October Highlights

So with the demise of Spangle Magazine, so was the end of my monthly review of shows.  While I took September off to recover, the monthly listing is back!  Take a look at what great shows October is giving us.

Featured Events

8th :: Braids (Pop / Electronic) / braidsmusic.com
Beachland Tavern / $12
Oh boy, there were a lot of shows this month vying for this spot. Braids is refreshing Canadian pop band who's not afraid to go a bit off into the atmosphere. But the clincher for this show are the amazing openers,the incredible Pepper Rabbit & Painted Palms who I've already seen and love (with of Montreal).

10th :: Wild Flag (Indie Rock) / myspace.com/wildflag
Grog Shop / $12 ~ $14
This new incarnation featuring the likes of Carrie Browerstein and Janet Weiss from Sleater-Kinnney (and more...), this show is definitely one of the biggest acts this month. I mean, Sleater-Kinney, c'mon! These gals are hot right now, and it's not just me. A solid opener with Austin's Yellow Fever. Give them a listen too.

Best of the Rest

3rd :: The Drums (Pop/Rock) / thedrums.com
Grog Shop / $12 ~ $14
This 80's inspired bittersweet NYC pop band is touring on their second release, Portamento on Frenchkiss records.

5th :: Trans Am (Electronic / Alternative) / transband.com
Grog Shop / $12
Had fun watching these guys at the Summer in the City series at the Rock Hall... would totally see them again.

5th :: Battles (Rock / Electronic) / bttls.com
Grog Shop / $16 ~ $18
These Pitchfork Festival alums are hitting Cleveland with the likes of a delicious electro-inspiried Walls. The first Featured Event contender.

6th :: Besnard Lakes (Pop/Rock) /thebesnardlakes.com
Beachland Tavern / $10 ~ $12
Soaring indie crooners are sure to be an intimate performance, in the best possible place, the Tavern.

8th:: ARBORETUM (Rock & Roll) / arbouretum.blogspot.com
Now That's Class / $7
It's a Thrill Jockey Records night at my favorite West Side venue.

10th :: Bitch (Alternative) / bitchmusic.com
Beachland Tavern / $12 ~ $14
If the indie-rock sound of Wild Flag doesn't do satisfy your need for feminine power, Bitch's folk/punk aesthetic is.

12th :: Those Darlins (Punk / Country) / thosedarlins.com
Grog Shop / $8 ~ $10
I hear these ladies put on a raucous live show. Sweet.

15th :: Neon Indian (Pop / Electronic) / neonindian.com
Grog Shop / $12 ~ $14
I have to admit I like the buzzwords for these guys "chillwave" or "glo-fi". How fun. Probably as much fun as Com Truise will be opening.

17th :: Dam-Funk (Disco / Funk) / stonesthrow.com/damfunk
Grog Shop / $15 ~ $17
Seriously. Disco / Funk. How fun will that be? If they sound familiar, it's because they rocked it at this year's Summer Solstice party at CMA.

19th :: Duran Duran (Pop) / duranduran.com
Playhouse Square/ $45 ~ $150 (ouch)
The indelible Duran Duran continue their resurgence, touring on a new Mark Ronson produced album.

23rd :: Brett Dennen (Pop / Rock) / brettdennen.net
House of Blues / $20 ~ $25
An HOB favorite. It's hard not to walk out of a Brett Dennen show with a big smile. The *superb* Ben Sollee is opening.

23rd :: Cymbals Eat Guitars (Rock & Roll) / cymbalseatguitars.com
Beachland Tavern / $10 ~ $12
With a new album out, I think I'll like these guys better in the Tavern. Check out a TVD review from their show at the Black Cat (9/24).

24th :: The Sounds (Pop/Rock) / the-sounds.com
Beachland Ballroom / $16 ~ $18
This show was the next Featured Event competitor. The pop licks of this Swedish band are just delicious. Two great openers with Natalia Kills & The Limousines.

26th :: Jess Klein (Folk / Pop/Rock) / jessklein.com
Beachland Tavern $8 ~ $10
OK. So Jess is only opening this show, but she and I go way back. For fans of Lucinda Williams or Patty Griffin. I'm sure Tom Freund will be great too.

27th :: Future Islands (Pop/Rock) / future-islands.com
Beachland Tavern / $12 ~ $14
Having seen (and loved) Future Islands & Javelin separately. I can't believe them together didn't make the cut for a featured event this month.

29th :: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (R&B / Soul) / sharonjonesandthedapkings.com
Beachland Ballroom / $30
This "queen of funk" is a Cleveland favorite and will probably sell out the Beachland. There's a reason for that.

30th :: Shelby Lynne (Alt-Country) / shelbylynne.com
Beachland Ballroom / $30
If Sharon is the Queen of Funk, then Shelby is the Queen of Alt-Country. Well, maybe not, but she is married to the King (Steve Earle). She and I go way back as well.

Notable Road Trips

13th :: Junior Boys (Dance / Electronic) / juniorboys.net
Columbus, OH / The Basement / $12 ~ $14
Junior Boys are probably one of best electro-pop bands of the last couple years.

19th :: Little Dragon (Pop / Electronic) / little-dragon.net
Pittsburgh, PA / Shadow Lounge / tbd
I called their performance "Slick, Spirited and Energetic" the last time I saw this Swedish band. With an excellent new album, this show is worth the trip!

27th :: Dar Williams (Folk) / darwilliams.com
Kent, OH / Kent Stage / $25.50
Dar is one of the most charming and talented Singer / Songwriters that I've ever seen perform. Sucks this is the same night as the Future Islands / Javelin show.

P.S. // A big thanks to Brian for helping me hammer out this format, one that I will be continuing!