The Church thrills with marathon length performance in Chandler, Arizona

Who: The Church

Where: Wild Horse Pass Showroom in Chandler, AZ

When: Friday, Oct. 6 2023

Next: Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha, NE, Oct. 9; The Magic Bag in Ferndale, MI, Oct. 11 

Information: thechurchband.net

Review and photos by Robert Kinsler

Steve Kilbey at Wild Horse Pass
Showroom in Chandler, AZ.

One of the more groundbreaking and original modern rock ensembles to ever emerge from Australia, The Church has created a sound and extensive discography that is as impressive as it is timeless. Under the continuing leadership of founding member Steve Kilbey (lead vocals, bass guitar) since 1980, the band is currently on a North American tour in support of their 26th and most recent masterwork, 2023's The Hypnogogue as well as an impressive 15-track disc titled Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars that is only available to concertgoers who pick it up at the merchandise table at the troupe's shows (you can read this writer's review of the Deluxe edition of The Hypnogogue HERE).

On Friday night (Oct. 6), the Church performed a 26-song set at the beautiful Wild Horse Pass Showroom in Chandler, AZ that centered on the superb recent material from the quintet, while also revisiting the band's beloved early material. 

From left, Ashley Naylor and Steve Kilbey.

What was clear whether the Church was performing newer originals (indeed, the band opened with the reflective "Ascendence," the opening track on The Hypnogogue) or classics from the band's 1988 masterwork Starfish was that it's impossible to think of another band that creates an immersive soundscape like the Sydney-spawned outfit. At the Chandler concert, the Church combined sumptuous psychedelia-laced pop that fused layers of bewitching layers of guitars and sparse keyboards with hypnotic rhythms and undeniable melodies that wash over the listener with the power associated with more hard rocking bands. And Kilbey's deep baritone vocals remain a wonderfully distinctive fit with that winning sonic tapestry.

Lead guitarist Ian Haug.

Among the early standouts in the set was "Destination" with luxurious multiple vocals a centerpiece of a particularly effective and nuanced arrangement adding power to the track's unsettling and probing lyrics. The buoyant follow-up "Metropolis" with its infectious chorus and memorable guitar lines, and a dynamic "Columbus" bolstered by waves of guitar textures provided by Ian Haug, Jeffrey Cain and Ashley Naylor were equally forceful. The swirling rhythm-minded "Kings" (featuring the drumming of Nicholas Meredith), melodic "The Unguarded Moment" (the latter was the band's first radio hit, off the Church's 1981 debut album Of Skins and Heart) and a mini-set of acoustic tracks ("Old Coast Road," "Albert Ross" and "Fly") were all showcased in set 1 of the night.

Steve Kilbey enjoying the moment.

Set 2 found the Church continuing to play with artistic might, including on the gorgeous "Realm of Minor Angels" (enhanced by Haug's mandolin work), swirling art rocker "C'est La Vie," a haunting take on "Under the Milky Way," ethereal rocker "Grind" (the latter showcasing Haug's top-tier lead guitar work), opulent "I Think I Knew" and literate psychedelic foray "Second Bridge."
For the band's welcome encore, the Church performed the mesmerizing extended version of "Reptile" and a fiery jam-filled "You Took."

From left, Ashley Naylor, Steve Kilbey and Jeffrey
Cain at Wild Horse Pass Showroom. 

The Church continues its North American Tour with dates scheduled through early November 2023. Visit the band's official website HERE for upcoming concert dates.

Billy Idol to release expanded reissue of self-titled debut album July 28 via Capitol/UMe

BILLY IDOL TO RELEASE EXPANDED REISSUE OF SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM JULY 28 VIA CAPITOL/UME FEATURING UNRELEASED 1982 CONCERT AT THE ROXY + RECENTLY UNEARTHED EXTENDED CLUBLAND REMIX OF “WHITE WEDDING” ON TOUR THIS SUMMER 

June 21, 2023—Rock legend Billy Idol is releasing an expanded edition of his self-titled debut album on July 28 via Capitol/UMe. The reissue includes the original 10-track album, the previously unreleased August 12,1982 concert from The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA as well as the recently unearthed and previously unreleased 12-minute Clubland Extended Remix of his classic song “White Wedding” from Idol’s debut. 

You can pre-order the deluxe 2CD and pre-save the reissue HERE. Fans are also encouraged to celebrate the release of this iconic album with a Dolby Atmos®️ aural upgrade by GRAMMY®️-winning engineer Paul Hicks who has remixed albums in Atmos®️ for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison and more. 

