BREAKING NEWS: Scissor Sisters New Tour Presale

Hallelujah disco babies, I'm thrilled to announce that those glitteriffic Scissor Sisters are heading back out on the road in April! They're just starting to release US dates now, and thanks to Scissor Sisters Presale, we lucky fans can get early access to their tickets before they go on sale to the general public!  Here's the info, straight from the Scissors' mouths...

With barely a pause for breath after a triumphant series of arena shows in the United Kingdom, Scissor Sisters are returning from across the Atlantic early next year for a string of newly announced live dates.

The dates are:

April 2 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
April 3 - The Theater at Madison Square, New York, NY
April 4 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
April 6 - Metropolis, Montreal, QC
April 12 - The Pageant, St Louis, MO
April 15 - The Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, TX
April 16 - Verizon Wireless Theater, Houston, TX

Pre-sales for these US dates are live now just for Scissor Sister fans! These exclusive pre-sales will end soon! So get clicking.

Not certain you're ready for the madness? Well just you feast your eyes on these shots taken at their phenomenal show at Hammerstein Ballroom on 10/21/06.

Technorati Tags: Scissor Sisters | Music | Live Music | Concerts | Tickets | TixGirl

BREAKING NEWS: Dave Matthews Band in Vegas & Abroad

"You're so money, you don't even know how money you are!"

Well, actually, Dave Matthews knows exactly how money he is. To prove it, he's lined up his first two US dates of 2007 in the city of high rollers, high glitz, and well, just being high, I guess.

Yes, he's booked a two night stand at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for March 23rd & 24th, before he'll meet our Aussie mates Down Under with a healthy round of dates, and then please our pals across the pond in Europe. Check out all the newly announced dates below, thanks to their publicity peeps (shout-out to Allison!). 

Most importantly for us Yanks, Vegas dates go on sale Saturday, 12/16. So set your alarms! 

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND 2007 TOUR DATES:

March 23         MGM Grand                                                    Las Vegas, NV
March 24         MGM Grand                                                    Las Vegas, NV
March 31         West Coast Blues and Roots Festival                Fremantle, WA Australia
April 2              Festival Theatre                                                Adelaide, SA Australia
April 4              Brisbane Convention and Exposition Centre      South Brisbane, Old                                                                                                 Australia
April 6              East Coast Blues and Roots Festival                 Byron Bay, Old Australia
April 10            Hordern Pavilion                                               Sydney, NSW Australia
April 11            Hordern Pavilion                                               Sydney, NSW Australia
April 13            Vodafone Arena                                               Melbourne, Australia
May 23            The Point                                                          Dublin, Ireland
May 25            Pavilion Atlantico                                              Lisbon, Portugal
May 27            Forest National                                                 Brussels (Vorst), Belgium
May 23            The Point                                                          Dublin, Ireland
May 25            Pavilion Atlantico                                              Lisbon, Portugal
May 27            Forest National                                                 Brussels, Belgium
May 30            Wembley Stadium                                            London, England

For tour dates and information visit http://www.davematthewsband.com/
Here's a quick link for tickets, so bookmark this page today

Technorati Tags: Dave Matthews | Dave Matthews Band | Music | Live Music | Concerts | Tickets | TixGirl

BUZZ BAND: of Montreal On Tour

I'm thrilled to report that of Montreal, one of the most exciting buzz bands to enter my universe in 2006, has a massive early 2007 club tour planned. I hope that all of you will sit up and take notice, the way their decidedly loyal cult fanbase have over their roughly 10 year existence.

I fell in love with their last release, Sunlandic Twins. One of the most addictive indie-disco albums of 2006, it was Sunlandic Twins that induced me to catch their set at Irving Plaza in September. I've rarely seen that kind of outrageous theatricality in a straight man, let alone a whole band. Imagine the Scissor Sisters gone straight, and updating their retro-disco flavor as next-century indie electro-pop. They were phenomenal performers, with a rich back catalog to draw from. I was hooked.

And you will be, too.

So pick up a copy of their new album, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? Then catch them on one of their many upcoming tour dates. It's an exhaustive list, so you have no excuse -- they're definitely coming to a town near you. (Look for me at their Irving Plaza shows. I'll be right up front shaking my butt.)

Get the full tour schedule at the of Montreal MySpace page.

BONUS: You can listen to the new album in its entirety for free at of Montreal's website!  Listen: Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

Technorati Tags: Of Montreal | Music | Live Music | Concerts | Tickets | TixGirl

BREAKING NEWS: Gwen Stefani Announces Tour

You a Harajuku lover? Well, even if you aren't, you won't be able to escape the media blitz that is sure to follow the release of Gwen's new album, The Sweet Escape, which hit stores yesterday. (Listen to the album in full for free: Gwen Stefani Listening Party!)

But here's the really big news: Gwen has announced her 2007 The Sweet Escape World Tour, which will have her performing in North America from April through June. And yes, her Harajuku gals will be right alongside her, winding it up.

