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Black Sabbath / Ozzy Osbourne & friends - Back to the Beginning at Aston Villa Stadium, Birmingham UK (2025-07-05) Official Photos

Black Sabbath 2025-07-05 Birmingham Astion Villa BACK TO THE BEGINNING SETLIST (intro music: Black Sabbath w/ video collage of Birmingham) Mastodon Black Tongue Blood and Thunder Supernaut (Black Sabbath cover) with Mario Duplantier, Danny Carey, and Eloy Casagrande Rival Sons Do Your Worst Electric Funeral (Black Sabbath cover) Secret Anthrax Indians Into the Void (Black Sabbath cover) > Indians reprise Halestorm Love Bites (So Do I) Rain Your Blood on Me Perry Mason (Ozzy Osbourne cover) Lamb of God Laid to Rest Redneck Children of the Grave (Black Sabbath cover) Supergroup (Tom Morello's All-Stars) The Ultimate Sin (Ozzy Osbourne cover) with Lzzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, Nuno Bettencourt, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman) Shot in the Dark (Ozzy Osbourne cover) with David Draiman, Jake E. Lee, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman) Sweet Leaf (Black Sabbath cover) with David Draiman, Scott Ian, Nuno Bettencourt, David Ellefson, Mike Bordin, and Adam Wakeman) Believer (Ozzy Osbourne cover) with Whitfield Crane, Scott Ian, Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, ll, and Adam Wakeman) Changes (Black Sabbath cover) with YUNGBLUD, Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, II, and Adam Wakeman; dedicated to Diogo Jota Jack Black (video) Mr. Crowley (Ozzy Osbourne cover) with Revel Ian, Roman Morello, Yoyoka Soma, and Hugo Weiss Alice In Chains Man in the Box Would? Fairies Wear Boots (Black Sabbath cover) Gojira Stranded Silvera Mea culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) [traditional] with Marina Viotti Under the Sun (Black Sabbath cover) Drum-Off Symptom of the Universe (Black Sabbath cover) Travis Barker vs. Chad Smith vs. Danny Carey, with Tom Morello, Nuno Bettencourt, and Rudy Sarzo Supergroup (Tom Morello's All-Stars) Breaking the Law (Judas Priest cover) with Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, K.K. Downing, Adam Jones, Rudy Sarzo, and Danny Carey Snowblind (Black Sabbath cover) with Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, K.K. Downing, Adam Jones, Rudy Sarzo, and Danny Carey Flying High Again (Ozzy Osbourne cover) with Sammy Hagar, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, Chad Smith, and Vernon Reid Rock Candy (Montrose cover) with Sammy Hagar, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, Chad Smith, and Tom Morello Bark at the Moon (Ozzy Osbourne cover ) with Papa V Perpetua, Vernon Reid, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo, and Travis Barker The Train Kept A-Rollin' (Tiny Bradshaw cover) with Steven Tyler, Ron Wood, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo, & Travis Barker Walk This Way (Aerosmith cover ) with Steven Tyler, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo, and Chad Smith Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover (Black Sabbath cover) with Steven Tyler, Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Andrew Watt, Rudy Sarzo, and Chad Smith Pantera Cowboys From Hell Walk Planet Caravan (Black Sabbath cover) Electric Funeral (Black Sabbath cover) Tool Forty Six & 2 Hand of Doom (Black Sabbath cover) Ænema Slayer Disciple War Ensemble Wicked World (Black Sabbath cover) South of Heaven > Wicked World reprise Raining Blood Angel of Death Guns N’ Roses It's Alright (Black Sabbath cover, shortened) Never Say Die (Black Sabbath cover) Junior's Eyes (Black Sabbath cover) Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Black Sabbath cover) Welcome to the Jungle Paradise City Metallica Hole in the Sky (Black Sabbath cover) Creeping Death For Whom the Bell Tolls Johnny Blade (Black Sabbath cover) Battery Master of Puppets Ozzy Osbourne       (intro music: O Fortuna - Carl Orff song) > I Don't Know Mr. Crowley Suicide Solution Mama, I'm Coming Home Crazy Train Black Sabbath       (intro: Sabbra Cadabra w/video of the history of Black Sabbath) > War Pigs (with “Black Sabbath” intro) N.I.B. (with band introductions) Iron Man Paranoid (with fireworks) Black Sabbath The band features faithful covers of Black Sabbath songs but with the lyrics humorously re-written to keep to their fast-food theme – Sabbath’s "Paranoid" becomes "Pair-a-Buns" … read more

The greatest Heavy Metal / Hard Rock concert of all time!

“Back to the Beginning” took place on July 5 at Birmingham UK’s Villa Park Stadium, home to Aston Villa F.C. This historic event marked the first time the original Black Sabbath lineup featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward performed together in twenty years, and was very likely also for their last time.

The concert also held special significance as it represented Ozzy Osbourne’s final solo performance as well. Saddled with health issues including Parkinson’s disease and several surgeries over the last several years, the show marked Ozzy’s first major stage appearance in nearly seven years (though we did see him on stage at last year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and concert).

Beyond its musical importance, this was also a benefit event which raised over £140 million to be shared equally between three area charities close to the Osbourne’s heart- Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.

The return to Birmingham for this once-in-a-lifetime gathering, held deep meaning for the band as it represented the hometown where Black Sabbath first formed in 1968, and brought their legendary career full circle in the city where it all began.

This event is waaaay too big to cover in one post, so look for a couple related follow-ups including our pics from the pit; and in the meantime, see the official photos from the day below.



(Official Photos are copyrighted and courtesy of Live Nation UK, by Ross Halfin and Kazuyo Horie

Click on any image to enlarge and to see in full)

BACK TO THE BEGINNING at Aston Villa Stadium, Birmingham UK (2025-7-12) by Ross Halfin w Kazuyo Horie

BACK TO THE BEGINNING at Aston Villa Stadium, Birmingham UK (2025-7-12) by Ross Halfin w Kazuyo Horie

BACK TO THE BEGINNING at Aston Villa Stadium, Birmingham UK (2025-7-12) by Ross Halfin w Kazuyo Horie

BACK TO THE BEGINNING at Aston Villa Stadium, Birmingham UK (2025-7-12) by Ross Halfin w Kazuyo Horie

John C ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com ♥ bsky.app

John Garcia at Turf Club, St Paul (July 09, 2025)

John Garcia at Turf Club (July 09, 2025) John Garcia Setlist   ¹ Kyuss song ² Hermano song ³ Vista Chino song Cowboys Suck² Hurricane¹ Jim's Whiskers Conan Troutman¹ Rolling Stoned (Black Mastiff cover) Kentucky II Don't Even Think About It My Mind Dargona Dragona³ Instrumental Jam Gardenia¹ All These Walls My Everything Thumb¹ -- Encore -- Green Machine¹ Telekinetic Yeti Setlist Ghost Train Abominable Stoned and Feathered Ancient Nug Beast Toke Wizard Himalayan Hymn Tour Dates John and his band will also be hitting the following dates. Solo material, Vista Chino, Slo Burn, Hermano and Kyuss songs in the line up. Plus some tasty jams from his band. 07/09: St Paul, MN @ Turf Club 07/10: Milwaukee, WI @ Club Garibaldi 07/11: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown 07/12: Denver, CO @ Marquis 07/13: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge 07/19: Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet's John Garcia Band John Garcia - vocals Greg Saenz - drums Billy Cordell - bass John Bennet - guitar John Garcia Finally time for John Garcia, who played a career-spanning ninety-minute set that was no frills and in-your-face, as the most devoted fans would want … read more Telekinetic Yeti Iowa-based two-piece Telekinetic Yeti is headlining the 7th Street Entry this August 29th, in support of their Tee Pee Records debut album, Primordial. … read more

Very hot days, with much more comfortable evenings have been the norm in the Twin Cities for a hot minute. On an appropriately warm day in St. Paul, John Garcia, one of the founders of desert rock, was playing at the Turf Club.

Side note: While it was loud, I felt like the band had taken just the smallest edge off the volume, which made it pleasantly loud and not simply painful loud. Thanks guys!

