Mixtape Atlanta

Music Midtown 2012

Stop packing. From Hangout Fest to Bonnaroo to Lollapalooza to Deluna, there are more music festivals than ever cluttering summer schedules and depleting bank accounts. However, one of the best summer music festival lineups in the country is happening right here in Atlanta!

Music Midtown is returning to Piedmont Park and has expanded from last year’s one-day blowout to two full days of music with a line-up that challenges all the rest. From hip-hop, electronic, classic and contemporary rock, The Meadow at Piedmont Park will be THE place to be on September 21- 22 for Music Midtown 2012.

Presented by Live Nation rock favorites the Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam are headlining the two-day event. Tickets go on-sale Saturday, April 28 at 10AM and range from $55 for general admission per day to more pricier VIP packages. Get tickets here!

FULL MUSIC MIDTOWN 2012 LINEUP

Friday, September 21
Foo Fighters
The Avett Brothers
T.I.
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Van Hunt

Saturday, September 22
Pearl Jam
Girl Talk
Florence + The Machine
Ludacris
LP
Civil Twilight
O’ Brother

Stay tuned to Mixtape Atlanta for more artist announcements and Music Midtown 2012 news!

Say Anything Returns to Atlanta

LA-based Say Anything returned to the Masquerade on Sunday, April 22 along with Tallhart, Fake Problems, and Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band. They’re currently on tour to support the release of the band’s fifth full length album entitled Anarchy, My Dear.

Kevin Devine took the stage just before Say Anything to play for a slightly unreceptive crowd eagerly awaiting the headliners. It was apparent within the first few songs that this audience wasn’t yet fans of his, but he won them over by the end of his set. It was incredible to watch Kevin transform his small venue feel to fill the giant stage. He ended his set with “Brother’s Blood” and watching him go through the emotional progression of that song on a larger scale than usual was mesmerizing.

After Kevin Devine came Say Anything. With six members giving it their all, Say Anything’s stage show is entertaining no matter where your gaze rests. Jake and Jeff Turner, from Atlanta’s own XO, play all the guitar parts so that Max is free to roam the stage and engage the crowd. Anytime a chorus of voices was needed friends from the opening acts joined the stage. And Max even brought his wife Sherri on stage to sing her beautiful part in the song “So Good.” Not only were the multitudes of people amazingly entertaining to watch, they provided a full sound just as if listening to a studio-produced album.

Say Anything’s performance was -as always- the true definition of pop punk. Max Bemis’ brilliant song writing intertwines powerful, and sometimes provocative, lyrics with intoxicating, catchy melodies. These qualities coupled with Max’s on-stage charisma makes for an extremely entertaining live show. Although Max writes his songs to express his usually controversial opinions or to relate a personal anecdote, his humility fosters an inviting environment rather than an alienating one. Say Anything got parents, kids, and every age group in between to “Say Anarchy” and “Hate Everyone.”

Chloe Stoakes

Take a Trip Down the Aisle

In the new comedy The Five- Year Engagement, Jason Segel (The Muppets, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, The Adjustment Bureau) are trying to take a trip down the aisle, but it's taking longer than they thought. From the producer of Bridesmaids and creators for Forgetting Sarah Marshall, the comedy focuses on a engaged couple (Segel, Blunt) that encounter many adventures and every hurdle possible on their way to the altar.

The Five-Year Engagement opens nationwide on Friday, April 27, but Mixtape Atlanta is offering you an advanced invitation. Send us an email with the subject "GET MARRIED" to [email protected] and you could win a pair of tickets to a screening at Atlantic Station Regal Cinemas on Tuesday, April 24.

Reagan Rock Prom 2012

Friday April 20, Park Tavern was transformed into a sea of neon, teased hair, and pastel suits. That's right, Yacht Rock Revue brought back the best music and worst style of the 1980s for their third annual Reagan Rock Prom. As the band played truly, truly outrageous hits from Hall & Oates, Phil Collins, Madonna, and more, the crowd got footloose.

The Prom King and Queen was also crowned during the set break and the royal couple will enjoy a Summer Sunsets Cruise pass for the remaining Yacht Rock Summer Series at Park Tavern.

Special thanks to all that donated cans or money to Atlanta Community Food Bank in return for a photo. Check out all photo booth photos here!

The Reel Mix: MARLEY

The Merits of A Man Who Changed Popular Music Forever

The new documentary Marley, by award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland, One Day In September) chronicles the life of reggae legend Bob Marley and all that he pioneered—not just for music- but for Jamaica as a nation. With interviews from band members, his immediate family, and record label executives, you hear the historical background of a nation in turmoil and one person who gives a voice to those who seemed to have no hope. Though his infidelity gave him eleven children and a family with no structure, Marley managed to conquer the music culture of his home island and then the United States in the 1970’s. He returned to his home not only as an entertainment icon, but as a political figurehead-something that he did not cherish but resented.

