AZ Vibe – The Ultimate Phoenix Entertainment Resource

PHOENIX-Last week you may have heard that the ‘American Carnage’ tour with Megadeth, Slayer, and Testament played the Dodge Theater on August 27th. I’m willing to bet even some of you might have gone to the show.

What you didn’t know was that former Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks pitching legend Randy Johnson was taking photos of Megadeth’s show from various angles and perspectives. Johnson was a special guest of Megadeth and they allowed him to take many photos of the band over the course of their Phoenix show.

Normally, bands only allow photographers to take photos during the first two or three songs of a concert. Johnson appeared to have that ruled waived and got some great shots of the latter stages of Megadeth’s show at the Dodge Theater.  Photos like this you don’t see too often so it’s a really special treat when fans can see photos of bands over the course of an entire show.

Here’s an inside look at Randy Johnson taking photos of Megadeth backstage before their Phoenix show:

This isn’t the first time that Randy Johnson has taken photos of rock bands live in concert. On August 8th, during the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, Illinois, Randy Johnson took photographs of the recently re-united Soundgarden in action. Johnson became close friends with Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil when he was pitching for the Seattle Mariners and was given unlimited access to the band’s stage during their set. The link below has great shots of Soundgarden’s set along with a running story of how Randy Johnson became close friends with the members of Soundgarden.

http://www.spin.com/gallery/soundgarden-pics-baseballs-randy-johnson#main

Photos of Megadeth’s 8/27 show in Phoenix -- All Photos by Randy Johnson

Popularity: 5% [?]

PHOENIX-The Zac Brown Band will be bringing their brand of Country Fried Rock to the Cricket Wireless Pavilion on September 25th.

Opening the Show will be Robert Randolph & the Family Band who put on a great show themselves.

Tickets go on sale July 10th at 10 AM at all Ticketmaster and Live Nation outlets and by clicking the link below.

Live Nation will have a special going on from July 10th at 10 AM until July 11th at 11:59 PM where you can purchase a 6 pack of lawn tickets for only $75.00

Ticket prices are:

Reserved and Pit Tickets: $$40.50

Lawn: $26.50

Popularity: 19% [?]

Daryl Hall and John Oates seen here (above) following the heard by acting before thinking in regards to their canceling their Chase Field Gig.

By now you have heard that Hall and Oates have pussed out and canceled their Chase Field gig following the July 2nd Diamondbacks game with the Dodgers.

Below is their lame excuse (courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks) for canceling their gig. Remember this piss poor excuse when these wannabe Mensa candidates finally man up and come back to Arizona.

DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES CANCEL POST-GAME CONCERT AT CHASE FIELD BECAUSE OF PERSONAL STANCE ON ARIZONA’S NEW IMMIGRATION LAW

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today that Daryl Hall and John Oates canceled their post-game concert at Chase Field that was to take place following the D-backs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 2 because of their personal stance against Arizona’s new immigration law.

Daryl Hall and John Oates issued the following statement:

“In addition to our personal convictions, we are standing in solidarity with the music community in our boycott of performing in Arizona at this time. We would like to emphasize that this has nothing to do with the management of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have been professional and cooperative throughout our dealings with them. This is our response to a very specific action of the state.”

Other events surrounding the D-backs’ All-American Weekend, will still take place, including the Valley’s largest Independence Day fireworks show, courtesy of Gila River Casinos, following the 6:40 p.m. game on July 3 and the organization’s annual Military Day salute during the 1:10 p.m. game on July 4.

“We understand the reasoning behind Daryl Hall and John Oates not wanting to perform in Arizona at this time to solidify themselves with their peers in the music industry,” said D-backs’ President & CEO Derrick Hall. “The cancelation of this post-game concert is another example of how controversial this issue is.”

Popularity: 17% [?]

July 2 is the day you all need to put on your calendars. It’s the first installment of the Arizona Diamondbacks post game concert series with rock and pop legends ‘Hall and Oates’. They will be bringing their ‘Do what you want, be what you are’ tour to Phoenix on July 2 following the Diamondbacks 6:40 game with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

All who attend the Diamondbacks/Dodgers game will be able to see the game for free.

To purchase tickets for this game click this link.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Live Nation announced that for the entire month of June, service fees for all tickets purchased for shows at the Cricket Wireless Pavilion will waived.

