Still struggling with last minute plans for New Year's Eve? We'll make the decision simple.
Vinyl is closing out 2012 and partying into 2013 with a powerhouse lineup including Ponderosa, N.E.C. and a never to be missed late-night dance party. Tickets are only $10 and include a house shot or glass of champagne for the midnight toast. This is by far the easiest (and cheapest) fun in town, so get your tickets now! Buy tickets here.
Thanksgiving might be tomorrow night, but The Stuffing is being served early at tonight's SOLD-OUT Favorite Gentlemen showcase. For the third year in a row, the local label has created the opportunity to see their artists as well as others under one roof at Center Stage's three venues. It's an indie-rock feast! But like any good buffet (even the musical ones), make sure to pace yourself. Below is the detailed schedule of tonight's band lineup and set-times.
Don't miss a not so secret show Friday, October 7 at Star Bar. Ponderosa is headlining another great showcase in Star Bar's 20th Anniversary Series. Also on the bill is Damon Moon and The Whispering Drifters, Anna Kramer and The Lost Cause, and Ocha La Rocha. Fun and music start at 9PM; cover is $10. With Butch Walker's concert down the street at Variety Playhouse, Star Bar will be the ulitmate musican and fan hangout spot. Start chugging caffine now, it's going to be a long night.
Saturday, August 13 Ponderosa is returning to Smith's Olde Bar for a special performance after spending most of the summer working on their second album. As their first album Moonlight Revival continues to gain popularity on the music charts as well as among fans and critics, these talented Atlanta rockers are working on innovating their already hypnotic sound. Working with producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, MGMT, Ok Go), Ponderosa is delving deeper into broadening and experimenting their established rock sound as well as treating fans to a different sound from the band.
Be one of the first to hear Ponderosa's new songs on Saturday, August 13 at Smith's. Also on the bill are The Bridges, Thomas Hardy (Dead Confederate), and Kathryn Brawley; if you are looking for some of the most talented artists in Atlanta you will find them all under one roof on Saturday. Doors open at 8PM and great music lasts all night. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 day of show.
The official music portion of SXSW was supposed to start Wednesday; however, many talented artists jumped the gun as amazing live music performances filled venues all day in Austin. Tyler Lyle took to the stage at the CNN Grill as the first acoustic performer of the week. Lyle was quickly followed by a special acoustic act from Locksley, and a still buzzed about performance by duo The Civil Wars.
Several blocks away, Mister Heavenly- featuring actor Michael Cera on bass- performed at one of SXSW's most unique attractions, Carousolar. Powered by General Electric, the Carousolar was fueled by solar power and provided a unique space/ ride to power up dwindling cell phones.
BMI kicked off their week of music showcases with their annual Howdy Texas Happy Hour at Stubb's BBQ featuring Gary Clark, Jr. and Dale Watson.
As the sun went down, the amps heated up at the CNN Grill as J Roddy Walston and The Business and Ponderosa rocked the downstairs stage with pure Americana rock.
Check out photos from CNN Grill, Carousolar, BMI's Howdy Texas Party, and more, here.
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On Saturday March 19, Mindzai Creative and Whynatte present some of Atlanta's best bands to the rooftop bar of Cheers Shot Bar. Don't miss this open SXSW showcase.
Saturday January 22, Ponderosa returns to the Variety Playhouse stage to open for JJ Grey & MOFRO. From club venues to theaters, the Atlanta rockers never disappoint so if you haven't seen their act live don't miss them at Variety. After the show, continue the revelry at the Ponderosa After Party presented by Mixtape Atlanta. Come have a drink with the guys or better yet buy them one at Star Bar's downstairs bar. Admission is FREE and DJ C-Lark will be spinning throughout the night.
On January 6, The Rock Boat departed from Tampa, Florida for its annual music filled cruise with plenty of Atlanta talent onboard. From the lido deck to the candlelight lounge, artists such as Sister Hazel, Nada Surf, Aslyn, Ponderosa, Death on Two Wheels, and more played throughout the day. Check out Mixtape Atlanta's photos of great music and times on the high sea, here.
AthFest 2010 kicked off Thursday, June 24 with The Flagpole Music Awards at the Morton Theatre. Flagpole has been the must-read magazine for Athens’ vibrant music scene for years, but the live show didn’t quite live up to the interesting content found on its pages. Opening act and award showhands, Mr. Blank’s Carnivale of Black Hearts set an eccentric vibe to the show but the longwinded performances and lack of in-house award recipients made the initial excitement quickly fade. Chris Patton and TJ Edmond did a fine job of hosting and were the perfect hometown emcees for the event. However, the multiple song performances especially by Elite Tha Showstoppa and Los Meesfits made the awards show feel unnecessarily long. With the influx of excitement and AthFest goers rapidly filling the streets looking to start the weekend, the Morton Theatre and the Flagpole Awards Show felt confining.
