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PHOTOS: Ron Gallo with TWEN and Ian Ferguson at Lincoln Hall 11.04.18

After playing a TNK Fest show at Lincoln Hall earlier this year, Ron Gallo returned to headline the venue in celebration of his new album Stardust Birthday Party. Fellow Nashville musicians TWEN and Ian Ferguson opened the show.

Listen to Stardust Birthday Party in full below and keep up with Ron Gallo on Facebook + Instagram

Bonnaroo 2018 Thursday Highlights

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Bonnaroo 2018 kicked off yesterday, delivering the usual friendly and fun atmosphere full of random acts of kindness, pop up experiences, and 24/7 entertainment throughout the stages and campgrounds. As you get ready for Roo day 2, read up on the music highlights of Thursday below!


Jade Bird Made Her US Festival Debut

British singer songwriter Jade Bird hit the ground running during her first US festival appearance by not only playing a late night set at The Who Stage, but by playing a stripped down set at Coleman's The Campout experience out by plaza four. Jade's raw vocal power and fiery spirit shone through just as much at the early afternoon set as it did during her main performance. The enthusiastic Thursday night crowd welcomed Bird with open arms as she played through songs on her debut EP like "Good Woman" and "Cathedral," as well as a couple covers of songs by The Pixies and Kate Bush. Bird's performance of her popular single "Lottery" acted as the highlight of the set, the crowd all singing along to the belter of a chorus. "I've been Jade Bird and you guys have been the best audience I've ever had," Bird said at the end of her show. 

Jade Bird at the Coleman Camp Out experience 

Jade Bird at the Coleman Camp Out experience 

Ron Gallo Said Sorry a Bunch

Self-proclaimed really nice guy Ron Gallo and his band packed the tent for their energetic early evening set at the That Tent. Gallo displayed his usual quirky antics during the show, incorporating a trumpet into their songs, introducing his band and himself in a monotone voice as he read off a piece of paper, and saying "sorry" a bunch of times mid-song. Although the live band is usually a trio with Joe Bisirri on bass and Dylan Sevey on drums, the group was joined by the band's tour manager on keys yesterday and during the last song, the band added an impromptu new member. Gallo invited an audience member onstage to play his guitar, ending the set on a high note. 

Ron Gallo and his newest band member

Ron Gallo and his newest band member

FRENSHIP Took Their Pants Off

Los Angeles duo James Sunderland and Brett Hite, better known as FRENSHIP, played their first Bonnaroo last night to an eager crowd at the This Tent, and they were shocked at the Thursday turn out. "Nobody comes on a Thursday," Sunderland said in awe of the overflowing tent, which was full of fans singing the lyrics back to them. In addition to playing their popular tracks like "Carpet" and "Capsize" from their first EP, Hite and Sunderland treated the crowd to some of their newer singles like "LOVE Somebody" and "MI Amore." The duo also made sure to dress their best for their Bonnaroo debut by wearing matching pants. "We're wearing the same damn pants. We wore the same pants for you, Bonnaroo," they admitted. The audience was so enthusiastic that they started a "take them off!" chant about the pants, and Sunderland made a promise that they would take them off by the end of the set if the audience promised to stay with them through their entire career. True to their words, during the final song "1000 Nights," Sunderland took his pants off, ending their set with another memorable moment.

James Sunderland finishing FRENSHIP's set sans pants

James Sunderland finishing FRENSHIP's set sans pants

Durand Jones & The Indications Brought Soul to The Farm

Soul outfit Durand Jones and The Indications delivered the smoothest set of Thursday, bringing their full, rich big band sound to the That Tent. The band displayed incredible chemistry and musicianship as they played through their hour long set, horns and woodwinds complementing the sheer power Durand Jones' vocals. Their groovy, R&B songs have a retro quality to them, but their tight sound and Jones' showmanship put a refreshing spin on a vintage sound. Drummer Aaron Frazer also displayed his incredible multi-tasking skills when he lent his vocals to a few of the songs during the set. The group will take part in the "Into The Great Wide Open" Superjam tonight, so if you missed them on Thursday, make sure you catch them during this all-star packed set tonight. 

Durand Jones and The Indications Bringing Soul to The Farm

Durand Jones and The Indications Bringing Soul to The Farm

Cage The Elephant Played a Surprise Set

If you're camping at 'Roo, you might have noticed the permanent party set up in Plaza 9, which has been curated by none other than Cage The Elephant's Matt Shultz. The set up in Plaza 9 includes birthday decorations to celebrate Roo Day, as well as pop up experiences with some of the performing artists; like karaoke with Okey Dokey, watercolor painting with Lissie, DJ sets, and yoga. Thursday at Plaza 9 ended with a huge bang when Cage The Elephant played a surprise full show, which they had teased with a now deleted Instagram post. If you weren't in the know for the secret show, you can also catch Shultz and his bandmate Nick Bockrath partaking in the "Into The Great Wide Open" Superjam tonight.

Stay tuned for our daily updates throughout the weekend, and follow us on social media for live updates throughout the day. 

 

 

Bonnaroo Round Up: Our 2018 Top Picks

Since 2002, Bonnaroo has been bringing some of the biggest international acts and the best upcoming acts to Manchester, TN for four days of music, comedy, festivities and more. This year, thousands of music fans will return to the farm this Thursday, June 7th for another memorable 'Roo. Stay tuned for our daily coverage during the festival, but for now check out our eight must-see acts of Bonnaroo 2018 below! 

POND

Last year, POND released their seventh studio album, The Weather, which is full of energetic, psychedelic tunes that will instantly sweep everyone off their feet. Their records have this incredible quality that completely engulfs listeners, creating a mystical world with entrancing synths and hypnotizing melodies, but their live show adds even more depth to their layered, multifaceted songs. Frontman Nick Allbrook hooks in audience members with his captivating stage presence, so don't miss POND on Saturday, June 9th at 2:45PM on the This Stage. 

For Fans Of: Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Mild High Club

Start With: "Sweep Me Off My Feet," "Paint Me Silver," "30000 Megatons"

Post Animal

After steadily gaining traction in the Chicago music scene over the past couple of years, Post Animal began touring extensively, working their way up to a national act. The group is currently on tour promoting their debut album When I Think Of You in a Castle, which was released April 20th via Polyvinyl Records. Their live shows always pack in non-stop energy with intense guitar riffs and expansive arrangements, creating a completely different atmosphere from the studio recordings. This year has already seen Post Animal at SXSW and Shaky Knees Festival, but make sure you catch them at Bonnaroo so you can say you saw them at one of their first festival performances way back when. Catch them Saturday, June 9th at 9:45PM on the Who Stage. 

For Fans Of: Twin Peaks, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Thee Oh Sees

Start With: "When I Get Home," "Special Moment," "Gelatin Mode"

Alex Lahey 

Aussie singer songwriter Alex Lahey will instantly win you over with her lighthearted melodies and relatable lyrics. Lahey's debut EP B Grade University and debut album I Love You Like a Brother are both full of honest narratives that will have you singing along, and her authentic laid-back attitude pairs perfectly with a Summer festival. Catch her at Roo on Friday, June 8th at 2:15PM on the What Stage. 

For Fans Of: Courtney Barnett, Middle Kids, Waxahatchee 

Start With: "Wes Anderson," "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me," "Lotto In Reverse"

Sir Sly

Fronted by Landon Jacobs, LA based trio Sir Sly recently made an incredible comeback with their 2017 sophomore album Don't You Worry, Honey. The long awaited album came three years after their promising debut and reflects upon Jacobs' struggles of losing his mother to cancer and the end of his marriage. The new songs possess a raw vulnerability in the lyrics and see a growth in Sir Sly's production skill, and the group always delivers a vibrant live performance, with Jacobs being known to climb things mid-show. Make sure you catch them Sunday, June 10th at 4PM at the This Tent to witness all of their stage antics. 

For Fans Of: Foster The People, Hippo Campus, K.Flay

Start With: "High," "&Run," "Altar"

Jade Bird

British singer songwriter Jade Bird first made waves when she dropped her debut EP Something American last year, which shows off her fiery spirit, sweeping vocal range, and twangy folk riffs. Since then, she's been hard at work on the road, playing SXSW and touring with the likes of Anderson East and First Aid Kit. This fall, Jade Bird will head out on her first headlining tour, but before then don't miss her at Bonnaroo; she's playing Thursday, June 7th at 11PM on the Who Stage. 

For Fans Of: Maggie Rogers, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers

Start With: "Lottery," "Furious," "Something American"

Ron Gallo

Nashville's Ron Gallo has been steadily touring since the release of his debut album Heavy Meta, hitting the festival circuit especially hard in 2017, with appearances at the likes of Governor's Ball and Lollapalooza. Whether he's playing on a festival stage or a club show, Gallo always brings along his quirky antics; from playing a trumpet mid-song to passing off his guitar to an audience member, there's no shortage of entertainment. Gallo managed to release an 8-song EP earlier this year in the midst of all his touring, so his recent shows have been refreshed to include new material. If you're looking to hear some great music and have a laugh, Catch Ron at the That Tent on Thursday, June 7th at 5:00 PM.

