Black Francis News

Following a triumphant tour in North America, Australia and New Zealand, THE DANDY WARHOLS announce upcoming dates this summer in Latin America and the Midwest U.S. in support of their critically acclaimed twelfth album ROCKMAKER, include Mexico City, Guadalajara, Santiago, and São Paulo. In addition, they announce shows in Chicago and Minneapolis accompanying their performance at Milwaukee's Summerfest.  Later this fall, they will be hitting UK, Ireland and European. See the new dates here!

What did our critic think of THE SLEEPWALKER OF HOLSTENWALL at CCT? Caligari introduces the audience to Cesare (the uber creepy Matthew Phillips), a sleepwalker who in his state of semi-consciousness can tell the future. Caligari tries to engage the audience in asking Cesare questions before Alan summons the courage to ask, “When will I die?”

The Met’s production of NABUCCO from Elijah Moshinsky may date back to 2001 but its style hearkens back even further--a fancy, old-fashioned unit set that uses the house’s big turntable--and it’s a whale of a show, design-wise, thanks to John Napier’s scenic design.

On the composer's long-gestating new album, Waiting Room, a rich and elegiac song cycle that draws upon film scores, neoclassical piano, and minimalist composers of the late twentieth century, McKenzie has found that honesty. It will be released on LP/cd/digital and showcases Stubbert’s textured approach and toy box take on the neo-classical style.

'Shorts & Briefs 9' by EKSENA PH is an independently produced theater festival of short plays (10-12 mins. each) that feature first-time theater practitioners and performers. 'S&B 9' is back to live performances celebrating nine years. The festival features eight plays and original stories from emerging playwrights.

Recorded by the ‘classic’ Breeders line-up of Kim Deal, Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim Macpherson, and featuring the infectiously appealing ‘Cannonball’, Last Splash immediately became an alt-rock classic, achieving platinum status in the UK and US, and is ranked in Pitchfork’s Top 100 Records of the 1990s. 

Modest Mouse will be joining forces with Pixies for the third and final leg of Pixies’ 2023 North American tour. With Special Guest Cat Power, the co-headline tour kicks off August 20 at the Stone Pony Summerstage, Asbury Park, NJ, wrapping up in California mid-September with more shows to be announced soon.

Legendary art-rock group The Residents have announced FACELESS FOREVER, their 50th Anniversary Tour kicking off at the Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR) on March 16 and hitting 22 cities before culminating in a three-night run at the Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, Calif.) from April 17 - 19, 2023.

Currently in New Zealand wrapping up Phase One of their massive 2022 - 2023 World Tour, now Pixies share initial dates for the first leg of their 2023 North American headline trek. Pixies will hit the road on May 4 at the Fox Theatre in Oakland CA, headlining shows in U.S. western states through to the middle of May.

The return of Pixies has been rapturously received, the alt-rock trailblazers reconnecting with long-term fans and introducing themselves to a fresh new audience.  In recent weeks, they’ve headlined large outdoor venues across the UK, performed as special guests to Pearl Jam in Hyde Park, and played one of their most intimate shows in years.

The iconic Pixies forged an influential path for alt-rock during their first era, while their post 2004 reunion has seen them alchemize more sophisticated dark arts - a return which has them add another three UK Top 10 albums to the three they achieved on their first run. They launch the album alongside its lead single ‘There’s a Moon On’.

Mixing history, mystery, sword play and word play, JANE ANGER takes a jab at right-sizing Shakespeare and does so with hilarious results. Billed as a “Jacobean feminist revenge Comedy,” the one-act play written by Talene Monahon provides ample opportunity for us to hate on the egotistical bard while still swooning for the versatile actor who plays him (Michael Urie).

Directed by Pixies’ Paz Lenchantin and filmed in the Los Angeles area at the San Pedro abandoned bunkers and Santa Monica's Gold Diggers Bar, the “Human Crime” music video gives the viewer a glimpse into a nether world of fairies, situated just around that next corner, parallel to our dimension, rarely seen. Plus, check out upcoming tour dates!

11-date U.S. September run that also included scheduled appearances at Summerfest in Milwaukee, and Chicago's Riot Fest.

He shared 'Burning the Ground', a smoldering slice of jangle pop, written after a hike in the Pacific Northwest, it reflects on the fires that ravaged California, overwhelmed at the thought that one day they might all be gone. 

Pixies - Black Francis, Joey Santiago, David Lovering, and Paz Lenchantin - return to the road for their first U.S. shows since December 2019. On this tour, the band will draw from their entire catalogue for their set list, and as is the norm with Pixies, the band will play a different set at each show.

On this tour, the band will draw from their entire catalogue for their set list, and, as is the norm with Pixies, there will be no firm, nightly set list - the band will play a different set at each show, with every song determined just before its first note is played.

Lead single 'Burning the Ground' is a smoldering slice of jangle pop, written after a hike in the Pacific Northwest, the song reflects on the fires that ravaged California, overwhelmed at the thought that one day they might all be gone.

On The Hardcore Humanism Podcast, Dr. Mike talks with musicians about their mental health and personal development to inspire others and offer lessons about how to lead an authentic and purpose-driven life. 

The world-famous art-rock group The Residents are never ones to look back as they are so often reinventing the face of the future. The Residents are set to release a new double disc recording, METAL, MEAT & BONE, based on newly discovered recordings of Alvin Snow (a.k.a. Dyin' Dog). METAL, MEAT & BONE features 10 Dyin' Dog Demos, 10 interpretations of the demos by The Residents, and six new works inspired by Dyin' Dog. Black Francis of the Pixies is featured on the track 'DIE! DIE! DIE!'. Rolling Stone exclusively premieres the music video for 'DIE! DIE! DIE!', which can be viewed HERE.