Getting things started was Telekinetic Yeti. The stoner rock duo from Iowa has two albums, with their most recent being 2022’s Primordial. On guitar/vocals & drums, this was a loud sound for just two people. A long introduction on the first number finally gave way to the low rumble of reverb vocals. A celebratory “cheers” to the crowd after the first song, and they were right back into it. The repetitive guitar chords on the third sound were a base for Telekinetic Yeti to riff in a variety of directions around that center. A slight change in tempo moved into the best guitar solo of the evening and those kinetic drums fed that intense feeling they had going.

We got some programmed electronic synth sounds at the start of the next number, Ancient Nug, and a lot of impressive drums before the guitar came back in. This was a very spacey sounding version of the hard rock/metal, and the crowd was head banging to that irresistible beat. Telekinetic Yeti was also doing a great job of riding the line of psych band without going into full jam session, with songs averaging a little over five minutes each. A little technical set up from the drummer prior to Beast probably had the most scream-like vocals of the set, and also had the fastest tempo guitar work in a very stoner rock vibe. Finishing on Himalayan Hymn, Telekinetic Yeti started on a slower tempo song that had at least two or three movements, with distinct changes in feel. This was a well-paced and enjoyable forty-minute set.

John Garcia is a stalwart of the Palm Desert Scene. He was a co-founder of the hard rock band Kyuss, the progenitor of the desert, stoner rock, that Garcia, Brant Bjork, Queens of the Stone Age, and others have really built out. That hard rock base with some psych rock jam sessions and a bit of alternative rock hooks is a distinct sound. Post-Kyuss, Garcia has been in several projects while always keeping his solo career going with multiple album releases, including 2019’s John Garcia and the Band of Gold. A quartet (vocals, guitar, bass, and drums), the band went all over the back log of those different projects. They started with Cowboys Suck, a Hermano song, and went straight into a Kyuss number and then into Jim’s Whiskers off the afore mentioned Band of Gold album. And while Garcia is/was lead singer for all three of those bands, his vocal style was slightly different across them. It’s also worth noting that while he could (and did) slide into that more spoken/ screamed style throughout the evening, he really is a singer at his core.

Thanking the crowd for being at the show (“Is it a Tuesday? A Wednesday? I don’t f’in know.”), the band moved into Rolling Stoned, a harder edged song both musically and vocally, with Garcia giving a more gravelly sound. The driving guitar lick was super catchy, and Garcia spoke highly of the band Black Mastiff that he had seen originally perform it. Garcia went on a small tangent about getting older, but how much he appreciated the crowd age range and helping keep music like this alive. Don’t Even Think About It was nearly metal at times, and Garcia went significantly higher in range, including some well-done falsetto before a longer guitar solo closed it out. Introducing the band, Garcia launched into Dragona Dragona from yet another band he fronted, Vista Chino. It was a lot of fun to essentially get the full tour of that Palm Desert sound.

Garcia left the stage, allowing the rest of the band the opportunity for an extended instrumental jam, another hallmark of the desert rock genre. Returning to the stage, Garcia started the slow descent towards the close, though that didn’t mean a decrease in intensity. All These Walls had a heavy drum and bass intro and Garcia fully into the lyrics. I’m a big fan of performers who care, and it seemed like Garcia cares a lot for the music and the experience the band was trying to share with the audience. Garcia and band went into Thumb, with the crowd erupting. After a brief break, the band came back for the encore, ending with Green Machine, a pretty great encapsulation of the evening, with a thankful Garcia ripping ripping through the song and raising hands victorious as they left.

Telekinetic Yeti

Telekinetic Yeti

Telekinetic Yeti

Telekinetic Yeti

John Garcia

John Garcia

John Garcia

John Garcia

John Garcia at Turf Club, St Paul (July 09, 2025)

thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

The Wiz (Broadway touring musical) at The Music Hall, Kansas City MO (2025-07-08 to 07-13)

(The Wiz playbill from The Music Hall, Kansas City, MO)   KANSAS CITY SHOWTIMES   Tuesday, July 8: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 9: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10: 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 11: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13: 1 p.m. Sunday, July 13: 6:30 p.m.   THE WIZ TOUR DATES   Jul 15-20 Fort Worth, TX Bass Hall Jul 22-27 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre Jul 29-Aug 3 Louisville, KY The Kentucky Center Aug 5-10 Durham, NC DPAC Aug 12-24 Boston, MA Boston Opera House Sep 9-21 Dallas, TX Music Hall at Fair Park Sep 23-28 Nashville, TN Tennessee Performing Arts Center Sep 30-Oct 5 Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips Center Oct 7-12 Miami, FL Arsht Center Oct 14-19 Tampa, FL Straz Center Oct 21-26 West Palm Beach, FL Kravis Center Oct 28-Nov 2 Greensboro, NC Tanger Center Nov 4-9 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall Nov 11-16 Dayton, OH Schuster Center Nov 18-23 Omaha, NE Orpheum Theater Nov 25-Dec 7 St. Louis, MO Fabulous Fox Theatre Dec 9-14 East Lansing Wharton Center Dec 16-21 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre Jan 6-11, 2026 Tucson, AZ Centennial Hall Jan 13-25, 2026 Costa Mesa, CA Segerstrom Center Jan 27-Feb 1, 2026 San Jose CA Center for the Performing Arts Feb 3-8, 2026 Portland, OR Keller Auditorium Feb 10-15, 2026 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre Feb 18-22, 2026 El Paso, TX Plaza Theatre Mar 3-15, 2026 Cincinnati, OH Aronoff Center Mar 17-22, 2026 Indianapolis, IN Clowes Hall Mar 24-29, 2026 Milwaukee, WI Marcus Center  Apr 7-12, 2026 Washington, DC National Theatre Apr 14-19, 2026 North Charleston, SC N. Charleston PAC Apr 21-26, 2026 Richmond, VA Altria Center Apr 28-May 3, 2026 Chattanooga, TN Soldiers & Sailors May 5-10, 2026 Tulsa, OK Tulsa Performing Arts Center May 12-17, 2026 Austin, TX Bass Concert Hall May 19-24, 2026 Oklahoma City, OK Civic Center Music Hall May 26-31, 2026 Toledo, OH Stranahan Theater Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album.... …

It’s the right time to ‘ease on down the road’!

With the success of last year’s “Wicked” film and its sequel on the way this November, ‘Wizard of Oz’ mania is back and strong, but fans shouldn’t have to wait a year to again scratch that itch.

Luckily for Kansas City audiences, another well-known and unique take on the mythos is refreshed and back in circulation. The Tony® Award-winning Best Musical, The Wiz returns to stages across America in an all-new tour, direct from Broadway, playing downtown at the Music Hall, now through the weekend.

This production got its start back in late 1974, with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls (and others) and book by William F. Brown and would move to Broadway early the following year.

It won a total of seven Tonys, and with its soul, gospel, rock and funk soundtrack and all-black cast, became a revelatory whole new groove of the original creation from the turn-of-the-century book series by author L. Frank Baum.

Of course, many are most familiar with the 1978 film version, which starred Diana Ross, a young Michael Jackson as the scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as the tin man, along with Lena Horne, Richard Pryor, and other names of the day. Quincy Jones supervised and produced the music, but the missteps may have been with a Joel Schumacher script and Sidney Lumet directing, resulting in mixed reviews at the time, but it’s become much more beloved and emerged as a cult favorite, over the years.

A December 2015 live television version was well-received and in the fall of 2023, this updated production, directed by Schele Williams with new material by Amber Ruffin (a comedian and writer on Late Night with Seth Meyers) opened in Baltimore and soon moved to Broadway the following Spring, featuring a cast that would include the likes of singer Deborah Cox, and comedian Wayne Brady as the wizard.

The story is so familiar, there’s no real need for any re-cap, and this version begins set in rural Kansas as well (though there was no strong mention of such for the KC crowd). A hopeful and emotive opening scene between young Dorothy (Dana Cimone) and an eye-opening Kyla Jade (who plays Aunt Em as well as Evillene) whose soaring vocals made her a finalist on The Voice, combined to make for a memorable beginning to the story.

“Ease on Down the Road” is the cornerstone signature song for the production and we hear parts of it often, as Dorothy recruits the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, to join her on her trip down the yellow brick road to Emerald City.