Shows that are eligible for waiving of Service fees are are:

Tim McGraw with Lady Antebellum – This Thursday, June 3
Iron Maiden with Dream Theatre – June 17
Vans Warped Tour – June 29
Kings of Leon with Built to Spill & The Features – July 10
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival featuring Rob Zombie, Korn and more – July 16
Rihanna with Ke$ha – July 22
Toby Keith with Trace Adkins – August 8
John Mayer with Owl City – August 18
Green Day with AFI – August 30
Kiss with The Academy Is – September 24 – ON SALE THIS SATURDAY 10AM
Jonas Brothers with Demo Lovato – September 26
Jack Johnson with G. Love & Special Sauce and Zee Avi – October 10

Popularity: 16% [?]

The Hottest Band in the World is returning to Phoenix!! KISS will play the Cricket Wireless Pavilion on Friday September 24th. Tickets go on sale Saturday June 5th at 10 AM at all Ticketmaster outlets and via the link below.

‘The Academy Is’ opens the show for KISS

Tickets can be purchased via this link:

http://ticketsus.at/azvibe?CTY=85&DURL=http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/190044BC92911109?artistid=735455&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1

Popularity: 18% [?]

Former 10,000 Maniacs singer Natalie Merchant is going on tour for the first time in seven years. She will be performing August 17th at the Dodge Theater with an eight piece band that will perform songs from her solo career as well as songs from her new album ‘Leave your Sleep’. If you’re a fan of 10,000 Maniacs or a fan of Natalie Merchant, you don’t want to miss this chance to see her perform live.

Tickets go on sale May 8th at 10:00 AM can be purchased from Ticketmaster by clicking this link

I also suggest you check out Natalie Merchant’s Website as well. The ability to listen to her back catalog and the way it’s presented is simply amazing. The only drawback is that you can’t listen to entire songs.

http://www.nataliemerchant.com

Tickets will be priced at $55.00, $45.00 and $38.00. A special Four Pack Ticket Offer is available while supplies last.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Tickets on sale Today

Rockstar Mayhem Festival -- Featuring Korn and Rob Zombie -- Friday July 16th at Cricket Wireless Pavilion -- Doors will open at 1:30 PM -- Lamb of God and Five Finger Death Punch will also share the mainstage with Korn and Rob Zombie. Reserved tickets priced at $59.85, $49.02 and $31, a limited amount of General Admission Pit tickets priced at $75 . Lawn Tickets will be priced at $31 (plus fees). 4 pack of lawn tickets are also available for $98 (not including fees). Also on the bill is Hatebreed, Chimaira, Shadows Fall, Winds of Plague, Atreyu, Norma Jean, In This Moment and 3 inches of Blood.

Tickets can be purchased here:

http://ticketsus.at/azvibe?CTY=85&DURL=http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1900447EE02D10E1?artistid=1423692&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

Tickets on sale Monday May 3rd at 10:00 AM

Barenaked Ladies -- Dodge Theater -- Sunday July 25th at 7:30 PM -- Every ticket for this show that is purchased online will include a digital cop of the Barenaked Ladies new album ‘All Tn Good Time’. Tickets will be priced at $48.00 and $38.00 with a limited number of $78.00 Golden Circle tickets also available. 4 Pack tickets are also available for this show. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster by clicking this link.

Benise -- The Spanish Guitar -- Chandler Center for the Arts -- Sunday October 3rd at 7:00 PM -- According to the Chandler Center for the Arts website: BENISE, and his Emmy Award Winning Nights of Fire Cast, returns with a new World Music & Dance production “THE SPANISH GUITAR”.In this new show Benise’s guitar becomes the keeper of stories of glory and tragedy through times and worlds gone by, a treasure chest of inspiration. His masterful and passionate playing, brilliantly choreographed dance numbers and orchestral pieces make this show a truly magical journey.

The Password for the pre-sale is ‘Benise’ (without the quotes)

Here’s a sample of what you can expect from the show:

Tickets on sale Now

Rocky Mountain High -- A Tribute to John Denver -- June 4th and 5th at 7:00 PM -- Symphony Hall -- The Phoenix Symphony closes out its 2009-2010 Pop season with a great tribute to a Folk/Pop legend. “Rocky Mountain High -- A Tribute to John Denver” is a stirring tribute to a musical master with acompanyment by the Phoenix Symphony. ‘ According to the Phoenix Symphony’s website: Singer-songwriter John Denver’s run of signature hits made him the most beloved country-folk musician of our time. Following his untimely death, singer Jim Curry has kept his memory alive and joins three of Denver’s former band-mates and The Phoenix Symphony for a cool evening of Denver’s greatest hits. From Rocky Mountain High and Sunshine on My Shoulders, to Thank God I’m a Country Boy, this concert will take you to a time of simple pleasures and bittersweet country sentiment.

Tickets to Friday June 4th’s performance:

http://www.phoenixsymphony.org/buytickets/calendar/view.aspx?id=3761

Tickets to Saturday June 5th’s performance:

http://www.phoenixsymphony.org/buytickets/calendar/view.aspx?id=3763

Popularity: 20% [?]

