Justin Bieber

The Nine Best Neighborhood Bars in St. Louis: 2013

A true neighborhood bar doesn't have to be within striking distance of your front door to make you feel at home. What matters most is the experience you'll find inside these cozy confines, many of them tucked away on residential streets. Is the barkeep sassy with her attitude yet generous with her p ... More >>

The Six Sweetest Riffs of All Time

I, Ryan James Wasoba, hereby announce that, after over a year and a half of weekly contributions, the end of my Nitpick Six column is upon us. As such, it's bucket list time. This space is usually reserved for microscopic aspects of music, but now let's go big. These are the six sweetest riffs of ... More >>

Ask A Geto Boy: My Boyfriend Refuses to Get Tested for STDs

Welcome to Ask Willie D, where the Geto Boys MC answers reader questions about matters, in his own words, "funny, serious or unpredictable." Something on your mind? Ask Willie D! LONG DISTANCE LOVE FADING Dear Willie D: I'm in a long-distance relationship with a good man, but the miles are starti ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: May 17-19

It's beautiful out -- what more do ya need? Get out there and see some stuff. There are plenty of excuses to hang out outside including Harvest Sessions and the Webster Grooves Festival. Check out our Out Every Night post from earlier this week to read about great shows over the next few days includ ... More >>

International DJ Ferry Corsten Touches Down Tonight at Europe Nightclub

Ferry Corsten has achieved what many musicians strive for: longevity. The Dutch producer and DJ has a career dating back to 1991 yet remains at the forefront of electronic dance music. When he's not touring the world or releasing albums, Corsten heads up "Ferry's Fix," a monthly DJ mix broadcasted w ... More >>

The Best St. Louis Comedy Shows in May

Ryan Singer For those in search of laughter or curious about the goings-on of the comedy scene in St. Louis, we will be making monthly recommendations of shows in (and near) the city. From sure-thing hilarious to fingers crossed, "Oh God! I hope this works," Funny Events is your connection to sketc ... More >>

"Right on the Brink" With Rising Rock & Roll Singer Nikki Hill: New Music Now

In this week's print issue, Senior Writer Roy Kasten profiles North Carolina-born, St. Louis-based singer and songwriter Nikki Hill and her debut album Here's Nikki Hill. One of the stand-out originals on the record is "Right on the Brink," a passionate blast of no-frills rock & roll & R&B. See Al ... More >>

Out Every Night: The Best Shows in St. Louis from April 22 to 28

Wow, whatta weekend! 4-20 still has us in a daze (didn't get a chance to make it down? Check out slideshows of Record Store Day and InFest2). Congrats everyone on a successful and eventful RSD weekend. Keep that music high going this week with visits from the Besnard Lakes, Bob Dylan, Wax Idols and ... More >>

The Day RFT Music Died

You may have noticed over the weekend, starting on Thursday, that RFT Music was largely inaccessible. Users of Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox and likely others were blocked by warnings of malware, looking very similar, if not identical, to the one you see above.

Doing Drugs This Weekend? Here's How to Not Get Caught

In addition to being Record Store Day, this Saturday is also April 20, or 4/20, which many a stoner across the world regards as a free-for-all celebration of all things weed. Hate to say it, but some of you out there celebrating this weekend's unofficial marijuana "holiday" are going to be approache ... More >>

Local Record Store Day Wax from Tim Rakel's Extension Chord Records, Cassie Morgan, and More

It's one of the perks of this gig that, sometimes, Record Store Day comes a little bit early. The Vinyl Fairy has been making stops at my doorstep and leaving advances of this weekend's local wax offerings, which are every bit as exciting as, oh, the 1,000-quantity Todd Rundgren picture discs (or wh ... More >>

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: April 19 to 21

Stacked. That's what this weekend is -- stacks of records, stacks of bands, stacks and stacks of shows. There's so much going on lately that its a surprise RFT Music hasn't toppled over like a teetering Jenga tower (or has it? Google Chrome has trouble loading the website lately. Quit it!). Let's tr ... More >>

Kendrick Lamar Brings the House Down at the Chaifetz Arena 4/17/13: Review and Setlist

Compton's new "King of West Coast Hip-Hop" (so dubbed by the likes of Dr. Dre, the Game and Snoop Dogg) made a stop in St. Louis last night to a packed Chaifetz Arena. The prodigious, fan-favorite rapper was welcomed by a rabidly excited crowd, and performed with the confidence of a veteran, rather ... More >>

Eagles of Death Metal to Play at the Arch on May 18

Tongue-in-cheek boogie rockers Eagles of Death Metal announced that the band will be playing a concert in the shadow of the arch on May 18. The show is part of sponsor Jack Daniel's new Live at the Landmark show series, where as you might guess, bands play famous landmarks across the United States. ... More >>

The Top Ten Douchiest Drummers of All Time

By Nate Jackson What would music be without a beat, a rhythm or a backbone? Though they qualify as the first instruments ever created, the drums are probably the last thing most music fans can live without. And while we worship plenty of drummers in modern music, there are some Gods of Thunder who ... More >>

The Best St. Louis Punk / Hardcore Shows in March

Are you sick of being responsible? Does it annoy you to have to follow rules or be pro-social? Do you like basements? Well, if you are a goofy, degenerate weirdo that doesn't quite fit in anywhere else, you might consider our city's DIY hardcore/punk shows.Your underlying anger problems can be broug ... More >>

LouFest Update: Lineup to Be Announced in Late April

Last night C3 Presents -- the company that will be partnering with LouFest this year, also responsible for Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Festival -- hosted a "Media Happy Hour" at Five Bistro. Many members of the local media were in attendance -- in addition to RFT Music, there was the Pos ... More >>

Ten Bands You Never Would Have Thought Used to Be Good

It's a common cliché by now: Some snobby, balding guy with glasses in every bar across America rants and raves about how he only likes "the old stuff" by every band. "I liked the first record," is his creed. This character floats around, bumming everyone out and sucking all the fun out of a karaoke ... More >>

The Ten Biggest Concert Buzzkills: An Illustrated Guide

By Dave Herrera As vastly different as our tastes are when it comes to music, there's one thing we can all agree on, and that's our distaste for and subsequent amusement/bemusement/resentment with certain individuals who insist on behaving badly at shows. You know who we're talking about. The Talke ... More >>

Ghostface Killah is Coming to 2720 Cherokee April 27

The Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah will be coming to 2720 Cherokee on Saturday, April 27. Joining him will be a ten-piece band, Adrian Younge's Venice Dawn.

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: March 1 to 3

Hang in there, fiends. Springtime looms visibly in the horizon, and there's plenty to be excited about when the seasons of the sun finally return (not to mention, Black Hole Sun). Check out handy local event guides for comedy and EDM to get yourself through March, and consider paying a visit to a tr ... More >>

The Best St. Louis Electronic [EDM] Music Shows in March

With the spring weather closer than ever (fingers crossed!) and festival lineups being announced, there's excitement in the air for those who love electronic music. Here are some shows coming to St. Louis this March. See Also: -Why EDM Is Thriving While Other Genres Are Sinking -Six Ridiculous Hol ... More >>

Son Volt's Jay Farrar on Honky Tonk, Ralph Mooney, Bending the Rules and More

In this week's print edition, Senior Writer Roy Kasten interviews Jay Farrar, longtime leader of Son Volt and first-time author, about the band's new album Honky Tonk (due out March 5) and his new book Falling Cars and Junkyard Dogs (due out March 19). "The impetus to write the book was born out of ... More >>

Kentucky Knife Fight's New Album Hush Hush: Review and Listen (For a Limited Time)

Hush Hush: Wherein the St. Louis-via-Edwardsville band marries its bluesy barroom blitzes with a cinematic scope. For its third full-length, the quintet remains clouded in cigarette smoke and dark-tinted glasses, but there's a touch of the auteur with how the album is assembled. See More: -Kentuck ... More >>

When Is it Alright to Steal Another Band's Name?

