Subject: Ian Witlen

• Wednesday Night: New Year's Eve Overthrow at Heathrow Lounge

  Ian WitlenNew Year's Eve Overthrow with DJ Tamara Sky Wednesday, December 31, 2008 Heathrow Lounge, South Beach Better than: Ringing in the New Year wearing the played out all-white uniform of post-Diddy South Beach parties. Way too many times South Beach club parties end up being more hype than substance. The flyers are sexy. The announcements are written to conjure images of high-end decadence and stylized self-indulgence. But then, really, you just get a house full of primped and preened

  January 2, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Swamp Stomp, Tom Jones, and Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

  The humidity stayed away all weekend, so the weather was as perfect as it gets in Miami, so let's hope all the swine flu hysteria didn't keep you indoors. But in case you spent the weekend spraying disinfectant on all the pork products in your refrigerator, here is what you missed over the weekend:Swamp Stomp Music Festival at Jimbo'sBen ThackerRachel Goodrich, Jahfe, Cleaveland Jones, Afrobeta, and others performed at the annual Swamp Stomp Music Festival at Jimbo's on Virginia Key. Click here

  April 27, 2009

• Last Night: SunFest New Music Night with 311

  Ian WitlenNick Hexum of 311 perfoming at SunFest Wednesday night. Click here to view the full slide show.SunFest New Music Night with 311Wednesday, April 29, 2009West Palm Beach IntercoastalBetter Than: Jeremiah's Weed-Ade...though that didn't stop me from drinkin' 'em.Well, the first day of SunFest '09 is in the can. What can I say? I love a good festival. The imposing overabundance of food. Alcohol in greater supply still. Drunks and hippies, co-mingling and celebrating good music and good tim

  April 30, 2009

• Slideshow: SunFest 2009 in Pictures

  Ian WitlenMoshing was alive and well at SunFest 2009.While it might not have the clout of other local musical festivals like Ultra or the temporarily (we hope) defunct Langerado, SunFest still keeps attracting South Floridians looking for a more family friendly event. That's not to say SunFest doesn't have an edge. In fact, this year it seems festival organizers diversified their lineup a bit with Wednesday's New Music Night which featured performance by up-and-coming acts.Our cameras were there

  May 4, 2009

• Friday Night: Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction at the Cruzan Amphitheatre

  photo by Ian WitlenTrent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails performing at the Cruzan Amphitheatre Friday night. Click here to view the full slideshow.Nine Inch Nails and Jane's AddictionWith Street Sweeper Social ClubFriday, May 8, 2009Cruzan Amphitheatre, West Palm BeachBetter Than: Sex.The Review:Friday night in West Palm Beach marked the kick-off of one of the summer concert season's biggest tickets: NINJA 2009, a double-headliner vehicle for Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction. The tour is being bil

  May 11, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Nine Inch Nails, Exxxotica and Aqua Girl

  If you stayed home this weekend, it was either because the unbearable heat kept you indoors or because you actually tried to behave yourself on Mother's Day. Skin and sin was aplenty this weekend (er, well more than normal), so here is what you missed:Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction at Cruzan AmphitheatreIan WitlenSouth Florida was the kick-off point for Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction joint tour. Click here to read the review and here to view the full slideshow.

  May 11, 2009

• Joaquin Phoenix Sighting at the Crystal Method Show at Revolution

  Ian WitlenJoaquin Phoenix, is that you?Freelance photographer Ian Witlen was shooting for us at the Crystal Method show at Revolution last night when he spotted what he says was Joaquin Phoenix in the crowd. From the photo it looks like a unshaven guy in a top hat, so we aren't 100 percent convinced its him. However, Witlen says as soon as he shot "Phoenix" he got angry and left the area, so it might have been him (sure sounds like him). As you know, Phoenix was in South Florida recently -- Miam