As with the 1978 film, the Scarecrow takes an active lead comedic role that is a linchpin to the entire narrative working, and actor Elijah Ahmad Lewis proves himself in fine voice, is as limber as needed during the dance routines, and stays humbly likable in a sometimes sublime performance.

Though the book was updated, the songs were kept to their mid-70s original versions; sounding often nostalgic, sometimes dated, and a reflection of that seminal funk/soul era. We wouldn’t have minded some more modern hip-hop beats and lyrics infused into the music as part of this yellow-brick refresh but understand the choice to keep the original classic music classic, as-is.

It should also be noted that costumed dancers represent certain inanimate objects (the winds of the tornado, poppies in a field, etc.) which leads to some nice expressive routines, and the first act would end with the group just arriving at the gates of Emerald City, in search of the mysterious wizard.

Following the intermission, Oz is revealed as a swanky green dance club and we meet The Wiz himself, played with a dapper confidence and swagger by Alan Mingo Jr. (best known as “Lola” from “Kinky Boots” and he also worked in the KC Rep company of A Christmas Story), only to later find he’s just an ordinary man.

Almost as if the cast were holding out during the first act (or maybe just building momentum), the second act absolutely crests with standout vocal performances from Jade as Evillene (on “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News”), Sheherazade as a sparkly Glinda (“Believe in Yourself”) and Cimone shows how her Dorothy can truly hold a note, on the closing “Home”.

A buoyant “Everybody Rejoice” was the centerpiece song of the second act (sung as part of a “free love” Age of Aquarius-like colorful dance number), and the tune reprises after the final bows, for a joyous send off to end the evening on a fun note.

Given a fresh coast of yellow-brick paint with some updated modern sensibilities while retaining its classic core, The Wiz returns like a brand-new day, to entertain on live stages once again.

The WIZ plays in Kansas City at The Music Hall through Sunday, July 13 with tickets available here: THE WIZ | PNC Broadway In Kansas City

  (Tour photography by Jeffrey Daniel / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full) 

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / Twitter.com

Jax: August 8 to August 10, 2025

Read more Jacksonville.

Atmosphere and Cypress Hill at St. Augustine Amp (Aug 8, 2025) Atmosphere Atmosphere, NOFUN! and Reverie brought their “The Traveling Forever Tour” for a Saturday night stop of musical community from three underground label … read more Cypress Hill Cypress Hill w The Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief, Apr 26 Call it near perfect timing for their “We Legalized It 2024 Tour” as we didn’t get a 4/20 show locally … read more

August 8, 2025 Friday
Atmosphere and Cypress Hill
with The Pharcyde, Lupe Fiasco
at St. Augustine Amphitheatre
theamp.com

Minneapolis hip-hop pioneers Atmosphere are co-headlining with West Coast hip-hop legends Cypress Hill on their “Dank Daze of Summer Tour”… kicking off at the St Augustine Amp on August 1, 2025.

Atmosphere at Harrah's Voodoo Lounge (Oct 12, 2024)

We saw Atmosphere in October 2024 and said, “Ok, we’ll admit it- being Minnesota-based, we’ve probably taken Atmosphere for granted (as have many Mpls locals). They’ve been a force in Minneapolis since 1996 (pretty close to matching our own time in the Land o’ 10,000 Lakes), are bonafide local legends, and we’ve seen them numerous times, more informally than formally (which explains some lack of previous coverage). We’ve the seen the duo of Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ Ant (Anthony Davis) in rooms as small as the back of their own Rhymesayers store in Uptown, to as large as headlining the MLB All-Star Game concert at Target Field in front of 40,000+, and everything in-between.”

Support from Lupe Fiasco and The Pharcyde.

Summer 2025 Tour Dates

August 8 – St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL

August 9 – Firefly Distillery – North Charleston, SC

August 10 – Live Oak Bank Pavilion – Wilmington, NC

August 12 – The Amp Ballantyne – Charlotte, NC

August 13 – The Dome – Virginia Beach, VA

August 15 – Pier Six Pavilion – Baltimore, MD

August 16 – Westville Music Bowl – New Haven, CT

August 17 – Stone Pony Summer Stage – Asbury Park, NJ

August 19 – Artpark Amphitheater – Lewiston, NY

August 20 – Andrew J. Brady Music Center – Cincinnati, OH

August 22 – Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI

August 23 – Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, MN*

August 24 – Harrah’s Stir Cove – Council Bluffs, IA

August 26 – Dillon Amphitheater – Dillon, CO

August 27 – Granary Live – Salt Lake City, UT

August 29 – Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden – Boise, ID

August 30 – Reggae Rise Up Oregon – Bend, OR^

*State Fair Performance – Atmosphere Headline Date
^Festival Performance – Cypress Hill and Atmosphere on August 30th and Lupe Fiasco on August 31st

Emily Compagno at Florida Theatre (August 9, 2025) Fox News Fox News: Leonard Nimoy, best known for playing the role of Spock in the "Star Trek" movies and television series has died at age 83, his rep confirmed to FOX411 … read more

August 9, 2025 Saturday
Emily Compagno
at Florida Theatre
floridatheatre.com

Fox News’ Emily Compagno is doing a little book tour for her New York Times best-selling book, Under His Wings, which they described her book as “A little bit angel and a little bit outlaw, it's all vintage Emily... Her message of faith, love, and humor in a chaotic world will leave you warmed and inspired.”

Emily Campagno writes:

JOIN ME ON TOUR - TICKET NOW AVAILABLE. DM ME FOR YOUR TICKETS 🎫 . Join Fox News' Emily Compagno LIVE for this special show of faith, hope, & inspiration as she shares untold stories from her #1 New York Times best-selling book, Under His Wings, and more.

A little bit angel and a little bit outlaw, it's all vintage Emily.... Her message of faith, love, and humor in a chaotic world will leave you warmed and inspired.

Yes, you've gotten to know her from Fox News... but there are things only Emily can tell. And only in-person!

Plus extra special tickets available for an intimate Pre-Show Meet & Greet with me, with professional photographs + personalized signed copies of my book for you!

Live Book Tour 2025

07/24 Red Bank NJ Vogel Theatre

08/09 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre

08/10 Ft Lauderdale, FL Parker Theatre

Girl Named Tom at Florida Theatre (August 10, 2025) The Voice Fredericks is probably best known for winning the eighth season of The Voice. Along with Danielle Bradbery, Fredericks is the youngest singer (age 16) to win in that … read more

August 10, 2025 Sunday
Girl Named Tom
at Florida Theatre
floridatheatre.com

Ohio’s folk sibling trio Girl Named Tom (Bekah Grace Liechty, Joshua Liecht, and Caleb Liechty) will be headlining the Florida Theatre, in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 10, 2025. The trio, coached by Kelly Clarkson, was the winners of Season 21 of The Voice.

The band’s latest EP …Wilder Then will be out July 11, 2025.

Tour dates:

7/10 - Troubadour Los Angeles, California

7/11 - Lobero Theater Santa Barbara, California

7/12 - Helwig Winery Plymouth, California

7/19 - Bethel College Summer Concert North Newton, Kansas

7/31 - Gallia County Fair Gallipolis, Ohio

8/1 - Goodyear Theater Akron, Ohio

8/8 - Bilheimer Capitol Theatre NEAR YOU Clearwater, Florida

8/9 - Mount Dora Music Hall NEAR YOU Mount Dora, Florida

8/10 - Florida Theatre Jacksonville, Florida

10/4 - Door Community Auditorium Fish Creek, Wisconsin

If your band is coming to the Jacksonville/St Augustine area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Mpls: August 8 to August 14, 2025

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Mark Mallman at Parkway Theater (August 8, 2025) Mark Mallman Spotted in the Icehouse, in the audience was Har Mar Superstar and Mark Mallman. A Giant Dog (Sabrina Ellis, Andrew Cashen, Andy Bauer, Graham Low, and Daniel Blanchard) ... read more

August 8, 2025 Friday
Mark Mallman
at Parkway Theater
theparkwaytheater.com

Minneapolis music icon, and now TikTok famous, Mark Mallman is having an album release show at the Parkway Theater, in Minneapolis on August 8, 2025. The 11th album called Magic Time came out June 27 on Hygh Tension Records/Virgin Music Group.

