The LA artist defines pop perfection in her live show Meg Smith performing at The Masquerade (Photo by Noah De Los Rios) On January 31st, Meg Smith brought  Girls Just Wanna Go On Tour  to Altar at Atlanta’s Masquerade. The venue filled quickly, and anticipation was high leading up to her set. Meg Smith with fans in ATL (Photo by Noah De Los Rios) Meg Smith in Atlanta (Photo by Noah De Los Rios) Meg took the stage at 8 p.m. and immediately she drew a strong reaction from the

The multi-hyphenate challenges Georgians to shift the narrative surrounding the local arts scene Withdrawal director/writer/editor Aaron Strand Indie. In both movies and music, the term has lost much of its original meaning. What was once a proud signifier of independent, unconstrained production is now often minimized to a marker of genre or aesthetic. As big-budget companies continue to misconstrue the label for their own use, filmmaker Aaron Strand is here to show that tr

The singer/songwriter's widespread acclaim continues in Atlanta Daffo performing live at The Masquerade (Altar) (Photo by Magali Rivera) Daffo  is the alternative, introspective brainchild of Gabi Gamberg. Though the singer-songwriter is only 21 years old, they have a long list of accomplishments already behind them. They opened up for some big names last year including Wednesday and Blondshell, and constantly get comparisons drawn between them and Adrianne Lenker of Big Thie

The "Critter Country" songstress shares the story behind her new EP Americana artist Meels talks with Art Seen ATL (Photo by Jim Hughes) Folk, Americana, and country are sewn together by a beautiful thread: storytelling. These genres are often recognized for their ability to communicate deep truths underneath creative allegories, parables, and fables. Fresh off the release of her Across the Raccoon Strait EP , Meels brings a little bit of twang, a handful of metaphors, and a

A Georgia-grown sports flick gears up for a groundbreaking national release If there’s one thing Signing Tony Raymond proves, it’s that good things come to those who wait. The film industry is notorious for overlooking the little guy. Though the studio system of Old Hollywood is long gone, the field is still dominated by big players. Investors tend to avoid taking chances on smaller projects and opt for familiar faces to fill seats. This weekend, sports dramedy Signing Tony

The legendary nu-metal revivalists bring their chaos back home with a lineup of local stars Silly Goose headlining Goosefest 2026 (Photo by Mikey Smith) Nu-metal group Silly Goose  assembled Atlanta’s finest last weekend to play the first annual Goosefest  at The Masquerade’s Hell  stage. Backed by the legendary venue, the chaotic and beloved band cemented themselves as titans in not only their 90s revival niche, but also as heroes of their local scene, giving up-and-coming a

...Chicken isn't vegan? Reel Friends Presents Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Photo by Mikey Smith) Nearly sixteen years after its release, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World remains a key part of the pop culture pyramid. Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s acclaimed graphic novel series, the film’s popularity has only increased with time. The movie continues to influence style choices, expand music tastes, and strike fear into the heart of evil exes everywhere. On Saturday, the Plaza Theat

The rising ATL rockers close the year out with a victory lap at our city's legendary venues Penelope Road returns home to celebrate an incredible year (Photo by Magali Rivera) Penelope Road has made quite the year of 2025. They completed a seemingly nonstop tour across the US, including opening up for some big names like Teddy Swims, Goose, and Lake Street Dive. They also notably signed to Warner Records, solidifying their continued growth, talent, and hard work. After their

HAIM meets Halsey in this "alt-gay grief rock" outfit Kelly Romo at The Masquerade (Photo by Mikey Smith) Before the holidays kicked into high gear, fans braved the cold and ventured to Purgatory at The Masquerade to see Kelly Romo , a rising queer rock outfit out of Atlanta. Helmed by Kelly Romo herself (vocals/rhythm guitar/keys), the band consisted of Trae Berry (guitar), Julien Dorothy (bass), and special guest Sam Horwitz (drummer). Openers included 80s-synth squad Monta

Rock and roll gets a bewitching, queer-femme rebrand ATL rock outfit Cash Honey (Photo by Mikey Smith) July 2024 marked the first time I ever camped out for a show. Jack White. Terminal West. Sold out. A handful of student tickets at the door.   My brother and I sat in the scorching Atlanta heat for three hours, fingers crossed and foreheads dripping as we prayed to make it inside. During our time on the sidewalk, we met Schuyler Heflin. A fellow musician and music nerd, she