  May 15, 2009

• Last Night: The Crystal Method at Revolution

  Ian WitlenThe Crystal Method performing at Revolution in Fort Lauderdale. Click here to view the full slideshow.The Crystal MethodThursday, May 14, 2009Revolution Live, Fort LauderdaleBetter than: Revenge of the NerdsWhen I spoke with The Crystal Method's Ken Jordan last week, he assured me that when he and his cohort Scott Kirkland hit town "they'd be pulling out all the stops."Unfortunately, the stage at Revolution reportedly wasn't large enough to contain all the trickery the lads had up thei

  May 15, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Urban Beach Week, Best of the Best and Lanzallamas Monofonica

  Hopefully, the extra day off gave everyone enough time to recover from the mayhem the Memorial Day weekend brings to Miami every year. Not even the rain seemed to dampen the spirits of people looking to relax. There were plenty of things to do this weekend, so if the weather did keep you home, here is what you missed:Urban Beach Week 2009Logan FazioEvery year, the Memorial Day Weekend brings Urban Beach Week to South Beach. Click here to check out the scenes on the Ocean Drive strip.Best of the

  May 26, 2009

• Last Night: Animal Collective at Culture Room

  photo by Ian WitlenView New Times' full slideshow of the show here. Animal CollectiveWith Black DiceTuesday, June 9, 2009Culture Room, Ft. LauderdaleBetter Than: Eating Terry Riley's leftover mushrooms and listening to a Diplo mashup of the Beach Boys.The Review:"Harry Belafonte! Harry Belafonte!" That's what the girl next to me last night screamed in the few moments when Animal Collective's live sonic roar slipped into its quieter moments. Her implied comparison wasn't far off. Maybe there wasn

  June 10, 2009

• Concert Review: Radio-Active Records' Eighth Anniversary Party, July 18

  photo by Ian WitlenRadio-Active's punk selection is serious.Click here to view a full slideshow of photos from the event.Radio-Active Records' Eighth Anniversary Party With Beings, Jose El Rey, and the ShakersRadio-Active Records, Fort LauderdaleJuly 18, 2009Better Than: Stumbling upon a rare 12" original vinyl of the Stooge's Fun House in mint condition at your neighbor's garage sale.The Review:In today's topsy-turvy world of bank bailouts, budget cuts and internet piracy, kudos must be given t

  July 21, 2009

• Concert Review: Stonefox CD Release Party with Surfer Blood and Dead Rabbits, at Propaganda, July 30

  photo by Ian WitlenStonefox ruled Propaganda.​To see a full slideshow of photos from the show, click here. Surfer Blood, Dead Rabbits, and StonefoxPropaganda, Lake WorthThursday, July 30, 2009Better Than: Another DJ dance night whereverThe Review:Last night at Propaganda marked the official album release by Boca rock and rollers Stonefox, and a triumphant event it was. The band has clearly won some rabid friends and fans with its out-of-nowhere blues-garage stomp, and those friends and fans ha

  July 31, 2009

• Ten Under $10 For the Weekend of July 31 - August 2

  photo by Ian WitlenStonefox plays the Poorhouse on Saturday.​Friday, July 31*Miami space-electro-rockers the Waterford Landing come out of hiding for a rare live performance tonight at the Vagabond. Admission is free before midnight, $5 after. Click here to visit the Vagabond's web site. *Jazz bassist Diogo Brown leads his combo in a free performance tonight at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami. Admission is free. Click here for full details. *Fetishy Florida breaks staples Jackal

  July 31, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Mos Def, Radioboxer and South Florida Tattoo Expo

  With three storms whirling around us, it reminds us that we are the midst of hurricane season. So from here on out we need to remember a storm-free weekend is a blessing. Let's hope this upcoming weekend remains quiet.Anyway, here is what happened during over the (storm-free) weekend:Woodstock 40th Anniversary Party at Cinema ParadisoPhoto by Ari Justin Rothenberg​The legendary music festival, Woodstock, turned 40 this month and to celebrate Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale threw a party fea

  August 17, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Elaine Lancaster, Florida? Yeah! and TM Sisters

