Monica McGivern

​Willie Nelson
Broward Center
February 7, 2012

There is a trustworthy and relaxed quality to the experience of seeing a performer who clearly has nothing to prove, one who is simply and delightedly doing his thing. It's rare in this world, but that's what you get when you see Willie Nelson. 

That's also why the Broward Center was full last night and why folks with fake tans and yachts parked outside were clapping in unison with the bleary-eyed stoners who were peppered throughout the crowd as the night coalesced into a show-ending gospel sing-along.

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The set list drew heavily from Tool's 1996 album AEnima.

​Tool
With Yob
BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Monday, February 6

Better than: Many bands who waste more stage time on useless chatter than actual music.

About 20 minutes -- or three songs -- into last night's headlining Tool show at BankAtlantic Center, frontman Maynard James Keenan finally spoke. "Some of the songs we're playing tonight were written back when most of you were sperm," he said.

This wasn't exactly true. Yes, the set list, consisting of only 11 long, multipart songs total, came almost entirely from 2001 and before, with the most songs selected from the 1996 album AEnima. But most of the crowd, from mid-20s on up, were old enough to remember them from the first time around.
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​The Civil Wars
with Zach Williams and the Bellow
Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, February 4

Better than: Staying home on a Saturday night and watching the movie Once.
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Adam E. Smith

The sensation those exiting the Countdown Club in London circa 1964 after an early era Pink Floyd show had or the way the Ramones' fans stumbling out of CBGBs in Manhattan around 1974 felt would be analogous to my experience at last night's the Bright Light Social Hour show. More >>

Ian Witlen

​The Kills
with Jeff the Brotherhood and Hunters
Revolution Live, Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, January 28

Better than: Seeing them in front of 15 people at Common Grounds in Gainesville circa early 2000-something.

To describe the Kills show in one word would be easy: intoxicating. However, I'm not sure my editor would approve of such a short review. Still, the undeniable sexual energy flowing within the four walls of Revolution on Saturday night was pumping through everyone's bodies.

Seeing the Kills live is more than just going to another concert; it's as though you're a voyeur being invited into the duo's secret world. You can feel the unspoken connection, both musically and emotionally, that Hince and Mosshart hold between each other. It's authentic. It's genuine. And not just a product of a brand the two are trying to sell to the masses.


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Nothing says sexy like a Confederate flag.

​If many of those in attendance at the 27th Annual 99.9 KISS Country Chili Cookoff were official representatives of the United States, they'd offer a sort of dim but realistic view of American history. More >>

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Photo by Bruce W. Bedford, courtesy of TomRush.com

​Tom Rush More >>

Steven Martinez

​Anthony Green
Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale
Saturday, January 28, 2012

Saturday night at the Culture Room, sleeve tattoos were displayed, vocal cords were pushed to their limit, and a few tears were probably shed as Circa Survive frontman Anthony Green, backed by Good Old War, lead what amounted to a highly emotional, group sing-along.

Green poured his heart out from start to finish, and the audience followed suit. As he stood, drenched in sweat, chest tattoo glistening in the bright lights, droplets of moisture flinging from his effortlessly coifed hair, the faces in the crowd became flushed along with his as they shared vocal duties. And they did so with such spirit, conviction, and surprising ability that he often stepped back from the mic and let his friends carry the tune.

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​Machine Gun Kelly
Revolution Live, Fort Lauderdale
January 26, 2012

Better Than: Staying in to watch another reality show.

Cobain's back! Cobain's back! Well, not really, but anyone could have been fooled when the crowd was shouting, "MGK!" started to amp up when the DJ dropped the intro for "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Then, from out of back, the slim, tatted up Cleveland native Machine Gun Kelly rushed out to welcome the audience by stage diving.

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Monica McGivern

Little Munich: Authentic German food and brew with an occasional night of psychedelic electro rock.

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