Live shows are a tricky beast.  On one hand, fans have come to expect a specific sound based on studio recordings, created in a confined establishment with no outside interference, and the ability to correct and re-correct an infinite amount of times.  On the other hand, if a band plays their songs exactly as recorded, they are criticized for not bringing anything new to their stage performance.  What many people don’t consider is the third variable: differing sound from venue to venue.  TV on the Radio is a very talented band – there’s no question about that; but on May 30th, performing at the historic Burton Cummings theatre in Winnipeg, that third variable came into play – and not in a good way.

(On April 20th, 2009, Emily Haines and Jimmy Shaw surprised Winnipeg with a free acoustic show at The Pyramid Cabaret.  I was lucky enough to sit down with the two of them before the show and find out a little bit about what makes them who they are.  Traditionally, I would edit this article down to around 1,200 words, but I feel that with all the things we discussed, it would be a disservice to Emily, Jimmy, and you, the reader, to cut out anything but the most mundane exchanges.  Therefore, this article was originally published in three parts on May 5th, 6th and 7th, 2009.  Please enjoy.)

Telekinesis! refuses to be tied down. It starts out slow with “Rust,” which is layered and lovely. It is a wistful snapshot; of his heart, Michael Benjamin Lerner (who is Telekinesis) sings, “It pumps something that I could not call blood/ and why’d it have to stop when you said love?” But by the time the second track, “Coast of Carolina,” really gets going, you’re somehow fully prepared for the unapologetically exciting, foot-tapping, larger-than-life sound it throws at you. At times reminiscent of early Rogue Wave (think “Publish My Love” off of Descended Like Vultures, in particular), this album is both lively and heartfelt, carefree and melancholy. Its tracks manage to be catchy without being completely mindless.

A fascinating thing happened on the night of March 28, 2009: I went to a great concert where the lineup consisted of local bands.  Sure, that might not sound very interesting, but I was so excited for it that I invited everyone I knew.  This meant that instead of going alone or with one other person, I risked tarnishing my reputation as someone who thinks  she knows good music when she hears it.  At one point, it crossed my mind that my expectations may have been poorly founded since I based them on various songs posted on MySpace.  The result?  Let's just say MySpace came through for me.

How do you describe the un-imaginable, the aspects of life that you dream will come true, even if there is a shadow of a doubt lodged in your head that they may never come full circle? Fantasies became reality for Toronto, Canada's Metric. While trying to live their dreams for the past decade, it seems at this moment in time, cloud nine could not be any higher for the group. With an upcoming American tour, and a highly anticipated, fourth studio album Fantasies being released on April 14th, you could easily say that everything is falling into place just as planned. Stay tuned for an exclusive Pop Zap review of Fantasies within the next few weeks.

Check the press release after the jump:

They brought us fuel, they brought us fire, and now Metallica has truly brought their fans what they desired, another world tour. The Death Magnetic world tour kicked off March 28 in London, England and Metallica will be touring until the middle of December. All things considered, this tour is similar to previous Metallica tours, but nonetheless impressive for the legendary grouping of James, Lars, Kirk, Robert. Although there have been a few member changes in the past, they still manage to bring the rock every show. Be ready when tickets go on sale, they won't be available for long -- expect the clan of Metallica fans to snatch them up quickly.

For more ticket information check out Live Nation, press release after the jump:

It's been twenty years since Kravtiz dropped his rookie debut, and now he is back in collaboration with Virgin/EMI to re-release a lengthed version of Let Love Rule. With his message of hope, Kravitz will begin a 55 city European tour beginning April 17th in France, find me some tickets and I'll be there instantaneously.

 Check out the press release after the jump:

Spring Begins With Blooms of Fresh, Local Talent!

I have not been looking forward to a show this much since The Watchmen (the band, not the movie) last year, and what better way to begin concert season than with a talented, local lineup?

There is something to be said for three previously unknown bands on one ticket that have captured my attention so much that I've invited all my friends (and all their friends).

The talented, motivational and versatile lyricist known as Mos Def is back at it again, he is ready to release his 5th album entitled The Ecstatic on June 9,2009. The ever evolving emcee is back with arguably his best work to date, head over to his MySpace and check out a few of the upped tracks from the new album. Just based on what is available to listen to, the rest of the record should be most definitely be a masterpeice.

Check The press release after the jump:

After canceling tour dates earlier this year, 7 time Grammy award winners Coldplay are back to make amends with a four city stop in Canada amidst their busy European tour, to continue to promote their newest album Vida La Vida. It's hard to believe that with the success that they are currently running on, that Coldplay will be calling it quits in less than two years time. Like Michael Jordan, Coldplay is going out while a top of the game, let's just hope that when they make there comeback wearing the "4" "5", it lasts.