blues rock

Blackberry Smoke: Be Right Here Tour 2024

January 4, 2024 — 1 Comment

Blackberry Smoke will be on the road promoting their album, Be Right Here, for much of 2024. The record drops February 16th. The country rockers will be spending time supporting Cody Jinks or Whiskey Myers, but they will also have some headlining dates overseas with special guest The Steel Woods! Tickets (and VIP for some shows) are available at blackberrysmoke.com.

  • February 4th through the 10th, Blackberry Smoke will be on the Outlaw Country Cruise, which sets sail from Miami, FL.
  • 2/15 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
  • 2/16 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
  • 2/17 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues Myrtle Beach
  • 2/18 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
  • 2/20 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater
  • 2/22 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
  • 2/23 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
  • 2/24 – Louisville, KY – Louisville Palace Theatre
  • 2/29 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall
  • 3/1 – Fort Smith, AR – TempleLive
  • 3/2 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre
  • 3/7 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
  • 3/8 – Beaver Creek, CO – Vilar Performing Arts Center
  • 3/9 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
  • 3/14 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
  • 3/15 – Medina, MN – Medina Entertainment Center
  • 3/16 – Bowler, WI – North Star Mohican Casino Resort
  • 3/19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
  • 3/21 – Boston, MA – House of Blues Boston
  • 3/22 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre
  • 3/23 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre New Jersey
  • 3/24 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
  • 3/27 – Washington, DC – Warner Theatre
  • 3/28 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
  • 3/29 – Cleveland, OH – TempleLive at Cleveland Masonic
  • 3/30 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
  • 4/5 – Douglas, GA – The Martin Centre
  • 4/6 – Douglas, GA – The Martin Centre
  • 4/11 – Cedar Rapids, IA – Alliant Energy Powerhouse^
  • 4/12 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
  • 4/13 – Kalamazoo, MI – Wings Event Center^
  • 4/26 – Helotes, TX – Floore’s Country Store
  • 4/27 – Baton Rouge, LA – Event Center at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel
  • 5/4 – Miramar Beach, FL – Sun, Sand, and Soul Beach Weekend
  • 5/9 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
  • 5/10 – Newkirk, OK – First Council Casino
  • 5/11 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion^
  • 5/16 – Maryville, TN – The Shed
  • 5/17 – Maryville, TN – The Shed
  • 5/18 – Maryville, TN – The Shed
  • 5/24 – Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater+
  • 5/25 – Beaver Dam, KY – Beaver Dam Amphitheater
  • 6/1 – San Diego, CA – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park^
  • 6/2 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre^
  • 6/21 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
  • 6/22 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
  • 6/29 – Augusta, NJ – Rock, Ribs, & Ridges Festival
  • 7/18 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC^
  • 9/9 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow*
  • 9/10 – Edinburgh, SCT – O2 Academy Edinburgh*
  • 9/12 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester*
  • 9/13 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy Birmingham*
  • 9/14 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo*
  • 9/16 – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique*
  • 9/17 – Tilburg, NL – 013 Poppodium*
  • 9/18 – Hanover, DE – Capitol Hannover*
  • 9/20 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega*
  • 9/21 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene*
  • 9/22 – Stockholm, SE – Annexet*
  • 9/24 – Berlin, DE – Columbiahalle*
  • 9/25 – Vienna, AT – Gasometer*
  • 9/26 – Munich, DE – TonHalle München*
  • 9/28 – Paris, FR – L’Olympia*
  • 9/29 – Cologne, DE – E-Werk*
  • 9/30 – Zürich, CH – Kaufleuten*
  • 10/2 – Milan, IT – Alcatraz*

^ Supporting Cody Jinks

+ Supporting Whiskey Myers

* European headlining show with The Steel Woods

Interview: Naked Sunday

December 5, 2023 — 1 Comment

Naked Sunday is a hard rock band from The Midlands. The quartet formed in 2012, but their lineup wasn’t settled until 2018. They have since released two albums – Signs of Insanity (2020) and Home (2022) – and one EP, 2021’s Skeleton Keys. More recently, Naked Sunday’s track “Lilith” was featured in John Williams’ film Tales of the Creeping Death.

I was fortunate enough to have the chance to talk to bassist Corty Lou about the band’s inception, influences, the latest singles – “Vilified” and “Shine” – and more!

**

So tell me, how did Naked Sunday form? And how did y’all decide on the band name?

Corty Lou: Naked Sunday formed around 2012 but became the established lineup it is today in 2018, after much hard work and the release of our first album, Signs of Insanity. The name was based on the Stone Temple Pilots song “Naked Sunday” – we enjoyed how the two words just fitted well together, and of course, it leaves a lot to interpretation.

Who are Naked Sunday’s biggest influences? 

