The intimate tour promoting her EP, Mosh Pit, makes Maris' path to superstardom clearer than ever Maris performing live at The Masquerade in Atlanta (Photo by Joe Chiarella) I've never been more certain that an artist is destined for superstardom than I am with Maris. Her performance was polished as if she were a seasoned act playing for an arena-sized audience, yet took place in The Masquerade's intimate Altar venue. She radiated confidence on stage, performing inches away f

The folk outfit had an intimate night with fans soundtracked to deep cuts from their legendary catalog Bright Eyes at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) When Bright Eyes announced they would be touring with Lullaby for the Working Class—the group that built the connections and laid the groundwork for their sound and style today—in some of America’s most intimate venues, I was excited to say the least. I’d seen them play The Tabernacle in Atlanta in 2025, and

Touring alongside The Shins and Silversun Pickups, the group's latest tour is made for all generations of Weezer fans Weezer at State Farm Arena in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) ATL just got Weezered! Last Saturday, the alternative rock crew packed out State Farm Arena as part of The Gathering Tour, and as a first-time attendee of one of their shows, I felt the love in this career retrospective dedicated to the fans. Nikki Monninger of Silversun Pickups (Photo by Mikey Smith

The tour affirms everyone's favorite former bad girl's status as an artist's artist Charli XCX's Music, Fashion, Film Tour in Atlanta (Photo Credit: Henry Redcliffe) When you make it to the top of the world, where can you possibly go from there? From 2024 to 2025, hyperpop phenom Charli XCX rode the high of “brat Summer,” a culture-shifting season celebrating the lime-green album that infiltrated the ears of critics and wannabe bad girls everywhere (myself, unabashedly inclu

The not-so solo project of Jack Antonoff brilliantly combines synthpop and Springsteen at Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta Bleachers in Atlanta at Coca-Cola Roxy (Photo by Mikey Smith) There comes a time in every young person’s life in which they break free from the musical course set before them and venture into sonic worlds beyond the family minivan’s radio. It is a pivotal, often life-altering moment, representative of newly-found footing and a sprouting sense of self. Bleachers

The singer's latest tour gives vintage vibes at Coca-Cola Roxy Suki Waterhouse at Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta (Photo by Noah De Los Rios) On September 29, Suki Waterhouse brought her "Loveland" tour to Atlanta and took over the Coca-Cola Roxy. The night featured romantic indie-pop sounds, cute looks, and interactions with her fans. Waterhouse performed songs from her newly released album Loveland, as well as hits from her previous albums. As usual, the stage decoration perfectl

The striking director's work is on full display at the upcoming Taradrome series Ken Russell on the set of The Devils (Photo Credit: @clockwork_wb) This fall, Atlanta’s reigning video rental store, Videodrome, will be partnering with The Plaza and The Tara Theatres to screen works from one of the most audacious and striking auteurs of the twentieth century: Ken Russell. Russell’s (1927-2011) work spans decades and formats, ranging from film to photography to art to opera, wi

The independent shop promises to pass on the layered history of skate culture to a new generation Nathan and Jennifer Friend, owners of Wreckon Skate + Vinyl (Photo by Jessica Vue) The love for skateboarding and music perfectly intertwines at Wreckon Skate + Vinyl Shop in Kennesaw, Georgia. It soft opened on January 10th and officially opened on May 30th, and the store is just one mile and a five-minute drive away from the city’s only skate park, Swift Cantrell. The owners, c

The theatrical metal outfit tells tall tales at their biggest Atlanta headliner yet Castle Rat performing live at The Masquerade (Heaven) (Photo by Joe Chiarella) "Now is forever!" screamed the Rat Queen on stage. Nearly 1,500 fans replied, "In this realm!" in unison. The band is Castle Rat, a medieval fantasy doom metal band from Brooklyn that has developed a massive following over the last year. The band's cultish fanbase has propelled them from playing Atlanta staples like

With its well-rounded cast, attention to detail, and evident reverence to the text, the City Springs Theater Company was able to do great justice to such a technically-demanding, humane work Les Misérables by City Springs Theater Company (Photo Courtesy of CSTC) “Do you hear the people sing?” Loud and delightfully clear. Based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, Les Misérables became a worldwide phenomenon and a mainstay of modern musical theater ever since its initial English-langu

