Austin's Ghostland Observatory closed out their two night (sold-out) stand Saturday night at Stubb's under the glow of more laser beams than a Pink Floyd light show. Touring behind time tested material off their two previous albums, the weekend's shows were also a chance for the band to showcase songs off their synth-drenched latest effort, Robotique Majestique. ... [continue]

Having been disappointed with The Walkmen's last few efforts including the spotty Hundred Miles Off and the truly bizarre recreation of Harry Nilson's Pussy Cats, we really didn't know what to expect from a band that had been a true standby in the early aughts.... [continue]

Stereolab performed at La Zona Rosa Wednesday night. Eric Uhlir was there to take some photos. ... [continue]

It's not supposed to be 65 on a September night in Austin, but then again a Monday night shouldn't rock so hard and require so much manic dancing, like a Shaker rock revival only without the sensible furniture. ... [continue]

On August 31, 2008 The Human Race charity 10K organized by Nike was run in cities around the world, including here in Austin. In the Men’s division, Bernard Manirakiza originally from Burundi, Africa wons the race with a time of 31:51. In 2nd place, Gilbert Tuhabonye also from Burundi finished a little over a minute after his cousin Bernard with a time of 32:56.... [continue]

The smell of weed hung in the air like a promise on the sweltering Saturday night at the Backyard as fans prepared their minds for the Doggfather, Snoop Dee-oh-double-Gee. Fresh off a run in with Dallas area police that resulted in the arrest of two passengers on his tour bus, Snoop Dogg performed with 311 and Fiction Plane as part of the Unity Tour 2008 at the Backyard. Taking the stage to the melodramatic strains of Verdi's "Requiem" with a T.O. jersey (blue, of course) and gripping a jewel encrusted mic, Snoop proceeded to bang out a set of classics including such party fav's as "Gin and Juice", "Nuthin' but a G Thang", and "Murder was the Case". With the disclaimer that he wasn't an R&B singer he also performed tracks off his latest album "Ego Trippin'", including the YouTube favorite "Sensual Seduction". ... [continue]

Ladytron, touring behind their latest album Velocifero, brought a slightly new lineup to Stubb's on Friday night. The backing band may have changed a bit but they delivered the solid electronica-infused rock that has made them a critical darling. Datarock opened with a sweaty set of friendly Norwegian dance rock.... [continue]

Last Thursday at the Parish Room, Shearwater gifted their attentive audience a very special performance, showcasing their new record (Rook, out tomorrow) in its entirety. Supported by a small woodwind and string section as well as the album's studio harpist, Elaine Barber, the band soared through the record's highs and lows effortlessly. Jonathan Meiburg's voice brought the room to a hushed awe, ranging between vulnerable insistence ("I Was a Cloud") and emotional volatility ("Leviathan, Bound"). After a short break, a reduced ensemble rejoined for a second set full of archive material, pulling from 2006's Palo Santo for a grittier ending to the night's performance. ... [continue]

Clinic, wrapped in their customary cloak of anonymity, play to the crowd at Emo's on Friday night. Their set was prefaced by an a capella rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone," performed by recent tourmate, Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater. As for the proper set, it was a doozy, starting with Do It! (their latest), and then a short break before a mind-blowing "Archive Set" including popular favorites from Winchester Cathedral, Visitations and more. ... [continue]

The Raconteurs (Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence,Patrick Keeler, and Jack White) played a two-night stand of sold out shows at Stubb's this weekend. Like a car at the very edge of control their messy, wobbly guitars delivered the kind of nervous energy you can't turn away fearing (or hoping) it might crash at any moment. ... [continue]

Bonde Do Role is a hot, sweaty mess. Setting the stage with the opening bars of the Indiana Jones theme, the band went on an adventure through the land of synthfunksamplehop while being chased by sweaty, sweaty headband wearing hipsters who were all too willing to worship at the temple of booty shakin' bass. What do you do with a song called “Bondallica”? You slay your adoring crowd with it, of course. With a set full of covers and songs off their singles and album “With Lasers” the band lit the floor on fire with low-fi drum machine samples and booty bass beats. ... [continue]

Panic at the Disco brought their advertising laden tour to Stubb's on Saturday night. ... [continue]

Colin Meloy stopped by La Zona Rosa on Monday night to play some intimate acoustic jams as part of his solo tour. Despite a head cold the Decemberist's lead singer/songwriter played a full set from both the band's catalog and his own, with a few covers (including Sam Cook) thrown in for good measure. Sipping on a glass of Cabernet (probably not the best thing for a cold) Meloy bantered cheerfully with the crowd, who supported him with sympathetic "awwwws" on cue and when he had to stop a couple of the songs due to fits of coughing or lyrical amnesia (its a good thing so many of his fans know the songs by heart, saving the final "Mariner's Revenge" with their sing-a-long). All in all the night proved that a supportive fan base can rescue a ship (or show) on the rocks and help a favorite artist deliver on the promise of the ticket price: a good time and a good show. ... [continue]

Justice made a pre SXSW stop at Stubb's on a freezing cold Monday night, playing tracks off their bass resistant, a-typical French house album "†" to a sold out crowd intent on keeping warm by living the dream: D.A.N.C.E. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.... [continue]

Rogue Wave plays to a sold out audience at The Parish in Austin, Texas. ... [continue]

If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.... [continue]

If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump....... [continue]

Now that the summer rains are finally over, progress on the new Mueller Redevelopment is proceeding at a swift pace. With the credit crunch from the sub-prime market slowing new home construction in many parts of the country and foreclosures rising rapidly, it remains to be seen whether Austin really is as immune as some analysts predict, or is merely a bubble looking for a pin. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above,...... [continue]

Dr. Dog played a ramshackle set of rock to a more or less appreciative audience (many of which brought to mind Deadheads of the '60s, '70s and on) at the Parish on Thursday night. Their songs could have used a plastic surgeon to give them at least the superficial appearance of the tight melodies and songwriting of the 'Beatlesesque' moniker they've been awarded in some reviews. The true standout of the evening were openers...... [continue]

Photos by Eric Uhlir, Aasim Syed and Keith Gaddis. The Mohawk's summer of "secret" musical showcases continued on Friday night with a special performance by local heroes, Spoon. Fresh off the release of their critically lauded new album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, the band took to the outdoor stage, tented against the threat of rain, ready to rock the capacity crowd....... [continue]