Polyphonic Spree...

Southern Comfort will host a series of free shows beginning this August. The tour's two main headliners will be Ghostland Observatory and the Polyphonic Spree. DJ Lord of Public Enemy is set to open. The tour will bring the Polyphonic Spree to NYC's Webster Hall on October 1st.

What's the catch? You'll have to sign up for Soco's text messaging list to receive a ticket code.

SoCo is also involved in a new video series on Playboy.com called "Uncovered." That features musicians performing acoustic covers of their favorite artists -- the first edition, up now, is Dinosaur Jr. playing The Cure's "Just Like Heaven." Upcoming acts include Black Lips, A Camp, The Dears, Patterson Hood and Phosphorescent (who just announced a Brooklyn show). A partial list of who's playing what, with the SoCo tour's schedule and all upcoming Ghostland Observatory dates, below...

Continue reading "Polyphonic Spree, Dinosaur Jr, Ghostland Obervatory, Dears, others playing free SoCo shows, making Playboy videos"

MGMT @ MHOW (more by Ryan Muir)

September 12, 2008, ALBANY, NY - Southern Comfort learned late Friday that MGMT drummer Will Berman injured his foot this week and the band has cancelled their performance at Saturday's SoCo Music Experience at Altamont Fairgrounds near Albany, NY. Brooklyn popsters Matt and Kim have been confirmed as replacements.

The festival main stage will feature Justice, Lotus, The Whigs and Heartless Bastards, while the Metroland EQXposure Stage will feature The Erotics, Ska Dee, Disasters of Hollywood, Severe Severe and The Crayons - all for no charge. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. The festival is open to people 21 and over and valid ID is required.

Justice @ SXSW Playboy Party, 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

Southern Comfort has announced Altamont Fairgrounds near Albany, NY will be the new venue for the SoCo Music Experience on Saturday, September 13. The festival will feature Justice, MGMT, Lotus, The Whigs and Heartless Bastards. Doors open at 2:00 p.m.

This is the last of five markets for the SoCo Music Experience festival with each event showcasing five national performers with five top local acts on two stages all for no charge. Altamont Fairgrounds will be transformed into the complete festival experience - food and beverage vendors, a designated driver program, poster and t-shirt shop, the local record shop, merch tent, cornhole games, photobooths and the SoCo & Lime Dome, among other areas. The festival is open to people 21 and over and valid ID is required.

That free show is this Saturday in Albany. From there Justice fly to Denver to play ("live") at the Monolith Festival followed by Street Scene in San Diego followed by Treasure Island in San Francisco.. They then return to the U.S. in October to DJ some more. That includes a gig at Webster Hall one day before Halloween. Tickets are now on sale. All dates below...

Continue reading "Justice - 2008 Tour Dates (free Albany show & NYC)"

The reason Largehearted Boy missed it probably has something to do with Gnarls Barkley's new album "The Odd Couple" being released three weeks early, and ditital-only (on iTunes now). Look for the CD version on March 25.

"They felt the timing was right to just go for it," said an unnamed spokesman for the band. "With the shifting seasons, furtive romantic entanglements and fierce college basketball rivalries, the latter half of March can be confusing. People need to be soothed and inspired now."

Tickets are on sale now for an "intimate" April 3rd Gnarls Barkley show in London. They're also playing the Hollywood Bowl in LA on July 27th, and one of this year's "SoCo Music Experience Festivals" in Denver on June 28th. Other SoCo artists include Queens of the Stone Age and the Black Keys. More details on that below....

Continue reading "Gnarls Barkley's new album out now + shows in Hollywood, London & a SoCo music festival (like Black Keys/QOTSA)"