The hyper-experimental artist reaches a next-level connection with The Eastern's sold-out crowd Jane Remover's sold-out ATL show at The Eastern (Photo by Mikey Smith) Since discovering Jane Remover’s debut projects (Frailty, Teen Week, Census Designated, Dariacore, etc.) around 2023, I immediately was blown away by how much talent was placed on display promising such great potential. Following in the footsteps of breaking hyperpop boundaries from DeadAir labelmates such as Km

The iconic queer band remains as honest as ever while still being a blast to see live MUNA at The Eastern in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) Prior to seeing MUNA live, I was notified via the band’s Instagram that their Atlanta tour stop would be quite a bit different than their usual fare. Naomi McPherson, one of the leading faces of the pop/rock trio, would not be present due to personal matters involving the loss of their mother. Fans and fellow band members shared their con

The singer's latest WOR$T GIRL IN THE WORLD tour solidifies her status as a genre-bending dancepop princess Slayyyter performing at The Eastern in ATL (Photo by Joe Chiarella) Standing inside The Eastern on Monday night among more than 2,000 fans packed shoulder to shoulder, one could easily forget how quickly Slayyyter's popularity has grown this year. When the WOR$T GIRL IN THE WORLD tour was announced in March, her Atlanta stop was originally booked at a venue less than a

The group's Shaky Knees late-night set was a crazy, high-speed gift for ATL fans Knocked Loose's intimate, sold-out ATL show at The Masquerade (Heaven) (Photo by Mikey Smith) “It’s 1 o’clock in the f—king morning,” yells Bryan Garris, lead singer of Louisville’s Knocked Loose, in a sold-out, sweat-dripping room at The Masquerade’s Heaven stage. Lining up all the way to the back of the venue’s parking garage, the half mud-covered, half storm-soaked crowd cheers as the group ri

The singer throws a party for Atlanta fans to celebrate his music at Coca-Cola Roxy Juanes at Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta (Photo by Noah De Los Rios) Juanes’ concert in Atlanta last week created a vibrant celebration of Colombian culture and music. The entire evening was a party for those who love Juanes' work; the audience was lively and supportive from start to finish. The most impressive aspect of Juanes' concert was the audience. They were all so happy and enthusiastic, and

From legacy favorites to future headliners, the ASA staff reveals who they're most excited for at this year's edition of the city's favorite festival ASA reveals who they're most excited for at Shaky Knees 2026 (Photo Credit: Ismael Quintanilla III) It’s official: we’re one week out from Shaky Knees! Atlanta’s favorite rock fest is right around the corner, and fans are counting down the hours until Piedmont Park opens its stages and gates. This year’s lineup is stacked, to sa

That Friend, directed by Will Sterling and Alex Wall, made its Georgia premiere as the closing night film of the Athens Film Festival on Aug. 29, following its premiere at Tribeca in June That Friend made its Georgia Premiere at Athens Film Festival (Photo Credit: TMDB) Many movies, and especially many independent movies, can be difficult to sell. That Friend however, sells itself. All that an audience member needs to see is this indelible promotional image of actors Josh B

The third annual Athens Film Festival took place from Aug. 27-30, featuring over 100 independent films across six venues. Executive Director Chuck Griffin provides insights into the intricacies behind this year’s edition The Third Annual Athens Film Festival (Photo Credit: Rouse Photography) The Athens Film Festival kicked off its 2026 festivities on Aug. 27, beginning a four-day-long celebration of cinema that concluded on Aug. 30. The festival, located in the heart of downt

Two rising bands in the indie rock scene team up for a co-headlining show at one of Athens' favorite venues Winyah performing at Georgia Theatre in Athens (Photo by Magali Rivera) Winyah kicked off their co-headlining tour with Penelope Road at the tail end of August, ending the run of shows in the Southeast with two nights in Athens, GA. The indie rock band from Pawleys Island, South Carolina has spent their summer playing everything from headline gigs to festival slots to o

The trio of performers command the venue's sold-out crowd with heavy hits Faetooth performing at The Masquerade (Altar) in Atlanta (Photo by Joe Chiarella) At a swelteringly hot Altar, Faetooth, Latter, and bosses demonstrated three distinct ways to command a sold-out room with heavy, loud, crushing music. Faetooth was originally scheduled to play in April but had to postpone due to illness, leaving fans eagerly anticipating this show for months. First up was bosses, forming