Win tickets to Orion Music + More!
Want to win tickets to Metallica’s rad-tastic Orion Music + More Festival? I thought so! Check out the contest below…
Profilin’: Neal G.
Neal G. is totally rad. He sells, wheels and deals, and charms the hell out of our future clients. He’s super tall, quite handsome, has a LOVELY wife who is much smaller than him. Oh… and he also runs to work sometimes. Yes, he runs all the way from home into downtown and to work. HOTT.
1) What do you do at Front Gate Tickets?
Talk with venues, festivals, and promoters all across North America about the awesome products and features Front Gate Tickets offers that can help them sell more tickets and promote and grow their business. If you’re interested in selling tickets through Front Gate, call me. Seriously – I’m your guy.
2) What are some bands you’re really digging right now?
All over the place right now – Robert Ellis, Perfume Genius, Kurt Vile, Sbtrkt, JD McPherson. Last week I only listened to Radiohead though because I went going to their ACL Live taping.
3) What’s the best show you’ve ever seen?
Sticking with Radiohead on this one – summer of 2000 I saw Radiohead in Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce . I walked to the Piazza at about 11am just to make sure I’d be front and center by the time they came on. “How to Disappear Completely”, “Planet Telex”, “Bones”, all the new Kid A stuff… the Italians were going nuts and I really thought I may have been crushed to death during a few sets, but it was epic. Hum in ’95 or ’96 in Houston was awesome too. (Hum rules. – Shrie)
4) What’s your absolute favorite book and why?
“The Young Lions” by Irwin Shaw. It’s an old WWII novel that twists your conscience, blurring the line between good vs evil, and leaves you attached to men on both sides of the battle.
5) If you could hang out with one band/artist or music industry mogul who would it be and why?
Right now it’d be Bill Graham – just to see him in action and hear his story in person would be incredibly inspiring. He persevered through some serious obstacles and setbacks in his early life which would have sidelined most people, but, in spite of it all, really did amazing things in his life. It’d also be really cool to hang with Levon Helm.
6) Would you care to share an interesting tidbit about yourself?
I’m feeling very uninteresting compared to my coworkers – semi–pro violinist, heir to the zipper inventor, food critic – that’s a high bar! Hmmm, as a summer job in college I worked on an offshore oil rig. That’s interesting, right? My boss was a legally blind crane operator everyone called Pork Chop (I never knew his real name) and he nearly killed me on two separate occasions… one of which I ended up with a broken ankle. We also rode out two hurricanes one summer and I was once somehow the only one around when a fire broke out. Looking back, I’m really glad I stuck with it, but even more glad I don’t have to go back. Now at the Front Gate office the worst injury I may sustain is a Nerf gun hit to the head. I’ll take it.
Fun. at Warehouse Live Review
Tuesday night, I trekked down to my native Houston to see one of my favorite bands fun. perform a sold out show at Warehouse Live. Fun. is an indie pop supergroup, featuring Nate (formerly of The Format), Andrew (formerly of Anathallo) and Jack (my personal favorite) who is currently the frontman of Steel Train. I had never seen Warehouse Live, one of my favorite Houston venues, so packed! I was worried that this was due to the recent success of their youthful ballad “We are Young,” which was featured on Glee and in a Chevy commercial . But I was happy to see that most of the crowd passionately sang along to every song, old and new.
I arrived as the opening band Avalanche City took the stage. I thoroughly enjoyed their set, especially the creepily beautiful violin prevalent in many of their songs. Avalanche City is a folk band from Auckland, New Zealand and I found myself dancing along while in line at the merch table to get my exclusive fun. and Revel & Riot t-shirt. “The Streets” and “Love Love Love”, from their new EP, are highly recommended tracks if you’re just delving into the band’s sound.
Fun. took the stage to a rowdy, rambunctious crowd and opened with “One Foot” from their latest album Some Nights. I love the uniqueness of Nate’ voice, but the album is so full of auto-tuned vocals that I wasn’t sure what the songs would sound like sans digitization. The rawness of his voice live was SO much better than on the album. Jack’s guitar solos were aggressive and bold, and so much more powerful than the latest album features. The show continued with songs from Some Nights and their 2009 release Aim and Ignite. A few of my favorites of the night were “At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used to Be),” “It Gets Better,” and my most recent favorite “Some Nights.” Of course “We Are Young” was a crowd favorite, and the mood of Warehouse Live was transformed into mass frenzy when the first notes played. At Nate’s request, we belted the background “Na-na-nas” with wholehearted spirit while he pleaded “Carry me home tonight.”
Between stories about a wandering crawfish and asking what day of the week it was, the band would humbly pause and smile in disbelief at the massive roaring crowd. It was cool to see a band with such sudden mainstream success still be in awe of a devoted audience.
All in all, fun.’s performance exceeded my expectations. This was one of the rowdiest, most jam-packed concerts that I have been to and it was a sweaty, rocking, ridiculously good time.
Setlist:
- One Foot
- Walking the Dog
- All the Pretty Girls
- Why Am I the One
- All Alone
- It Gets Better
- Barlights
- Carry On
- Gambler
- Some Nights (Intro)
- At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used to Be)
- We Are Young
- Some Nights
Encore:
- All Alright
- Take Your Time
Erin L., Marketing Intern
Conquering those post-SXSW blues
Now that SXSW is over and the 20,000+ people that flock to Austin each year have left, you may be wondering what you can do to help cope. We’ve compiled list of things to do this week, whether you’re thirsting for more party or needing a little R&R.
Does SXSW leave you craving more live music? Don’t worry because tons of great bands are heading our way soon!