For Fans Of: White Reaper, Diane Coffee, Naked Giants

Start With: "Put The Kids To Bed," "Really Nice Guys," "Young Lady, You're Scaring Me"

Jungle

Fronted by Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson, London collective Jungle will be sure to get you dancing with their smooth mix of soul and funk grooves. It's been a while since the group released their debut, self-titled album, but they've teased their follow up with two singles this year that both contain their signature effortlessly cool touch. Get ready to move and check out their set on Sunday, June 10th on the Which Stage at 5:15PM.

For Fans Of: SBTRKT, Metronomy, TV On The Radio

Start With: "Time," "Happy Man," "The Heat"

Rag'n'Bone Man

Speaking of soul, British singer songwriter Rory Graham (better known by his moniker Rag'n'Bone Man) has garnered international attention with his booming, powerful and soulful vocals. Rag'n'Bone Man's debut record Human features a diverse mix of layered narratives that highlight Graham's flexible range; from a bluesy growl to a rich baritone and even a hip hop flow, the album truly showcases Graham's dynamic talent as a singer and writer. Live, Graham brings that all to life with a large band that distinguishes the show from the album with fleshed out arrangements. Catch Rag'n'Bone Man on Saturday, June 9th at 6:45PM at the This Tent. 

For Fans Of: Bastille, Jacob Banks, Jack Garratt

Start With: "Your Way or the Rope," "Human," "Wolves"


Remember that once CenterRoo opens up on Thursday, it will remain open 24/7 until the festival ends, so make sure you check out the entire schedule here. The SuperJam lineup this year is particularly epic with members of Cage The Elephant, Wilco, Young The Giant, Sheryl Crow, Japanese Breakfast, Durand Jones & The Indications and more playing the music of Tom Petty. Keep up with it all by following us on social media throughout the fest:

PHOTOS: SXSW 2018

It's been just over a week since SXSW ended, and just like you, we're still missing the sun, the tunes, and the tacos. Luckily, we have some photos from the packed week of shows to hold us over until next year. Check out our photos from SXSW 2018 below, and stay tuned for interviews with some of our favorite South By artists!


Photos by Rachel Zyzda, featuring Shame, Sunflower Bean, White Reaper, Liza Anne, Blue Dream, HINDS, Acid Dad, Soccer Mommy, Post Animal, Anna Burch, High Waisted, Girl Ray, Caroline Rose, Ron Gallo, The Nude Party, OHMME, Rookie, The Evening Attraction, and Lucille Furs

Photos by Erica Tello, featuring Hembree, Jade Bird, and Mt Joy

Photos by Justin Kibbel of Superchunk, Wye Oak, Bully, Shamir, Lucy Dacus

SXSW 2018 Spotlight

It's that time of year again, where thousands of music fans, musicians, and music industry folks flock down to Austin, Texas for a jam packelizd week of endless live music. Going over the countless events and showcases that just keep rolling in, it's hard not to feel overwhelmed about who to see and what to do at the annationnual SXSW music festival. While we can't really help with the problem of wanting to be in 5 places at once, we can help you focus in on some of the key bands to see this week. Check out our list of our top ten must-see acts at SXSW 2018 below, and make sure you give our SXSW Spotify playlist a listen for even more recommendations. 


Shame

London's buzzy post-punk rockers Shame have already been making a name for themselves all over The States, going on a headlining tour surrounding their debut album, Songs of Praise, which came out in January. Everybody and anybody who has seen them live seems to only have positive things to say about their raw and rambunctious energy onstage, and there will be no shortage of opportunities to catch one of their rowdy performances at this year's SXSW.  Make sure you catch them this year before they move on to bigger and bigger venues. See their SXSW schedule here

Photo: Holly Whitaker

Photo: Holly Whitaker

For Fans Of: Idles, Ought, The Vaccines 

Start With: "Lampoon," "Dust on Trial," "Concrete"

Nation of Language  

Fronted by Ian Devaney, this Brooklyn based trio manages to borrow components from past generations of musical geniuses, without delivering boring reiterations. Nation of Language recently toured with The Wombats, instantly winning over the crowd with their addictive synth melodies that sound like they belong on a soundtrack for a John Hughes film. While the band have yet to put out an album, they've gained traction and attention nationally with a handful of single releases. See their SXSW schedule here. 