Mark Mallman at Turf Club (Nov 7, 2009)

We last saw Mallman as audience member at various shows (such as A Giant Dog and we’re pretty sure he was at The Church show)… as a performer, we caught him in Nov 2009 and said, “Mark Mallman at Turf Club, St Paul (11/7/09). As you can see, a special guest star showed up at the end of the set to end it on a bang... I've seen the dude before, he's wonderfully mesmerizing to watch. If I had half his energy, I would explode. Opening up Mallman were The Magic Castles and The Alpha Centauri.”

Also, while poking around the Parkway Theater’s website, it would appear that Mallman will also be a guest on an upcoming Mississippi Valley Orchestra featuring Molly Brandt show, set for August 24, 2025.

Details from the website:

Mississippi Valley Orchestra at Parkway Theater (August 24, 2025)

Get ready for a matinee show unlike any other as the MVO Crewtets, a 16-piece string group, joins forces with four incredible Twin Cities indie artists: Molly Brandt, the Twins of Franklin, Jillian Rae Band, and Mark Mallman! It's an unprecedented mash-up of soaring strings and captivating tunes that promises to be both epic and delightfully unexpected. You've never heard anything quite like this, and you won't want to miss it!

Named 2023 and 2024 Americana Artist of the Year at the Midwest Country Music Awards, Molly Brandt is making waves in the independent music scene. Drawing inspiration from songwriting legends, her songs weave tales of heartache, resilience and triumph, delving into blue-collar struggles, dive bar revelries, long car rides, and cold-blooded revenge. Brandt captivates audiences with her fiery delivery, memorable attire and evocative lyrics as she showcases powerful vocals, compelling storytelling, and unforgettable performances.

Michael Seyer at 7th St Entry (August 8, 2025) Michael Seyer Michael Seyer will open the show. Seyer recently released his new single, “Modern Loneliness” (taken from his album A Good Fool), which he explains, “I wrote this song during ... read more

August 8, 2025 Friday
Michael Seyer
with The Get Together and IAMJOY
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Singer/songwriter Michael Seyer is headlining the 7th Street Entry on August 8, 2025.

Seyer previously opened for Canadian band Men I Trust in Oct 2021.

Update: The Get Together and IAMJOY to open.

Tour Dates:

Jul 19 House of Blues Anaheim Anaheim, CA

Jul 20 House of Blues San Diego San Diego, CA

Jul 22 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ

Jul 23 Sister Albuquerque, NM

Jul 25 Paper Tiger San Antonio, TX

Jul 26 The Gremlin Mcallen, TX

Jul 27 Empire Control Room & Garage Austin, TX

Jul 28 Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio Denton, TX

Jul 29 House of Blues Houston Houston, TX

Jul 31 Aisle 5 Atlanta, GA

Aug 1 Songbyrd Music House Washington, DC

Aug 2 Baby's All Right Brooklyn, NY

Aug 4 The Baby G Toronto, ON

Aug 6 Lager House Detroit, MI

Aug 7 Schubas Tavern Chicago, IL

Aug 8 7th St Entry Minneapolis, MN

Aug 10 Hi-Dive Denver, CO

Aug 11 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT

Aug 12 Shrine Social Club Boise, ID

Aug 14 Mississippi Studios Portland, OR

Aug 15 Fox Cabaret Vancouver, BC

Aug 17 Madame Lou's Seattle, WA

Aug 19 Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA

Aug 20 The Catalyst Santa Cruz, CA

Aug 23 Lodge Room Highland Park Los Angeles, CA

Aug 30 Jam Jam Asia Music Festival 2025 Taipei, Taiwan

Mal Blum at 7th St Entry (August 10, 2025) Mal Blum New York's Mal Blum is one of the openers, currently on tour for their latest studio album You Look A Lot Like Me (Don Giovanni Records). The record was produced by ... read more

August 10, 2025 Sunday
Mal Blum
with Charlie Mtn.
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

It’s been a while, but Mal Blum is back on tour… stopping by the 7th Street Entry, on August 10, 2025.

Mal Blum at the Nether Bar (October 28, 2015)

We saw Mal Blum in October 2015 and said, “The last band we saw was Mal Blum, from New York City. The trio (featuring singer/guitarist Mal Blum, bassist Audrey and drummer Steph Barker) actually wrote more songs on their setlist than time allowed to play (especially because all the bands started a little late). With five albums to choose from, you can see why they had a problem choosing songs. They only chose a few from their latest You Look A Lot Like Me (Don Giovanni Records), with the obvious two singles "Better Go" and "Robert Frost". The band was having a lot of fun goofing off on stage... even though Mal Blum's music is pretty depressing. They had some issues, with Mal Blum constantly complaining about being shocked by her microphone. Headliner Allison Weiss even tried to give some advice with no luck. Eventually, Mal switched mics with Audrey, to no results. In the end, I think someone needs to give Mal Blum a pair of good anti-static shoes for Christmas. ”

Charlie Mtn. (John-Allison Weiss) to open.

Tour Dates:

July 24 Amherst MA The Drake

July 25 Portland ME SPACE Gallery

July 26 Somerville MA Warehouse XI

July 27 Brooklyn NY Bell House

July 29 Buffalo NY Ninth Ward at Babeville

July 31 Philadelphia PA Johnny Brenda's

August 1 Washington DC Black Cat - Main Room

August 2 Pittsburgh PA Bottlerocket Social Hall

August 3 Ann Arbor MI Blind Pig

August 5 Indianapolis IN Turntable

August 7 Chicago IL Beat Kitchen

August 9 Cudahy (Milwaukee) WI X-Ray Arcade

August 10 Minneapolis MN 7th Street Entry

August 12 Omaha NE The Slowdown - Front Room

August 15 Colorado Springs CO Vultures

August 16 Denver CO Hi-Dive

August 18 Salt Lake City UT Kilby Court

August 19 Boise ID Shrine Social Club Basement

August 21 Spokane WA The District

August 22 Seattle WA The Vera Project

August 23 Portland OR Polaris Hall

August 26 Sacramento CA Cafe Colonial

August 27 San Francisco CA Bottom Of The Hill

August 28 Los Angeles CA Echo

September 3 Phoenix AZ Valley Bar

September 6 Austin TX Mohawk (Indoor)

September 7 Dallas TX Club Dada (Indoor)

September 11 Atlanta GA The Earl

September 12 Greenville SC Swansons Warehouse

September 13 Durham NC The Pinhook

Keith Wallen at Turf Club (August 14, 2025) Keith Wallen Opener Keith Wallen is a guitarist and vocalist, and a diverse songwriter. As guitarist and backing vocalist, he’s brought his enthusiasm to Breaking Benjamin since the ... read more BlurCurve Local hardcore groovers, BlurCurve, opened up the evening at the Turf Club to an excited crowd. Their website states: We Like it loud & fast. And they certainly lived up ... read more

August 14, 2025 Thursday
Keith Wallen
with Levels and BlurCurve
at Turf Club
first-avenue.com

Breaking Benjamin guitarist and solo artist Keith Wallen is headlining the Turf Club, in St Paul, on August 14, 2025.

Levels and BlurCurve to open.

BlurCurve at Turf Club (November 15, 2023)

We saw BlurCurve in November 2023 and wrote, “Local hardcore groovers, BlurCurve, opened up the evening at the Turf Club to an excited crowd. Their website states: We Like it loud & fast. And they certainly lived up to the billing with Kris Heur on guitar, Bob Furniss on bass, Justin Westplate (sporting no shirt and an iridescent mohawk) on drums and Alythia Scully on lead vocals and corny dad jokes. (What does the Eiffel Tower and a tick have in common? They are both parasites.) After boisterous approval for their first song, Scully said, “If you like that, we have eight more for you.” And they played songs from their 2015 debut album and 2003 EP Pluto & The Fool, finishing the furious set with “Holy Alms.””

