Latest Event Posts

Lollapalooza 2016: Our Top Takeaways [Event Review]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - August 12, 2016

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As with any music festival, after Lollapalooza is over, it always takes us a few days to digest everything and snap back to reality. For locals, the festival serves as an escape within our own city. For outsiders, it provides them with a completely unique way to experience Chicago. The magic of Lollapalooza is simply unmatched, and despite a weather scare early on, Lollapalooza 2016 turned out to be just as memorable as years past. This year in particular will most likely stick out in the minds of many as it marked the 25th anniversary of the festival. Because of this, much of the weekend was filled with nostalgia as artists reflected on some of their past memories of playing the festival or of their ambitions to take the stage in Grant Park while growing up. For the first time ever, this year also added an additional day of festivities, kicking things off early on Thursday to commemorate the festival’s legacy. On the next few pages we’ve broken down some of our lasting impressions from Lolla 2016.

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[Event Review] 4 Acts We Could HARD-ly Miss

Posted by Ivan Chung - August 9, 2016

(Photo by HARD Presents)

T’was that time of the year again! One of the most anticipated summer music festivals just took Southern California by storm. We’re talking about HARD Summer, which ran its course with a weekend filled with epic festivities. Besides the newly-added option for camping, this year’s festival offered a superb lineup that definitely shined the spotlight on many up and coming artists, especially those in the electronic dance music scene. We know that words won’t do it any justice, but we’ll take a crack at giving you our FIVE favorite acts from the weekend.

Slushii

When we got the word that a “surprise guest” would come out during Slushii‘s debut set, we would’ve never guessed it’d be Skrillex, who actually surprised Slushii too. Julian Scanlan a.k.a Slushii played “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”, and Skrilly jumped up on the DJ stand. “Make some noise for the future right here” were his words – pretty high praises from the dance music icon, as Julian’s dynamic set definitely got the whole place buzzin’. Check out this video below that captured the amazing moment.

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[Denver Event Preview] Corona Electric Beach w/ Thomas Jack, JLEET, Lost Empire, option4 & KEEZ – 8/13

Posted by Matthew Bloss - August 8, 2016

If there’s one great thing about Summer, it’s the seemingly endless supply of craftily curated pool, daytime & rooftop parties. Of course, there are plenty of not-so-tastefully created parties, but we’re not here to talk about those. We’re here to highlight Corona Electric Beach‘s (which has held events in Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami and more) foray into the Mile High City of Denver, CO this Saturday from 2 – 8 p.m., which is armed to the teeth with quality artists. Headlining the bill is TMN favorite and international trop-house superstar Thomas Jack, who will no doubt look to wrap things up quite boisterously, while attracting more than a few Hawaiian shirts in the process. Most recently, the Australian wunderkind dropped the collaboratively anthemic house single “Rise Up” with Jasmine Thompson and is riding high on the heels of that one, so once again we’re getting geared up for another fun set from the global phenom of all things tropical.

Rounding out the rest of the bill are a slew of our favorite up and coming producers & DJ’s. Denver’s own option4, who has held down an artist residency with us while becoming one of underground dance music’s favorite personalities as well. The proper house artiste has released on some of House music’s biggest labels including Nurvous, Sweat It Out! and Ninja Tune, and looks to be a brilliant way to get things going. Rounding out the rest of support at Denver’s Lincoln Street Station will be opening acts Lost Empire, JLEET, and KEEZ. Check out our preview playlist below, get ready bask in some Summertime debauchery, crack a few Coronas, and revel in six hours of beats from some of electronic music’s finest. Corona Electric Beach’s Denver event is 21+, and will be free with an RSVP e-mail to info@findyourelectricbeach.com. We’ll see our favorite Denverites this Saturday!

’Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Thomas Jack Remix)’

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’Autograf – Future Soup ft. Patrick Baker (option4 Remix)’

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’Luminary – Amsterdam (Lost Empire’s Calling to You Rework)’

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’Alt J – Something Good (Thomas Jack Edit)’

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’option4 – DOAUK (Club Sweat)’

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Lollapalooza 2016 – Must See Acts [TMN EDITORS’ PICKS]

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - July 28, 2016

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If you’re from Chicago, then you know that Lollapalooza is one of the biggest–if not the biggest–weekends of the year. There’s nothing else comparable to being able to see all your favorite artists in the heart of the city, sandwiched between Lake Michigan and the scenic downtown skyline. This year’s Lollapalooza is even more special than usual, considering that the festival will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. In honor of that, an extra day(!) has been added to the lineup, making it one of the most packed, can’t miss events of the year. Because of that, I’m sure the choices of who to see can be a bit overwhelming. Of course, that’s where we come in to help. On the next few pages, we’ve highlighted some of our picks to help guide your decision-making process and possibly influence you to check out some new talent. No matter who you end up choosing, make sure to have fun and be safe out there guys!

(P.S. Even if you won’t be partaking in the festivities this year, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to join in on the fun. The beauty of Lollapalooza is that all your favorite artists are gathered in one location, so chances are there’s another gig in the city you’ll want to be at. You can check out the full list of aftershows over at Do312.)

