03.14.11 · 5:29 PM

Neon Reverb Sunday: Leslie’s journal

After all the weekend festivities were over, I’m ready to wind down poolside at the Royal Resort. At 4 p.m., local indie-rockers Minor Suns are setting up and there’s a handful of people sunbathing next to the pool. The next 40 minutes of alt-rock are a bit of a’90s flashback, a breath of fresh air after all of pop bands I watched Saturday night. Next up: an indie-pop band from Brussels, Belgium, called The Tellers. The group is on a ... Read more...

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03.13.11 · 3:32 PM

Neon Reverb Saturday: Leslie’s journal

It’s 10:45 p.m., and the Beauty Bar is flowing steadily. Outside, nu-disco locals GoldBoot are performing “Get Some” to a pretty unenthusiastic crowd, but singer Logan Lanning is compensating for the crowd’s lethargy by rocking out on his guitar. I’ve seen GoldBoot before, and unfortunately tonight the sound is turned up way too high for us to fully appreciate the group’s funky beats and vocals. An hour later, lead singer Ricky Reed of indie dance band Wallpaper wanders onstage in ... Read more...

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03.13.11 · 1:38 PM

Neon Reverb Saturday: Julie’s journal

The Beat inexplicably reeked of paint thinner when I arrived at 7 p.m. to partake of a sponsorship-reduced $2 Sierra Nevada. Locals Asterionella began a muted, regrettably featureless set of taciturn shoegaze 15 minutes later, varying little musically and saying even less between songs. Two-thirds of the way through, frontwoman Kelley Karas doubled her banter output when she noted, “This is our moshpit song” before launching into “Say You Won’t,” an absolute thrasher of a punk throwdown, complete with gleefully ... Read more...

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03.13.11 · 1:05 PM

Neon Reverb Saturday: Spencer’s journal

I’m covering The Strokes’ live return at Cosmo tonight, so I’ll be late to Neon Reverb. That’s too bad, since Night 3 features two bands I’d really like to see, Montreal’s Braids and Brooklyn’s Asobi Seksu. If I’m lucky, I’ll catch one post-Strokes. Strokes opener Devendra Banhart has just finished his set when word comes across that the Bunkhouse bill has flip-flopped. Asobi will go on at midnight, with Braids behind them. I’m torn: disappointed I’ll probably miss Asobi, which ... Read more...

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03.12.11 · 5:20 PM

Neon Reverb Friday: Leslie’s journal

Tonight’s hip-hop showcase at the Beauty Bar feels like a pleasant change in scenery from Neon Reverb’s mostly indie rock-oriented lineup. Fremont Street is buzzing with people, and the show of support inside Beauty Bar reaffirms what I enjoy most about Las Vegas’ hip-hop scene: the sense of community and passion for one-another and for the movement. When I get there, local MCs Phil A and Hassan are in the latter half of their set, dominating the stage per usual. ... Read more...

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03.12.11 · 2:48 PM

Neon Reverb Friday: Julie’s journal

Las Vegas Weekly’s Party on the Patio was in full swing outside Hennessey’s Tavern as I headed for the Tell, the storytelling event hosted by judge-in-running Dayvid Figler and the Beat’s Heather Hyte. The theme: “Spin Me Right Round,” which included tales of Ryan Pardee’s 2010 arrest en route to SXSW, scene fixture Krissee Danger’s teenage letters to Descendents singer Milo Aukerman, spoken-word pro Derrick Brown’s misadventures in Nashville shock-pop and “Queen of the Groupies” Pamela Des Barres’ meeting Jim ... Read more...

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03.12.11 · 1:51 PM

Neon Reverb Friday: Spencer’s journal

On a perfect weather night, the Gypsy Den might be my favorite Neon Reverb venue. The carnival atmosphere of the Downtown vintage shop’s outdoor area—art, swirling light projections, conversation, flowing alcohol (on this night, kegs of $2 Sierra)—provide an interesting backdrop for the music, performed on a decorated, well-elevated stage at the property’s east end. Vegas trio Coastwest Unrest is working through some technical issues when I arrive, and has to cut its set short soon after to keep the ... Read more...

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03.11.11 · 5:05 PM

Neon Reverb Thursday: Leslie’s journal

I showed up at the Bunkhouse earlier than ever for the first night of Neon Reverb to see Weatherbox, a pop-punk band out of San Diego. I saw the guys perform last year at Yayo Taco, and they reminded me of a louder version of The Weakerthans. Local band Caravels also had nothing but good things to say about them, so I made sure to get to the bar early to catch the show. Weatherbox took to the stage only ... Read more...

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03.11.11 · 4:15 PM

Neon Reverb Thursday: Spencer’s journal

There’s no band playing when I walk into the Beat Coffeehouse around 8 p.m., an hour after Thursday night’s show is scheduled to begin. I’m not surprised. It is, after all, the first night of Neon Reverb, and the Downtown festival typically has last-minute fires to put out that early in its four-day schedule. This time, it’s sound—the venue’s PA equipment has just arrived and the first act is running through a hasty soundcheck. No worries. It gives me a ... Read more...

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03.10.11 · 4:59 PM

Josh’s Journal: Neon Reverb’s chaotic foray into film

The film festival component of Neon Reverb has been a mostly haphazard endeavor, but if the organizers are just going to cobble together some pieces from local filmmakers, then at least they are doing so with enthusiasm. The two-night event at the Sci Fi Center got off to a slow start, with only about five people (including filmmakers and members of the media) around for the beginning of the 7 p.m. Tuesday show. But the crowd grew steadily, with a ... Read more...

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Featured Cocktail

Cocktail of the Week May 23, 2012
by Sabrina Chapman

Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl stings so good

Ready to celebrate the official start of summer? Prepare for takeoff. Memorial Day Weekend picks up speed with the addition of Rhumbar’s Scorpion Bowl ($49) to the weekend’s party lineup. ...
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