Tickets on sale Friday April 23rd at 10:00 AM

Phoenix Coyotes Individual Round 2 Playoff Tickets -- Tickets for the Phoenix Coyotes 2010 Stanley Cup Playoff Second Round Games go on sale Friday. Please note that these are for individual tickets only.

Tickets on sale Saturday April 24th at 10:00 AM

Scorpions Farewell World Tour with very special guest Tesla -- Tuesday July 27th at 7:30 PM -- Dodge Theater -- You read that right, this is the farewell tour for one of the greatest heavy metal acts of all time. The Scorpions will be bringing their ‘Get your sting and blackout’ road show to the Dodge Theater. This will be the absolute last chance to hear your favorite Scorpions classics before they retire for good. Tickets will be priced at $69.00, $59.00, $45.00, $29.00 with a limited number of $89 Golden Circle tickets also available. A Special Four Pack Ticket Offer will also be available while supplies last.

Carrie Underwood -- October 3rd at 7:30 PM -- Jobing.com Arena -- Multi Platinum Recording Artist Carrie Underwood is bringing her highly successful ‘Play on Tour’ tour to the Jobing.com Arena in October. Ms. Underwood will be donating 36 cents from every ticket sold for this show to ‘Save the Children’s United States Program’. Billy Currington and Sons of Syliva will open the show.

Tickets on sale Monday April 26th at 10:00 AM

Tony Bennett -- Sunday June 6th at 8:00 PM -- Dodge Theater -- The legendary crooner brings his timeless music to the Dodge Theater for a memorable evening.

Tickets on sale Saturday May 1st at 10:00 AM

Andre Rieu -- November 29th at 7:30 PM -- Jobing.com Arena -- Andre Rieu along with his 55 piece Johann Strauss Orchestra will be performing in Glendale as part of his ‘Celebration of Music Tour’. Mr. Rieu had this to say about his upcoming tour: “Next year will be the ‘Celebration of Music Tour’. I always say that music is the most wonderful thing in the world. Music triggers emotions. I want to bring an ode to waltzes and polkas that bring joy, to romantic ballads and to many more beautiful melodies. It will be a very special night”.

Tickets going on sale Monday April 26th at 10 AM in Las Vegas, Nevada

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band -- MGM Grand Hotel -- Las Vegas, NV -- Saturday October 23rd -- 7:00 PM -- We don’t normally post out of town information like this but since Mr. Buffett will be in close proximity to Phoenix, we had to post this. Also, if you have never seen him perform in Las Vegas, you must go. He throws one HELL of a party not only at his show but with his after parties at his bars on the Las Vegas Strip.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Live Nation announced yesterday that due to unforeseen circumstances with their new album ‘Mojo’ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have rescheduled their May Phoenix show.

The new date for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Phoenix show (at the US Airways Center) is Sunday September 26th.

Tickets for Tom Petty’s May show will be honored for the new September Date.

One thing you can be sure of is a great show as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are one of the best acts you can see live today. The Petty has honed his musicianship and stage presence into their 4th decade. Check out the videos below of how he performs live. Tickets may be a bit steep but they’re worth it.

With every Tom Petty ticket purchased online you will get a free MP3 download of their new album, Mojo. Once the ticket is purchased, fans will get two new tracks from Petty’s new album Mojo. Once the album is released, ticket holders will be sent a download to the rest of the album. Furthermore, with every online purchase fans will receive free live tracks from the upcoming tour.

**Update**

Live Nation announced that ZZ Top will be opening the Phoenix show!

Tickets for Tom Petty’s September show can be purchased by clicking this link to Ticketmaster’s website

Refugee -- Live:

Breakdown -- Live:

Woman in Love -- Live:

You got Lucky -- Video:

Popularity: 21% [?]

Tickets on sale Saturday April 10th at 10:00 AM

Monster Ball Tour Featuring Lady Gaga -- Saturday July 31st -- US Airways Center -- Quickly becoming one of the best known and best selling pop artists of the modern era, Lady Gaga brings a brand new vision of her songs to the US Airways Center. Her shows have been selling out across North America and this show is sure to sell out. Semi Precious Weapons will open the show.

Jack Johnson: To the Sea Tour 2010 -- Sunday October 10th at 7:00 PM -- Cricket Wireless Pavilion -- Constantly working on perfecting his already great live show, Jack Johnson is returning to Phoenix to support his new album ‘To the Sea’. The really cool aspect about this show is that 100% of the proceeds from the tour will go to charity! Your ticket will not just allow you to see a great live act but you will also be helping out Johnson’s All At Once Community. G. Love and Special Sauce along with Zee Avi will open the show.