- The Naked and Famous- March 23rd at Stubb’s
- Young the Giant w/ Grouplove- March 25th at Stubb’s
- Huntress, Cruxiter, and Metalloyd- March 25th at Dirty Dog
- Bone Thugs-n-Harmony feat. Krayzie and Wish w/ Dilemma- March 27th at Antone’s
- Todd Rundgren- March 28th at La Zona Rosa
- Hot Chelle Rae- March 29th at La Zona Rosa
Maybe you’ve had your fill of concerts for a while, but still crave the party!
- Thursday Night Social Club- March 22nd at Coldtowne Theater
- Cage Match! and Standup- March 23rd at Coldtowne Theater
- 80s Dance Party- March 23rd at Highball Austin
- The Wine Down- March 28th at ACL Live Front Porch
Or maybe you need to detox your body from all the booze and tacos that SXSW so graciously provides. Unwind, relax, and enjoy the view at these chill locations.
- Westlake Wellbeing- Get a soothing peppermint massage and foot scrub at this West Austin spa! Check Groupon for super cheap deals
- Yogagroove- Whether you’re experienced or not, Yogagroove offers Bikram yoga classes, as well as massages at the Healing Hands Clinic.
- St. Edwards Park- Located in NW Austin, St. Edwards Park is a great place to hike, bring your pup, or explore the outdoors.
Erin L., Marketing Intern
Morning After Party 2012 in pictures
You came, we saw and we sure as hell all conquered. This year’s Front Gate Tickets Morning After Party during SXSW was bigger, and without a doubt better, than it’s ever been. We weathered the SXSW festivities and satisfied our empty hungover bellies with amazing breakfast tacos, bloody marys and mimosas galore. We EVEN had a live graffiti artist keepin’ it real for the hoards of music-lovers.
But don’t forget the music! Oh sweet, sweet music. We were OH SO VERY fortunate to have the lovely sounds of Elle King, Yellow Ostrich, J Roddy Walston & the Business, Buxton, Jonny Corndawg and Lucero grace our stage this past Friday. It was a whirlwind of awesomeness and we love you for showing up to our little piece of Austin heaven.
PS: And MANY thanks to our sponsors: JammyPack, Tito’s Vodka, Smart Water, Vitamin Water, Brown Distributing, Cook’s Champagne and Sweet Leaf Tea.
Howdy Tioga Trails Cafe!
Tioga Trails Cafe is one of our newest clients, and we gotta say… we sure dig their style. Situated on the main drag in Owego, NY, Tioga Trails is housed on the first floor of a charming former hotel. Their ravishingly beautiful red oak dance floor just begs for a little boot scootin’ and raucous swingin’.
Intimate and charming, and fleshed out with a professional sound equipment, stage and lighting system, the Tioga Trails Cafe might just be your one stop shop for everything from concerts, weddings, seminars and more. Say hello to our newest ticketing partner, Tioga Trails Cafe! Howdy!
See some of their current shows and events that are on sale!
SXSW tuneage and ATX goodness
Oh SXSW… we meet again. You, delectably raucous and mad. Me, grimy sweat cementing my already-sticky bangs to my forehead and glowing with a giant musical smile on my face. You always offer too much fun and so little time, and the rare opportunity to glimpse our musical heroes trekking the dusty downtown streets alongside us on their way to the next big show. You bring us the best of the best, an ever-evolving (and impossible to follow) lineup of bleeding-edgers and lauded mainstays. We’re glad you’re back… we’re just steadying ourselves for your onslaught of awesome.
Excited about all of this SXSW hullabaloo? Want to delve into our carefully curated playlist of bands you may not have heard before but will be rocking your world come two weeks from now? Coming in from out of town (or are a hardy ATXer yourself) and need a little advice on the best Austin has to offer? Yes, yes… and YES!
Go no further. Scope our excellent Spotify playlist of exciting artists playing the fest this year AND pin your little heart away with our SXSW + ATX Pinterest board. You’re welcome.
Hey there, Coondog Concerts
The stellar clients are just a’rolling in these days… and we’re eager to introduce you to the newest client to jump onboard: Coondog Concerts!
Not only does Coondog Concerts book shows, but they are a full-service entertainment organization. Their experienced team is putting together turn-key events left and right in both the Nashville area and in southeast Texas.
Their very first show with Front Gate Tickets is onsale now! Don’t miss Trapt at The GiG in Beaumont, TX. And reach out your internet arms with exuberance and give these new guys a big ole hug! Welcome to the team.
Get your “metal” on with Motorbreath Entertainment
Drumrooollll please! Say hello to our newest, and most bludgeoning, client to date: Motorbreath Entertainment. They promote, manage and book the biggest, and baddest, metal shows in Austin and beyond.
In the past, Motorbreath Entertainment has worked with the likes of metal giants Sepultura, Rigor Mortis, Legion, Immolation, Kittie, Evil United and scads more. Don’t miss their first Front Gate Tickets event, Havok / Legion / Bonded By Blood / Exmortus / Witchaven / Speedwolf / Spellcaster at Betsy’s Bar on March 16th!
Give an evil, metal-studded, welcome to our new friends, Motorbreath Entertainment.
SnowMont Music Fest + you
Brrr…. it’s chilly! Well, not here in Austin, Texas but DEFINITELY in Killington, Vermont where the 1st annual SnowMont Music Festival is going down in just a little over a month (March 30 – April 1)!
Imagine it: fresh powder on a clear sunny day, endless hills to ski at your leisure, a lineup of kickass bands and artists to provide the soundtrack to your chilly endeavors. And you can have this, and more at SnowMont this year!
Just to give you a teaser of the greatness, check out this lineup:
Snoop Dogg
DJ Shadow
The Flaming Lips
Big Boi
Chromeo
Diplo
Lotus
Z-Trip
Kid Sister… and loads more!
Don’t miss out on this snowy music-laden winter wonderland experience… Killington, VT… March 30th to April 1st. BE THERE.
