After its self-titled debut release in 2011, the members of Gardens & Villa had no shortage of options.
Steve Aoki brings down the (electro) house
The doors would open any minute, and anticipation was tense. Associated Students, Inc. and event staff ran around the Recreation Center’s main gym like chickens with their heads cut off, blowing up balloons, adjusting decorations and deciding how to avoid a stampede when it was time to remove the barricades for the horde of impatient Steve Aoki fans outside.
Hospitality's latest 'less than compelling'
The doldrums of January are an opportunity for a band to make a splash. The general lack of high profile releases leaves a gaping hole waiting to be filled by some hidden gem trying to burst onto the scene and with Trouble, Hospitality makes its case to be the critical darlings of 2014.
The Boss’ latest is more than just a collection of odds and ends
Guitars aren’t cool anymore. The kids are picking up synthesizers instead of Stratocasters and rock’s mainstays have been displaced by dancepop and hip hop. Of course, rock has been under attack before and made it through to the other side, largely thanks to the ceaseless work of its lord and savior, Bruce Springsteen.
XXYYXX electrifies the Rec Center
Minutes before the show, the main gym in the Recreation Center was a can of sardines. The venue was crammed, from the stage to the bleachers to the doors in the back, with loud, rowdy, dancing college students. Thirty minutes after he was slated to take the stage this past Friday night, electronic DJ XXYYXX finally made his anticlimactic entrance.
Andrew Bird delivers wintry instrumental EP
In another life, Andrew Bird is ghostwriting for Miley Cyrus and One Direction. Even from the early days in the late ’90s backed by his Bowl of Fire band, Bird’s songwriting acumen and ear for melody have always been tremendous.
Action Bronson demands your attention
It should say something that a 5’7″ overweight Albanian American with a ragged red beard draws continual comparisons to Ghostface Killah. Rap-wise, if not aesthetically, it’s a fair assessment, but it’s safe to say there’s nobody in the rap game quite like Action Bronson.
El-P and Killer Mike join forces for a monster debut
The most fun rap album of 2013 doesn’t have a single hands-in-the-air chorus. It doesn’t have a catchy ear worm or a parade of guest verses or even a sing-along hook.
Arcade Fire drops titanic triumph with ‘Reflektor’
I don’t think Win Butler ever smiles. Nine years after his band gave its earth-shattering debut, Funeral, Arcade Fire’s music hasn’t lost any of its urgency or grave sincerity.
Elvis Costello plays at Cal Poly for first time in 30 years
Elvis Costello played songs spanning his entire career as well as covers of country and some of the first rock and roll artists for his nearly sold-out audience at the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center (PAC) Monday night.