Tour Dates:

Jul 18 Saturn Birmingham, AL

Jul 20 The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon Fort Myers, FL

Jul 23 Tuffy's Music Box Sanford, FL

Jul 24 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA

Jul 26 Cannery Hall Nashville, TN

Jul 27 Radio Room Greenville, SC

Jul 30 House Of Independents Asbury Park, NJ

Jul 31 Ritz Theater and Performing Arts Center Scranton, PA

Aug 1 Palladium Worcester, MA

Aug 2 XL Live Harrisburg, PA

Aug 4 Crafthouse Stage & Grill Pittsburgh, PA

Aug 5 The KING of CLUBS Columbus, OH

Aug 7 The Forge Joliet, IL

Aug 8 The Machine Shop Flint, MI

Aug 9 Rock4Vets 2025 Harrison, MI

Aug 10 Piere's Fort Wayne, IN

Aug 12 Black Circle Brewing Co Indianapolis, IN

Aug 13 The Annex Madison, WI

Aug 14 Turf Club St Paul, MN

Aug 16 Northwoods Rock Rally 2025 Glen Flora, WI

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Amazon Prime Day 2025

Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11, 2025) Amazon Then, since Amazon Prime Day/week, I’ve had two packages that were delivered to the wrong location. I believe both were delivered by the USPS… so now I … read more Kindle As you may have heard, Amazon is releasing its first color Kindle called the Kindle Colorsoft on October 30, 2024. The device is a 7-inch tablet that use Kaleido 3 does not appear ... read more

Amazon Prime Day is here. The event will run through July 11. I ask you to not buy anything on those dates, because Amazon will mess up on your orders (wrong items, wrong location, missing deliveries)… it’s almost not worth it for the savings. I’ve experienced these problems first hand. Oh, also, I should also add to the note that the delivery time takes much longer. Normally you get your products in one or two days, but on Prime Day (this also applies to Black Friday), it may take up to a week! It’s incredibly frustrating, so again, I urge you wait two weeks after July 11, if you plan on buying anything on Amazon.

In the first part of my do not buy (on Prime Day) list, I gave you some items that I personally have purchased for the home. In my second do not buy on Amazon Prime Day list, I compiled some items that I’m thinking of getting for the home. Again, I did not buy these (except for one item), so I can’t testify if they are good products or not.

P.S. Also worth noting is that Walmart and Best Buy have their own similar deals/sale. Walmart Deals are July 8 to July 13, while Best Buy is called Black Friday in July (ends July 13).

Kindle Colorsoft Essential Bundle

As I previously mentioned, if you were in the market for the new Kindle Colorsoft, you can get a bundle with a case and wireless charging station for $212, that’s a huge savings considering that the Colorsoft itself costs $280. And if you’re already thinking of getting the charging station and a cover for it (great for traveling) … this bundle makes a whole lot of sense. Just think of it as getting the accessories for FREE.

My logical sense tells me to wait it out. Wait for a larger Colorsoft or wait for a version 2.0 of the Colorsoft. Keep in mind that the first generation of the Colorsoft is the poorest reviewed product from Amazon because of the yellow bar defect.

In my Top 10 Reasons to get a Colorsoft, one of the biggest selling points is that the Colorsoft is waterproof. I also urge you to read Top 10 Reasons to avoid the Colorsoft.

Kindle Colorsoft Essential Bundle

Still, that $212 is very tempting. If you were to buy the individual items, the price is nearly 50% off.

Price	Item
$280	Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
$43	Plant-Based Leather Cover
$45	Wireless Charging Dock
$368	Grand Total

Weather Stations

Weather Stations

Since moving to Jacksonville, it’s been a struggle for me to deal with the Summer heat. Lately, it’s been averaging above 90 degrees, so I have my personal Air Conditioner on all the time. This makes it hard for me to tell how hot it is outside. So, I would like to have a large display showing the temp (and maybe the time and date). These things are called Weather Stations, and they usually come with in two parts: the display and the sensor. You hang the sensor outside (on a tree or under your roof) and it will wirelessly send the readings to your display.

The average prices are about $40, which I think might be too expensive for me. Especially if I don’t really know how good or accurate the wireless transmitter readings are. For the time being, I think I can live with opening my phone to get the temperature. At least I know the phone’s data is gospel.

Bidet

Bidet

I’ve own two bidets, the first one is no longer being manufactured and I got it around the pandemic (since it was hard to find toilet paper). Since I moved to the new home, we had to install a new toilet… and obviously that didn’t come with a bidet. For a few months, I thought I could live with just using toilet paper. I’ll admit it was hard to return to paper. One time, I ran out of toilet paper in a middle of a ‘session’!

So, I caved in and bought a cheap bidet attachment. This model that I bought is currently on sale for $25, and is made by HOPOPRO. I bought it based on its very slim and compact design. This one also seems to work with most toilet designs, including those one-piece toilets.

It was easy to install, but can get messy and difficult if you have limited access to your water pipes. They only offer the hose at one size, so make sure it matches with your toilet’s hose.

The Hopopro model offers a standard rear wash and a ‘feminine’ wash, which, if you use it side-by-side, I cannot tell the difference. I think it just shoots at different angles, but as far as water pressures goes, there is no difference.

My only minor complaint is that this model does not offer any sort of hot water option. Being in a hot area, such as Florida, that is not a problem a problem for me… but I would have liked to have the extra option.

Flowtron Bug Zapper

Bug Zapper

One of the biggest changes for me, new to Florida, is dealing with all the bugs and gnats! I’ve never seen so many insects in my life, and every day I’m discovering new ones. I think it’s so cool, but sometimes, especially with the Summer, I cannot handle the flies and mosquitos. They are irritating, especially if I’m sitting on the patio or trying to eat food.

I haven’t purchased a Bug Zapper yet, but I am considering getting a really nice portable one. Unfortunately, the average prices are too much ($30-$40), in my opinion. The one I really want to buy is the Flowtron, but it costs $70. I’ll have to do additional research later… but it might be worth it, just based on the testimonials and their photos.

I will eventually buy one, I just can’t commit to one right now, because I have to travel in the next couple of weeks. Once I get back, I will need to buy a Zapper to help control the pests.

Hope that gives you an idea, if you’re also in the market of decorating or updating your home.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Jax: August 1 to August 7, 2025

Read more Jacksonville.

Dan Tyminski a at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall (August 1, 2025) Dan Tyminski Dan Tyminski Band, June 2, Granada- Lawrence, Brother, where art thou? - why, he’ll be in Lawrence with his band! With Alison Krauss prepping to tour again with Robert Plant … read more

August 1, 2025 Friday
Dan Tyminski
at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
pvconcerthall.com

Over a year of renovations, the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, is finally set to re-open its door with multiple Grammy Award-winning artist Dan Tyminski being their first guest, on August 1st, 2025.

Tour dates:

Jul. 8, 2025 Highland Park, IL Ravinia

Jul. 10, 2025 Ridgway, CO Hartwell Park Ridgway Concert Series

Jul. 11, 2025 Lone Tree, CO Lone Tree Arts Center

Jul. 17, 2025 Park City, UT Egyptian Theatre

Jul. 18, 2025 Park City, UT Egyptian Theatre

Jul. 19, 2025 Park City, UT Egyptian Theatre

Jul. 26, 2025 Hiltons, VA Carter Fold's 51st Festival 2025

Aug. 1, 2025 Ponte Vedra, FL Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Aug. 9, 2025 Goshen, CT Podunk Bluegrass Festival 2025

Aug. 14, 2025 Floyd, VA Floyd Small Town Summer Series

Aug. 16, 2025 Boone, NC Appalachian Theatre of the High Country

Aug. 23, 2025 Oak Ridge, TN A K Bissell Park

Sep. 12 - 14, 2025 Flagstaff, AZ Pickin' In The Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival 2025

Sep. 19, 2025 Gillette, WY CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities

Sep. 21, 2025 Livingston, MT Pine Creek Lodge

Oct. 10, 2025 Big Stone Gap, VA Blue Highway Fest 2025

Oct. 12, 2025 Pelham, TN CaveFest 2025

Oct. 17, 2025 Winston-salem, NC The Ramkat & Gas Hill Drinking Room

Oct. 25, 2025 Lawrenceburg, IN Whiskey City's Liberty Theater

Oct. 26, 2025 Ann Arbor, MI The Ark

Nov. 7, 2025 Warren, PA Struthers Library Theatre

Nov. 9, 2025 Rocky Mount, VA Harvester Performance Center

Nov. 14, 2025 Newtown, CT Edmond Town Hall

Nov. 15, 2025 Great Barrington, MA Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Nov. 16, 2025 York, PA Pullo Family Performing Arts Center

William Shatner at Thrasher-Horne Center (August 3, 2025) William Shatner William Shatner, The legendary actor is known from everything from the original Star Trek to TJ Hooker, to Boston Legal, and so many more roles. … read more Star Trek I’ll confess to owning a few Shatner albums, mostly because I am a big Star Trek fan, and the one thing I can tell you is that he does not actually sing on his albums … read more

August 3, 2025 Sunday
William Shatner
at Thrasher-Horne Center
thcenter.org

After the screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan film (the best Star Trek film in my opinion), legendary Captain Kirk actor William Shatner will be taking the stage to share stories about his time on Star Trek and perhaps answer some of your burning questions. For VIP ticketholders, you will have a rare opportunity to have your photos taken with Shatner. At 94 years old, this may be the last time you can meet him.

William Shatner at Planet Comicon (March 18, 2023)

We saw William Shatner in March 2023 and said, “The legendary actor is known from everything from the original Star Trek to TJ Hooker, to Boston Legal, and so many more roles. Now in his early 90s, Shatner was still engaged in telling his Hollywood stories (most questions were Trek-based) and there was no short answer to what he thought of going into (near) space aboard Blue Origin last year, which left him even more introspective and with a profound feeling of brief following the ten-minute flight.”

Tour Dates:

July 30, 2025 Dallas, TX Majestic Theatre

July 31, 2025 Houston, TX House of Blues

August 1, 2025 New Orleans, LA The Fillmore

August 2, 2025 Pensacola, FL Saenger Theatre

August 3, 2025 Orange Park, FL Thrasher-Horne Center

November 12, 2025 Tucson, AZ Fox Theatre

November 13, 2025 Phoenix, AZ Orpheum Theatre

November 14, 2025 Anaheim, CA Grove of Anaheim

November 15, 2025 Monterey, CA Golden State Theatre

November 16, 2025 Napa, CA Uptown Theatre

Sister Hazel at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall (August 7, 2025) Sister Hazel A rewind back to the indie 90s show, Spin Doctors have more than 12 million albums sold and a Grammy nomination while Sister Hazel is known for topping the charts in the late 90’s with hit “All for You,” and … read more

August 7, 2025 Thursday
Sister Hazel
at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
visitstaugustine.com

Platinum-selling band Sister Hazel is touring in support of their new album Sand, Sea & Crash Debris. The band will headline the newly renovated Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on August 7, 2025.

Sister Hazel On Tour:

Jul 11, 2025 The Muse & Pizza Joint Nantucket, MA

Jul 19, 2025 Jones von Drahle Vineyards Thurmond, NC

Jul 25, 2025 The Foundry Waynesboro, VA

Jul 26, 2025 Lost Worlds Brewing Cornelius, NC

Aug 7, 2025 Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Aug 8, 2025 The Eagle at Sugar Hill Sugar Hill, GA

Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025 The Windjammer Isle of Palms, SC

Aug 16, 2025 The Windjammer Isle of Palms, SC

Aug 17, 2025 The Windjammer Isle of Palms, SC

Aug 22, 2025 DuQuoin State Fair Du Quoin, IL

Aug 23, 2025 Hendricks Live Plainfield, IN

Aug 26, 2025 New York State Fairgrounds Syracuse, NY

Aug 27, 2025 Jergel's Rhythm Grille Warrendale, PA

Aug 29, 2025 Nugget Rib Cook Off Sparks, NV

Sep 1, 2025 Septemberfest Schaumburg, IL

Sep 12, 2025 COHAB.SPACE High Point, NC

Sep 18, 2025 The Tin Pan Richmond, VA

Sep 19, 2025 Tally Ho Theater Leesburg, VA

Sep 24, 2025 The Big E Fair West Springfield, MA

Oct 4, 2025 Pinal County Fairgrounds Florence, AZ

Dec 5, 2025 Eagles Theater Wabash, IN

Jul 11, 2026 - Jul 18, 2026 Euro Hang III Amsterdam, Netherlands

If your band is coming to the Jacksonville/St Augustine area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Cancellation Television

Sandman: Season 2 (2025) The Sandman The next big title to be given the Netflix treatment will be Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman… it’s currently in development. Everyone is excited about the … read more Constantine The Constantine finale is partly an adaptation of Hellblazer #4. It's not a great finale, especially because it doesn't wrap up all the setup from the pilot. … read more Tori Amos Tori Amos, May 31, KC Music Hall, The piano songstress has returned, out on her Ocean to Ocean Tour supporting her sixteenth studio album. Written … read more

The Sandman: Season 2
netflix.com

After three long years, The Sandman returns to its final season. I am assuming Netflix didn’t want this release or at a later date, due to the cancellation of Neil Gaiman. I know many fans (now ex-fans) will boycott all his books and projects.

While I am hesitant to support Gaiman’s future projects, I still love the original The Sandman from Vertigo Comics, so naturally I am committed to seeing the television series to its conclusion. In my review of the first season of The Sandman, it broke my heart that I didn’t love it. I couldn’t get past the unnecessary race and gender swap, but I did admit that the story is still very good (“I think the story still holds up.”)

Season 2 starts with the Sandman having to go back to hell to save his former lover, Nada, who was condemned to hell. Instead of finding confrontation, Lucifer gives Dream the key to hell and quits being the ruler of the realm. Now all the demons, Norse gods, Fairies, and Chaos, all came to the Dreaming to demand the key be given to them. After that resolved, we’re introduced to the rest of Dream’s family: Destiny (the oldest brother), Delirium (formerly Delight), Desire, Despair, and Death (who we already met in Season 1). We then start the real plot of Delirium wanting Dream’s help to finding their missing brother Destruction. In order to find him, Dream has to confront his son, Orpheum… where we then get the backstory.

Again, because I own all the comic books and various hardcover collection, I was already familiar with the source material. I did forget some of the details, but for the most part the show adapted the stories faithfully. I had to look at some of the comics, particularly “The Song of Orpheus”, because I couldn’t quite figure out how his newly wed wife died on the television show. She was bitten by a snake, which is clearly shown in the comic book, but in the show, you had to draw that conclusion. In the show, they briefly show a snake (nowhere near them!) and then she suddenly falls to down. I wish they could have made it a little clearer, by maybe showing a something snaking away from her feet.

Anyway, if you know the Greek story, you know he travels to hell to save his wife. Hades gave him two conditions, she must walk behind him, and he must never look back until they are clear of hell. As you know, he did look back and ultimately lost his wife a second time.

The Orpheus storyline was a real highlight for me, especially when we’re re-introduced to Lady Constantine. I will admit, now it made sense to cast Constantine as a woman… You see, as a favor to Constantine for saving Orpheus’ head, the Sandman gave her immortality. That is how I read it, otherwise it wouldn’t make sense for the same character to live through the centuries. In the comic books, John Constantine helped the Sandman, and his ancestor, Johana helped the Sandman in the French revolution. Perhaps the real reason to leave John Constantine out of The Sandman, is perhaps a legal reason. Constantine, after all, has a television show of his own, an animated movie and a second film in development with a brunette version with Keanu Reeves as the titular character.

I think when the show follows the source material, I will overlook some of the problems I have with the show. Again, it still bothers me that Death is does not have that goth iconic look. What they did get right, I do appreciate. Delirium was based on Tori Amos, a chaotic colorful flighty child-like fun character. Some people might find that character annoying, but not me, because that’s how I pictured her from the comic book. They also got Destruction right, although I would have prefer an older-looking actor. They got the talking dog right too. If they turned the dog into a cat or Destruction into a girl, I would complain.

So far, Season 2, which adapts Season of Mist and The Song of Orpheus I like it a lot. We don’t see much of Death, but that will all change with the finale (it won’t air until late July), which adapts Death: The High Cost of Living, the comic by Gaiman and Chris Bachalo.

The second half of Season 2 will air in a few weeks, and it adapts the Kindly Ones other stories. Based on the strong part one adaption of the comic book, I am looking forward to seeing the conclusion.

NOTE: It appears that the show is avoiding A Game of You, which is a good choice, in my opinion, because that story barely had Dream in it.

Rick & Morty: Season 8 (2025) Rick and Morty We recently mentioned that his song, “Flowers” was used on Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty, “The best part of the episode is actually Minneapolis-related. Apparently, … read more Mark Mallman The best part of the episode is actually Minneapolis-related. Apparently, during Morty’s “sex” scene, the song you hear, “Flowers” was by Ryan Elder and Mark Mallman! … read more

Rick & Morty: Season 8
adultswim.com

After Justin Roiland, co-creator and voice actor for Rick and Morty was fired/cancelled from his own show due to domestic violence and allegations of misconducts with underage girls…. Rick and Morty Season 7 and 8 seems just fine without him.

As of this writing, only six episodes of Season 8 have aired and they’re all pretty good. You can watch each episode by itself and it wouldn’t really matter, because each episode stands on its own. You can watch it out of order or skip a few episodes, it’ll be fine.

There are some episodes that would reference previous shows, such as the cloned Ricks and Morties… and, in fact, the clones might come back in a future show.

The first episode is about Morty and Summer trapped in a simulation designed to teach them a valuable lesson: never take a phone charger without permission. In the second episode, Space Beth asks for Rick’s help to investigate an assassination … Get gets fired from her job. The third episode is about those clones, the fourth episode is about Jerry turning into an Easter Bunny. Fifth episode is Rick and Morty tries to rob a sleeping ship. In the sixth and latest episode, Beth and Space Beth (not fired from her assignation job) are hanging out and they turn themselves into 12 year olds. It’s my least favorite episode, Beth, as a child is a monster.

Anyway, all the music has been pretty good. We previously covered some of Rick & Morty’s usage of music in their shows, but this season is a real banger. I love the Tori Amos mentioned in Episode 3… her song, “Little Earthquakes” was also played in that same episode.

My favorite song so far is “Pennies” by Ryan Elder. If Elder’s name sounds familiar, he previously teamed up with Minneapolis’ Mark Mallman for their song “Flowers” for an original song for Rick and Morty.

You can listen to both Elder songs on Rick and Morty’s official music channel.

P.S. Speaking of Mark Mallman, if you’re in the Kansas City or Minneapolis area, he will be headlining Minibar on August 1st and the Parkway Theater on August 8th, in support of his 11th studio album Magic Time (Hygh Tension Records). I’ll be posting more details about the Parkway Theater show soon, stay tuned.

Rick and Morty: Here's some more sh** for your a** soyboy!

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts at Taste of Minnesota (July 5, 2025)

Taste of Minnesota (July 5-July 6, 2025) Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Setlist Victim of Circumstance Cherry Bomb* Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) (Gary Glitter cover) Change the World You Drive Me Wild* Light of Day (Bruce Springsteen cover) Fake Friends Androgynous (The Replacements cover) Lie to Me (Make the Music Go) Boom Different Love Is Pain Everyday People (Sly & the Family Stone cover) I Love Rock 'n' Roll (The Arrows cover) Crimson & Clover (Tommy James & the Shondells cover) I Hate Myself for Loving You Bad Reputation^ * The Runaways song ^ Joan Jett song Cheap Trick Setlist Hello There Dream Police Come On, Come On Elo Kiddies Ain't That a Shame (Fats Domino cover) If You Want My Love Voices California Man (The Move cover) I Know What I Want It All Comes Back to You The Flame I Want You to Want Me Surrender Goodnight Billy Idol / Joan Jett Tour Dates Billy Idol is returning to the road for It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again! Fellow superstar Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will join Idol on all shows. AUG 16 TD Pavilion at the Mann Philadelphia, PA AUG 17 Broadview Stage at SPAC Saratoga Springs, NY AUG 20 Madison Square Garden New York, NY AUG 22 Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia, MD AUG 23 Xfinity Center Mansfield, MA AUG 26 Maine Savings Amphitheater Bangor, ME AUG 28 Pine Knob Music Theatre Clarkston, MI AUG 30 Ruoff Music Center Noblesville, IN AUG 31 Summerfest Milwaukee, WI SEP 3 Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO SEP 5 Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre West Valley City, UT SEP 12 Acrisure Arena Palm Desert, CA SEP 14 The Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley Berkeley, CA SEP 17 Toyota Amphitheatre Wheatland, CA SEP 19 Cascades Amphitheater Ridgefield, WA SEP 20 Climate Pledge Arena Seattle, WA SEP 23 North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre Chula Vista, CA Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Joan Jett, Vocals / Rhythm Guitar Michael McDermott, Drums Hal B. Selzer, Bass Doggie Needles, Guitar Joan Jett Highlight of the festival for us was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The band played Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” full song, before walking on stage in a triumphant stance. … read more

Taste of Minnesota is a long tradition, starting back in the early 1980’s in Saint Paul, struggling through changing times, and now happening in downtown Minneapolis. A chance for local businesses, particularly restaurants, to show off their wares. One of the ways they draw people in is by having free live music, this year on three different stages, usually with some very impressive acts. On the first day, as the light rain had ended earlier in the afternoon and looked to hold off for the remainder of the evening, the headliner was Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.

Making my way to downtown Minneapolis and working through the entrance line, I got there in time for the set up for Cheap Trick. First formed in the early 1970’s, these guys are an institution, and outside of replacing their drummer over financial disputes, this is still the original band. Now in their 70’s, they have been continuously at play, with 20 albums, and over 5,000 live performances. And though they have recent albums, including 2021’s In Another World, their live shows focus on those early albums that most fans would recognize.

It started the only way it could, with Hello There, an absolute classic. That these guys are all in their mid-70’s definitely showed, but their experience and love from the audience carried this to a certain height right out of the gate. Dream Police got a switch of guitars (the first of many) and our first call out to Minneapolis and a handful of guitar picks thrown into the crowd.

Sporting a classy pale suit and broad brimmed hat, lead singer Robin Zander certainly didn’t act like he was just checking boxes. Great support on the change of instruments from the crew kept things moving like clockwork and an extended drum solo form Daxx Nielsen gave a small break for the band, before the long build up to Ain’t That a Shame, which included a stellar vocal close. We got the first sing along for If You Want My Love, and the majority of the crowd happily obliged. Playing the slower ballad Voices really showed off how much this band’s continued success is dependent on Zander’s ability to still belt it out, though the rest of the band was still nailing their parts as well. A square looking guitar for Rick Nielsen gave a darker sound for the start of California Man.

Everyone got their moments, with bassist Tom Petersson getting the long intro and lead lyrics on I Know What I Want. After a slower section, with Zander showing some real emotion on The Flame, the band quickly ramped up a crowd favorite of I Want You to Want Me. They rocked it out with Surrender getting the expected crowd love. Playing almost exactly an hour, Cheap Trick closed out an impressive set.

Side note, as we watched the set up for the headliner. Turning on a fog machine in an outdoor venue? On a pretty windy evening? Sigh.

Joan Jett at Minnesota Yacht Club (July 19, 2024)

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts was up to finish the evening. If Cheap Trick is an institution, Joan Jett is pantheon. Another relentless performer, Jett seems to always be on the road (W♥M last saw her at July 2024’s Minnesota Yacht Club). Jett first came up as part of the outstanding band The Runaways (which she co-founded), before forming this band (and her own record label) in 1980. Coming out clad in all black, Jett was a monster from the beginning, going from Victim of Circumstance into Cherry Bomb. You might argue that Jett was only playing the hits, but I would counter that that is all she has. A quick “Minnesota, how are you?” was about the extent of the early talk, as Jett and the band focused on rocking. The sing along of the “oh yeah” chorus on Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) was an early highlight in the set.

Joan Jett with Cheap Trick T-Shirt (1977)

A thanks to Cheap Trick brought the story that The Runaways had played a lot of shows with them, “So, I’ve played with them since I was 17, and I’m an old b*tch now”. Onto You Drive Me Wild had the crowd bopping along and then they moved into a Bruce Springsteen written number for a movie Jett did with Michael J. Fox, Light of Day. (Side note: I know this song, and I know a lot of movies, and I… somehow don’t know this one? Huh.). This was how the first half of the evening went; a song started, it was instantly recognizable, and they proceeded to eat it up. Rinse and repeat.