Photo by Rachel Zyzda

Photo by Rachel Zyzda

For Fans Of: The Psychedelic Furs, Night Riots, John Maus

Start With: "I've Thought About Chicago," "On Division St," "What Does the Normal Man Feel?"

Post Animal

If you're an avid ANCHR reader, this definitely isn't the first you've heard about Post Animal....and it definitely won't the last time you'll hear their name if you're going to SXSW this year. The Chicago based outfit had an insane year in 2017, touring across the entire country, and 2018 is set to be even bigger for them, rightfully so. Their shows never lack in energy and over the years they've expanded their live arrangements while keeping a tight sound. Following their rigorous touring schedule surrounding SXSW, Post Animal will release their official debut album via Polyvinyl Records on April 20th. Their summer touring schedule includes cities across the country and appearances at major festivals like Shaky Knees and Bonnaroo, so don't miss out on the abundance of chances to see Post Animal at SXSW before they blow up even more. Check out their full schedule here

Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana

Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana

For Fans Of: Twin Peaks, King Gizzard, POND

Start With: "When I Get Home," "Special Moment," "Ralphie"

Ron Gallo

Nashville's Ron Gallo might be another familiar name to ANCHR readers, as we've frequently covered him here. Gallo has already had a great year, playing festivals like Governor's Ball and Lollapalooza in support of his debut solo album Heavy Meta, but he's managed to keep cranking out new music despite a grueling tour schedule. His live show not only highlights the chemistry between him and his band, but he always encourages kindness among his audiences, working to keep his shows a safe space, while also making his audience laugh with his quirky between-song anecdotes. If you're looking to hear some great music and have a laugh, make sure you go see Ron Gallo this year. Check out his schedule here

 Photo by C.J. Harvey

 Photo by C.J. Harvey

For Fans Of: White Reaper, Diane Coffee, Naked Giants

Start With: "Put The Kids To Bed," "Really Nice Guys," "All the Punks are Domesticated"

Caroline Rose  

NYC's Caroline Rose just put out her debut album Loner at the end of February, and with insanely catchy choruses, clever lyrical quips, and thoughtful themes, it's been nothing but well received. I have yet to see one of Caroline Rose's show, but based on the light-hearted tone of her album, her live show will undoubtedly be a blast. Lucky for us, there's no shortage of opportunities to see her down in Austin this week. See her plentiful schedule here. 

Photo Credit: Matt Hogan

Photo Credit: Matt Hogan

For Fans Of: Liz Cooper & The Stampede, Angel Olsen, Courtney Barnett

Start With: "Bikini," "More of the Same," "Money"

BAUM

Currently based in LA, the NYC native Sabrina Teitelbaum has been garnering all sorts of praise over her material released as BAUM. Although her releases are limited to only three official singles, BAUM threads powerful and empowering themes through catchy pop melodies. Her debut EP will be released on 3/16 during SXSW, so make sure you catch one of her shows to hear the new tracks live. See BAUM's schedule here. 

Photo By Shervin Lainez. 

Photo By Shervin Lainez. 

For Fans Of: Grace Mitchell, Ryn Weaver, VÉRITE

Start With: "This Body," "Hot Water"

The Nude Party

If any of the bands on this list fall into the don't-judge-a-band-by-their-name category, it's this band. The Nude Party spices up their rock'n'roll tunes with a hint of twang and psychedelia. During their shows, the band members feed off one another's energy so well, and their audiences quickly reciprocate the infectious energy. See where you can catch on of their rowdy shows here

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For Fans Of: Black Lips, Meatbodies, Frankie & The Witch Fingers

Start With: "Time To Go," "Life's a Joke," "Poor Boy Walking Blues"

Acid Dad

NYC rockers Acid Dad just put out their debut self-titled album on Friday, and they'll be celebrating all week in Austin, in the midst of an on-going national tour. The four piece have a distinct sound that blends psych and punk rock perfectly, and it translates incredibly well in a live setting. Check them out at SXSW at one of their plethora of live shows; information here

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For Fans Of: Honduras, No Parents, NE-HI

Start With: "Don't Get Taken," "Come Outside," "Fool's Gold"

HINDS

Another name that should be familiar if you're a regular ANCHR reader, HINDS crafts irresistibly lively and light-hearted lo-fi rock tunes with melodies that'll get lodged in your head for days. Their live show is really where it's at...the quartet from Madrid exude so much chemistry and project endless positivity and energy whenever they take the stage, making their show one you cannot miss if you're going to SXSW. Luckily, HINDS have a new album on the way, so they will be hitting the Austin pavement hard this week. See their packed schedule here. 