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[Event Preview/Playlist] The Underground Music Showcase – 7/28 – 7/31 – Denver, CO

Posted by Matthew Bloss - July 27, 2016

It’s no secret at all that The Underground Music Showcase in beautiful Denver, CO has become a mainstay for our Mile-High Ninjas, and as we’re just a day out, we are once again gearing up for another edition of one of the U.S. festival scene’s best kept (not-so) secrets. One of the few remaining music gatherings in the fair city of Denver to eschew the typical smattering of major label festival fare, The UMS boasts a lineup of over 400+ acts strewn across various shops and bars dotting Denver’s historic South Broadway district, and we’ve been salivating like one of Pavlov’s pit-bulls in anticipation of this year’s entry.

Headlined by a number of intriguingly eclectic acts including Poliça, Thee Oh Sees, Sunflower Bean, Allah Las, Lee Fields & The Expressions, and The Bright Light Social Hour as well as some of the city’s most promising acts like Flaural, Shady Elders, déCollage, The Yawpers, Inner Oceans and Sunboy; 2016’s version of The UMS offers us yet another tastefully curated weekend of music in one of the best settings possible. We’ll be out in full force all weekend, and in anticipation of this year’s festivities, we’ve put together a playlist highlighting some of our favorite UMS artists. Get your sunscreen ready, and we’ll be seeing our Denver friends in the sun all weekend!

’POLIÇA – Chain My Name’

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’Thee Oh Sees – Web’

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’Sunflower Bean – Easier Said’

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’Allah
Las – Buffalo Nickel’

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’The Yawpers – Sister Mary’

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’Lee Fields & The Expressions – You’re The Kind Of Girl’

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’Bright Light Social Hour – Escape Velocity’

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’Flaural – Mind Field’

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’Inner Oceans – WILD’

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’Sunboy – Oracle’

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’Shady Elders – Pale Blue Dot’

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’déCollage – Rise Above’

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[Festival Preview] Noise Pop Anniversary “25 To 25” Event Series

Posted by Dominic Powell - July 14, 2016

The 2017 Noise Pop Festival – a personal favorite of TMN – will return with ten consecutive days of music, film, and art in San Francisco for their 25th anniversary: February 17-26, 2017. Leading up to this quarter-century milestone, Noise Pop is proud to present the 25 To 25 series. Featuring 25 curated music, film, and art events ending with a blowout Noise Pop Festival lineup announcement party in November 2016.

The entire 25 To 25 series will be selectively announced over the next couple of months, with the first batch of music artists arriving today. Series performers include Canadian punk four-piece TOPS; Owen, the solo project of Mike Kinsella of American Football; Philadelphia rock group Sheer Mag; electronic musician Juan MacLean (DJ Set); Norwegian indie electronic duo Lemaitre, and more to come!

Local Bay Area talent will also have the chance to join many of the upcoming music performances, and they are encouraged to apply via Sonicbids.

Filmmakers who wish to feature one of their productions in one of the film events, can visit Film Freeway to submit.

Music lovers can enjoy the 25 To 25 series and Noise Pop Festival 2017 by purchasing single tickets to each of the events or a Super Fan Badge, which go on sale noon (PDT) Friday, July 15 and can be purchased through the website. Super Fan Badges will not only grant access to all of the events in the 25 To 25 series, but all of the shows, events, and pass perks during the Noise Pop Festival February 17-26 as well, clocking in at more than 60 events.

In honor of 25 years of Noise Pop, the producers will be making the 2017 festival a particularly spectacular and memorable year. Crowds can expect a genre-blurring mix of indie, hip hop, electronic, pop and beyond, plus intimate performances set at the Festival HQ, Swedish American Hall. The 2016 Festival, which saw some of the highest attendance numbers for the Festival to date, included amazing sets by Kamasi Washington, Bill Callahan, The Mountain Goats, American Football, Vince Stables, DIIV, Metric, Neon Indian, and many more. Since the Noise Pop debut in 1993, the Festival has featured many emerging performers who have gone on to wide acclaim, including The White Stripes, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, The Shins, Fleet Foxes, and Bright Eyes.

Follow along with the Noise Pop Festival news, including the upcoming lineup this fall, at www.noisepop.com/2017, as well as on Facebook and on Twitter.

[Event Review] Big Black Delta bring the noise at Great American Music Hall – 5/26

Posted by Dominic Powell - June 1, 2016

For this Ninja’s first time inside the Great American Music Hall, I can’t imagine a better first impression that what was left by Big Black Delta. The stage name of frequent M83 collaborator and Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates, BBD impressed right from the jump. With stylistic and sonic similarities to some of the more recent Neon Indian works, Bates weaved together a dynamic setlist in his headlining slot.

Touring in promotion of his just released album – the first new album in three years – Bates gave attendees plenty of reason to continue supporting and following along his artistic journey. Trágame Tierra builds on his explosive electronic sound, pitting icy Scandinavian beats against acoustic instrumentation. Further, the influence of new wave and synth pop were dotted throughout Bates’ performance. Opening with the crowd pleasing “It’s Ok”, Bates kicked a lively performance into high gear. A steady use of vocal modifier throughout the night added a dynamic aspect to the lyricism, one that is unfortunately not present on the recorded version of Trágame Tierra. A lively rendition of “Kid Icarus” midway through was a personal highlight, containing the loud, catchy chorus that attracted me to BBD in the first place.

’Kid Icarus’

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With another release and another tour under his belt, we can only expect BBD to rise to greater prominence; his work with the likes of Kimbra, Debbie Gibson and Brandon Flowers will only prove to help refine his nostalgia-inducing sound. Listeners who missed one of the 26 Big Black Delta stops this spring can cure their fomo by getting a copy of Trágame Tierra here and by following along with Bates’ journey and latest developments on his website.

’It’s Ok’

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