Why is summer typically the go-to season for tours and concerts? It’s hot out, too many unsupervised kids mill about, and somehow everything just feels more expensive. Sure, it’s hard to resist a smokey cookout and the warmth of a beach chair, but the fall offers a far more suitable choice for those looking to be all-around comfortable. For one, the weather has a personality, offering signature elements like pumpkin-scented breezes and Indian summers. Really, there are few things more life-affirming than standing outside on a cool autumn evening, even for all the summer lovin’, folks. Also, the year’s remaining top artists come out of their holes and drop their strongest work, which they celebrate by hopping into tour vans that crunch over the leave-infested roads. So, toss the swim gear in the hamper, grab a cup of cocoa, and start planning your next three months around these must-see tours.
Cold Specks
If you thought Cold Specks’ “doom-soul” only resided on record, think again. The stage is where the Canadian singer-songwriter reveals her true self. Using her commanding yet ghostly presence, she deftly conjures atmospheres of urgency, awe, heartache, and even fear. While much of her live show’s success can be attributed to her murky and emotive vocals, there’s no doubt that Cold Specks’ skills as a riveting storyteller — see: 2012’s I Predict a Graceful Expulsion and her latest album, Neuroplasticity — are what really transport audiences to another place. –Michelle Geslani
Cold Specks 2014 Tour Dates:
09/18 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
09/20 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique
09/23 – Paris, FR @ La Flèche d’Or
09/25 – Portsmouth, UK @ Wedgewood Rooms
09/26 – Brighton, UK @ Green Door Store
09/29 – Brighton, UK @ Green Door Store
09/30 – London, UK @ Village Underground
10/01 – Manchester, UK @ Band on The Wall
11/05 – Cambridge, MA @ TT the Bear’s
11/07 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
11/08 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
11/09 – Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
11/11 – Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
11/12 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
11/14 – Dallas, TX @ Three Links
11/15 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
11/17 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom
11/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
11/21 – San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall
11/23 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
11/24 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
11/25 – Vancouver, BC @ The Imperial Theatre
11/27 – Edmonton, AB @ Royal Alberta Museum Theatre
11/28 – Calgary, NW @ SAIT’s Gateway
11/29 – Swift Current, SK @ Lyric Theatre
11/30 – Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theatre
12/02 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
12/03 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
12/05 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
12/07 – Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rossa
Johnny Marr
I’ve seen Johnny Marr once before. It was during his brief stint with The Cribs at Lollapalooza 2010, but he wasn’t front and center. I blew it last year by not attending any of his shows supporting his debut solo album, The Messenger. Fortunately, the gods have granted me (and you) another opportunity to see him. Marr’s already recorded a follow-up, Playland, and he’ll be touring the US in support of his sophomore effort beginning in November. Hopefully he’ll play some of his old Smiths tunes like he did last year. –Justin Gerber
Johnny Marr 2014 Tour Dates:
10/13 – Lincoln, UK @ The Engine Shed
10/14 – Southend, UK @ Cliffs Pavilion
10/15 – Bexhill, UK @ De La Warr
10/17 – Wolverhampton, UK @ Civic Hall
10/18 – Cardiff, UK @ Great Hall
10/20 – Bournemouth, UK @ O2 Academy
10/21 – Cambridge, UK @ Corn Exchange
10/23 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
10/24 – Bath, UK @ Pavilion
10/25 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Apollo
10/27 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy
10/28 – Newcastle, UK @ O2 Academy
10/29 – Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy
11/01 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord
11/02 – Cologne, DE @ Luxor
11/03 – Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie
11/09 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
11/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11/12 – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
11/14 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
11/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
11/16 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
11/18 – Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
11/19 – Montreal, QC @ Corona
11/20 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth
11/22 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
11/23 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
11/25 – Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
11/26 – Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
11/28 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
11/29 – Aspen, CO @ Belly Up
12/01 – Missoula, MT @ Top Hat Lounge
12/03 – Edmonton, AB @ Starlite
12/04 – Calgary, AB @ Republik
12/06 – Victoria, BC @ Sugar Nightclub
12/07 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
12/08 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
12/10 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
12/11 – Eugene, OR @ Wow Hall
12/12 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
12/14 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
12/15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
12/16 – Pomona, CA @ Glass House
12/18 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
12/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
12/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead have never tried to make their emotional baggage easy to read. Watch twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace wander the stage as singer-guitarist Kazu Makino sings with a whisper, however, and things begin to make sense. With 21 years of experience under their belt, the dream pop rock trio will highlight the darker corners of this year’s Barragán. Makino’s vocals will sip your soul from your body and let it dangle until you learn to distinguish between the weight of the two and how both can drag you down. Prepare yourself. Even Makino herself could break down crying. –Nina Corcoran
Blonde Redhead 2014 Tour Dates:
09/12 – Milan, IT @ Mito Festival
09/13 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
09/14 – Aarhus, DK @ Voxhall
09/16 – Cologne, DE @ Gebaude 9
09/17 – Berlin, DE @ Frannz Club
09/18 – Hamburg, DE @ Reeperbahn
09/19 – Groningen, NL @ Vera
09/20 – Amsterdam, NL @ Tolhuistuin
09/21 – Brussels, BE @ Botanique
09/22 – Paris, FR @ Trianon
09/23 – Rouen, FR @ 106
09/26-27 – Istanbul, TK @ Hayal Kahvesi
09/29 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall
10/02 – Toulouse, FR @ Le Bikini
10/03 – Lyon, FR @ Epicerie Moderne
