photos by Justina Villanueva

"Last night at MSG -- in between hopping around the stage like an eager So You Think You Can Dance contestant and sharing the spotlight with a ten-foot, ax-shredding demon creature -- Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson demonstrated that not even front men for legendary British metal bands were able to avoid The Decision. During a bit of stage banter, Dickinson mentioned the band had just played New Jersey and promptly received a hearty impromptu round of boos. "It's real easy to wind you up, isn't it?" Dickinson responded. "How would you feel if I mentioned LeBron James?" More boos! (By the way, you haven't heard anyone say "LeBron James" until you've heard them say "LeBron James" in a theatrical British accent from the stage at MSG). Dickinson moved on, touching on the band's recent Canadian trek ... and got even more boos! "Wow!" a genuinely surprised Dickinson shot back. "You hate Canada even more than you hate LeBron James!"" [NY Magazine]

Dream Theater opened for Iron Maiden last night, July 12th, at Madison Square Garden (the very venue Wavves will open for Phoenix at in October). The two bands are on tour together, and as NY Mag pointed out, their show one night earlier was in NJ (at PNC Bank Arts Center). More pictures and the setlist from both shows (well, they were the same), below...

Continue reading "Iron Maiden & Dream Theater played MSG (pics & setlist) "

by Andrew Frisicano

The Rock Shop held their first show on Thursday, July 8th, with free music from the Love Loves and the Rondelles. For The Rondelles, the night served as an open practice of sorts for their Teen Beat Anniversary shows - at the Bell House tonight and D.C. Saturday. Unlike at their Albequerque reunion in '07, the trio rejoined with original bassist Yukiko Moynihan (the first time in eight years). But until their practice earlier in the day on Thursday, they hadn't gone through the songs as a group in as many years, so things were noticeably unrehearsed at times. But the poppy hooks were there, as was the trademark Casio behind the drums. They are a band I never thought I'd get a chance to see, and it was a fun night.

It was also a good chance to check out the Rock Shop, which was open with bars on two floors, a roof deck and Lebron on the TV screens upstairs. I would say that the show space, in the back of the main bar, is somewhere between Pianos and Bruar Falls in size, with benches along the sides and a dedicated stage.

More pictures from the night, with the setlist, below...

Continue reading "The Rondelles christened Park Slope's Rock Shop (pics)"

"the blueprint for greatness" (Marianne O'Leary)

"Shares of Madison Square Garden Inc, which owns the New York Knicks, dropped nearly 4 percent early on Friday, the day after superstar LeBron James spurned the basketball team to sign with the Miami Heat.

James announced on Thursday evening that he would join the Heat in his quest to win a National Basketball Association title, leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Knicks had cleared salary-cap space on its roster in the hopes of attracting James, who has twice won the most valuable player award." [Reuters]

Phoenix and Dirty Projectors play the less-valuable Madison Square Garden on October 20th. Tickets go on AmEx presale July 12th at 10am and general sale Saturday, July 17 at 10am. (Lady Gaga plays there again tonight).

and yeah, Jay-Z didn't get Lebron either.

The Ace of Spades was free-flowing as Jay-Z, Lebron James, and Jason Kidd packed the VIP section of New Orleans hot-spot Generation Hall Saturday night for a star-studded party. The night started off with an exclusive dinner where A-Listers like Gabrielle Union, Beyonce, Brandon Jacobs and Mark Cuban all attended. [Complex]

Tickets ($199.75, $129.75, $99.75 & $69.75) go on sale this Friday February 29th for a May 6th Jay-Z & Mary J Blige show at MSG at NYC. Check the presale page too. They might on sale there sooner. All dates below....

Continue reading "Jay-Z & Mary J Blige add NYC show, Tour, presale"

Nas & Jay-Z

Beanie Sigel, Diddy, Jay-Z and LeBron James

Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel

Ryan Dombal visited the Apollo Theate in Harlem last night (Nov 13, 2007) and came back with these great photos of the Jay-Z show. Other on-stage guests included Memphis Bleek and Freeway. Puff Daddy (the guy in the ugly coat) also showed up at the Hammerstein Ballroom show two nights earlier. LeBron James's day job is basketball player (but it's not the first time he and Jay-Z have hung out). American Gangster is out now, but you won't find it on iTunes.