The backing Blackhearts (guitar, bass, and drums) were all on point, backing Jett as needed on each song. A favorite cover for Jett, The Replacements’ Androgynous, was fun for the Minneapolis crowd, and Jett noted that she wouldn’t really do it justice, but loved the song. (Side note: Hey, the smoke machine’s effect was almostnoticeable near the drummer by the tenth song!)

Make the Music Go Boom was off the most recent album, 2023’s Mindsets, and was a pure banger. I was impressed at the near seamless transition between songs, and how they jumped across the entire discography. Long Time had excellent backing harmonies and stood out. An introduction of the band led to Everyday People. I had just stepped back from the very front of the stage and it was a lot of fun to see the audience singing I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll with wild abandon. As Joan Jett & The Blackhearts started to wind up, the hits kept coming and Jett continued to sound phenomenal. A true rock & roll Hall of Famer had come through with a fantastic set and performance on a pretty nice evening, making for a memorable end of the first day of Taste of Minnesota.

Main Stage

Audience

Cheap Trick Fans

Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts at Taste of Minnesota, Minneapolis (July 5, 2025)

thaddeus ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Mpls: August 5 to August 7, 2025

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Cameron Whitcomb at First Avenue (August 5, 2025) Cameron Whitcomb 21-year-old singer-songwriter Cameron Whitcomb is headlining the Turf Club, in St Paul, in support of his debut EP Quitter … read more

August 5, 2025 Tuesday
Cameron Whitcomb
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Cameron Whitcomb to headline First Avenue on August 5, 2025, in support of I’ve Got Options.

NOTE: There is a strict 6 ticket limit. Any attempt to exceed the ticket limit of 6 per customer or household, or to game the system in any way, will result in cancellation of orders without notice. There is a transfer delay for all tickets up to 72 HOURS prior to the show.

$1 from every ticket sold goes to Backline. Backline is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that connects music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources. Learn more at backline.care.

Tour Dates:

07/05 – Port Alberni, BC – The KCC

07/10 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Stampede †

07/17 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

07/18 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo

07/19 – Redmond, OR – Fairwell Festival †

07/22 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom

07/23 – Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom

07/25 – Kelowna, BC – Revelry

07/26 – Kelowna, BC – Revelry

07/29 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall

07/30 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall

08/01 – Saskatoon, SK – Coors Event Centre

08/02 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre

08/05 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

08/06 – Milwaukee, WI – The Pabst Theater +

08/08 – Oro-Medonte, ON – Boots & Hearts Festival †

08/16 – Montreal, QC – Lasso †

08/22 – Cologne, Germany – Sound of Nashville Open Air

08/23 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Werk

08/24 – Berlin, Germany – Kesselhaus

08/26 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Store VEGA

08/28 – Stockholm, Sweden – Nalen

09/01 – Oslo, Norway – Rocafeller

09/03 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso

09/04 – Paris, France – La Maroquinerie

09/05 – London, UK – Electric Brixton

09/07 – Manchester, England – Band on the Wall

09/08 – Glasgow, UK – Saint Luke’s

09/26 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom

09/27 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall

09/30 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades *

10/01 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom *

10/03 – San Diego, CA – Music Box *

10/04 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour *

10/05 – West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour *

10/08 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren *

10/10 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre

10/12 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre

10/15 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge *

10/17 – Fort Worth, TX – Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall *

10/18 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn *

10/21 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s *

10/23 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford *

10/24 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville *

10/25 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West *

10/29 – Oxford, OH – Brick Street Bar

10/30 – Lakewood, OH – The Roxy

10/31 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre +

11/03 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall ^

11/05 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom ^

11/07 – Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine ^

11/08 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn ^

11/12 – Columbia, SC – The Senate ^

11/13 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA ^

11/14 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm ^

*Support From Jonah Kagen
^ Support From Tayler Holder
† Festival Performance
+ Upgraded Venue

Jake Scott at Fine Line (August 6, 2025) Jake Scott Arkansas native Jake Scott would be up next, already an online sensation from recording a song a month and posting online for almost three years, and fresh … read more

August 6, 2025 Wednesday
Jake Scott
with MaRynn Taylor
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

We actually wrote a preview for platinum pop singer-songwriter Jake Scott on his 2024 tour for Lavender (he was stopping by First Avenue in March 2024), but the entire 2024 tour was cancelled due to family. This 2025 tour is making up for last year’s cancellation. Scott will be headlining the Fine Line, in Minneapolis, on August 6, 2025.

Jake Scott at Starlight Theater (May 7, 2022)

We saw Jake Scott in May 2022 and said, “Arkansas native Jake Scott would be up next, already an online sensation from recording a song a month and posting online for almost three years, and fresh from a successful club headlining tour. His thirty-five minute set began unexpectedly with a short drum solo, with Scott then bursting on stage to sing songs in support of his 2021 eight-song EP, Goldenboy. Scott unabashedly admits that most of his songs are inspired by his girlfriend/now-wife, Rachel, who serves as his constant muse and who he cultivated his relationship with, despite her being from Texas. Apparently, there is a serious AR/TX rivalry we in the Midwest don’t know enough about, but all turned into a story book happy ending, and his recent single, “Texas Girl” chronicles part of that.”

MaRynn Taylor to open.

Tour Dates:

Jul 18 Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall Fort Worth, TX

Jul 19 House of Blues Houston, TX

Jul 20 Empire Control Room Austin, TX

Jul 22 Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ

Jul 23 Music Box San Diego, CA

Jul 25 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA

Jul 26 Goldfield Trading Post Roseville Roseville, CA

Jul 28 McMenamins Mission Theater Portland, OR

Jul 29 The Showbox Seattle, WA

Jul 31 The Union Event Center Salt Lake City, UT

Aug 3 Summit Music Hall Denver, CO

Aug 5 Slowdown Omaha, NE

Aug 6 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN

Aug 8 House of Blues Chicago Chicago, IL

Aug 9 Delmar Hall Saint Louis, MO

Aug 10 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI

Aug 12 The Bluestone Columbus, OH

Aug 14 Paradise Rock Club Boston, MA

Aug 15 9:30 Club Washington, DC

Aug 16 Gramercy Theatre New York, NY

Aug 19 Buckhead Theatre Atlanta, GA

Aug 20 The Underground Charlotte, NC

Aug 22 Brooklyn Bowl Nashville Nashville, TN

Aug 23 JJ's LIVE Fayetteville, AR

BRONCHO at 7th St Entry (August 7, 2025) Broncho Broncho is returning to Minneapolis’ 7th Street Entry in support of their new album Double Vanity (Dine Alone Records). We caught the punk-ish band ... … read more

August 7, 2025 Thursday
BRONCHO
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Oklahoma-based band BRONCHO is back on tour in support of Natural Pleasure, their first new album in six years. The tour will stop in at the 7th Street Entry, in Minneapolis, on August 7, 2025.

Broncho at First Ave ( Aug 31, 2016)

We caught Broncho in Aug 2016 and wrote, “With a generous (nearly) one hour opening set (clocking in at 50 mins), Broncho took the stage with singer/guitarist Ryan Lindsey chanting, “We’re Broncho, we’re Broncho, we’re Broncho.” As soon as they started playing ‘Fantasy Boys’, taken from their latest Double Vanity album on Dine Alone Records, you can tell that Broncho seemed more focused in their sound. It sounded almost polished, compared to their previous albums and live appearance - which we previously called them as “punk”. Having seen them now, I wouldn’t really call them simply punk... they sound more melodic, with epic shoegazing jams.”

Tour Dates:

July 17 - Fort Worth, TX @ Tannahill’s Music Hall

July 18 - Austin, TX @ The Mohawk

July 19 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

July 20 - New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s

July 22 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

July 23 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle

July 24 - Washington, DC @ Union Stage

July 25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas

July 26 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw

Aug. 6 - Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar

Aug. 7 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

Aug. 8 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

Aug. 9 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

Aug. 10 - Detroit, MI @ The Shelter

Aug. 12 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

Aug. 13 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue

Aug. 14 - Nashville, TN @ TBA

Aug. 15 - Lexington, KY @ The Burl

Aug. 16 - St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

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