10/04 – Fribourg, CH @ Fri-Son
10/05 – Lucerne, CH @ Club Le Schuur
11/01 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
11/02 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
11/03 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
11/04 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
11/07 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue
11/08 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
11/09 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
11/11 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
11/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre
11/13 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
11/15 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
11/17 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
11/18 – Dallas, TX @ Granada
11/20 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
11/21 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
11/22 – Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre
11/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11/25 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
11/26 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
11/28 – Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
11/29 – Toronto, ON @ The Horseshoe Tavern
12/01 – Boston, MA @ Sinclair
12/02 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
FKA twigs
With her alluring and excellent debut album, LP1, FKA twigs has delivered on the promise of her EPs. A different kind of pop star, she’s as enigmatic and hypnotizing a performer as her sensual brand of cerebral R&B would suggest. With a backing cast of electronic-minded players specializing in underwater soundscapes ready to let the rising UK talent take center stage, twigs is sure to fully come into her own this tour. While she’s only hinted at a certain kind of stardom, the hype from her album and her mesmerizing live persona will push to her to the top. –Josh Terry
FKA twigs 2014 Tour Dates:
10/02 – Brighton, UK @ The Dome
10/03 – Birmingham, UK @ The Library
10/04 – Manchester, UK @ RNCM Theatre
10/05 – Galsgow, UK @ Oran Mor
10/08 – London, UK @ Hackney Empire
10/09 – Bristol, UK @ Trinity
10/14 – Paris, FR @ La Maronquinerie
10/15 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Noord
10/16 – Brussels, BE @ Ab Box
10/17 – Cologne, DE @ Buergerhaus Stollwerk
10/19 – Copenhagen, VEGA
10/20 – Hamburg, DE @ Mojo
10/21 – Berlin, DE @ Kesselhaus
10/22 – Warsaw, PL @ Basen
11/06 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
11/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11/08 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
11/11 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
11/13 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
11/14 – Minneapols, MN @ Fine Line
11/17 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore
11/18 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox
11/20 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency
11/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Regent
11/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Regent
11/26 – Austin, TX @ The Parish
11/28 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
11/29 – New Orleans, LA @ Republic
12/01 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
12/02 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
12/03 – Orlando, FL @ The Social
Iceage
Iceage still embrace their abrasive, post-punk roots, but they’re growing up. 2013’s You’re Nothing felt sleek and more open to sonic possibilities than 2011’s New Brigade, and it appears their third LP, Plowing into the Field of Love, could follow suit. Case in point, new singles “The Lord’s Favorite”, an absolutely infectious alt rock groove of Replacements-esque proportions, and “Forever”, a morose, angst-laden ballad in the key of Nick Cave. Could they bring the freshly-pressed suits they wore in both videos out on the road? Does this mean more of a dance party than a circle pit at their shows? It’s hard to say, but that’s the appeal of Iceage: with the lines of culture and music and personal identities so blurry, the fun comes by just diving in totally blind. –Chris Coplan
Iceage 2014 Tour Dates:
10/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church *
10/11 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery *
10/12 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
10/15 – Easthampton, MA @ The Flywheel Arts Collective *
10/16 – Boston, Ma @ The Great Scott * and Rakta
10/17 – Montreal, QC @ La Vitrola w/ Merchandise, Lower, Father Murphy
10/18 – Ottawa, ON @ Gabba Hey w/ Father Murphy
10/19 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe w/ Father Murphy
10/21 – Detroit, MI @ PJ’s Lager House *, Father Murphy
10/22 – Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle *, Father Murphy
10/23 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock *
10/24 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown *
10/25 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Music Hall *
10/26 – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive *
10/27 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court *
10/29 – Reno, NV @ Holland Project *
10/31 – San Francisco, CA @ Elbo Room *
11/01 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo * + Rakta
11/02 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo *
11/03 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *
11/04 – Phoenix, AZ @ 51 West *
11/05 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *
11/08 – Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
* = w/ Helm
Phish
Photo by Paul R. Giunta
We know, we know, Phish touring … huge surprise. That it has been standard since their reunion in March of 2009 does not detract from its splendor. Rolling in on the heels of their first studio release in five years, Fuego, the 2014 incarnation is equipped with a few new songs along the never-ending merry-go-round of old ones. The prediction of which has become somewhat of an art form for their cult-like following. Anyone who had the pleasure of seeing the band during their three-day run at Northerly Island in July can attest to their continued ability to perfectly communicate through sound — both with themselves and with the audience. Endowed with a three-night Halloween run in Vegas, this fall’s Phish tour is sure to hold the same dynamic paradigm of insanity we all know and love. –Kevin McMahon
Phish 2014 Tour Dates:
10/17 – Eugene, OR @ Matthew Knight Arena
10/18 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena
10/21 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
10/22 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
10/24 – Inglewood, CA @ The Forum
10/25 – Chula Vista, CA @ Sleep Train Ampitheatre
10/27 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
10/28 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
10/29 – San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
10/31 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Garden Arena
11/01 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Garden Arena
11/02 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Garden Arena