Photo By Aaron Serrano

Photo By Aaron Serrano

For Fans Of: Twin Peaks, The Big Moon, Cherry Glazerr 

Start With: "Bamboo," "Garden," and "New For You"

Liza Anne

Liza Anne's incredibly candid and raw songwriting style makes her music effortlessly relatable. The Nashville singer-songwriter's third album, Fine But Dying, showcases her vulnerability in the most beautiful way, and the eleven tracks remain cohesive while also exploring different sonic pallets. Her live shows take that authenticity and amplifies it in a stunningly captivating way, so don't miss your chance to see her in Austin. 

Photo By Tom McGeehan

Photo By Tom McGeehan

For Fans Of: Japanese Breakfast, Tennis, Alvvays 

Start With: "Small Talks," "Socks," "Paranoia" 


There you have it! Again, don't forget to check out our Spotify list for even more recommendations. Also remember that these artists are all playing official showcases, but there's tons of unofficial showcases by both official and unofficial artists throughout the week. Keep your eyes on our social media for more unofficial suggestions, and make sure you check out Treehouse Records' showcase on 3/16 as well as all of the events put on by Howdy Gals here. 

LIVE: Yoko and the Oh No's, Ron Gallo, and Diane Coffee at TNK Fest 2018

Diane Coffee’s live performances have a magical and magnetic quality to them that are nuanced to the point of almost transcending description. Their performances are immersive in the sense that the richness of it all makes it impossible for audiences to think about or focus on anything else aside from what is taking place onstage. By all means, that is a skill and a power. Such a beguiling spell was cast over the audience at Lincoln Hall last Friday, who gathered at the beloved local venue to see the band perform during the Tomorrow Never Knows Festival- an annual concert series that takes place at Lincoln Hall and its sister venue, Schubas.


Chicago's own Yoko and the Oh No’s warmed up the crowd at 9PM sharp with their lively rock tunes, unfortunately playing their last ever show to the already packed house. The announcement of the final show had been made only the day prior, and friends and fans of the group had flocked to see the final performance. The four piece, fronted by the exuberant Max Goldstein, brought every last ounce of energy they could to the Lincoln Park venue that evening. Goldstein and his bandmates remained in sync the whole time, delivering a stellar show that had the audience hooked and hoping for an eventual reunion of the band in the future. 

Nashvilles' Ron Gallo kept the high spirits going when he took the stage shortly after; kicking off his set with a trumpet, he monotonously read an introduction to his band and thanked the festival while a single spotlight shone down on him. Consisting of humor and good old fashioned rock and roll, Gallo's set had the crowd entertained from start to finish. The set contained some crowd favorites from his debut album Heavy Meta, like "Put The Kids to Bed" and "Young Lady, You're Scaring Me," but it also included brand new tunes from Gallo's Really Nice Guys EP, which had just dropped that morning. The audience reciprocated the energy that Gallo and his bandmates poured out onstage; moshing and dancing along to the music. Towards the end of the rowdy and fun-spirited set, Gallo even hopped off stage to join the crowd. If given the chance to see Ron Gallo, do not miss out on his engaging and energetic performance. 


After the impressive opening sets, Diane Coffee earnestly launched into “Mayflower” - a brassy, energy-charged track with lyrics that serve as a delightfully tongue-in-cheek commentary on consumerism. The savvy selection of “Mayflower” as an opener allowed its palpable energy to serve as blueprints for the remainder of the set; blueprints through which Diane Coffee crafted an incredibly memorable and engaging performance.

Diane Coffee finds their identity in their exploratory nature, both in sound and performance. Therefore, the band is able to perform a sonically diverse setlist with a clear sense of cohesion numerous styles, tones, and influences - thus giving their music a universal appeal and multi-elemental appeal. A physical testimony to this was the fact that the audience at Lincoln Hall was noticeably diverse in age. Diane Coffee’s work contains just enough classic elements to make it timeless, and the perfect amount of innovation to make it fresh and new all at once. Elements of grit, lightness, realism, fun, and innovation have a continuous presence that entirely harnessed the attention of the crowd. These creative juxtapositions are something that does not necessarily make sense, but Diane Coffee is able to seamlessly merge these elements in a manner that results in an engaging listening experience and a dynamic live set. For the entire time Diane Coffee was onstage at Lincoln Hall, nothing existed outside of the venue doors. They possess the ability to make the audience feel as if the rest of the world is melting away, and that’s a definitive nod to their talents as musicians and as a live entity.