Several blocks from Morton, Team Clermont and New West Records had a must-see showcase that proved to be the much-needed AthFest fire starter. Futurebirds, Roadside Graves, and Atlanta’s own Ponderosa got the crowd rocking and drinks flowing at 40 Watt for a rowdy night of rock ‘n roll. Friday, the outdoor stages started live music sets at 5PM, but thunderstorms settled above as soon as several of the most anticipated acts (Reptar, Spring Tigers, Packaway Handle Band, and Modern Skirts) took the stage. The non-stop rain and intermediate strikes of lightening created a dramatic yet enthusiastic collective mood from the crowd and artists. Although some shows were delayed and shortened, the audience stayed steady throughout. Due to increasing rain, it seemed uncertain that Pulaski Stage headliners Modern Skirts would take the rain soaked stage but they did. Not only did they perform their full set, but the rain worked to their advantage adding theatrical intensity to all of their songs, especially the newer one off of their upcoming EP, Happy 81. When the quartet performed beat driven “Bridges and Overpasses” and the closing “DUI,” rain sprayed from the deconstructed drums adding more strength to their set. After the outdoor sets finished, BMI hosted an impressive indoor showcase at The Melting Point featuring Trances Arc, Part Bear and Hightide Blues. For photos from the first two days of AthFest, click here.
All 10 nights of 500 Songs for Kids are amazingly entertaining. However, as the event has grown over the years the final night always contains some fantastic surprises and performances from some of today's most sought over artists. Previous final night acts have included Butch Walker, Pete Yorn, Cee-Lo, The Whigs, and more. Today Mixtape Atlanta is thrilled to announce three confirmed artists for Night 10 this year! Night 10 of 500 Songs for Kids is a hot ticket and sells out at the door, so get your tickets now!
From the Atlanta Film Festival to Dogwood Festival, there are many events occurring all over the city that are demanding your participation and probably making you feel overwhelmed. We can help. The only mandatory event on your calendar should be Mixtape Atlanta & Rival Entertainment presents Ponderosa at Vinyl on Saturday, April 17. Done. It has been awhile since these local boys played Atlanta and with all the buzz they have been receiving since signing with New West Records and their amazing SXSW performances, you will not want to miss this show. Ponderosa is also sharing the bill with Georgia and No Parachute. Doors open at 8PM and the music starts at 9PM. Mixtape & Rival will also be giving away a pair of tickets to one of the summer's hottest concerts- Broken Bells- as well as a CD from Ponderosa and Georgia! As if seeing Ponderosa wasn't a big enough treat, you could leave with a free pair of tickets to another great show and some fantastic new music!
As SXSW came to a close on Saturday, the best showcase was saved until last with the 3rd Annual 40 Watt Party. Converting every available space at Side Bar into a performance area, 40 Watt managed three stages all with dynamic lineups that ran smoothly and on time. Although the weather was blustery and cold, many braved it and little seemed to care as the crowd imbibed in drinks and dancing.
Spring Tigers were the first to perform on the only indoor stage, while Lera Lynn took to the partially covered outdoor stage and Modern Skirts kicked off the main stage. Performing first is never an easy task, but Skirts’ show came off effortless and polished despite the freezing temperature. The Athens quartet played several new songs off their upcoming third album, increasing enthusiasm and buzz for its release. J Roddy Walston and The Business continued their SXSW string of performances with another exciting, high-energy spectacle.The Whigs, who have been on a non-stop promotion whirlwind for their new album In the Dark, reveled in playing on their hometown stage. Although The Whigs are known for their invigorating performances, the band held nothing back as they packed their set with back-to-back hits including “Kill Me Carolyne” and “Like A Vibration.”
While The Whigs began their set, Ponderosa finished up on the outdoor Jerry Fuchs Stage. The Athens/ Atlanta rockers played a solid set full of original hits infused with classic southern rock appeal and their signature swagger. After the official 40 Watt party wrapped up, many returned to Side Bar for a late night dance party to let loose and celebrate the end of an amazing festival. DJ sets by Black Dominoes and Washed Out kept the crowd dancing until the early morning. Check out all the 40 Watt Party photos here!