  Summer is soon coming to close. The end of the season means more than just saying goodbye to the infernal heat, it also means things tend to liven up again as more and more events start happening around South Florida. So while we start anticipating things to come, here is what you missed over the weekend:Elaine Lancaster's Birthday Celebration at Score BarPhoto by Jipsy​Miami drag queen and diva Elaine Lancaster celebrated her birthday Thursday night at Score Bar on Lincoln Road. We aren't sur

  August 31, 2009

• Concert Review: Can I Say II at Cinema Paradiso, August 30

  photo by Ian Witlen​To view a slideshow of photos from the event, click here.CP Rocks Presents: Can I Say-Sunday II With Tongues of the Heartworm and AnchormanCinema Paradiso, Fort LauderdaleSunday, August 30, 2009Better Than: An hour-long sermon The Review:This past Sunday marked the second installment of longtime local promoter Mark Pollack's "Can I Say Sunday" series at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale. Conceived as a vinyl record swap, music-movie screening, and show, the event again cam

  September 1, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Lil Wayne, DubFest and Poplife

  While we suspected that the rain would dampen the long weekend, it wasn't the case. There was still of plenty of sun and fun to be had. So in case you were holed up in your place, here is what you missed over the weekend:DubFest 2009 at Hollywood ArtsParkPhoto by Ari Justin Rothenberg​Bunny Wailer, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish and more performed at this year's DubFest 2009 at the Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Circle. Click here to read the review and here to view the full slide

  September 8, 2009

• Celebrate the Final Days of Summer With the Death to the Sun Festival at Legion Park, September 26

  photo by Ian WitlenSurfer Blood​Before monotheism ruined the fun, humans worshiped a female god (hell, yeah!) and held huge, outdoor fuck parties to honor the beginnings and endings of seasons. Instead, we now scrunch into hard-backed pews to be lectured; spend our entire Friday nights in the dark because we're not allowed to flip the lights on; or carry carpets around and set our watches to beep five times day. Thanks a lot, Abraham. The organizers of Death to the Sun (a farewell to summ

  September 17, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Victoria's Secret Model Search, Miami-Broward One Carnival, and Visionary Expo

  Victoria's Secret Model SearchPhoto by Ian Witlen​A few weeks ago, Victoria's Secret announced it would be doing a nationwide search for its next Runway Angel. Saturday, hundreds of hopefuls lined outside the Ganvesoort South Hotel in Miami Beach for the chance to be chosen. Click here to view the full slideshow.Visionary Expo at Doubletree Miami MartPhoto by Jipsy​Oh boy, Miami needs another tattoo expo like it needs more assholes. Visionary Expo is actually the third one this year, but we'

  October 12, 2009

• Over the Weekend: New Found Glory Secret Show, Cat Show, Leonard Cohen and Bassnectar

  Summer is finally over! The insufferable heat finally broke this weekend and its officially fall in South Florida. Yes, we didn't turn on our AC all weekend and we couldn't be more excited. So we hope you enjoyed the reason why we all moved here in the first place.We're sure you didn't stay in this weekend, but just in case, here is what you missed over the weekend:New Found Glory Secret Show at Solid Sound StudioPhoto by Ian Witlen​When New Found Glory invited fans to help them with their upc

  October 19, 2009

• CMJ Wrap-Up: The Big Guns' Coverage of South Florida Bands

  Photo by Ian WitlenMiami band Awesome New Republic at Fontana's in the Lower East Side. Click here to view more pictures.​Just a few months ago, Awesome New Republic seemed the next South Florida band likely to strike big. But a few months is a million years in blog time, and somewhere in the last few real-time weeks, West Palm's Surfer Blood seems to have become THE South Florida hype band. They played some 12 shows in five days at last week's annual CMJ Music Marathon in New York, and ended

  October 27, 2009

• Over the Weekend: NeckFace, MoonFest and The Other Hollywood

  We skipped dressing up for Halloween this year, but people wouldn't stop bothering us as to why we weren't in costume. Being an overworked, underpaid writer is a full-time job and is the scariest costume we could come up with.But enough about us -- here is what you missed over the Halloween weekend:Scenes from Lincoln RoadPhoto by Bill Cooke​If you are more of a voyeur, you probably already know that Lincoln Road is perhaps the best place to check out the craziest costumes during Halloween. Th

