Music News

Spoon and Weezer SLC ticket cost and info. Hint: consider a second mortgage

KevinLeave a comment
Spoon, Weezer SLC concert will be on August 27

Weezer and Spoon (or more properly, Spoon and Weezer) announced a summer concert today at The Great Saltair. The Spoon and Weezer SLC show is on a Sunday night, August 27. It is part of what’s billed as the Weezer Indie Rock Road Trip. What a great wrap to the summer!

Ticket info for Spoon, Weezer SLC show

You can see the Spoon and Weezer SLC show on August 27 at the Great Saltair

The first tickets go on sale for Salt Air fan club members and VIP tickets Wednesday at 10AM. Live Nation sales start Thursday and general admission on Friday. This is a spendy date.

General lawn seats are $65… so you’re close to $90 with taxes and fees just to sit in the grass with the great unwashed. Unfortunately the next step up is a VIP ticket with a premium seat and unknown “merch” (chip clip? refrigerator magnet?). VIP tix cost close to $200 all in.

If you’re not a wild-eyed superfan, I can’t recommend the mostly vague VIP options.

I’m a little lost on better guidance for seating — I have never been to Saltair. The truth is: I didn’t know Saltair was still booking acts on the south shore of the Great Salt Lake. Some coming attractions include the Thrones of Blood US tour (March 25), Kayzo – Unleashed XL (April 7), NGHTMRE (April 21) and Seven Lions: Beyond the Veil (June 9).

Not clear if these are bands or Dungeons & Dragons conventions.

Hey stop! Have you seen the daily schedule for the Kilby Block Party in May? They’re right here:

Spoon and Weezer SLC concert at end of nationwide tour

From June until the middle of September, Weezer is touring with Spoon, Modest Mouse and Future Islands. I think we are just fortunate that the Western US leg of the tour in August includes this Spoon, Weezer SLC combo. Here is the current itinerary:

  • 03-18 Tampa, FL – Innings Festival Florida

  • 06-03 Lexington, KY – Railbird Music Festival
  • 06-04 Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater $@
  • 06-06 Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory $@
  • 06-08 Austin, TX Germania Insurance Amphitheater  $@
  • 06-10 Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre $@
  • 06-11 Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater $@
  • 06-13 Minneapolis, MN – The Armory $@
  • 06-14 Madison, WI – Breese Stevens Field $@
  • 06-16 Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center $@
  • 06-17-18 Indianapolis, IN – Wonderroad Festival
  • 06-18 Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre $@
  • 06-23 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion &%
  • 06-24 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion &%
  • 06-25 Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre &%
  • 06-27 Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann &%
  • 06-28 Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater &%
  • 06-30 Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater &%

  • 07-01 Worcester, MA – The Palladium Outdoors &%
  • 07-03 Canandaigua, NY – CMAC &%
  • 07-04 Toronto, Ontario – Budweiser Stage &%
  • 07-09 Gary, IN – Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana – Hard Rock Live %
  • 07-11 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE &%
  • 07-13 Queens, NY – Forest Hills Stadium &%
  • 07-28-07-30 Naeba, Japan – Fuji Rock Festival

Weezer Indie Rock Tour heads west in August

  • 08-22 Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater *^
  • 08-24 Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre *^
  • 08-27 Magna, UT – The Great Saltair – Outdoor Pavilion *^
  • 08-28 Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre *^
  • 08-30 Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre *^

  • 09-01 Las Vegas, NV – Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood *^
  • 09-02 Irvine, CA – Fivepoint Amphitheatre *^
  • 09-03 San Diego, CA – Sycuan Stage at Gallagher Square Petco Park *^
  • 09-17 Asbury Park, NJ – Sea.Hear.Now Festival

$ with Modest Mouse
@ with Momma
* with Spoon
^ with White Reaper
& with Future Islands
% with Joyce Manor

Get ready for the Weezer Indie Rock Roadtrip

Weezer and Spoon were both very active in 2022. Weezer released four seasonal EP’s in 2022, like the Gilmore Girls reboot. SZNZ: Spring came out in March 2022 and the subsequent three EP’s for each season by December. All of this and more at Weezerpedia, which is an actual site on the interwebs. Spoon toured on the acclaimed Lucifer on the Sofa throughout 2022, including in Salt Lake City in May.

Here’s the reveal video for the Weezer Indie Rock Roadtrip. See you at The Great Saltair!