Dates will begin going on sale in February. Keep an eye on Gwen's website for the onsale date info. Or sign-up for the Ticket Connect Alert and find out first. In the meantime, here's her tour roster...

Apr-21 Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion  
Apr-22 San Diego, CA - Coors Amphitheatre  
Apr-24 Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center  
Apr-25 Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena   
Apr-28 Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena  
Apr-30 Salt Lake City, UT - The "E" Center   
May-02 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center  
May-03 Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion   
May-05 Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Centre  
May-06 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion   
May-08 Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre  
May-09 West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheatre    
May-11 Atlanta, GA - HiFi Buys Amphitheatre  
May-12 Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre  
May-14 Raleigh, NC - Alltel Pavilion  
May-15 Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre   
May-17 Washington DC - Nissan Pavilion  
May-18 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center   
May-20 Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre  
May-21 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena  
May-23 Boston, MA - Tweeter Center  
May-24 Philadelphia, PA - Tweeter Center at The Waterfront    
May-26 Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel and Casino  
May-27 Pittsburgh, PA - Post-Gazette Pavilion   
May-29 Montreal, CAN - Bell Centre  
May-30 Toronto, CAN - Air Canada Centre   
Jun-01 Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills  
Jun-02 Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center    
Jun-04 Omaha, NE - Qwest Center  
Jun-05 St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center      
Jun-07 Milwaukee, WI - Bradley Center  
Jun-08 Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre    
Jun-10 Winnipeg, CAN - MTS Centre   
Jun-12 Edmonton, CAN - Rexall Place  
Jun-13 Calgary, CAN - Pengrowth Saddledome    
Jun-15 Vancouver, CAN - General Motors Place  
Jun-16 Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheatre     
Jun-18 Sacramento, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre  
Jun-19 San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre    
Jun-22 Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

According to her site, international fans can look for Central America, South America, Australia, Asia and Europe tour dates to be announced in 2007.

According to Live Daily, "She also said she plans to reunite with her No Doubt bandmates someday. While the band's return to the studio and the road has been rumored for some time, nothing has been confirmed as of yet."

Technorati Tags: Gwen Stefani | Music | Live Music | Concerts | Tickets | TixGirl

THE VIEW FROM MY SEAT: CSS Live Review

Of the bands to appear at the 2006 CMJ Music Marathon, one seems to have caused more of a stir than any other: CSS. The Sub-Pop label darlings were the buzz of the ball at Flavorpill's 6th Anniversary Halloween Party. And to get the industry-insider, seen-it-alls in a tizzy of expectation is no mean feat. Such a jaded group are loathe to admit they can't wait to see a band of unknowns, but these kids were an exception to the rule.

With a name that stands for "Cansei de Ser Sexy," or "tired of being sexy," one might expect a lazy, lounged-out vibe. CSS are anything but. These wacky kids from Brazil have more energy and spunk in one pinky than most dance rock outfits of the moment can muster en masse. Of the six members, it's really lead singer Lovefoxxx who gives the Sao Paolo natives their zany flavor. One of the most outrageous vixens to mount a stage in eons, her antics can force even the most unwilling critics to break a smile. Check out the evidence:

Flip through tixgirl's CSS @ Webster photoset

Long before CMJ, I caught my first dose of CSS opening for Ladytron at Webster Hall. Though their music didn't capture me right off the bat, they had a boisterous, gleefully irreverent vibe I couldn't deny. Lovefoxxx is, to put it simply, a wild child. She boasted about being drunk and relieved she'd finally gotten her period. She dove into the audience and sang a raucous ditty among the masses. She danced with the wild abandon of a drunken cheerleader. She showed us her thong. Immature? Sure. But her exuberant, party-animal antics had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. And damn, it really was fun.

And then they got up and did it all again during CMJ.

Not only are CSS one of the zaniest bands around, but they're also among the hardest-working indie newcomers. They seemed to have at least one gig every day of CMJ. Which means they're hungry, and they're willing to work for it. And those are traits I like in a band. 

OY! These Shows Are Better Than Chinese Food & A Movie

Sick of spending Christmas trying to find the Chinese restaurant closest to the multiplex playing your movie of choice? Looking for something with a more Festival of Lights-y feel than a string-the-lights-on-the-tree feel? I'm happy to report that this December is choc-full of delightful events for even the most discerning fan of the next generation of Jewish music. So don't make yourself meshuggenah, mark your calendar. Here's a run down of who's playing...