Tickets on sale Monday April 12th at 10:00 AM

REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar -- Saturday July 24th at 7:00 PM -- Dodge Theater -- Two of the biggest bands of the 80′s will share the stage and treat fans with a large catalog of classics. Edwin McCain will open the show.

Tickets on sale now

Baaba Maal -- Thursday April 22, 2010 at 7:30 PM -- In the Virginia G. Piper Theater at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts -- One of the brightest stars on the African continent, Senegalese master musician Baaba Maal is renowned for his fiery performances fusing funk, rock and blues with traditional West African beats and melodies. For more than two decades, he has traveled the world sharing his uplifting message of empowerment, enlightenment and peace.

Marcus Roberts Trio- Friday April 30th, 2010 at 8:00 PM -- In the Virginia G. Piper Theater at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts -- Pianist Marcus Roberts’ highly innovative and original piano style reflects his passion for great music of every genre, from the masters of jazz and classical music to his mother’s gospel singing. Blind since the age of 5, the self-taught prodigy studied classical piano and later toured and recorded with Wynton Marsalis. Now leading his own ensemble, he performs with drummer Jason Marsalis and bassist Roland Guerin.

Beatles and Friends: Sounds of the 60′s -- May 7th, 8th, 9th -- Phoenix Symphony -- Symphony Hall -- Guest conductor Michael Krajewski and Tenor Ron Evan brings many of the Beatles classic hits along with other 60′s hits from artists like the Beach Boys and the Mama’s and the Papa’s.

Tickets for May 7th performance | Tickets for May 8th Performance | Tickets for May 9th Matinee

Popularity: 21% [?]

Are you tired of looking all over the place for local Jazz happenings around town? Well, look no further than ‘Jazz in AZ’. This is a non-profit arts organization that is devoted to the promotion and appreciation of live local jazz music.

Here’s the link to their concert calendar:

http://jazzinaz.org/index.php?option=com_gigcal&Itemid=61

Make sure you check out the rest of their site and bookmark it for future use!

Popularity: 15% [?]

Michael Bolton…

…no, not that one…

…is bringing his vast catalog of hits to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Friday September 10th at 8 PM. Selling over 50 million albums to date, making countless ladies hearts go ‘pitter patter’, are just some of the ways Bolton has cemented his place in pop culture and pop history.

Playing a venue like the Chandler Center for the Arts is a unique opportunity for Michael Bolton fans to see him up close and personal. In addtion, the Chandler Center for the Arts is one of the most acoustically perfect venues in the greater Phoenix area.

Don’t miss this chance to see a musical legend in an extremely intimate venue. Tickets go on sale to the general public next Monday but….

You can purchase super-secret tickets in a pre-sale going on right now!

http://ticketsus.at/azvibe?CTY=85&DURL=http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/jlp775

Popularity: 18% [?]

Green Day is returning to the Phoenix Area and bringing its ’21st Century Breakdown’ stage show spectacular to the Cricket Wireless Pavilion on August 30th. Green Day returns almost a year after their last Phoenix appearance in 2009 (they played the US Airways Center on August 22nd) where they played for almost three hours. Opening the show will be AFI.

I personally have seen Green Day live and they are one of the few artists that actually ‘get’ how to put on a live show. Their shows are not to be missed.

Green Day also has two special offer for fans who purchase tickets to this show:

1) The Ticket Prices for all seats will not include ‘any additional fees of any kind’.
2) When tickets go on sale to the General Public, Green Day will have a very limited supply of $20 General admission lawn seats available.

You can purchase tickets before the general public by joining the Green Day Fan club:

http://www.idiotclub.com/login.php

Tickets will go on sale Saturday April 3rd at 10 AM. You can purchase tickets by calling can be purchased via the link below:

http://ticketsus.at/azvibe?CTY=85&DURL=http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/19004479E7BC1073?artistid=768353&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

Popularity: 21% [?]

Actor and Country Music legend Tim McGraw is bringing his ‘Southern Voice’ tour to the Cricket Wireless Pavilion on June 3rd at 7 PM. Opening the show will be Lady Antebellum and Love and Theft.

Tickets go on sale Friday April 2nd at 10 AM. Ticket prices will be $69.75, $45.00, and $29.25 for Reserved seats. General Admission lawn seats will be $29.25. 4 packs of Lawn tickets will be available as well for $88.00.

You can call 1-800-745-3000 to charge by phone. To purchase tickets on line just click the link below:

Advanced tickets are available via Tim McGraw’s fan club….for a fee. Details:

https://signup.mcgrawfan.com/

Popularity: 18% [?]