Throughout the following struggles: the shooting days before the “Smile Jamaica” concert in 1976, and the discovery of cancer in his toe in 1977, Marley continued to thrive in one of his best creative periods. He was a driven man, focused solely on his craft, his health, and his love for Rastafari. His was outspoken about his faith and his convictions that came with it. It was these same beliefs that caused him to refuse to have his toe amputated, when he knew he had cancer in it. He continued to perform, but his sickness only got worse, and he passed away at the young age of 36.

His determination and driven attitude gave Jamaica worldwide recognition and changed musical history forever. His greatest strength was also his greatest weakness and it cost him everything, but not without leaving his mark.

Marley hits theatres and Video On-Demand on April 20.

Ben Israel Thompson

"Slowburner" Sparks a Flame

After two successful EPs, The District Attorneys are releasing their first full-length album Slowburner on April 24. The Atlanta/ Athens indie-rockers stay true to many of their familiar sounds and the songs on the album crescendo like the title suggests.

The laidback yet commercially appealing opening title track transitions into the more jingle-pop chorus of “Madison Row.” With faster tempo, bouncing piano, traveling drums, and lead vocals echoing Lindsey Buckingham, the second song harkens a classic Americana- especially California pop sound- that can’t help but invoke good times.

Although from the southeast, The District Attorneys have fine tuned an accessible indie-rock sound that for decades has easily flowed from the west coast with the help of bands like Rooney and Modest Mouse. The District Attorneys fall in that company. “Confusion of Trust” brims with anthemic vocals and harmonies full of sand and salt water. Even the slow rock waltz on the bridge makes it the perfect soundtrack for a ride along Pacific Coast Highway.

The slower “Cherry Glow” has an emotional atmospheric quality similar to The Perishers, and the previously released “California Fire” has the listener headed back to the waves and bonfire of fun times.

The second half of Slowburner shows some impressive experimentation with the additions of organ, horns, and other subtle influences from folk, southern rock, to even hints of bluegrass on “Here’s Your Star”.

Having gained fans from their energetic live shows, Slowburner is the perfect invite to new fans. Get your copy of Slowburner before its released at The District Attorneys album release show at The Earl on Saturday, April 14. Indianapolis Jones and Tedo Stone will also perform. Grab your friends, get your tickets, and head to The Earl for some fun times and good music. Doors open at 9PM and tickets are only$5.

Kim Burdges

Yacht Rock Prepares to Dock at Park Tavern

Starting next Friday the smoothest rockers in town are sailing into Park Tavern for a monthly concert series. From April to September, Yacht Rock Revue will be heating up our favorite tavern in the park with their unique take on rock fit for the seas and off. April 20 they kickoff the series by entering into slightly more electric waves with their third annual Reagan Rock Prom. For one night, trade the topsiders for LA Gear and get ready to cut "Footloose." Mixtape Atlanta will be there to capture your promtastic memories in our photo booth. Just bring a canned food donation for Atlanta Community Food Bank and we'll snap you, your date, and 21+ classmates photos in exchange. Prom tickets are only $10, so get them now before they sell out- get tickets here.

We could continue to tell you how awesome April 20 will be "all night long," but we'll let Huey and Lewis tell you themselves. Check out their special Pixelvision video below and on Yacht Rock's Facebook page.

Prom Message

A Howling Good Time

One week from tonight Wolves are stampeding Star Bar for their album release party. Presented by Sorry, Darlin and sponsored by Mixtape Atlanta Wolves are making the party even more enticing with The Romans, Thom Chapman, and a special DJ set by Cousin Dan.

The show is FREE, 21+, and music starts at 10PM. So mark your calendars for Friday, April 13 and join us at Star Bar for a dancin' good time!

Check out Wolves latest music video "1" off their new album Youth.

 

 

Reunited and It Feels So Good

We have followed the American Pie gang from high school, to college, at weddings, and now it all comes full circle as Jim, Michelle, Stifler, and the rest of the crew return to their high school for American Reunion. Filmed around the Atlanta area last year, parts of East Falls Lake, Michigan are bound to look more like Georgia landmarks to the keen eye.

Be one of the first to check out the fourth installment of the American Pie series. Mixtape Atlanta is giving away passes to an advanced screening of American Reunion on April 4 at Atlantic Station. Send an email to [email protected] with your favorite American Pie character in the subject line for a chance to win a pair of tickets.

Young the Giant's "Apartment"

There is no slowing down Young the Giant. This weekend, the band wraps up their 46-date sold out headlining tour in Seattle before hitting the road again later this month to gear up for more shows and festivals including Hangout Beach Music Festival and Bonnaroo. The California boys will also be back in Atlanta on May 19 for Party in the Park with The Flaming Lips, AWOLNATION, and Dawes. Get your tickets here!

Check out their just released new music video for "Apartment."

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