Idol will continue to take his lauded live show on the road this summer with a select run of headline tour dates. The run of shows includes a debut performance at New York City’s Kings Theatre, D.C.’s The Anthem, and Boston’s MGM Music Hall, as well as an appearance at Jazz Aspen Snowmass with the Foo Fighters. Performing a career-spanning set featuring his iconic hits and new music from his latest EPs, Idol will be joined by his longtime band, including his collaborator and lead guitarist of over forty years, Steve Stevens. 

See below for the full routing. Idol embarked last week on the first-ever Generation Sex tour in the U.K. and E.U. The punk supergroup, comprised of Idol and Tony James from Generation X as well as Steve Jones and Paul Cook from Sex Pistols, will perform at festivals and headline gigs around Europe, playing selections from each band’s extensive catalog. In addition, Generation Sex will play at the legendary Glastonbury Festival this weekend. For 46 years, Billy Idol has been one of the faces and voices of rock’n’roll. Between 1977 and 1981, Idol released three albums with Generation X as their camera-ready frontman. In 1982, he embarked on a transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated the bold and simple lines of punk and rock’n’roll decadence. Last year, Idol released his latest project, The Cage EP, via Dark Horse Records. 

The new music follows Idol’s 2021 The Roadside EP, which received praise from fans and critics alike. In January, Idol was honored with the first Hollywood Walk of Fame Star of 2023. The ceremony included guest speakers Henry Rollins and Shepard Fairey. 

BILLY IDOL (EXPANDED EDITION)
TRACKLIST

DISC 1—BILLY IDOL

1. Come On, Come On
2. White Wedding (Part 1)
3. Hot In The City
4. Dead On Arrival
5. Nobody’s Business
6. Love Calling
7. Hole In The Wall
8. Shooting Stars
9. It’s So Cruel
10. Congo Man
11. White Wedding (Clubland Extended Remix) [Previously Unreleased]

DISC 2—LIVE FROM THE ROXY, 1982 (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

1. Baby Talk
2. Untouchables
3. Come On, Come On
4. Hot In the City
5. Dead On Arrival
6. Heavens Inside
7. Ready Steady Go
8. Hole In The Wall
9.Shooting Stars
10. Kiss Me Deadly
11. White Wedding
12. Nobody’s Business
13. Dancing With Myself
14. Mony Mony
15. Triumph

BILLY IDOL LIVE 2023

August 27—Vancouver, BC—PNE Amphitheatre
August 28—Spokane, WA—Spokane Pavilion
August 31—Bonner, MT—Kettlehouse Amphitheater
September 2—Loveland, CO—Budweiser Events Center
September 3—Aspen, CO—Jazz Aspen Snowmass*
September 8—Washington, DC—The Anthem
September 9—Boston, MA—MGM Music Hall
September 12—Brooklyn, NY—Kings Theatre
September 16—Camden, NJ—WMMRBBQ
September 17—Washington, DC—The Atlantis
October 20, 21, 25, 27 & 28—Las Vegas, NV—The Cosmopolitan

*w/ Foo Fighters

Coachella 2023 lineup announced! View the lineup and get all the details on the two-weekend festival coming in April 2023!

