The Avenue | Music - The Independent Florida Alligator

This CD cover image released by RCA Records shows “The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2,” by Justin Timberlake, which was officially released Monday.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Review: ‘The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2’ dark and sweet

By Alyssa Holcomb | Oct. 2, 2013

Following suit (and tie — I couldn’t resist) with this year’s earlier release, Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience — 2 of 2” is just that — a split-sided LP that’s half dark, pulsating club beats and half smooth, sweet tracks. But words don’t really do the duality justice — only a thorough listen will truly give you the full “experience.”

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

‘What Does the Fox Say?’ animal sounds video goes viral

By Isha Choksi | Oct. 2, 2013

When Stephanie Hardy first watched “The Fox,” she wasn’t expecting to see costumed adults dancing and making animal sounds in dark woods.

Alana Haim (left), Danielle Haim (center) and Este Haim (right) of HAIM perform at Lollapalooza in August in Chicago’s Grant Park to promote their new album “Days are Gone,” which was released Sept. 30.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Review: HAIM's first album brings catchy beats to classic themes

By Alexa Volland | Oct. 2, 2013

If Joni Mitchell had a synthesizer, she could easily be the fourth sister of HAIM.

Mumford & Sons performs at the Gentlemen of the Road Stopover in St. Augustine on Sept. 14, a week before announcing its hiatus.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Mumford & Sons finishes tour, announces hiatus

By Chabeli Herrera | Oct. 2, 2013

The jolly banjo-strumming gentlemen who graced Florida with a festival in September are taking a break from music.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

M.I.A.’s middle finger to the NFL is back in spotlight

By Valeria Yulee | Sep. 25, 2013

Andrew Baldizon didn’t catch M.I.A.’s middle-finger gesture during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, but he heard about it and didn’t think much of it.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Independent radio station Grow Radio gives its DJs freedom

By Emily Cardinali | Sep. 25, 2013

Volunteer disc jockey Ricky Marrero perched on a bar stool in front of a microphone. Ice-cold air conditioning blasted into a closet-sized room packed with music equipment and vinyl records.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

2 Chainz brings his lyrics to the kitchen

By Christine Flammia | Sep. 18, 2013

Get out your Versace apron, Adidas sweatsuit and chainz ‘n’ thangs. It’s time to hit the kitchen — 2 Chainz-style.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

New Zealand women respond to "Blurred Lines" music video with one of their own

By Angela Skane | Sep. 11, 2013

Lines were blurred between hearing and listening in one of this summer’s biggest hits. If it weren’t for the topless women prancing around Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell in the music video for “Blurred Lines,” no one would have heard what Thicke was “trying to say.”

Morning Fatty’s Andrew White performs at High Dive’s 2nd Annual Wake and Bake Weekend on Sunday. The band was followed by Ballyhoo! and headliners Less Than Jake.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local boys Less Than Jake come home to wake and bake with Gainesville

By Evan Echave | Sep. 4, 2013

Chatter filled High Dive’s concert room as wisps of cigarette smoke from the outside bar drifted through the graffiti-covered door.

Less Than Jake vocalist and bassist Roger Manganelli plays at the High Dive during the band’s Wake and Bake event in 2012. The band will perform t at the High Dive Aug. 30-Aug. 31.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Less Than Jake's 2nd Annual Wake and Bake Weekend starts in less than two weeks at High Dive

By Brooke Perry | Aug. 21, 2013

It’s not common for a popular band to come from a college town, but Gainesville has hatched some very cool musicians. Among them, about 21 years ago, came the ska-punk-rock band, Less Than Jake.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Four ways to get your music on with Gainesville's local music scene

By Meghan Pryce | Aug. 21, 2013

In 2008, Gainesville was named the “Best Place to Start a Band in the United States” by Blender magazine. Since then, the music scene has grown and changed with the addition of new music bars and clubs, festivals and concerts. Gainesville is enriched with musical talent and entertainment venues.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Multi-platinum Christian icon Sandi Patty comes to Gainesville

By Melissa Kahan | Aug. 8, 2013

Sandi Patty has been surrounded by music her whole life. Singing her first solo at age 2 was probably a good indication that the road to singers-ville was promising. Now as the most-awarded female vocalist in Christian music, as well as winner of four Billboard Music Awards, five — yes, five — Grammys and 40 Dove Awards, her 30-year career seems to be unstoppable. With more than 11 million records sold and another album ready for release in September, Patty can do no wrong. And now, she’s coming to humble old Gainesville. See a can’t-miss show on Aug. 18 at Westside Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m.

Nick Jonas serenades the cheering crowd at the Jonas Brothers’ concert last week in West Palm Beach. The band recently released new music for the first time in years.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Jonas Brothers play show together after solo ventures

Aug. 7, 2013

The Jonas Brothers’ return to Florida was triumphant — and deafening.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Backstreet is back

By Brooke Perry | July 17, 2013

Backstreet is (finally) back! All right!

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’ evokes controversy

By Alicia Soller | July 17, 2013

The new Kanye West album, “Yeezus,” is much like the rapper himself: controversial, unpredictable, egotistical, yet admittedly intriguing.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Portugal The Man releases record “Evil Friends”

By Kathleen Boyle | July 10, 2013

Every now and then, mystery songs hit that are immediately enjoyable—a pleasure that’s simultaneously moving, inspiring, and resilient.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Free Concert Friday theme pays homage to Paynes Prairie

By Brandon Shenk | July 10, 2013

A special show was slated for the previous “Free Friday” concert at Bo Diddley Community Plaza to celebrate Independence Day.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Maine’s latest album reveals new side of band

By Brooke Perry | June 13, 2013

Alternative music lovers can look forward to new music by The Maine, a five-man rock band that hails from Arizona. The dudes put out their 12-song album June 4 titled “Forever Halloween.”

The Puerto Rican natives of budding rock band Message to Venus will embark on a tour across the U.S. which will include Gainesville.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Meet Message to Venus at upcoming Gainesville show

By Melissa Kahan | June 13, 2013

Straight from Puerto Rico, rock ‘n’ roll has taken on a new child cradled in its upbeat style: Message to Venus.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

INfest Music and Arts Festival makes debut in Gainesville

By Kathleen Boyle | May 29, 2013

Armed with nothing but a guitar, singer-songwriter Tristan Harvey crooned through his set Sunday afternoon at The Jam on West University Avenue. Although he performed alone, Harvey’s musical talents consumed the acoustics of the outdoor backyard stage as he delivered both covers and original funk, soul, reggae and folk-inspired songs to an intimate, engaged audience.