Starbenders at The Masquerade
Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30pm
Rightfully christened as both “The Hottest Band of 2018” and simply “the” group of the year, by the English music press, Canadian fashion-rock trio PALAYE ROYALE is a shot of adrenaline into the modern musical landscape. Summoning a thrilling spirit, with throwback sonic crunch, visual flair, and reckless live performances, PALAYE ROYALE has quickly earned a legion of obsessive cult-like loyalists, lovingly dubbed Soldiers of the Royal Council.
Hailing from the ATL, Starbenders are the half way home for misunderstood misfits, fringers and glam punks. Front-woman, Kimi Shelter and her gang have concocted a perfect alchemic blend of androgynous rock and roll power with “stuck in your brain” pop melodies. Imagine David Bowie playing 7 minutes in heaven with Debbie Harry.
Grace Conley w/ Mighty and Indee Killed The Pop Star at Vinyl (Center Stage)
Friday, May 24th at 8:00pm
Grace Conley is singer and songwriter from just north of Atlanta, Georgia. Her influences include Joni Mitchell, Noah Kahan, and Indee Killed the Pop Star. Growing up on a farm run by her family, her music is rooted in a deep love for nature and wide open spaces. She can often be found playing at local Atlanta venues such as Eddie’s Attic, Smith’s Olde Bar and Red Clay Music Foundry, as well as the street corners in her hometown of Alpharetta.
Her upcoming EP, due in May 2019, is filled with heartfelt ideas, both lyrically and musically. It begins on a planet far away, capturing a familiar loneliness, before starting on a journey of self discovery and growth, coming to an end with the open freedom that feels like home to a wandering soul such as her own.
Reconciler / SheHeHe / New Junk City at The Earl
Friday, May 24th at 9:00pm
Reconciler is a band from Atlanta, GA who first amplified in the summer of ‘16. Harkening to a sound alternately Southeast and East Bay, they’ve been hard at work ever since, and are set to release their newest volume “Set Us Free” via AF Records on February 1st, 2019. This is their first full length, and fans of Americana, tuneful post HC, and British tube circuitry will surely take notice.
Shehehe from Athens, GA have been described as many things, the vanguards of American Jet Rock, Punk with arena leads, Pop Punk, but really what it is is people who love making rockin, punk-inspired music and having a good time.
New Junk City is a louder-than-they-need-to-be punk band from Atlanta featuring current and former members of way too many other bands to name.
ABBARAMA at The Vista Room ATL
Friday, May 24th at 9:00pm
ABBARAMA is a 7 piece live band and video production of ABBA performed by young musicians from Sweden, UK and USA. Video and art direction produced by KII Arens (Lady Gaga, Katy Perry) and music production by Greg Collins (U2, Gwen Stefani) creates a contemporary sound and look at ABBAʼs music, fashion, and lifestyle bringing the ultimate Modern ABBA Pop Art Live Band Experience!
Late Night Jazz Jam feat. Lil John Roberts and The Senators at Park Tavern
Saturday, May 25th at 11:00pm
One of the most sought after Jazz and R & B Drummers of his generation, John “Lil John” Roberts has maintained his status in the industry as a force to be reckoned with. Having worked and recorded numerous records with George Howard who turned him onto the Contemporary Jazz Circuit. John found himself working nonstop with Jazz artists such as Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Najee, George Benson, Rachelle Ferrelle, Everette Harp, Boney James, Jeff Lorber, Peter White, Kirk Whalum, Bob Baldwin, Eric Essix, Rick Braun, Gabriela Anders and Gerald Albright, to name a few.
As part of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, join us for our #LateNightJazzJam at Park Tavern, featuring Lil’ John Roberts and the Senators performing a tribute to the legendary Herbie Hancock!