CL: As for myself, it would be Motley Crue/Sixx AM, [vocalist/guitarist] Martin’s would be Guns N Roses, [lead guitarist] Alex loves UFO, and [drummer] Liam loves the Foo Fighters, but collectively we all love Queen. We don’t like to make the same record, and much like Queen, we set out to be different from everyone else (especially on our local scene). 

Do you remember the moment you realized you wanted to play music for a living? Was there a specific band/artist that made you think “I have to do that”?

CL: I think the second I heard Queen and picked up a guitar, I wanted to perform and make music. It was an instant callin. The first time I could play a few chords, I was writing my own songs, and that love of music and creating is still with me.

What is the writing/recording process for the band?

CL: As a band, we do all write together. Sometimes Martin will come in with some chords and lyrics and it’s almost a full written song, but the band put their stamp on it, myself and Alex usually write riffs and then at rehearsal, Liam will piece them together and we will structure the song as we see fit. A lot of the time we will work a song, such as a new one we are working on at the moment called “LEGION,” by road testing them, and doing demos so we all have structures to work to, or that we can edit and say this may work better. We also share Whatsapp videos of riffs, etc., so Martin can start writing lyrics, or Liam has a heads up so he can develop the feel of the track on the drums.

I want to talk about the latest singles, “Vilified” and “Shine.” Can you share the story behind each of those tracks? 

CL: They sit like a brother and sister track to us. “Vilified” is definitely Martin’s baby lyrically. It is about others trying to turn people against you because you have passion or drive. Martin faces a lot of criticism because he is driven and gets great results. It’s a middle finger to the high school bully, the rogue workmate that isn’t a mate, the people in the pub who laugh behind your back but are friendly to your face – it’s a song for the working man.

“Shine” is a different kettle of fish. It is about wanting someone to succeed, totally the opposite of “Vilified.” It’s about rooting for the one you love, wanting them to be the best possible person they can be and the best gift to the world they can be. It’s a delicate number with some of Alex’s best guitar work, and we have to give credit to Miguel Seco, who produced these songs. Without his help and love, especially with “Shine,” we feel he got the best out of us (our fifth Sunday member).

With your full library in mind, do you have a song you connect with more than the others? 

CL: I think “Home” for us is something we all connect with. It was the title track to our second album and featured on Fireworks rock and metal magazines CD. It, for us, is just something that we all get lost in, and the audience loves singing the ending.  It is a song about our sleepy home town of Stafford – you want to leave, but inside your head there is no place like home. 

What is your favorite song to play live?

CL: “Lilith” is one that I think we all dig. It started out as a song I wrote on bass at a rehearsal at Neon Sound Studios in Burntwood. (Martin has a connection of writing a UK 16 Chart song here with Mike Newey the owner.) We even went back to the studio to record it. It’s a brooding dark builder with a very metal ending and the start of us moving into heavier territory. Liam helped with the structure of this, and it just is an absolute blast to play live. The song also features in the film Tales of the Creeping Death by John Williams.

That’s really cool, that you guys had a song in a film! How did that feel, when you learned it was to be used? 

CL: So the director John Williams heard “Lilith” and used it in this incredible werewolf scene. The werewolf was designed by Gary Pollard.  The film features legendary English actor Ricky Tomlinson. For us it was a dream come true, being massive horror fans. I remember Martin taking the call and jumping around being super excited,  then we learned they also added “Unbreakable.” A very surreal and beautiful moment.

Last but not least, what are the band’s plans for the rest of 2023 and into 2024? 

We have one final gig of the year left at The Dog House Stafford. It’s our normal Christmas Bash with our good friends Lungdren and Guns for Girls. Then it’s getting the mix back for our single “Web Around My Grave,” which again is a heavy number, followed by a new photoshoot and then recording the final track of our EP Rise, which is a beautiful Tom Petty style song. Then it’s back to gigging straight away around the UK, spreading our wings and following up album number 3. We also have a video to film with the talented Mr Nick J. Townsend of WEAK13, who filmed “Vilified.”

**

Things are moving fast for Naked Sunday! You can keep up with all their news, gig announcements, and music by following their socials, and be sure to give “Vilified” and “Shine” a listen on your favorite streaming service!

Mac Saturn: Hard to Sell Tour 2024

December 2, 2023 — Leave a comment

Rock band Mac Saturn will be headlining a North American tour in early 2024 in support of their new album, Hard to Sell, which will be released on January 26th. The 35-date run comes with support from alt-rock/indie pop trio The Thing With Feathers. You can get tickets at macsaturn.com – and bring your dancing shoes!