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2023 LINEUP WITH

BAD BUNNY, BLACKPINK, BLONDIE, FRANK OCEAN

RETURNING TO THE DESERT

CALVIN HARRIS

DESPACIO ALL WEEKEND LONG

VERY LIMITED WEEKEND 1 PASSES REMAIN

REGISTER NOW FOR ACCESS TO PASSES AT COACHELLA.COM

Los Angeles, CA (January 10, 2023) – Coachella returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA for two weekends set for April 14 – 16 and April 21 – 23, 2023 with Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris, Gorillaz, Björk, Burna Boy, ROSALÍA, Eric Prydz presents HOLO, Kali Uchis and more performing both weekends. (Full lineup as of January 10 below).  Very limited Weekend 1 passes remain. For your best chance at passes, look to Weekend 2. Register now for access to passes at coachella.com. Presale begins Friday, January 13 at 11am PT. This is a presale and does not guarantee pass type, packages or camping. YouTube returns in 2023 as the exclusive livestream partner for both Coachella weekends on our official YouTube channel; delivering iconic performances, exciting behind-the-scenes content, and so much more to millions of fans around the world.   Official Hotel Packages that bundle festival passes with local lodging and transportation are available for weekend one and weekend two, sold exclusively through Valley Music Travel. For more festival information and updates, please visit www.coachella.com. The complete Coachella lineup in ABC order is as follows: $uicideboy$ ¿Téo? 070 Shake 1999.ODDS 2manydjs A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Adam Beyer  AG Club Airrica Alex G Ali Sethi Angèle Ashnikko Bad Bunny  Bakar Becky G BENEE Big Wild  Björk BLACKPINK Blondie Boris Brejcha boygenius BRATTY Burna Boy  Calvin Harris Camelphat Cannons Cassian Charli XCX Chloé Caillet Chris Stussy Christine and the Queens Chromeo Colyn Conexión Divina DannyLux Dennis Cruz + PAWSA Despacio  Destroy Boys Diljit Dosanjh  Dinner Party ft. Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington DJ Tennis + Carlita Doechii Dombresky Domi & JD Beck  Dominic Fike Donavan's Yard DPR LIVE + DPR IAN DRAMA EARTHGANG  El Michels Affair Eladio Carrión Elderbrook Elyanna Eric Prydz Presents HOLO Ethel Cain Fisher + Chris Lake FKJ Flo Milli Fousheé  Francis Mercier Frank Ocean Gabriels GloRilla Gordo Gorillaz Hiatus Kaiyote Horsegirl Hot Since 82 IDK Idris Elba  Jackson Wang Jai Paul  Jai Wolf Jamie Jones  Jan Blomqvist  Joy Crookes  Juliet Mendoza Jupiter & Okwess Kali Uchis Kaytranada Keinemusik Kenny Beats Knocked Loose Kyle Watson Labrinth Latto Lava La Rue Lewis OfMan Los Bitchos Los Fabulosos Cadillacs LP Giobbi Maceo Plex  Magdalena Bay Malaa Marc Rebillet  Mareux Mathame Metro Boomin Minus the Light MK Mochakk Momma Monolink MUNA Mura Masa NIA ARCHIVES Noname  Nora En Pure Oliver Koletzki Overmono Paris Texas Pi'erre Bourne  Porter Robinson  Pusha T Rae Sremmurd  Rebelution Remi Wolf Romy ROSALÍA Saba Sasha & John Digweed Sasha Alex Sloan Scowl SG Lewis  Shenseea Sleaford Mods Snail Mail SOFI TUKKER Soul Glo Stick Figure  Sudan Archives  Sunset Rollercoaster Tale Of Us TESTPILOT The Blaze The Breeders The Chemical Brothers The Comet Is Coming The Garden The Kid LAROI The Linda Lindas The Murder Capital Tobe Nwigwe TSHA TV Girl Two Friends UMI  Uncle Waffles  Underworld Vintage Culture Wet Leg Weyes Blood WhoMadeWho  Whyte Fang Willow  Yaeji Yung Lean YUNGBLUD Yves Tumor ### ABOUT GOLDENVOICE Goldenvoice, creators of Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival, operates successful Los Angeles and Bay Area music venues including the Fonda Theatre, The Roxy Theatre, El Rey Theatre, The Novo, Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, The Regency Ballroom and The Warfield. Goldenvoice holds exclusive booking deals at Brookside at The Rose Bowl, Santa Barbara Bowl, Mountain Winery and Frost Amphitheatre. They also have produced events such as Desert Trip, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Day N Vegas, Just Like Heaven and many more. Beginning as an independent punk rock promoter in the early 1980s, Goldenvoice grew to be the preeminent alternative promoter in Southern California by forging strong relationships with both bands and music fans. Currently, Goldenvoice promotes over 2,000 concerts a year in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada plus recently adding North American tours to their growing list of accomplishments. For additional info, please visit www.Goldenvoice.com.

New Wave Icons DEVO To Donate Licensing Revenue to Benefit Ukraine

Media release: For Immediate Release

DEVO ANNOUNCE THEY WILL DONATE LICENSING REVENUE FROM THEIR SONG CATALOG TO ORGANIZATIONS HELPING SUPPORT UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND REFUGEES

THE INITIATIVE STRIVES TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TO FOLLOW SUIT

LOS ANGELES – (March 21, 2022) In response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and atrocities levied against the Ukrainian people, New Wave pioneers and platinum-selling music icons, DEVO, announced today that in addition to making their own personal monetary contributions, they will be donating their licensing revenue from their song catalog for the entire month of April 2022. The money will go directly to Music Saves UA and World Central Kitchen, two organizations on the ground helping to directly support the Ukrainian people and refugees. The group is encouraging others to join them in this effort.

“Vladimir Putin’s rape of a sovereign nation, Ukraine, whose citizens are committed to democratic rule of law should not and cannot stand in the 21st Century,” shared Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale of DEVO. “To help the victims of Putin’s unprovoked war, DEVO will be donating these revenues from the licenses of our song catalog throughout the month of April. We invite our rights holder partners in masters and publishing matters to join us in doing the same. Further we encourage all successful recording artists to do something similar to help make this gesture reach critical mass.”

