gogoraleigh.com » Entertainment

Ben Folds Returning to Meymandi Hall

Dana — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:37:55 +0000

On March 22 and 23, Ben Folds returns to his old stomping grounds to once again play with the North Carolina Symphony. Tickets go on sale Monday, February 6, at 10am.

Feist Coming to Memorial Auditorium

Dana — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:04:17 +0000

On Thursday, May 3, Leslie Feist will play Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium. She is on tour supporting her October release, Metals. No word on tix yet.

A Revivalry?

Dana — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:22:58 +0000

The legendary basketball rivalry in the Triangle has always been State/Carolina. However since the Fire and Ice era, State has struggled with its basketball program, and the flower on that rivalry has faded. In the last 17 meetings, UNC has won 16 times. In NCSU era since Georgetown’s Alonzo Mourning “travelled”, State has only beaten the Heels in 11 of the 45 meetings.

This year’s NCSU team, while not a factor nationally, has many quality tools and is showing that it can do many right things under new coach Mark Gottfried. With UNC’s uncertainty since the season-ending Strickland injury last Thursday, tonight’s matchup may be one of the most interesting games between the two in decades. It is one of the first times in a while that State fans can enter this game reasonably hoping for a win, and that makes this game a lot more fun.

I’ve said all season that State and Carolina will split their regular season series, but I think that State win will come in the second meeting. Though tonight’s game should be a good one worthy of ESPN’s hype last night. The game starts at 7pm and is on ESPN.

Elton John Returning to RBC Center

Dana — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:17:08 +0000

On Friday, March 16th, Elton John returns to Raleigh’s RBC Center. Tickets go on sale to the public next Friday (Jan 27) at 10am. However the best policy for getting tickets is certainly thru presales which will likely begin on Tuesday.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Put On Hold

Dana — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:38:09 +0000

Due to a crushed sesamoid bone and a detached flexor tendon in Anthony Kiedis’ foot, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are postponing a portion of their upcoming tour. This means that the January 27 date for the RBC Center has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Tickets from the original date will be honored on the new date.

Van Halen Coming to Greensboro

Dana — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:13:52 +0000

On Saturday, April 21, a guitarist who can actually play his instrument comes to the area. In support of their upcoming CD due February 7, Van Halen makes its return to Greensboro Coliseum with the same lineup from the 2007 reunion tour: Eddie, Alex, David Lee Roth, and Wolfgang Van Halen.

This will be one of two NC dates, as the band moves on to Charlotte for a show four nights later. While I’m ecstatic that the band has two dates in the state, why would they select Greensboro instead of Raleigh to balance the Charlotte date? Is it because of ticket sales in 2007? As I recall, Raleigh was added to the tour, so by the time we knew about a Raleigh date, we had all traveled to see the band. Additionally, our date was postponed not once, but twice because of Eddie’s treatment, so it’s hard to blame a public for losing confidence that the event will happen. Of course there are other factors (like promoter relationships with venues, the band’s album sales in each MSA, venue size, etc), and there is always the chance a date in between the two gets added, but I’m not betting on it.

No word on ticket sales yet.

Corrosion of Conformity Playing Lincoln

Dana — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:45:22 +0000

On Saturday, March 3, CoC returns! Playing the Lincoln Theatre in downtown Raleigh, Corrosion of Conformity will be supporting their self-titled CD (coming 2/28). Torche, Valient Thorr and A Storm Of Light open.

Broughton Band Featured in Tournament of Roses Parade

Dana — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:08:24 +0000

Tomorrow morning (Monday) the Broughton Band will take another long-awaited step into the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. The Golden Regiment first marched this parade in 2008 and ever since rumors have floated about the actual retirement date of the band’s director, Jeff Richardson (“JR”). It was this second shot for which JR held out, and it was completely worth the wait, according to JR. After becoming active in the hosting process of the parade in recent years, the band was invited to not only return to the parade, but to march in the parade’s coveted final band slot. JR’s retirement is for real, this time, however, as his replacement will take the reins on February 1..

The parade will be aired from 11am to 1pm. While NBC is the more prominent network covering the event, HGTV (TWC Channels 1350 and 350) blows NBC’s coverage away year after year. Not only is their commentary about the craft of each float superb, they also show the marching bands for more then 5 seconds each.

Take a look at the Broughton Band during their first pass of the Raleigh Christmas Parade six weeks ago:

Get Bowled Over with Gogo’s Football Calendar

Dana — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:34:37 +0000

With the bowl season in full swing, it can be difficult to keep up with the voluminous offering of bowl games. Never fear! gogoRaleigh has your ticket with a Google Calendar of all bowl games. The events include time, bowl name, and TV listing, so you can quickly plan your viewing this week. Have fun!

gogoRaleigh Bowl Calendar

Pour House Going “1989” Friday Night

Dana — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:05:04 +0000

Have a yearning for what life in the Triangle was like in 1989? Head to the Pour House as the revived The Veldt and The Connells will play. The real question is: a) will anyone young enough to not remember the CCCP be in the audience and b) know the words to CCCP? I’ll give ‘em a price.

(maybe this time The Veldt will actually SHOW for a gig they $%^&ing BOOKED…but I’m not one to hold a grudge…for decades…)

Red Hot Chili Peppers Coming to RBC Center

Dana — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:13:21 +0000

David Menconi just reported that on Friday, January 27, the Red Hot Chili Peppers will return to the RBC Center. Reports are that the Peppers were good on the last tour (in stark contrast the the incredibly awful concert at Walnut Creek in ?2000? when the Foo Fighters blew them out of the water. Whatever happed to that “Taste The Pain”, Fugazi-covering band we loved so much, anyway?).