The Detroit rapper's experimental shift pays off on his nationwide tour with a cast of rising stars Danny Brown performing in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) Rocking a setlist full of tracks from his latest release, Stardust , Danny Brown  brought in a huge crowd alongside friends and feature collaborators underscores and Femtanyl . The trio’s huge, hyperpop light-show spectacular felt perfectly at home amongst the excited ATL fans at The Masquerade’s Heaven stage. Femtanyl in

The group tours their highly acclaimed 2025 album for new and longtime fans Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band in ATL (Photo by Joe Chiarella) December 2nd marked a distinctive milestone for R yan Davis & the Roadhouse Band . Their album New Threats From The Soul  appeared on a staggering number of “Best of 2025” lists, earning well-deserved acclaim. It's a beautiful album full of vivid stories spread across unconventionally long songs.  Ryan Davis performing at The EARL (Photo

The influential artist calls for love and kindness in his immersive and eye-opening live show David Byrne's Who is the Sky? Tour in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) On a cold December night in Atlanta, thousands flocked to the Fox Theatre  to see the legendary David Byrne for his second night at the historic venue. Touring his newest project, Who is the Sky? , Byrne has a new story to tell of his life in the state of the 2020s soundtracked to music from his expansive, 50-year c

With a bill of local stars, Wieuca and CDSM give fans a high-energy night of ATL music Wieuca performing at Aisle 5 in Atlanta (Photo by Joe Chiarella) On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Atlanta showed up to support three of the most exciting local bands in the scene right now. The room was completely packed and the music was chaotic and loud. The evening started off with Janie Danger , whose brand of noisy raw punk resonated with the crowd. The audience quickly cleared a l

A pop-punk trio from Milledgeville gets real about the "undying" local scene Milledgeville pop-punk outfit blue. (Photo by Mikey Smith) When faced with tragedy, it’s easy to feel alone. Though the wounds of loss may never totally heal, community and art can serve as a beacon of hope. Milledgeville’s own blue. knows this truth well, and they want you to know it, too. Together, Trevor Weaver (vocals/guitar), Tyler Brantley (bass), and Gavin Glover (drums) have created a head-b

Leif Vollebekk in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) When it comes to singer/songwriters throughout the last 15 years of folk, Leif Vollebekk acts as one of “your favorite artist’s favorite artists." A Newport Folk Fest veteran and Juno Award nominee, Vollebekk took his Revelation Tour to The Loft @ Center Stage  in Atlanta. In his time there, Leif gave an energetic performance, proving his skills as a showman. Leif Vollebekk performing his newest release, Revelation , in ATL (Ph

The rock troupe returns with a new lineup for an intimate yet powerful evening in Atlanta Band of Skulls performing in Atlanta (Photo by Joe Chiarella) Band of Skulls made their return to Atlanta last Monday night, marking their first headlining show here since 2016. Immediately upon entering The EARL , it was clear I was surrounded by Band of Skulls' most dedicated fans, sporting tour shirts and sharing stories of seeing them at Music Midtown or opening for Jet this summer.

The underground legends strengthen their influence while sticking to their roots They Are Gutting a Body of Water in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) Last week, Philadelphia shoegaze stars They Are Gutting a Body of Water (TAGABOW) sold out The Masquerade’s Purgatory stage in Atlanta. Playing cuts of their latest record, LOTTO , the band highlighted DIY aesthetics and underground attributes on their biggest headlining tour to date.  Stab opening for TAGABOW in ATL (Photo by Mi

What I learned as a first-timer in the cult of the Cullens The sold-out screening for Twilight at The Tara (Photo by Mikey Smith) Confession: I’ve never seen Twilight. Olivia, you call yourself a film buff, yet you’ve never seen THE greatest piece of vampire cinema to ever grace the silver screen? I know. I’m as disappointed as you are. Somehow, between my semi-sheltered homeschool upbringing and mistakenly writing the franchise off as low-brow kitsch, I survived my teenage y

The Tennessee singer turns stories into songs at his beautiful live show Hunter Metts playing The Loft @ Center Stage (Photo by Mikey Smith) A rising star in the indie Americana scene, Hunter Metts , gave a stellar performance on Tuesday night in Atlanta at The Loft @ Center Stage . Through his personal songwriting and charismatic storytelling, Metts proves himself as a force to be reckoned with in the modern music scene. Hunter Metts in Atlanta (Photo by Mikey Smith) Playing