Music Saves UA is a non-profit fundraising project created to provide immediate humanitarian help, including medical, food, water and hygiene, to those who need it most right now in Ukraine. Learn more at musicsavesua.com

"The whole team at Music Saves UA is incredibly grateful for all the donations and constant help and support from the world of music and culture,” says Music Save UA representative Vlad Yaremchuk. “Our incredible team and dozens of volunteers who joined our cause are working 24/7 to provide supplies and aid via our humanitarian HQ in Kyiv. Every penny that reaches us is put to good use immediately, especially as we work to establish new centres on the Moldovian and Romanian borders for those fleeing. Every act of support is invaluable for us and we deeply appreciate it.”

World Central Kitchen, founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, is a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals in response to crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. In response to the Ukraine invasion, WCK has activated in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Hungary, where they are providing meals for as many people as possible at border crossings, shelters, and other locations along the journey by working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks, and their own field kitchens. Learn more at wck.org

DEVO has a longstanding dedication to political and social activism. Known for hits like “Whip It,” “Beautiful World” and “That’s Good,” as well as for a career that spans across more than four decades and touches everything from music, art, television, movies and more, the group and its members are credited not only for pioneering the music video but also for using music and performance art as commentary on conformity, emotional repression and dehumanization.

New Music: Berlin, Blue Öyster Cult, Embrace, Van Duren, Todd Rundgren

Groundbreaking artists are featured on a collection of fantastic new gift-worthy releases available now.

Artist: Berlin

Title: Strings Attached (August Day Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Berlin, No Doubt

Tell me more: Orange County, California-spawned synth pop favorites Berlin have returned with Strings Attached, a project that finds the trio's beloved 1980s line-up featuring singer Terri Nunn, singer/multi-instrumentalist John Crawford and multi-instrumentalist David Diamond performing classic and new tracks with the backing of a full orchestra. The versions of enticing New wave classics such as "The Metro," "No More Words," "Masquerade" and "Sex (I'm A...)" as well as the enduring #1 hit ballad "Take My Breath Away" don't supplant the original recordings but do add a contemporary touch that will please long-time fans while likely introducing Berlin's groundbreaking sound to a new generation (writer's tip: it is a blast to listen to this disc with headphones). Other great songs on the set include the defiant symphony-meets-synth dance track "Now It's My Turn," gorgeous "On My Knees" and lush "You Don't Know." A limited edition 4-disc box set of the collection (complete with a signed postcard from the band) is available exclusively for a limited time via the group's official website. Information: BerlinPage.com.

Artist: Blue Öyster Cult

Title: Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016 (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

You might like if you enjoy: Blue Öyster Cult, Rush 

Tell me more: Like Rush, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young, classic rock greats Blue Öyster Cult has continued to dip into their recordings vault to issue an ever-growing number of exceptional archival treasures. Look no further than Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016, a terrific performance captured on the second day of the Rock of Ages Festival in Seebronn, Germany in July 2016. The Stony Brook, New York-spawned troupe's set is fiery and polished, and includes their most beloved cuts representing their singular hybrid of prog, classic and hard rock styles. The ambitious styles-blending "Golden Age of Leather," driving harmonies-adorned "Burnin' For You," blues rocker "OD'd On Life Itself," electrifying "Harvest Moon," primal sing-along "Godzilla" and marathon take on "Don't Fear (The Reaper)" all are performed with power and artful perfection on the title. The multi-format title Live At Rock Of Ages Festival 2016, issued on Dec. 4 for the first-time ever, is available on CD+DVD, stand-alone Blu-ray or via 2LP vinyl. Information: BlueOysterCult.com.

Artist: Embrace

Titles: Out Of Nothing; This New Day (Craft Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Travis, Keane

Tell me more: Two of the best rock albums of the first decade of the 21st century, Embrace's 2004 album Out Of Nothing and 2006 follow-up This New Day have each received their first-ever vinyl reissue. Yours truly has the limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing of "Out Of Nothing" and it's truly glorious; the anthemic "Ashes," graceful "Gravity," wistful "Someday" and beautiful "Looking As You Are" sound spectacular. The long-sought-after reissues of the English rock quintet's #1 U.K. albums were cut at London's Metropolis Studios and include printed inner sleeves. Each vinyl reissue also includes a download card of the album. Information: CraftRecordings.com.