Breaking Semiwestern news! The band Semiwestern releasing full length

KevinLeave a comment
The band Semiwestern is about to release a full length LP! Listen to single "Velvet Sea" here

Attention music lovers, the best possible news: The band Semiwestern is releasing a debut LP this year, with singles to come this spring!

Who is this band Semiwestern you speak of?

In November 2022, like a delicate shot across the bow, California’s redoubtable Spirit Goth Records released “Velvet Sea.” I naturally believed this was new music. It was, in fact, a remix of a song recorded by Semiwestern’s members ten years earlier as The Vliets.

Before we go any further, listen to the updated “Velvet Sea” to understand how I swooned over this atmospheric, Luna-inflected recording. It was my #1 or #2 favorite song of the entire year. Since, then, I have listened to “Velvet Sea” approximately one billion times.

I’ll be honest, there’s not a ton of information on the world wide interwebs about either The Vliets or Semiwestern. But here’s what I can tell you.

Semiwestern, formerly The Vliets, reappear a decade later

A brief history of the world. The band Semiwestern emerged from Austin’s The Vliets (pronounced VLEETS), who were active about ten years ago. The Vliets, lead by singer Ty Bohrnstedt, released The Vliets EP in 2011 and God’s Drug EP in 2012. God’s Drug included the original “Velvet Sea.”

These early EP’s by The Vliets are more traditionally alternative. Here is “Pale Solar Stream” from 2012’s God’s Drug EP. You can hear just an echo of what Ty would mix in 2022.

In 2018, The Vliets released the Semiwestern EP, seemingly leading to the band’s current moniker. You can buy all three EP’s from The Vliets/Semiwestern Bandcamp page.

The band Semiwestern plans full release

The band Semiwestern released their transcendent remix of "Velvet Sea" on Spirit Goth Records in November. Listen to it here!

I was so smitten by the band Semiwestern’s remix of “Velvet Sea” that I inquired with both Spirit Goth and Semiwestern about a new album. Was I a wee bit stalker-y? Possibly, but not completely psycho.

Ty says “a full length album (is) coming. It’s finished but we have to shoot a few music videos and tie up a few loose ends before we set release dates. My best guess is we’ll start putting the singles out around April or so.”

That means we could be six weeks out from new Semiwestern material and I couldn’t be more excited. Will it be consistent with The Vliets indie-centric back catalogue? Or more of the California dream pop like “Velvet Sea?” We will find out!

One more platform for the single, here is the video for the updated “Velvet Sea.”

The Kilby Block Party: See the daily schedule reveal right here!

KevinLeave a comment
Kilby Court has revealed its daily lineup

Stop, this is Important Stuff: The daily Kilby Block Party lineups are now visible!

Organizers have done a fab job building out the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup, which just gets better each day. The Kilby Block Party SLC info has been out there kind of low key at the 24tix website where you buy tickets. It’s now also tucked inside the FAQs, but not headlined in any way.

So here are your headlines:

FRIDAY: Japanese Breakfast, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Cuco…
SATURDAY: Run the Jewels, Weyes Blood and Alex G…
SUNDAY: The Walkmen, Parquet Courts and what I predict will be a legendary show by Pavement.

Oh also on Sunday, The Pixies, whatever that means anymore.

If you’re wondering what day to spend your hard-earned rock and roll dollar, this may help. No times but generally your marquee acts will play later in the day.

The Kilby Block Party Friday (May 12)

  • Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  • Japanese Breakfast
  • Cuco
  • Deerhoof
The YYY, Japanese Breakfast, Cuco and Deerhoof will all be part of the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup

  • Also on Friday: Dominic Fike, Remi Wolf, Lucius, Ritt Momney, Frankie Cosmos, Jean Dawson, Alice Phoebe Lou, Westerman, Julie, Momma, NoSo, Miya Folick, The Plastic Cherries, Homephone, Sunhills

Kilby Block Party Saturday (May 13)

  • Run the Jewels
  • Weyes Blood
  • Alex G
  • The Strokes
More bands playing the Kilby Block Party SLC this year: Run the Jewels, Weyes Blood, Alex G and The Strokes

  • Also on Saturday: Hippo Campus, Caroline Polacheck, Goth Babe, Osees, Gus Dapperton, Indigo De Souza, Dreamer Isioma, The Moss, Wallice, Tamino, Grave Ives, Tanukichan, Sunsleeper, Kipper Snack, Hi Again, Anais Chantal, Josh Doss & The Cancers

The Kilby Block Party Sunday (May 14)

  • Pavement
  • The Walkmen
  • Parquet Courts
  • The Pixies
The final night of the Kilby Block Party will include Pavement, The Walkmen, Parquet Courts and The Pixies

  • Also Sunday: The Backseat Lovers, Surf Curse, Faye Webster, Crumb, Ethel Cain, Wednesday, Kate Bollinger, Spill Tab, Mannequin Pussy, Deeper, Tolchok Trio, Worlds Worst, Fonteyn, Backhand, Musor

Tickets…parking…lockers

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Pixies and Weyes Blood will be May 12-14 at the Utah State Fairgrounds

Tickets for the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup

So, good news right now, the only sold out tickets are 3-day Super VIP and Saturday Super VIP. Standard 3-day VIP tickets and 1-day VIP tickets for Friday and Sunday are still out there. Honestly, I’m not sure why I did the Super deal, the standard 3-day VIP tickets include premium viewing areas, re-entry, some kind of access to an overpriced bar, etc. Still a good investment.

Standard VIP for 3 days is $299. General admission for 3 days is $209. Spend the extra $90 believe me. All available right here.

Kilby Block Party SLC parking

It’s not great.

Apparently you can reserve parking during ticket checkout, which I didn’t do. Now that I’ve bought my tickets, I don’t see a way to go back and just pay for parking separately from my ticket purchase.

UPDATE: I found a link for official Kilby parking here. The information was actually included in the fine print of my original e-mail ticket receipt, so I herewith absolve Kilby organizers of parking neglect.

You’re probably going to end up spending $20 or $30 a day on the private lots. You can also take your chances leaving your car at the abandoned Wienerschnitzel and buy a side of Fentanyl on your way in. Or you can park downtown and ride in on Trax.

Lockers, chargers, all the Coachella photo ops!

Lockers serve as a meet up location and storage for merch and approved bags you don’t want to carry all day. Importantly, the locker is also a charging station for your phone after all those pointless, long-range shots over the really tall bros standing in front of you.

The lockers are $20 a day and you clean out your stuff before leaving like a Planet Fitness. For $60, you get a locker for three days and you can leave your leftover gyro in there until Sunday.

Daily schedule for Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup

The Kilby Court Block Party 4 is May 12-14

I hope these lineup and ticket updates are useful. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be posting profiles of some of the artists where you can read and hear their songs before they appear.

Have a question or comment about the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup or logistics? Email me at the address in the About section of the Zerovu website. You can also subscribe for e-mail alerts below.

May will be here before we know it!

Television founder, punk legend, Tom Verlaine passing at 73. What we know about his death

KevinLeave a comment
Tom Verlaine passing comes as surprise. A tribute to the iconic leader of New York's Television.

Marquee Moon is one of those few albums you’ll always remember hearing for the first time. Now thousands of fans may remember where they were when they heard of Tom Verlaine passing. He was 73.

Music pioneer Tom Verlaine passing away comes as shock

Jesse Paris Smith, the daughter of Patti Smith, with whom Verlaine frequently collaborated, announced his death today after a “brief illness.”

Best known for his groundbreaking work in the influential art punk band Television, Verlaine was an immense influence on the punk rock scene and his death leaves a lasting impression on a generation of fans.

Tom Verlaine, born Thomas Miller on December 13, 1949, had a music career that stretched back to the early 1970s, when he co-founded the influential punk band Television alongside Richard Hell and Richard Lloyd.

The band made a massive impact on the punk scene with their influential albums Marquee Moon (1977) and Adventure (1978). Verlaine released a string of solo albums throughout his career, including the highly acclaimed Tom Verlaine (1979) and Dreamtime (1981).

Verlaine rose to fame as the front man of influential 1970’s band Television

Tom Verlaine passing today ends a remarkable career that started with Marquee Moon in 1977.

Television formed in New York City in 1973, and quickly made a name for themselves with their unique blend of punk and avant-garde rock. Their debut album, Marquee Moon, released in 1977, is considered a classic of the genre. It was a major influence on the punk and alternative rock scenes that followed.