  November 2, 2009

• Ultra Early-Bird Tickets Sold Out

  Photo by Ian WitlenMSTRKRFT at 2009's Ultra Music Festival.​If there is one guarantee in life is that Ultra Music Festival's lineup is always one of the best in the country. Need proof? Early-bird, two-day tickets to the festival, which sold for $99.95, are gone. What's impressive is that it happened without a single act being announced for the 2010 edition.But don't fret, tickets to the festival haven't really sold out. The price for two-day general admission tickets are now being sold for $1

  November 6, 2009

• Concert Review: Peaches at Revolution, November 7

  Photo by Ian Witlen​Click here to view photos from this event.Peaches with MENFriday, November 7, 2009Revolution Live, Fort LauderdaleBetter than: Rockin' out with your cock out.Peaches is anything but subtle. After the curtains parted, the audience was instantly led into her surreal, hypersexual world. Draped in a woolly coat, she and her band, Sweet Machine, kicked things off with "Mud" off her latest release I Feel Cream. The Simian Mobile Disco-produced track stands out as a bit of an oddi

  November 9, 2009

• Over the Weekend: Peaches, Sleepless Night and Dethklok

  With the high season in full swing, the events just keep rolling into South Florida. It was a busy weekend that even with a case of the post-Halloween doldrums that almost kept us at home, there was just too much to do and see. So here is what you missed over the weekend:Peaches at Revolution LivePhoto by Ian Witlen​Electrosexual artist Peaches took the stage at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale Friday. Click here to read our full review of the show.Sleepless Night Miami BeachPhoto by Logan F

  November 9, 2009

• Concert Review: Dethklok, Mastodon, Converge and High on Fire at Pompano Beach Amphitheater, November 8

  photo by Ian WitlenClick here to view a full slideshow of photos from the show.Adult Swim Presents the Dethklok Tour 2009With High on Fire, Converge, Mastodon, and DethklokPompano Beach AmphitheaterSunday, November 8, 2009Better Than: Getting home in time for Robot Chicken.The Review: The current Dethklok tour, which landed at Pompano Beach Amphitheater this past Sunday, was a work of booking genius. A headlining set by a band birthed on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block got kiddies -- lit

  November 10, 2009

• Concert Review: The Get Up Kids at Revolution, November 12

  Photo by Ian WitlenClick here to view photos from this show.The Get Up KidsWith Mansions and Kevin DevineThursday, November 12, 2009Revolution, Fort LauderdaleBetter Than: Actually regressing back to 1999.The Review:For better or for worse, the Get Up Kids' reunion comes with no new album, just a tour (at least for now), behind the 10th anniversary of its now-classic album Something to Write Home About. As such, their show last night at Revolution was a pure nostalgia trip for their fans, who ar

  November 13, 2009

• Concert Review: Diesel U:Music Tour with Santigold and Kid Cudi at Paris Theatre, November 17

  Photo by Ian WitlenMiami, she goes hard. Santigold performing at the Paris Theatre in Miami Beach.​Click here to view more photos from this show.Diesel U:Music Tour with Santigold, Kid Cudi, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Jemina Pearl and DJ Mom JeansTuesday, November 17, 2009Paris Theatre, Miami BeachBetter Than: Well, some were better than others.Free concert. Free booze. Awesome time, right? Well, for the most part it was. I hate to complain about a free event, but there were definitely some b

  November 19, 2009

• Celebrate ANR's Homecoming with an Art Show and Dance Party on Saturday in North Miami

  Photo by Ian WitlenANR just did CMJ, and celebrates its homecoming on Saturday at Studio 1419.​Word is that Studio 1415 is an impressive new art/music space in North Miami. And it's been a while since Awesome New Republic have been home -- they recently did the whole CMJ thing in New York as part of a larger tour. (Click here to see some of our photos of ANR at CMJ).So go check off these two items from your must-see list on Saturday, when the venue hosts an exhibition by its founder, Stian Roe

  November 20, 2009