Artist: Van Duren

Titles: Are You Serious?; Idiot Optimism (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, Big Star, the Raspberries 

Tell me more: Memphis underground hero Van Duren is celebrated on two terrific full-length releases; new reissues of his 1978 debut Are You Serious? and the originally-ignored sophomore follow-up Idiot Optimism make a remarkable case for a renewed look at a singer-songwriter whose talents as top-tier singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist draw comparisons with Alex Chilton of Big Star, Todd Rundgren and Paul McCartney. Coming from the rich scene that yielded Big Star and Chris Bell, Duren's recordings reveal themselves with timeless song craft and an otherworldly connection with melody. The yearning "Chemical Fire" and "Waiting," soulful "Grow Yourself Up" and "New Year's Eve," dreamy "So Good To Me (For the Time Being)," potent "Yellow Light" and McCartney-flavored "The Love That I Love" are among the undeniable songs on Are You Serious? 

Idiot Optimism — recorded in 1979 and 1980 — was not released until it was issued in Japan without any input from Duren in 1999. The 2020 remastered reissue sets the record straight with 14 tracks (one a medley of two songs), new album artwork, and many previously-unseen photos featured along with detailed new liner notes.The songs here are as strong as on Duren's debut; the rocking "Bear With Me All The Way," heartfelt "Tennessee, I'm Trying," passionate "That," fervent "Life In Layers," joyful "Torn In Half," tuneful "Andy, Please" and a rousing cover of Chris Bell's "Make a Scene" further certify Van Duren's brilliance and instincts as an artist.

The two titles are available on audio CD, LP, limited-edition colored vinyl and digital. The artist's self-penned liner notes bolster the power of these important reissues. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Todd Rundgren

Title: Flappie (Cleopatra Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Utopia, Todd Rundgren, Danny Elfman

Tell me more: The new Todd Rundgren single "Flappie" is a true surprise sonic stuffer. The holiday song — the original recording is a perennial favorite in The Netherlands penned by Dutch comedian Youp van 't Hek — was released by Rundgren on Dec. 2, 2020. It chronicles a unsettling Christmas holiday in 1961 and Rundgren's approach is in the spirit of the decidedly dark tune. Information: ToddRundgren.com.

Media release: Erasure announce new album "The Neon"; listen to the lead track

Check out the latest exciting music-minded media release to land in my inbox. Great news that Erasure is set to return with another album...

Erasure / Photo credit: Phil Sharp

ERASURE (Andy Bell and Vince Clarke) have announced details of their eighteenth studio album, The Neon, and share the album’s luminous opener, “Hey Now (Think I Got A Feeling)”. Listen here.
 
The 10-track album is out August 21 on Mute and will be released digitally and on standard and deluxe limited editions of vinyl, CD and cassette.
 
Pre-orders via Mute or the band’s shop will give priority ticket access to future tour dates. Pre-order The Neon here.


The Neon is a place that lives in the imagination. It could be a night club, a shop, a city, a cafe, a country, a bedroom, a restaurant, any place at all. It’s a place of possibility in warm, glowing light and this is music that takes you there.
 
Written and produced by Erasure, the album’s initial sessions saw Vince and Andy reunite to work on the follow up to 2017’s World Be Gone with a fresh optimism and energy, in part born from their own recent personal projects. Vince goes on to explain, “Our music is always a reflection of how we’re feeling. Andy was in a good place spiritually, and so was I – really good places in our minds. You can hear that.”
 
Taking inspiration from pop music through the decades, from bands Andy loved as a child through to the present day, he explains, “It was about refreshing my love – hopefully our love – of great pop. I want kids now to hear these songs! I wanted to recharge that feeling that pop can come from anyone.”
 
The album’s vocals were recorded in Atlanta, Georgia, with Vince joining Andy at the studio sessions, and the mixing was done by the band in London earlier this year. Photographs were shot at that time in the unique environs of Gods Own Junkyard, a gallery housing a huge collection of vintage neon. Andy enthuses, “I felt like it was being inside a virtual reality game. I loved that it felt like being in a different world. That’s what I want our new album to convey.”
 
The Neon offers us warmth and a brilliant brightness in our times. It connects us to our pasts and our futures as it glistens with hope. It creates beautiful places where our imaginations can roam, bringing us together, twinkling and beaming. The Neon transports us to a celebratory world, now and forever, illuminated and alive.

The Neon Tracklist
1. Hey Now (Think I Got A Feeling)
2. Nerves of Steel
3. Fallen Angel
4. No Point In Tripping
5. Shot A Satellite
6. Tower of Love
7. Diamond Lies
8. New Horizons
9. Careful What I Try to Do
10. Kid You’re Not Alone
 

Pre-order The Neon

Listen to “Hey Now (Think I Got A Feeling)”

 

ERASURE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC

MUTE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD