Music that Hits Close to Home

When I see that one of my favorite bands announces a US tour, I'm really not expecting to see any Toledo dates. But I have always liked the fact that I can usually find a concert within a three hour drive or so, giving me a perfect excuse for those weekend roadtrips.

I know you have friends in Columbus, Ann Arbor, Cleveland, or Detroit, so I've listed some shows coming up that might not be here in town, but could be worth checking out if you have a friend with a futon in the area.

UP NORTH

White Williams 1/17 Magic Stick, Detroit
Mars Volta 1/23 St. Andrew's Hall, Detroit
Dan Deacon 1/27 Scrummage University, Detroit *
Vampire Weekend 2/12 The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Crystal Castles 2/26 Magic Stick, Detroit *
Atlas Sound 2/29 Magic Stick Detroit

OUT EAST

White Williams 1/18 The Grog Shop, Cleveland
Black Lips 3/5 Oberlin College, Oberlin
Crystal Castles 3/21 The Grog Shop, Cleveland
Parts & Labor 3/21 Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland *
Beach House 3/27 The Grog shop, Cleveland *

DOWN SOUTH

The Fiery Furnaces 1/24 The Basement, Columbus *
Vampire Weekend 2/14 Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus
Black Lips 3/4 The Basement, Columbus *
Jens Lekman 4/1 Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus

OUT WEST

The Pogues 3/5 & 3/6 Riviera Theatre, Chicago *
Boredoms 3/26 Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago *
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks 3/21 Vic Theatre, Chicago *

*Toboggan's Top Picks

2007 Ann Arbor Art Fair Kicks Off Wednesday

Get your art fair shoes on cuz' this is a big one. The Ann Arbor Art Fair is actually a combination of four separate art fairs, and covers a good portion of downtown Ann Arbor. If you've never been I would highly recommend making a trip up for the day (you're gonna need a whole day).

The fair starts this Wednesday and continues through Saturday. There will be tons of original art available, all for purchase, as well as massive sidewalk sales from area businesses.

Take your time, and make sure you bring someone who will want to look at the same stuff you want to look at, because you probably won't have time to see everything. W-F 10am-9pm; S 10am-6pm

Cool Concert Alert: The Fiery Furnaces

I just found out about this Fiery Furnaces show, and I don't think I can make it, but I figured it was a good excuse to post this video. The powers that be have already blessed me with a wedding and graduation party this Saturday, but I'd much rather be at the Blind Pig.

Check out their video for 'Tropical Iceland', it's got some great pop-up animation. Tons more stuff on their site as well.

I feel as though I'm getting to the age where I don't really listen to too many current musicians making music right now- but the Fiery Furnaces are one rare exception. I try to keep up on these guys. Check out their video, and maybe a little more, and if you're planning on sitting on you couch this Saturday take a trip to Ann Arbor instead. Saturday, the 23rd- Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI.