Beyonce: Simply unstoppable
Published 8:12 pm Thursday, March 26, 2009
You can’t stop Beyonce, really. No one can.
In 2008, the singer cranked out another massive hit with “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).” The track became an anthem, and Rolling Stone magazine called it song of the year.
Also last year, Beyonce got her own ring from rapper Jay-Z, who she married in April. And this year she performed for President Barack Obama. Twice.
Now Beyonce is performing for locals with a show at KeyArena. Expect a crowd. Beyonce performs at 7 p.m. Wednesday at KeyArena, Seattle Center; $20 to $200.75; 800-745-3000.
Gavin DeGraw: “I Don’t Want to Be” is probably DeGraw’s best-known track. The rocking single became the theme song for TV’s “One Tree Hill” and was sung by contestants on “American Idol.”
The success of that award-nominated track helped raise DeGraw’s profile. His follow-up CD, a self-titled effort in 2008, was his first top 10 album. He’s no doubt hoping for similar success with his third album, “Free,” out on Tuesday.
DeGraw performs at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle; $21; 866-468-7623.
Blue October: The Texas alt-rock group’s hit single “Hate Me” reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart in 2006.
The song must have impressed more than radio listeners. Steve Lillywhite, U2’s right-hand man, came on board to produce the group’s latest album, “Approaching Normal,” which was released Tuesday.
Blue October performs at 8 tonight at the Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., Seattle; $30; 800-745-3000.
OK Go: This power-pop band became a YouTube sensation in 2006. If you don’t know about the group’s buzzed-about video, then Google “OK Go treadmills,” and be amazed.
The band is working on its third album with Flaming Lips’ producer Dave Fridmann, so expect the group to road-test new songs during a Saturday show in Seattle.
OK Go performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison, Seattle; $18; 206-324-8005.
Tim Williams: Although Williams is best known as an acoustic blues guitarist, his sound folds in all types of roots music traditional country, ragtime and western swing, among others. The veteran performer has played around the world, and makes a rare appearance in Bothell on Saturday.
Williams performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. NE, Bothell; $15 to $24; 425-489-6018.
Habib Koite &Bamada: The Mali-born guitar virtuoso has sold more than 250,000 albums worldwide. His current tour finds him playing with his band Bamada, which provides backing vocals and traditional instrumentation, such as the talking drum.
Koite performs at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $23 to $25; 206-838-4333.
Ten Out of Tenn: Hundreds of talented people play small Nashville venues for years without attracting a record scout.
With that in mind, several friends joined forces to show off their talents.
Now on tour, Ten Out of Tenn is a showcase featuring, you guessed it, 10 acts from Nashville.
Ten Out of Tenn performs at 8 p.m. tonight at the Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle; $12; 206-838-4333.
Out and about: Post-hardcore band Thursday headlines the Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour. on Saturday, at Showbox SoDo … Platinum-selling pop-punk band New Found Glory stops in Seattle on Wednesday , at the Showbox at the Market … Leon Redbone returns with his trademark white fedora and sunglasses to deliver Tin Pan Alley-styled songs on Saturday, at the Triple Door … The Portland Cello Project — PCP to fans — cover both Bach and Salt-N-Pepa; Monday, Triple Door… Ratatat’s Sunday concert at Showbox SoDo is sold out.
