theCLog

OK, maybe not we. Music editor Jeff Hahne will be, though, tomorrow morning to talk about, uh, music. Click here for more details.

Bookmark It

Live Nation, one of the country’s largest music promotion companies, is coming to Charlotte.
Rick and Noah Lazes of the Ark Group, the development team behind the North Carolina Music Factory, made the announcement today.

“We now have Live Nation on board and they’re going to put the music in the Music Factory,” said Noah Lazes. “Live Nation is going to bring a 2,000-seat live music club from San Francisco called the Fillmore as well as operate the 5,000-seat outdoor boutique amphitheater.”

The Fillmore in San Francisco became legendary in the 1960s after holding concerts by The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Otis Redding, The Who and Cream. In 2008, Live Nation began to lease and operate the Fillmore and recently started a campaign to expand the Fillmore brand name by establishing clubs in other cities — New York City (Fillmore at Irving Plaza), Denver (Fillmore Auditorium), Miami (Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theatre), Detroit (Fillmore Detroit) and Philadelphia (Fillmore at the TLA).

Rick Lazes said with the addition of Live Nation and the Fillmore night club, mid-level acts that would normally bypass the Queen City will be more likely to come and perform here.“These acts would normally bypass Charlotte because of the venue. You either went from a 600-800 seat club or to the arena. On the concert side, Verizon Amphitheatre is 18,000 seats, so if you’re a mid-level act you’re only going to sell 5,000 to 6,000 seats and you don’t want to play to an empty arena.”

The Lazes envision The N.C. Music Factory to become Charlotte’s version of Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta — where Rick said the intimate outdoor music venue sells out before the acts are even announced every season.

“Live Nation is the biggest concert promoter in the world and they can just route talent through Charlotte now,” said Rick.

But the Lazes are being realistic about this new venture with Live Nation. “With anything new, it’s a building process. It’s going to take some time to develop that clientèle. But the level of talent that we’re going to bring here is going to make concerts more desirable to come see,” said Noah.

The layout plan for the N.C. Music Factory.

And concerts aren’t the only thing that entertainment seekers will be able to get at the factory. Along with Live Nation, the Lazes have gotten some marquee clubs and restaurants to set up shop in the Q.C. Butter from New York is coming. (“Straight from the pages of People magazine,” said Noah Lazes.) Wet Willie’s, a popular restaurant and bar across the Southeast, is also coming.

Butter restaurant, same as the one in NYC, will be coming to Charlotte.

“All of these places are owned and operated by the real people,” said Noah.

The ultimate goal of the N.C. Music Factory, according to Noah, is to turn Charlotte into a destination city, much like Atlanta where people will get in their cars and just drive into town to spend the weekend.

(Additional reporting by Jeff Hahne)

Bookmark It

OK, I’ll admit it — I’m obsessed with the new Beyonce video “Single Ladies.” Have you seen it? I watch it, like, every damn day. So, sue me.

Turns out that I’m not the only person obsessed with it. Check it out:

It’s come to my attention that the video was inspired by a Bob Fosse dance number called “Mexican Breakfast.” Compare the moves from the Beyonce vid:

Oh and lastly, I hear one of the dancers in Beyonce’s video is really a dude posing as a chick. If that’s the truth, then my sexuality is seriously in flux! We’ll keep you posted.

Bookmark It

With the holidays approaching, Creative Loafing is getting into the holiday spirit and we are feeling generous. We are giving away 1 free pair of tickets to the Edwin McCain Trio concert at the Neighborhood Theatre on Friday, Nov. 28.

In order to enter to win, just email us the answers to these 5 questions correctly. (HINT: All answers can be found on our website.)

1. What’s the #1 book on the Charlotte Bestsellers List this week?

2. Name one of “Charlotte’s 10 scariest people,” as chosen by Creative Loafing.

3. What is the real name of Honus Honus of the band Man Man?

4. Who wrote the story “Two food spots under a 10 spot” ?

5. Where did the Pointer Sisters perform in Charlotte?

EMAIL ANSWERS TO: CharlotteFunandFree@creativeloafing.com

In the subject line, please put: Edwin McCain tix

If you get them all the answers right, we’ll enter you into the contest. The winner will be selected randomly and notified via email by Nov. 5!

Bookmark It

In Britney’s newest music video, Womanizer, she writhes around all hot and sweaty, rules the office as a sexy professional, and works a sultry punk waitress. What else did you expect? The song is catchy and it’s true, she did bring sexy back with a new fit bod. Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-23EToh43M

Bookmark It

“Weird Al” Yankovic’s new single parodies T.I.’s song “Whatever You Like.” Take a listen.

Bookmark It

Economic crisis. Jobs closing. McCain and Palin still functioning. But, still, it could be worse, right? Right? Well, sure. You’re still alive and kicking. You could have passed on to the great beyond. And after passing, someone could have stolen your ashes from your widow’s home and planned to smoke them. Um, yeah. That’s worse.

And someone plans to do just that with Kurt Cobain’s ashes, allegedly stolen from Courtney Love’s house.

The toker, German artist Natascha Stellmach plans to smoke Cobain’s remains as a finale to her art show. She claims to want to “release Cobain from the media circus and into the ether.”

Good luck with that.

You just know some smart-ass in the audience will take a whiff and say, “Smells like teen spirit!”

Details here.

Bookmark It

Hip-hop superstar Nelly is in town tonight to do a free show at the Neighborhood Theatre (9:30 p.m.). So we went down to scope out the fans as they line up to check out the show. Here are a few guys we found who drove all the way from Kentucky:

Bookmark It

The Charlotte-based hip-hop group DPS has been missing from the local music scene for a while. Folks are wondering where they’ve been. Check the video:

Bookmark It

I just got word that a new music-oriented group recently launched in Charlotte. Here’s the press release about the organization and the group’s first event:

Welcome to the Charlotte House Music Society

The Charlotte House Music Society is a local alliance, determined to unite and expand the Queen City’s dance music community. Promoters, musicians, club owners, and house music lovers have combined efforts to bring structure and unity to the House Music Scene in Charlotte.

The CHMS is striving to build a society involving all the House Music fans in North Carolina – our Goal, is to create a House Music collective that preserves and progresses the art of Dance Music. We ultimately want to provide an atmosphere in Charlotte that makes an impact on the global House Music community.

For many years, we have seen the local interest in House Music come and go… this happened for numerous reasons… though, CHMS feels we can strongly influence the impact House Music has on Charlotte by creating “Unity”. Unity is one of the main reasons that we have decided to combine efforts and form this collective. CHMS will assist all House Music enthusiasts, that are interested in providing, receiving and experiencing “real” underground dance music. House Music was founded on Love and Unity – help us on this journey to create one Love, one Nation, one HOUSE !!!

Come and help us celebrate at the official Launch of the Charlotte House Music Society.

The official launch is going to be next Friday!! See the attached flyer!! We are bringing in one of the founders of House Music, Mr. Jessie Saunders from Chicago to give us a lesson on what real house music is along with his visual display which will take us through time!!! Mr. Saunders is credited with creating the first house record ever made!!!! Local Djs Arthur Brouthers and Johnnie Davis will be in the building definitely throwing it down representing the Charlotte house scene. Forward this email to anyone you know that might want to be part of the movement!!! See you there!!!

Bookmark It