Are you a musician? Is your group having issues? Ask Fan Landers! Critic Jessica Hopper has played in and managed bands, toured internationally, booked shows, produced records, worked as a publicist, and is the author of The Girls' Guide to Rocking, a how-to for teen ladies. She is here to help you ... More >>

The Six Coolest Members of Otherwise Uncool Bands

Bands are collections of people. In any such group, some people will be cooler than others. Even in an uncool rock band, there will be cool people. Here are the six coolest members of uncool bands. Cool? Cool. See also: -The Six Best Sloppy Drummers -The Six Best Songs About Murdering A Significant ... More >>

Why Does Spotify Keep Ripping People Off?

By Emily Lundquist Ten dollars a month is a small price to pay for practically every piece of recorded music except The Beatles. Which is why, late last year, I signed up for Spotify. Only two months in, however, I was out, and feeling like I'd been ripped off. Turns out I'm not the only one. See ... More >>

Andrew W.K. is Coming to the Firebird May 22

The prince of party himself, Andrew W.K., will be making a stop at the Firebird on May 22 as part of his "Human Party Machine Solo Tour." Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 3, at noon.

The Ten Best Shows in St. Louis This Weekend: February 22 to 24

All those poor Thursday shows had a run-in with a winter storm, and few made it out alive. Avenge their would-be good times by living out the glory with these shows -- there's way too much cool stuff (no pun intended) happening to skip out on account of a little bit of snow. See Also: -Son Volt, D ... More >>

Racism in 2013: Redneck Space Travelers, Meth Smokers and Other Dumbasses

Editor: Tef Poe is an artist from St. Louis City. Through powerful imagery and complicated honesty, he has earned a reputation as one of the best rappers telling the story of St. Louis, which is about much more than one place. Poe has been featured in music publications such as XXL and Urb Magazine. ... More >>

G-Eazy Talks About Headlining His First Tour and Success As an Independent Artist

For most musicians, it can take a village to create everything that goes into a strong career, but most musicians aren't rapper G-Eazy. Early into his career, the young Bay Area native has criss-crossed the country on tour multiple times, shared the stage with such industry heavyweights as Drake and ... More >>

A Conversation With A Metal Nerd: Brian Posehn is Coming to Town This Week

In addition to an extensive acting and stand-up resume, Brian Posehn has forged a unique career path for himself by taking on projects that deal with things he truly loves. From Dungeons and Dragons to Anthrax (the band, possibly the substance as well) to Comic books, he's turned nerdiness into an ... More >>

R. Kelly's Chocolate Factory is Ten Years Old: A Look At Its Seminal "Ignition (Remix)"

Today, R. Kelly's album Chocolate Factory, featuring the seminal song "Ignition (Remix)," turns 10-years-old. Released on February 18, 2003, the album was an immediate commercial success -- and a decade later adoration for it endures. Chocolate Factory marks a transition in Kelly's career, with more ... More >>

Masked Intruder Steals Everything From the Parking Lot Around Cicero's: Review and Photos

If anyone reading this happened to get their home broken into or any of their belongings stolen last night -- especially in the Delmar Loop area -- please contact me. I may have an idea of who was responsible.

Ten Songs For Hating On Stupid Idiot Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, one of the most polarizing of all holidays. Do you enjoy taking this day as a reminder to appreciate your loved ones and get romantic? Or are you annoyed by a manufactured holiday that brings out candy-coated bullshit and makes the lonely feel lonelier? Either way, we a ... More >>

Ten Songs To Get Busy To On Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, one of the most polarizing of all holidays. Do you enjoy taking this day as a reminder to appreciate your loved ones and get romantic? Or are you annoyed by a manufactured holiday that brings out candy-coated bullshit and makes the lonely feel lonelier? Either way, we a ... More >>

Alice In Chains to Headline Pointfest 31: Here Is the Complete Lineup

105.7 the Point has just announced the lineup for this year's Pointfest, the station's annual gathering of "Everything Alternative" (not sure what, exactly, it is "alternative" to at this point, but I digress). As always, the event will be held at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. This year's headliner ... More >>

Here are Five Charity Songs that Sucked for the 28th Anniversary of "We Are the World"

Way back in the '80s, people liked feeling magnanimous. "I hear there are starving kids in Ethiopia." "Fuck that! We can feed people with a song!" And thus, the idea for "We Are the World" was born. Maybe. I haven't actually talked to Lionel Richie about his motivation for coordinating the song, bu ... More >>

The Future Is Fine: Streaming music isn't evil, it's just different

Election Night Comedy Debates: Spend One Last Night With Seven Of the Mouthbreathers You Blocked On Facebook Months Ago

Weather permitting, the end to the 2012 election season will arrive tomorrow night when the votes are tallied up and America prepares for the next four years. Not only does this mean we might be able to turn our TV's on without being lambasted with political rhetoric, this should also mean those ann ... More >>

Madonna at the Scottrade Center, 11/1/12: Review, Photos and Setlist

Madonna is considered a living legend, a cultural icon and one of the best performers of her time. She is one of the most influential artists in the history of American music, and last night at the Scottrade Center we found out why: hard work and natural charisma. If we are to believe any of the pe ... More >>

Sleigh Bells and AraabMuzik at the Pageant: The View From the Mosh Pit [PHOTOS]

Yep, that's right, there was a mosh pit at the Pageant last night during the Sleigh Bells concert. To be fair: maybe the most sedate mosh pit I've ever seen. But I'd like to think at least one person left with bruises and I know I went home covered in a diverse sweat cocktail -- including some from ... More >>

Lil B at The Firebird, 9/25/12: Review

Lil B | DJ Billy Brown September 25, 2012 The Firebird There is no merch for sale at a Lil B show. There are five minute conversations with the rapper, where he happily poses for pictures, signs photos, albums, books, bodies and thanks each fan for his or her support. But he's not trying to sell me ... More >>

Kiss and Mötley Crüe at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre: Review and Photos

When you open for Kiss you have to put on a hell of a show, and Mötley Crüe delivered. From the displays camaraderie to the set list full of hair metal hits, Crüe brings brotherhood onstage and encourages it amongst the audience. With four-way fist bumps and sly "we got this" smiles, Crüe really ... More >>

VMA Awards 2012: Handicapping the Video of the Year Nominees

The 2012 VMA nominees are out, and while there are certainly plenty of big names and obvious choices, there are a few surprises buried in there. Frank Ocean gets a nod, as do A$AP Rocky, Jack White and Regina Spektor. But those are curiosities -- Rihanna, Drake, Katy Perry et. al. get the lion's sha ... More >>

Standup Andi Smith Gets Raw About Her Mom, Refinancing and Hot Female Comics

​While on stage, Andi Smith doesn't wrap her feelings in pretty bows, whether the evening's agenda involves Justin Bieber, at-risk children, or sweatpants. Nor does she mince words off-stage, as we found out last August when we did this Q&A  and crowned her Best Standup Comedian (Female) ... More >>

Spankalicious Moves to Cincinnati, but His Roots Remain in St. Louis

Courtesy of the artistSpankalicious at the Copper Dragon last week in Carbondale, Illinois. ​Local bounce beatsmith Spankalicious recently made the move to Cincinnati, and tomorrow night he plays one of his last 2011 dates in St. Louis at 2720 Cherokee (2720 Cherokee Street, 314-664-9900) with ... More >>

Review Setlist: Old 97's at the Pageant, Friday, February 18

Jon GitchoffRhett Miller of Old 97's​Rhett Miller packs more boyish charm into one pick-clutching pinkie finger than the entire Justin Bieber empire. And don't get me started on his hair. Apologies for invoking the Bieb, but last night at the Pageant, Miller and the Old 97's delivered an energ ... More >>

Crankfest 2011 Takes Place This Weekend at Cranky Yellow

Screenprint artist Curtis Tinsley will share the secrets of screenprinting on a budget on Sunday at Crankfest.​Kismet and ego have been at the root of great many happy accidents -- from the discovery of the New World to the discovery of Justin Bieber. This weekend, Joseph Hess is sharing anoth ... More >>

Butt-Dial Launches SWAT Action

​Here's a tale that puts your unfortunate drunken butt-dial to Grandma from the bar into perspective. Outside Chicago yesterday, a woman got a call from her husband on his cell phone that terrified her into thinking he was in a hostage situation at the school where he works. She heard scary, seemi ... More >>