Don't Wanna Miss American Idiot

Tonight I was lucky enough to snag front row (well 5th row, if you want to be technical) seats to Green Day's American Idiot, which is currently playing on Broadway at the ST. James Theatre. The directer, Michael Mayer (of Spring Awakening fame) did a wonderful job connecting the songs together with monologues and dancing to tell the story of three friends living in Jingletown, USA but wanting to break out into the world. I don't want to give away any more than that in case you plan on going to see it (which you really should). I will tell you that you can feel the pain and anger the characters are feeling throughout the show, and that it is made possible thanks to the acting job of the three stars, John Gallagher (also from Spring Awakening), Michael Esper, and Stark Sands.

After the show, the three leads plus the director and people in charge of orchestration, lighting, and choreography all came on stage to do a brief talk back/Q&A session with some of the audience. The session was called American Idiot U, and it's a special thing that is going on for Broadway week. Oh, and Billie Joe Armstrong was there too. So that was kinda cool. They took us on a mental tour behind the making of the show, including when Mayer first came up with the idea and how Billie Joe was approached. It may surprise some avid Green Day fans to know that there was no hesitation from Billie Joe on the matter - he was actually very much into the idea from the start, or so he said at tonight's panel. Personal, I can believe it. When you write a rock opera like they did, it shouldn't be hard to imagine it when someone asks about putting it on stage. I'm gad they approved, because this theater-goer was very much impressed. For more information about the show you can visit their website. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. 

Lollapalooza Lineup Announced

It was fun playing guessing games, but now the truth is out there. The lineup for this year's Lollapalooza has been confirmed, as well as days for each band set to perform. So, are you ready?

You sure?

Alright then. Here it is:

Friday, August 6th:
Lady Gaga
The Strokes
Jimmy Cliff
Hot Chip
The Black Keys
Devo
New Pornographers
Chromeo
Dirty Projectors
Mavis Staples
Matt & Kim
Drive-By Truckers
Jamie Lidell
Fuck Buttons
Raphael Saadiq
The Walkmen
Los Amigos Invisbles
The Big Pink
Cymabalks Eat Guitars
B.o.B
Balkan Beat BOx
Wavves
American Bang
The Constellations
Javelin
Foxy Shazam
Semi Precious Weapons
My Dear Disco
The Ettes
Jukebox The Ghost
These United States
2ManyDJs
Tiga
Erol Alkan
Caspa
Peanut Butter Wolf
Cut Copy (DJ)
Ana Sia
FreeSol
BBU Vonnegutt

Saturday, August 7th:
Green Day
Phoenix
Social Distortion
Spoon
Cut Copy
Erykah Badu
Slightly Stoopid
Grizzly Bear
Gogol Bordello
Metric
AFI
The xx
Blues Traveler
Edward Sharpe
Deer Tick
Stars
Wild Beasts
Rogue Wave
Dawes
Warpaint
The Soft Pack
Rebelution
Harlem
Mimicking Birds
Kissaway Trail
Morning Benders
Royal Bangs
Dan Black
Dragonette
Skybox
Mynameisjohnmichael
Empire of the Sun
Perry Farrell
Rusko
Kaskade
Wolfgang Gartner
Joachim Garraud
Beats Antique
Steve Porter
Ancient Astronauts
DJ Mel
BBU Vonnegutt
Only Children
Lance Herbstrong

Sunday, August 8th:
Soundgarden
Arcade Fire
MGMT
The National
Cypress Hill
Wolfmother
Yeasayer
X Japan
MUTEMATH
The Temper Trap
Frightened Rabbit
Blitzen Trapper
The Cribs
Minus THe Bear
Switchfoot
Mumford & Sons
The Dodos
Hockey
The Antlers
Ike Reilly
Company of Thieves
Nneka
Miniature Tigers
HEALTH
Violent Soho
Freelance Whales
Band of Heathens
Shawn Fisher
Neon Hitch
Digitalism
Felix da Housecat
Flosstradamus
Mexican Institute of Sound
Dirty South
Nervo
Didi Gutman (Brazilian Girls)
Team Bayside High
Dani Deahl

I love all the headliners, especially Green Day, Arcade Fire, and MGMT. My biggest and best surprise though was Jukebox the Ghost being included. This band seems to be having quite a good year. They already have been on one tour and have plans for another this summer. Oh, and don't forget the trip they took to SXSW, I'm sure they won't. Jukebox have a couple New York dates coming up, including: May 29th at Bowery Ballroom and June 12th at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Anticipating Tony

Tony nominations aren't going to be announced until May, but there is already some talk as to which musicals might be nominated. Assuming they both get nominated, I personally think who wins is going to come down to one of two: American Idiot or Memphis. While American Idiot is only in previews now, it already has a lot of interest from the general public. On the other hand, Memphis not only has quite a following already, it is also a superb show with very strong elements to it. I cannot tell you which I think deserves the win until I see American Idiot for myself. I know the album it is based off of is one of my favorites by Green Day (or the rock genre for that matter) and that it has the potential to be something special. Whether that potential translates on stage and connects with audiences is yet to be determined.

New New News

Lots of new music things for us to look forward to.

1) Wolf Parade is apparently working on a new album to be released in 2010. The goal is to have the finished product ready by the spring.

2) MGMT also have a new album, which is already available for streaming online. When you're finished listening you can pre-order the album on their website.

3) The American Idiot musical is starting previews tomorrow. Buy your tickets today.

3.1) There is already talk of turning American Idiot into a movie as well. Seems Tom Hanks wants in on the gravy train. Thoughts on this? Good idea? Bad idea? Not entirely sure?

Lastly, don't forget to program your Tivo for Lost tonight. The season is heating up, and there is still a lot more to discover about the inhabitants of the island.

Green Day + Soundgarden to headline Lollapalooza

The full line-up isn't official yet, but we are starting to get news of some artists who will be at this year's Lollapalooza. Headliners include Green Day and the newly reformed Soundgarden. This will be the band's first performance since their split 12 years ago.

Excited about their reunion and/or this year's festivals? I know this news had me planning my trip to Chicago.

Kings of Leon and Green Day Highlight This Year's Grammys

In a world where Top 40 radio seems to be somewhat less relevant than it was before (at least in my opinion) the Grammy Awards provided me with one or two pleasant surprises. The biggest and best of these was Kings of Leon taking Record of the Year over Beyonce, Black-Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift. This was an extremely competitive category this year, with Kings of Leon looking like they would be the odd man out. It honestly renewed some of my faith in the music industry to see Kings of Leon win this award. This isn't to say the other nominees weren't deserving. I simply mean that the music industry seems to have turned it's back on rock music for the most part in recent years. Since this is primarily what I listen to, it has been hard to find anything on the radio that interests me. Speaking of rock music, Kings of Leon also took Best Rock Performance by a duo or group and Best Rock Song. They were nominated for Song of the Year but lost to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce. Green Day was another well-representied rock group this year, as they were nominated for three awards. Two of these were lost to Kings of Leon, but they did manage to take Rock Album of the Year, which I believe was very much deserved. 21st Century Breakdown was possibly one of the Best Albums of the Year, not just in rock but overall. Green Day was also one of the featured performers for this year's Grammys, appearing with the cast of American Idiot to perform "21 Guns". Other notable performances were given by Bon Jovi performing three of his hits, including one that was voted on by the fans. Out of three choices "Livin on a Prayer" won the most votes and was played as the end of his mini set. Overall the awards were too long (3.5 hours is a little much) but there were a few good moments that made it somewhat worthwhile.

American Idiot Moves To Broadway

Green Day has transformed their Top Selling album "American Idiot" into a stage musical. Previews started at Berkeley Repertory Theatre but will move to Broadway this spring. Previews for the Broadway production will begin March 24, 2010 and opening will be on April 20, 2010. The show is directed by Michael Mayer, who won a Tony for directing "Spring Awakening". A version of "21 Guns" recorded by the cast of the show is currently available on iTunes.