  • 1/26 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
  • 1/27 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
  • 1/28 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
  • 1/30 – Montreal, QC – Bar le Ritz PDB
  • 1/31 – South Burlington, VT – Showcase Lounge
  • 2/2 – Portland, ME – Portland House of Music
  • 2/3 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
  • 2/4 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
  • 2/6 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
  • 2/8 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry
  • 2/9 – Washington, DC – Union Stage
  • 2/10 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
  • 2/12 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
  • 2/13 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
  • 2/15 – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
  • 2/16 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar
  • 2/17 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
  • 2/19 – Houston, TX – The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues
  • 2/20 – Dallas Downtown, TX – The Cambridge Room at House of Blues
  • 2/21 – Austin, TX – 3TEN ACL Live
  • 2/23 – Tempe, AZ – Innings Festival 2024 (The Thing With Feathers will not be appearing.)
  • 2/26 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues
  • 2/27 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
  • 2/28 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
  • 3/1 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
  • 3/2 – Portland, OR – Polaris Hall
  • 3/4 – Boise, ID – 9th Street Parallel at Knitting Factory
  • 3/5 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
  • 3/8 – Denver, CO – Marquis
  • 3/11 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
  • 3/12 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
  • 3/13 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
  • 3/15 – Indianapolis, IN – Old National Centre
  • 3/16 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
  • 3/17 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection-The Stache

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai Announce 2024 US Co-Headlining Tour (Updated 11/28/23)

November 28, 2023 — Leave a comment

Update: Four new dates have been added! Check the list!

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, two legendary guitar virtuosos, are co-headlining a spring 2024 tour. The pair have been friends for over 50 years, but this is the first time they will tour as a duo-bill. Along with the tour announcement comes the news that Satch and Vai are planning a new musical collaboration!

You can get tickets at vai.com or satriani.com.

  • 3/22 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
  • 3/23 – Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
  • 3/25 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
  • 3/26 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
  • 3/27 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
  • 3/29 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
  • 3/30 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
  • 4/2 – Charlotte, NC – Belk Theater
  • 4/3 – Richmond, VA – Dominion Energy Center
  • 4/5 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre Boston
  • 4/6 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
  • 4/7 – Waterbury, CT – Waterbury Palace Theater
  • 4/8 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Center for the Arts
  • 4/10 – Collingswood, NJ – Rite Auditorium
  • 4/11 – Washington, DC – Theatre DC
  • 4/12 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
  • 4/13 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
  • 4/14 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center Theater
  • 4/16 – Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
  • 4/17 – Kalamazoo, MI – Theatre of Kalamazoo
  • 4/18 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
  • 4/19 – Cincinnati, OH – J. Brady Icon Music Center
  • 4/20 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
  • 4/22 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre
  • 4/23 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
  • 4/24 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
  • 4/25 – Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Civic Center
  • 4/26 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
  • 4/28 – La Vista, NE – The Astro
  • 4/29 – Salina, KS – Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts*
  • 4/30 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory*
  • 5/1 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
  • 5/3 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
  • 5/4 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
  • 5/5 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
  • 5/7 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
  • 5/8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Hall at Eccles Theater
  • 5/10 – Valley Center, CA – Harrah’s Resort Southern California-The Events Center*
  • 5/11 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino*

* New dates!

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai Announce 2024 US Co-Headlining Tour

November 12, 2023 — Leave a comment

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, two legendary guitar virtuosos, are co-headlining a spring 2024 tour. The pair have been friends for over 50 years, but this is the first time they will tour as a duo-bill. Along with the tour announcement comes the news that Satch and Vai are planning a new musical collaboration!

You can get tickets at vai.com or satriani.com.

  • 3/22 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
  • 3/23 – Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
  • 3/25 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
  • 3/26 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
  • 3/27 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
  • 3/29 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
  • 3/30 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center
  • 4/2 – Charlotte, NC – Belk Theater
  • 4/3 – Richmond, VA – Dominion Energy Center
  • 4/5 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre Boston
  • 4/6 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
  • 4/7 – Waterbury, CT – Waterbury Palace Theater
  • 4/8 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Center for the Arts
  • 4/10 – Collingswood, NJ – Rite Auditorium
  • 4/11 – Washington, DC – Theatre DC
  • 4/12 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
  • 4/13 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park
  • 4/14 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Center Theater
  • 4/16 – Detroit, MI – Fisher Theatre
  • 4/17 – Kalamazoo, MI – Theatre of Kalamazoo
  • 4/18 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre
  • 4/19 – Cincinnati, OH – J. Brady Icon Music Center
  • 4/20 – Fort Wayne, IN – Embassy Theatre
  • 4/22 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre
  • 4/23 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
  • 4/24 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
  • 4/25 – Des Moines, IA – Des Moines Civic Center
  • 4/26 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
  • 4/28 – La Vista, NE – The Astro
  • 5/1 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
  • 5/3 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
  • 5/4 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
  • 5/5 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
  • 5/7 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
  • 5/8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Hall at Eccles Theater