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Matisyahu: First annual Festival of Lights Concert Series
Here's a little out-take from their press peeps:
Matisyahu will give his hometown fans a  holiday treat this Hanukkah when he kicks off the "Festival of Light" concert  series at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Matisyahu will be joined by  his band Roots Tonic and special guests Mr. Lif and The Coup (12/16), Ben  Kweller (12/17) and John Brown's Body (12/19).
Dec. 16, 17, 19 @ Hammerstein Ballroom, NY

Matisyahu:
Wed. Dec. 13 @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

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Gogol Bordello
Everybody's favorite gypsy punks are back on the road, fronted by the incomparable Eugene Hutz. Not ringing a bell?Go see Everything Is Illuminated and get illuminated.
On Tour Dec. 12 - 21
Lawrence, KS, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, DC, Philly & NY

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Golem: Vodka Latka Festival of Rights, LA & SF

Vodka Latka in LA 
Wed. Dec. 13 @ The El Rey
Turn the Festival of Lights into the Festival of Rights with a unique menorah-lighting by local social justice activists. Then watch LA's Heebster comedians, writers, magicians, and performers - including Six Feet Under's Jill Soloway - tackle the holiday from an entirely new perspective in Heaping Hanukah. Finally, Golem takes the night to a raucous, high-energy finale.

Vodka Latka in SF
Thurs. Dec. 14@ The Independent
Tonight again starts with the Festival of Rights menorah lighting, followed by Conspiracy of Beards, a 30 member all- male choir that exclusively performs the music of Leonard Cohen. The night high stakes charity dreydl benefiting the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, in which you can win a Noise Pop Festival Badge and a Barsuk Records prize pack.

Golem Celebrates Hanukkah in Great Barrington, MA 
Sun. Dec. 17@ Club Helsinki

 

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SoCalled: Young Man

Golem, SoCalled, The LeeVees, Balkan Beat Box DJs: Jewltide
Here's a little out-take from their press peeps:
These days, bigger cities throw "Matzah Balls," events with an emphasis on partying and little meaningful connection among attendees. Seeing an opportunity for holiday events with aunique Jewish identity but sans religious overtones, JDub Records and Brooklyn Jews founded Jewltide, an alternative party featuring up-and-coming talent, music, and a new way to celebrate Hanukkah. Now in its fourth year, JDub has expanded Jewltide from its home base in Brooklyn and is taking the party on the road to Washington DC, Boston, and Chicago with label-mates Golem and SoCalled. Brooklyn will be treated to 2 special nights, with The LeeVees, Tim Fite, and Balkan Beat Box DJs joining the party.

Jewltide in Chicago
Wed. Dec. 20 @ Empty Bottle
-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + Heeb Magazine

Jewltide in Boston
Thurs. Dec. 21@ TT The Bears
-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + Heeb Magazine + Shtreiml

Jewltide in Washington, DC
Saturday Dec. 23 @ Sixth and I
-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + Heeb Magazine

Jewltide in Brooklyn
Sat. Dec. 23 @ Southpaw
-Featuring The LeeVees, Tim Fite, Balkan Beat Box DJ set + Special Guests. 

<FONT style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif' color=#000000><FONT face=" Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif?>Sun. Dec 24 @ Southpaw
-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + DJ Anaan

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The Klezmatics

A little note from the New York Times' Urbanist Newsletter:

In the 1940s and ´50s, Woody Guthrie lived with his wife´s Jewish family in Coney Island. During this improbable stay, "the Dust Bowl troubadour ate blintzes, lighted the menorah and wrote about Hanukkah in the plainspoken, unmistakably Guthrie style," says Ben Sisario. For example: "'It´s honeyky Hanukkah, shaky my hand/My candles are burning all over this land.´" A few years ago the Klezmatics, the local band that helped make klezmer hip, wrote music for these songs. Tonight they´ll perform "Woody Guthrie´s Happy Joyous Hanukkah."

 

 

Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukah NY
Mon. Dec. 4 @ Abrons Arts Center
Lower East Side, NYC

henrystreet.org/arts.

 

Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukah LA

Thurs. Dec. 21 @ Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles, CA

 

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Soulfarm & Blue Fringe: Hanukkah Party
Sat. Dec. 23 @ B.B. King Blues Bar & Grill

NY, NY

 

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HOT TIP: Win a Trip to London to See Bloc Party & 2 Weeks in Europe

For all of you, like me, who were heartbroken when Bloc Party had to cancel their remaining tour dates with Panic! At The Disco due to Matt Tong's collapsed lung, all is not lost! 

First off, Matt's on the mend, and the whole band are looking forward to the February 6 US release of their new album, A Weekend In The City. Matt's well enough for the band to resume touring Europe in January. But in the meantime, you can catch the first single, The Prayer, from the new album on the Bloc Party MySpace page.

Second, you have a chance to win a trip to London to see Bloc Party play in their hometown, and help them celebrate the launch of the new album in person. As if that wasn't enough to set our hearts a-pitter-patter, the lucky winner gets a full two-week trip around Europe!  Crikey. Here's the details...

Win a trip to see Bloc Party in London

US Fans: What better way to celebrate the release of Bloc Party's newest album, A Weekend in the City, by spending a weekend in their city? Contiki travel is sending you and a friend to see Bloc Party rock in London and a two week European adventure. Click the banner to enter.

Contest ends January 2, 2007 so spread the word and ENTER NOW!