One cannot discuss Diane Coffee without mention of enigmatic frontman Shaun Fleming. Dauntless and charismatic, Fleming embodies all it means to be an artist and an entertainer in every sense of both words. With a habit of performing in outfits just as exciting as the music he creates, Fleming excels in mastering all aspects of live performance: he engages the crowd in a manner that surpasses the traditional “How are you guys doing out there?”, performs his work with evident skill and care, and has an ability to turn each venue he performs in into something of a warm community. His performance at Lincoln Hall was certainly no exception to this magic. If Diane Coffee has proven one thing through their performance this weekend, it is that they are a group of artists who knows how to consistently deliver. That in itself is a noted key to success, and Diane Coffee has taken that key and swiftly unlocked the door.

Relive the magic of the evening by checking out our photo gallery of all three bands, shot by Rachel Zyzda. 

Keep up with all the Ron Gallo and Diane Coffee updates by following them on Social Media! 

Ron Gallo: Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

Diane Coffee: Facebook // Twitter // Instagram


Yoko and The Oh No's and Ron Gallo review written by Rachel Zyzda

 

TNK Fest 2018: Five Must See Acts

Ahh, it's January in Chicago, which means snow and sub-zero temperatures. On the bright side, it also means it's time for Tomorrow Never Knows Fest, the annual multi-venue, 5-day, indoor (thank god) festival. Last year we wrote about our five most anticipated bands playing the festival, but we also discovered some new favorites, like Dream Version, Overcoats, and Acid Dad. While we're excited for pretty much all of the bands playing this year, and looking forward to even discovering some new favorites, here are our top five most anticipated acts of TNK Fest 2018.


HINDS

This Madrid quartet consisting of Carlotta Cosials, Ana García Perrote, Ade Martín, and Amber Grimberge crafts irresistibly lively and light-hearted lo-fi rock tunes with melodies that'll get lodged in your head for days, but their live show is where it's at. The four piece exude crazy chemistry and project so much positivity and energy whenever they take the stage, making their set at TNK 2018 one you absolutely cannot miss. Although they're based in Spain, 2017 saw HINDS over in The States quite a bit, performing at Coachella, and co-headlining a tour with Chicago's Twin Peaks. It's been a minute since they headlined a packed Empty Bottle here in the city back in May, though, so make sure you snag a ticket to welcome them back to Chicago. 

When/Where: Lincoln Hall //January 21st, 9PM. Grab tickets here. 

Start With: "Bamboo," "Garden," and "Warts"

ANCHR Recommended Local Bands Playing The Show: PEEL

For Fans Of: Twin Peaks, The Big Moon, Cherry Glazerr 

Photo By Aaron Serrano

Photo By Aaron Serrano

Ron Gallo

Speaking of incredible stage presence, the Nashville-via-Philly singer songwriter Ron Gallo puts on an unforgettable show. 2017 was quite the year for Gallo, which saw the release of his debut solo album, Heavy Meta, following Gallo's time with his band Toy Soldiers.  Heavy Meta sees Gallo exploring serious subjects in a quirky and blunt way, wrapped up in raw and rowdy rock tunes. Gallo toured heavily last year as well, not only touring Europe and The States, but appearing heavily on the festival circuit; playing Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees, Lou Fest and more! This year he's already been booked for Coachella and Hangout, but help him kick things off by grabbing tickets to see him with Diane Coffee at TNK Fest! You can get ready for the show by re-visiting our interview with Ron Gallo here

When/Where: Lincoln Hall //January 19th, 9PM. Grab tickets here. 