Kim Burdges
Wednesday morning the slightly crowded streets of Tuesday became packed with the overnight influx of bands and fans. Most of the day shows kicked off around noon and BMI’s Austinist Day Party at Mohawk was a must attend. South Carolina natives and frequent Atlanta performers All Get Out was one of the first performers to take Mohawk’s outdoor stage. Surviving initial technical difficulties and lack of sleep, the boys from Charleston played a solid set of old songs and new ones from their soon-to-be-released LP. One of their new standout songs, “Lucky Bastard,” is the perfect mixture of a driving beat and catchy chorus, including the repeated “I wanna go home,” that shows a significant lyrical and musical maturity. All Get Out's new stuff will help them solidify their established fan base as well as gain new ones. Vancouver’s Yukon Blonde followed All Get Out on the outdoor stage and they had enough easy rock licks and folk groove to make these Canadians come off with a pure Americana sound.
Although many Atlanta artists dominated the bills at venues up and down the popular 6th Street, it was great to see local artists out and about supporting their fellow hometown musicians. Members of The Constellations, Young Orchids, and Ponderosa were in attendance to watch Death on Two Wheels’ first SXSW performance of the year on the rooftop of the Blind Pig Pub. Playing a full set, which included mostly songs from their last album Separation of Church and Fate, those that knew the songs sang along and those that didn’t gobbled up copies of the band’s albums at the front of the stage so they would.On the other side of town at The Lustre Pearl, which is part gutted house and part posh bar, The San Diego Hoe-Down showcase got under way. Pearl rocked with performances by Steve Poltz, Transfer, and El Ten Eleven and the promise of free beer and tacos. Although no free tacos were found, the west coasters did deliver on their beer promise.
Since Wednesday was also St. Patrick’s Day, many fans choose booze over bands but luckily there were still plenty of music to be heard. Tigercity brought their hybrid of easy rock and hipster disco beats to the swarming rooftop of Paradise and instantly helped heat up the chilly night temperature with their dance provoking hits. Leaving the stage all together to join the dance party, lead singer Bill Gillim and bassist Joel Ford, invaded the crowd for their final song “Are You a Sensation”.See all of Wednesday's photos here!
Kim Burdges
Pop Death Squad has done a solid job of creating the third Thursday of every month as a must-do in the Atlanta music scene by hosting Big Trouble in Little Five at Star Bar. The show is free (one incentive), draws a good crowd (another plus), and features bands that people in the industry and out genuinely want to see (selling point). A great example of this musical promotion hurricane was the bill on February 18.
You have seen them play showcases, festivals, and open for Butch Walker. Now see them with no distractions. Wednesday, October 21 Ponderosa is taking over Star Bar all night for what is being dubbed a “Special Sexy Evening with Ponderosa.” For only $5, catch one of Atlanta’s most popular bands in an intimate setting while they not only play music but share stories too. Playing old songs, new songs, and old songs with a new twist, it will be a night of Ponderosa only music with no openers. Fun starts around 10PM. Don’t miss it!
Check out photos from Ponderosa's September show at The Earl with Dropsonic here. The hot summer sun and a lineup of sizzling music acts heated up the 92.9 Dave FM stage at the 26th Annual Virginia Highlands Summerfest. Saturday’s lineup started early and the crowd was sparse for Jackson County Line, but as the day continued the crowd increased. Hightide Blues’ feel good rock and the acoustic sounds of Matt Hires and Gareth Asher provided great summer songs to help the audience both dance and relax. As the heat intensified so did the crowd and energy onstage. By the time Cowboy Mouth started their manic set, a dense standing crowd had consumed the fenced music area.
Sunday’s lineup started off with an audience comparable to the day before; however, each act transitioned so well into the next that it seemed like an alt-rock opera. The newly formed County Line Strangers performed alt-country tracks off of their upcoming Heartbreak Motel as well as the Tom Petty classic “American Girl.” Ponderosa compounded the alt-country vibe with their classic rock and untouchable style. The Constellations moved to the other end of the alternative rock spectrum with their signature sexy punk songs that dared the crowd not the dance. Their recent radio hit “Felicia” had many singing along, and crowd favorite “Step Right Up” successfully recruited new fans and late night partiers. Manchester Orchestra expertly wrapped up the day with their unique mix of indie-rock and alt-country performed with energetic jam band fervor.
Don’t miss the next must see Atlanta summer musical festival on June 20 at Candler Park for Midsummerfest with Guster and Rusted Root.
Check out Mixtape Atlanta's photos from Summerfest here.