Missing: a great rock band from 19 long, long years ago.

No Mo – Canes Pull Trigger

Dana — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:01:58 +0000

Today the Carolina Hurricanes released coach Paul Maurice. The first and third coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, going 384-391-145 with the team for 920 games. Word is that Kirk Muller will be the new hire coming later today.

Worlds Toughest Rodeo Returning to RBC Center

Dana — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:50:18 +0000

On Saturday, January 21, the Worlds Toughest Rodeo will come to the RBC Center. Tickets are on sale and range from $15 to $90.

Lady Antebellum Coming to Raleigh

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Mark your calendars! On Friday, June 8, Lady Antebellum will play an undetermined venue in Raleigh.

Clarkson/Nathanson Coming to DPAC

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0000

On January 31 the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, will play the DPAC in Durham. Matt Nathanson opens. Tickets start at $68.

Herbie Hancock Coming to UNC

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:00:00 +0000

On Thursday, March 22, modern jazz great Herbie Hancock returns to the area. The show will be at UNC’s Memorial Hall. It appears tickets are not yet available to the public, but the information should appear here when they are.

Elvis Costello Reschedules DPAC Date

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

There is good news for those hoping to see Elvis Costello back in September. He has rescheduled the concert to April 29. Tickets are on sale now.

96 Rock Tweaks Format, Changes Name

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:59:28 +0000

Yesterday 96.1FM made some changes. Instead of playing guitar-driven rock catering to young males, the station is now playing a much more diverse playlist of somewhat softer rock songs. For example, the last 10 songs they played were:

“Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd
“Tempted” – Squeeze
“Black Betty” – Ram Jam
“Born In the U.S.A.” – Bruce Springsteen
“What It’s Like” – Everlast
“Highway to Hell” – AC/DC
“Beautiful Day” – U2
“Something To Believe In” – Poison
“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” – Blue Oyster Cult
“Selling the Drama” – Live

One thing the entire extended playlist has in common is that the songs are all more than 10 years old. While this is a more varied mix that isn’t likely to repeat songs ad nauseum during the workday (eg. Adele, The Script, Train), these are songs that have been played and played and played and played and played. This isn’t an assault on “Alternative”. It’s an assault on anything remotely creative.

Curtis Media Group also has rebranded the station to “Radio 96.1”. While it isn’t a major shift in format, it is a big enough change to warrant new branding.

What makes no sense…NO SENSE, however is the dismissal of Bob The Blade, a great personality in this market for, what, almost three decades now? If we have to endure “Don’t Fear the Reaper” for the 80,000th time, at least do it with a personality that so many people enjoy like a sibling. He was one of the bright spots in a dismal, embarrassing radio market.

If Curtis Media and Clear Channel controlled the production of food and restaurant menus, we would still be eating Pot Roast, Hamburgers, and Hot Dogs. We are one of the best places to live in America, but it surely isn’t a result of local radio’s work.

Wicked Returning to DPAC

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

On Wednesday, May 2, WICKED makes its triumphant return to the DPAC. There will be 32 performances spanning the entire month of May, so there is no excuse for not seeing it this time around! Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13.

Needtobreathe Coming to Memorial Auditorium

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:53:32 +0000

If you enjoyed Taylor Swift’s opening band, Needtobreathe, then you’ll get a chance to see them do a full show. On Thursday, April 26, the band will play Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium. Ben Rector opens. (Hopefully they won’t omit “The Outsiders” from their set this time around!)

Cirque’s The Immortal Coming to RBC Center

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:47:40 +0000

On Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11 Cirque du Soleil brings their newest show, The ~~Immoral~~ Immortal, a tribute to Michael Jackson.

Carolina Chocolate Drops Coming to UNC

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:42:16 +0000

On Friday, February 3, old-time revival band The Carolina Chocolate Drops return to the Triangle. This time they will be at UNC’s Memorial Hall. Tickets are on sale and are $69/59/49/29.

Wynton Marsalis Returning to UNC

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:37:42 +0000

On March, Wynton Marsalis returns to UNC with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, a great, 15-piece big band. The performance takes place at UNC’s Memorial Hall. From the Carolina Performing Arts season brochure:

The first jazz composer to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, New Orleans native Wynton Marsalis also was the first artist to win jazz and classical Grammy Awards in the same year. His Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) features 15 of jazz music’s leading soloists, drawing from an extensive repertoire including the masterworks of Ellington, Mingus, Coltrane and other great jazz composers, and original compositions by Mr. Marsalis, Benny Carter, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Joe Lovano, Marcus Roberts, Geri Allen, Christian McBride and others. “Extraordinarily versatile…”

– Los Angeles Times

It appears that general public tickets are not available yet. Information should appear on the CPA page as they are made available.

Mat Kearney Coming to Lincoln Theatre

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:15:25 +0000

On Thursday, January 19, Mat Kearney returns to the Triangle. This time he’ll play the Lincoln Theatre. Tickets are $20 in advance, $24 day of.

They Might Be Giants Coming to Lincoln Theatre

Dana — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 03:10:45 +0000

On Wednesday, February 15, They Might Be Giants is definitely coming to Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre. Jonathan Coulton opens the show. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 day of.