Verlaine’s guitar technique and lyrical style

Verlaine’s guitar playing was unlike anything else of his time. It blended elements of punk, blues, and jazz to create a sound that was both raw and sophisticated. His use of dissonance and complex chord progressions was a major influence on many guitarists who came after him.

Verlaine’s influence on the music world extends far beyond just his guitar playing. He was known for his poetic and literate lyrics. They often dealt with themes of alienation and urban life. He was also a major influence on the New York City music scene, helping to pave the way for the punk and alternative movements of the 1970s and 80s.

Tom Verlaine’s passing hard to believe

Before Tom Verlaine’s passing, I probably hadn’t listened to Marquee Moon for 15 years. Until about two months ago. I brought it back out to remind myself of some of the tonality that Television achieved.

Those opening bars of “See No Evil” are iconic to me as anything in rock music. Marquee Moon was as impeccable that November night in 2022 as it was when it transformed the New York scene in 1977.

“See No Evil” – Television (Marquee Moon)

With Tom Verlaine’s passing, he now sees the Torn Curtain. Rest in peace.

Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup update! Listen to headliners Weyes Blood, Alex G here

KevinLeave a comment
Update on the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup. New bands announced!

Blockbuster final guests for the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup!

The Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup has been finalized.

When promoters announced the Kilby Block Party SLC five weeks ago, they left some sly holes in their lineup. The poster was filled with stars as placeholders for bands that hadn’t been finalized. One of the acts TBD had top billing with Pavement and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Imagine the logistics of coordinating dozens of bands into a 3-day window, dickering with band managers and site coordinators. Add to that, multiple top-shelf artists TBA. Now we know who the Kilby Block Party has added, and they’re as exciting as anyone announced to date for the Kilby Block Party SLC.

Mystery bands revealed for the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup

Some new big names are coming as part of the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup. Here’s a quick rundown of new bands. These are roughly in order of my personal preference and not top billing.

Weyes Blood

Weyes Blood announced for the Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup

The heralded artist known for 2019’s Titanic Rising and last year’s And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow, Natalie Mering has enchanted audiences with her emotive, chamber folk songs. Mering came to prominence just one year before the corona, so audiences are only now getting widespread opportunity to experience her live.

Here is “Everyday” from Titanic Rising.

Bookmark the Kilby Block party daily lineup right here:

Alex G

Alex G will play in SLC this spring!

God bless his heart, on God Save the Animals, Alex Giannascoli finally gave in and used professional engineers to record a series of songs about God and animals. Previously, Alex G insisted on doing most of the work from home. I’ve listened and re-listened to God Save the Animals the last several months to synch with those who compare Alex G to the incomparable Elliot Smith.

Make no mistake Alex G is a giant “get” for the Kilby Court Block Party 2023 lineup. I’m excited to see him play!

Here is one of Kilby’s best acts you may not know! Listen to Cuco right here!

Remi Wolf

Remi Wolf will play the Kilby Block Party SLC

Funky pop soul with an NC-17 rating. Former alpine ski Olympic hopeful and American Idol contestant, Remi Wolf’s 2021 debut Juno received considerable attention. It’s pretty heady stuff, a bit of SZA, The B-52’s and The Go! Team. In fact, sampling Juno made me want to go back and listen to Thunder, Lightening, Strike.

Dominic Fike

Dominic Fike announced for the Kilby Block Party

Euphoria actor, rapper, TikTokker

Kilby Block Party 2023 lineup tickets – New info on Super VIP’s. READ THIS

Organizers of the Kilby Court Block Party 2023 lineup obviously didn’t price themselves out of the market.

According to Kilby’s website, 3-Day Super VIP Passes are sold out. You can still buy regular, not-super 3-day VIP passes for $328. A small number of single day Super VIP passes are still available at $202 per day. General admission for all three days is $234.

Credit and payment plans accepted at 24tix.com.

ALL OF THAT SAID, tonight I ordered and received a 3-day Super VIP Pass for the Kilby Court Block Party despite Kilby’s notice the ultra-super-incredible 3-day passes were sold out (see fine print in comments).

After taxes, fees, freight licenses, surcharges, inheritance and ZAPP taxes, my cost was was $432.51. Not a small amount and this includes no parking. But IT DOES get you super premium viewing and some kind of access to food trucks and alcohol that is not a cash bar.

Here’s to trusting your favorite music blogger has discovered a few of these super amazing tickets are still available.

Do it!!