Start With: "Young Lady, You're Scaring Me," "Put The Kids to Bed," and "All the Punks are Domesticated

ANCHR Recommended Local Bands Playing The Show: Yoko and the Oh No's

For Fans Of: Cage The Elephant, The Districts, Naked Giants 

Photo by Rachel Zyzda

Photo by Rachel Zyzda

Snail Mail

The brainchild of the Maryland musical prodigy Lindsey Jordan, Snail Mail brings honest alternative rock narratives that deserve your full attention. Following her 2015 and 2016 EPs, Sticki and Habit, Jordan toured extensively with the likes of Waxahatchee and Beach Fossils in 2017. This year is already filling up quickly for her, with Snail Mail being booked for Coachella and national tour dates announced through April. Help Snail Mail also kick off a sure-to-be successful year by coming to her show at Schubas Tavern, which features a stacked lineup of fellow badass bands and artists, including Stef Chura and Ratboys

When/Where: Schubas Tavern //January 19th, 8PM. The show is sold out, but you can grab TNK 5-day passes here

Start With: "Thinning," "Habit," and "Slug"

ANCHR Recommended Local Bands Playing The Show: Bunny

For Fans Of: Priests, Japanese Breakfast, Beach Fossils 

Photo By Audrey Melton

Photo By Audrey Melton

Liz Cooper & The Stampede 

Nashville based trio Liz Cooper & The Stampede blend multiple genres together to create a recognizable yet refreshing sound. The nomadic and multi-talented Liz Cooper fronts the group, and the trio's folk rock melodies mesh perfectly with Cooper's soulful and raspy vocals. The group has caught the eye of many lately; recording Audiotree sessions and performing at their annual festival last year, as well as making an appearance at the massive ACL Festival in 2017. The three piece will perform at Lincoln Hall with Rayland Baxter, and you can get ready for the show by re-visiting our interview with Liz Cooper & The Stampede here

When/Where: Lincoln Hall //January 20th, 9PM. Grab tickets here

Start With:  "Mountain Man," "Hey Man," and "Dalai Lama"

For Fans Of: Desert Noises, Big Thief, Julien Baker 

Photo by Rachel Zyzda

Photo by Rachel Zyzda

Okey Dokey

Also from Nashville, the duo of Aaron Martin and Johny Fisher (guitarist for The Weeks) blend retro and soulful tones into psychedelic rock tunes that completely capture their listeners with the stories told in each song. Okey Dokey's show at TNK fest marks nearly a year since the release of their debut album, Love You, Mean It, which brought on an incredible year for them in 2017. Their show at Schubas will undoubtedly showcase their fun and dynamic spirit, and the lineup also includes former Chicagoan Cut Worms and Sonny Smith, so don't miss it!

When/Where: Schubas Tavern //January 18th, 8PM. Grab tickets here

Start With: "Wavy Gravy," "Coffee Boi," and "Low Rent/ Blue Skies"

ANCHR Recommended Local Bands Playing The Show: Cafe Racer

For Fans Of: Mt. Joy, Omni, Hoops

Photo Courtesy of Okey Dokey

Photo Courtesy of Okey Dokey


There you have it! Again, this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the full line up here, and make sure you get to all the shows early. So many of our favorite hometown bands are playing these shows, and they all need to be on your radar this year! Lastly, get ready for the show by listening to the official TNK Mixtape below.  

PHOTOS: Loufest 2017

We had a blast at Loufest last weekend seeing some of our favorite artists perform across three stages. Read our Day 1 and Day 2 highlights, and now check out our full photo gallery from both days below. 

Saturday gallery featuring Hippo Campus, Middle Kids, Ron Gallo, Cage the Elephant. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and Snoop Dog.

Sunday gallery featuring Future Thieves, Mondo Cozmo, The Record Company, Lizzo, Noname, and Weezer. 

Stay tuned for our interviews from Loufest!

Loufest Day 1 Highlights

The beloved annual St. Louis festival Loufest returned to Forest Park yesterday for another weekend of great music! From up and coming indie artists to established music veterans, this year's lineup has it all. In addition to a stacked lineup, the festival also changed locations slightly, moving out of the center fields of the St. Louis park and towards The Muny. With it, the new location also brought some new attractions, like a new record shop to host artist signings, the United Healthcare sponsored Zen Den featuring yoga and hammocks, and more. The "Nosh Pit" of local restaurants also returned, as well as Market Square, full of locally sourced vendors... but the real focus of the day remained on the music across the three stages. From Middle Kids kicking the day off to Snoop Dog closing out the night, the first day of Loufest had it all. Here are the highlights of day one!


Middle Kids Read the Crowd’s Shirts

The Sydney based trio Middle Kids never disappoints with their live show, always providing some engaging banter between their indie rock narratives. During their early afternoon set, bassist Tim Fitz mentioned between songs that he kept reading the crowd's t-shirts, calling attention to one that said "Science is Real." After the shirt chatter, Middle Kids played a new song from their upcoming album in addition to songs from their self-titled debut EP, like "Old River," which shows off lead singer Hannah Joy's powerful and emotive vocal range. Their viral and most-streamed song "Edge of Town" was once again the crowd favorite, with the early festival arrivers singing along and jumping around during the song's building and dynamic bridge. There's no doubt that Middle Kids will soon be playing the later slots at festivals across the country if they continue to deliver as much as they already do.

