Boy, oh, BOY! Tonight’s lineup is out of control! We have all types of bands and artists playing throughout Atlanta! It seems like everyone from country starlets to rap artists and pop stars to alternative rockers are playing in the city this evening! Take a look at the lineup!
The English Beat @ The Loft
The original band consisted of Dave Wakeling on vocals and guitar, Andy Cox on guitar, David Steele on bass, and Everett Morton on drums – later additions Ranking Roger (toasting) and foundational First Wave Ska legend Saxa (saxophone) completed the outfit. The band crossed over fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk, and from these disparate pieces they created an infectious dance rhythm. Along with their contemporaries The Specials, The Selecter, and Madness, the band became an overnight sensation and one of the most popular and influential bands of the British Two Tone Ska movement.
Consummate showman that he is, Dave Wakeling has continued to keep The Beat alive and strong. How could he not? Dave continues to tour the world as The English Beat with an amazing all-star ska backing band playing all the hits of The Beat, Dave’s other band, General Public, and his new songs. Make sure to check out our interview with The English Beat!
Gretchen Peters @ Eddie’s Attic (8pm)
The title of Gretchen Peters’ new Hello Cruel World is a pun on the famed exit line – a joke that, like the lovely melodies and deliciously textured arrangements framing these 11 songs – sweetens this captivating music spun from a year of turmoil. The Grammy nominated singer-songwriter from Nashville calls Hello Cruel World her “most close-to-the-bone work, written at a time when I felt absolutely fearless about telling the truth.”
Check out our interview with Gretchen Peters!
Joe Pug @ Eddie’s Attic (10 pm)
It’s been 4 years since Joe Pug quit his day job as a carpenter, but his remarkable rise in the music world has been driven by the same hard-worn work ethic. Pug released his full-length debut “Messenger” in 2010. The album was met with critical acclaim, with Paste Magazine saying “Unless your surname is Dylan, Waits, Ritter or Prine, you could face-palm yourself to death trying to pen songs half as inspired as the 10 tracks on Joe Pug’s debut full-length.” He toured incessantly behind the album, which included appearances at Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and the Newport Folk Fest as well as tours with Josh Ritter and Levon Helm. Pug released his second full-length, “The Great Despiser”, last April.
Comrade Blue @ Vinyl
Atlanta’s Comrade Blue was formed when several neighbors and friends converged in a basement to jam. Already being friends or “comrades,” the band that formed was aptly named Comrade Blue. Through other friends and family, the band quickly took off and started playing Atlanta charity events as well as local venues like SweetWater Brewery, The Red Light Café, Red Brick Brewery, and Smith’s Olde Bar. Their original music has been labeled somewhere between alternative, indie, and Americana rock. Stylistically, we like to say: Coldplay meets Foo Fighters, bumps into U2 and says hello to Mumford and Sons.
Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires @ The Earl
The title of LEE BAINS III AND THE GLORY FIRES’ debut album comes from Bains mishearing an old hymn as a child. In the soft accents of his elders around Birmingham, Alabama, “There is a balm in Gilead” sounded a lot like “There is a bomb.” It fits, really. The Glory Fires learned to construct music in the churches of their childhoods, and learned to destroy it in the punk clubs of their youths. Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires describe their music as “deep-south far-left liberation gospel”.
Pokey Lafarge @ Smith’s Olde Bar
Pokey LaFarge is a musician, songwriter, bandleader, entertainer, innovator and preservationist, whose well-rounded arsenal of talents has placed him at the forefront of American music. Over the last decade, Pokey has won the hearts of music lovers across the globe with his creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing, all while writing songs that ring true and fine in both spirit and sound. His music transcends the confines of genre, continually challenging the notion that tradition-bearers fail to push musical boundaries.
Calm White Noise @ The Drunken Unicorn
Fresh to the Atlanta music scene is Calm White Noise. The band began to take life in the early months of 2011. Band leader and creator, Dylan Banks, gathered three of the best musicians in the Atlanta area (Andre Griffin, Ricky Taft, Andrew Short,) to help turn his visions and ideas into full functioning sound waves. This group brings a unique style to the rising local music scene, pulling influences from rock, experimental, indie, and electronic to create a truly unique sound of their own.
Parmalee @ 120 Tavern
Check out 120 tavern tonight for live country music from Nashville rising stars Parmalee with the Hailey and Alexis Band, & Peyton Parker. 94.9 The Bull will be on hand with William Barber, host of “Backyard Country”! Also performing is Alex Guthrie, who will be jamming out at the Buckhead Crawfish Fest this Saturday, April 27!
Starlito @ The Masquerade
Jermaine Eric Shute, better known by his stage name Starlito (formerly All $tar Cashville Prince) is an American rapper best known for the 2005 song, “Grey Goose” which featured artists Young Jeezy and Yo Gotti. Also he was in the song “Crazy” with Lil Wayne.
