I was able to check out a little cable TV the other day, and saw a preview that The Black Keys were going to be on a great show on the Travel Channel called Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. I don’t have cable TV, but some episodes are on Netflix …if you have that. You’ll probably have to wait a while for this newer episode to be added to the queue though.
If you are not familiar with the show, I highly recommend it. One thing that I remember Anthony say that I totally agree with is “Be a traveler, not a tourist.” I can relate to that completely. I love to travel, but hate tourist traps. Here’s more info on Anthony -> wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain
I was so happy when The Norva Theater opened here in Norfolk, Virgina. From what I remember…(I can’t be bothered to do any research..geez.) the guy (Bill Reid) that opened it was part of TicketMaster and had a major part of the Virginia Beach Amphitheater being built. I seem to remember he had a falling out with TicketMaster and broke free from them, and I believe won a lawsuit…and with the monies, opened The Norva. ( I love saying ‘monies’!)
After some years of the Norva being very successful (it was named one of the Top 5 Venues in Rolling Stone a few years back), the new owner bought a theater in Richmond, Virgina called The National. I’ve been to the National, and I really like it. I saw Pinback there. It was a former depression-era movie theater, so it has a balcony and is decorated really ornate. It is awesome…But you know what I REALLY like about the Norva (which is basically a box)? It’s 20 minutes from my house!
What I thought would happen is bands would then only perform in Richmond, and not travel all the way to Norfolk for another show. It’s easier to just hang a right after Richmond, and go to North Carolina or a left and go to Philly or New York and the rest of New England. Unfortunately it has come true. I’m not saying it’s the venue owners fault, it just sucks…
Just from the bands that are currently scheduled…here’s what I see:
St. Vincent performing at The National in May – The Norva? No
Puscifer performing at The National in June – The Norva? No
Last month Jane’s Addiction played The National. The Norva? No
Some bands, like Clutch, perform at both venues. They rock.
It just sucks driving an hour and a half each way (that’s 3 hours being on the road, round-trip) and you never know what the traffic is like coming thru the Hampton Roads Bridge/Tunnel. You could sit there for a hour and miss the opening band!
Now the latest news is Of Montreal is performing at The National on Wednesday June 13th 2012. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 day of the show (plus fees).
Great to be back at HipsterApproved World Headquarters in scenic Ocean View, Virginia.
Just completed a short visit to the hipster city of Columbus, Ohio. Watch for photos to be posted soon…like this one…
Anyway..my mailbox had some cool stuff in it… For example the new Soundgarden song ‘Live To Rise‘ available as a FREE download on iTunes. All hipsters have iTunes, right? The song is great! It’s off of the Avengers soundtrack.
Speaking of iTunes…Jack White is providing streaming of his entire debut album Blunderbuss – free for a limited time. I’ve been listening to it, and I really look forward to getting a copy of my own on April 24th 2012! It’s some of his best work…And that statement is huge!
Also, speaking of great new music…I’ve been listening to a lot of the new Shins release Port of Morrow. It’s genius. I was lucky enough to get the 4-track acoustic EP because I got it at an independent record store (Birdland in Va Beach). I recommend trying to get it.
I just wanted to let all the Hipsters know that Record Store Day is coming up. It is Saturday April 21, 2012.
Our local stores that are participating are Skinnies in Norfolk, AFK Records, and Birdland in Va Beach. Oh yeah…and Fantasy in Newport News. I think everyone, not just Hipsters, should support our local record stores. There’s a great documentary I saw about this subject called ‘I Need That Record!‘ that I recommend you see.
While checking out the RSD site I came across this awesome video released by KCRW about vinyl records that I found very entertaining because I understand where these guys are coming from…
Please support local businesses, or we’ll be taken over by the Man…in a big box.
Hey…just wanted to send a reminder to those hipsters that wait to get their ticket until the day of the show…the Black Keys are at the Ted Constant Center in Norfolk, VA tomorrow March 23 2012. Tickets are a whopping $47.50 or $42.50 depending on where you sit. Yikes!
“Make sure to come out early for our Rockin’ Pre Show prior to The Black Keys Concert! Party starts at 6:00pm and will be located outside on the plaza of The Constant Center. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Live music, corn hole and fun entertainment for all will be provided!
The first 250 fans to the Pre Show will also get a free guitar pick! Don’t miss your chance to walk away with some awesome gear!”
I also highly recommend watching the opening band, the Arctic Monkeys.
If someone could get me on the guest-list (plus 1?), I’d love to write a review of the show. Just send me an email to info@HipsterApproved.net for info. Thanks!
The Shoes are an electro duo from Reims, France and you could say they are France’s answer to Calvin Harris. They feature Guillaume and Benalways. Debut album ‘Crack My Bones’ is due on March 7th on Southern Fried and features a number of guest appearances including Esser, CocknBullKid and Wave Machines. They’re certainly well connected having produced a couple of tracks for Shakira’s new album and remixed the likes of Ladyhawke, Marina and the Diamonds and Golden Silvers.
So were you able to watch Saturday Night Live last night to see Jack White perform songs from his forthcoming solo release ‘Blunderbuss’?
I think he was great! The first song he played was ‘Love Interruption’, the single that is currently available on iTunes. The song is an acoustic duet with Ruby Amanfu. Jack’s backing band was all female for this song.
The second song of the night was a rocker called ‘Sixteen Saltines’. This time Jack was on electric guitar with an all male backing band. At times his drummer would rock SO HARD that he had to stand up! You must check it out…
Just got a message from Third Man Records letting me know that ultimate Hipster Jack White will be performing two songs from his new debut solo release called Blunberbuss on Saturday Night Live March 3rd. The first single ‘Love Interruption’ is available on iTunes now. The full release will be April 23rd.
I was able to check out a little cable TV the other day, and saw a preview that The Black Keys were going to be on a great show on the Travel Channel called Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. I don’t have cable TV, but some episodes are on Netflix …if you have that. You’ll probably have to wait a while for this newer episode to be added to the queue though.
HipsterApproved.net 