Middle Kids performing on The Enterprise Stage

Middle Kids performing on The Enterprise Stage

Hippo Campus Played "Suicide Saturday" on a Sunny Saturday

Minnesota's Hippo Campus drew a large (and dedicated) crowd early on for their 2PM slot, the front few rows of the crowd screaming back the lyrics to the band. The crowd's energy amplified when the band played their most popular song "Suicide Saturday," which is already ironically upbeat, featuring a perfect sing-along melody for a festival. The title sounded even more out of place as a massive crowd danced and sang along to it with the perfect backdrop of a sunny Saturday afternoon. The band's hour long set kept the crowd engaged the entire time, lead singer Jake Luppen roaming the entire stage to jam with his bandmates and visit each side of the crowd. Live band member DeCarlo Jackson on the trumpet also added another layer to Hippo Campus's already vibrant performance.  

Jake Luppen working the crowd at The Budlight Stage

Jake Luppen working the crowd at The Budlight Stage

Ron Gallo Thanked the Festival Sponsors

The Nashville via Philadelphia rocker Ron Gallo always brings the laughs and lighthearted humor to his live show, but don't underestimate the power of his message. Although he began his set by reading the stage name and thanking other festival sponsors off a piece of paper, reciting it all in a monotone voice for comedic value, Gallo and his bandmates immediately followed up with an intense jam session, waking up any of the festival stragglers just getting there at 6PM, or reenergizing those that had been their all day. Gallo also dedicated his song "Entitled Man Keep Your Hands Down Your Pants" to all the women of the crowd, using his music to convey the message that it's never okay to assault a woman, in any way. By not taking himself too seriously, but singing about and calling attention to serious issues both onstage and on his social media, Ron Gallo makes is easy for listeners to hear his message. 

Ron Gallo at the BMI Tunespeak Stage

Ron Gallo at the BMI Tunespeak Stage

Cage the Elephant Maintained 110% Their Entire Show

There's never a dull moment during a Cage the Elephant show, and they proved themselves once again as they played during the sunset on Saturday night. From lead singer Matt Shultz jetting around the stage and bouncing back and forth in the manner of Mick Jagger, to his brother Brad Shultz jumping offstage and playing right at the crowd barricade in the second song, the band's energy never wavered. After playing hit after hit throughout their set, Shultz also took a moment to address the crowd about a serious issue, saying "Suicide is not cool, it should not be glorified," before telling the crowd he loved them all. The theme of the first day of Lou Fest seemed to be Rock'n'Roll with a powerful message, and Cage The Elephant delivered that ten times over. 

Matt Shultz performing at sunset at The Enterprise Stage

Matt Shultz performing at sunset at The Enterprise Stage

Rainbow Kitten Surprise Worked the Stage

North Carolina's indie rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise (don't let the name fool you) closed out the Tunespeak BMI stage on day one with their harmonies and dance moves. Drawing quite the crowd, their emotive and slightly theatrical set began with their popular song "Cocaine Jesus," which begins with the full band harmonousily singing a capella before launching into their full sound. Lead singer Sam Melo lent his theatrical, almost interpretive dancing style to his unique and distinguishable vocals during the entire set, hardly ever standing still for more than a second. Anything but mellow, Melo told the crowd that he likes to jump when he gets hot, and continued to zip from one end of the stage to another, spinning and using his hands to emphasize the music. In addition to the visual entertainment, the band sounded incredibly in sync and in tune.

Sam Melo of Rainbow Kitten Surprise closing out The BMI Stage.

Sam Melo of Rainbow Kitten Surprise closing out The BMI Stage.


That's a wrap for Day 1 Highlights. Keep your eyes on our social media platforms for live updates of Day 2. A full photo gallery of the weekend plus an interview with Ron Gallo is also coming soon, so stay tuned!

PHOTOS: Ron Gallo at Terminal West 5.11.17

Photo Gallery of Ron Gallo at his Shaky Knees Late Night Show, 5.11.17

Check out Ron's debut album Heavy Meta below. Chicago, you can catch him at Lollapalooza later this summer, but check out all of his tour dates here.