5 Can’t Miss Fall Shows - Becky's Picks

What do I love about fall? Pumpkin everything (especially beeeeer), wearing layers (although that might not be well into November) and Halloween. And the best time of year in the Sunshine State brings a cornucopia of shows to our fair city. So grab an Octoberfest brew, grab a (light) jacket and head to one of these five. (And be sure to check out Amy’s picks too!)

Friendly Fires, The Social, October 8
Ask most people about Pala, the latest album from this British trio, and they’ll annoyingly say they like the first album better. I am curious if these people have ears. Sure, the first self-titled release was good, but boy am I obsessed with the intricate layers of their second endeavor. (“Blue Cassette?” Goosebumps. “Hurting?” Gut-wrenchingly awesome. “Helpless?” Ohmygod, yes.) Eh, maybe it’s because I’m getting over a breakup and my emo side is shining through. But if you’re as stoked as I am to see how they’ll perform the complex studio work live, check them out this Saturday.



Eat to the Beat Concert Series, Epcot, Dates Vary
Ok, so most of the bands performing during Epcot’s Food and Wine festival (Air Supply, Hanson) can only be enjoyed ironically. However, there are a few not-so-guilty pleasures in the mix (ok, maybe a little guilty) like Boyz II Men, kinda-sorta ELO and Billy Ocean, who I saw a few years ago and was totally dope. (He rocked long white dreads and a fresh blue suit, and opened with the song "Nights (Feel Like Getting Down"). Um, hells to the yeah.) Check the full cheesy band lineup and dates here, and if none of them strike your fancy, there’s always drinking around the world and Norway’s boat ride.



VHS or Beta, Will’s Pub, October 14
It’s been awhile since these guys have visited our town but they’re back to promote their new album, Diamonds and Death. Stream the whole thing over here, then catch them at Will’s along with Britt Daley and Yogurt Smoothness. Expect a dance party.



The Cool Kids, The Social, October 22
These dudes bring a hipster element to hip hop, while keeping it on the lighthearted tip, sans the bitches and bling (see also: De La Soul). Internet buzz helped spread the word of their first EP, Bake Sale, making the follow up, When Fish Ride Bicycles, their first official album release. But don’t dismiss it just because you can’t get a physical copy or because of the huge Mountain Dew logo on the cover (guys’ve gotta eat, right?). Instead, drop a few bucks to support their live show so they can keep doing their thing – making fun hip hop music the 90s would be proud of.



Who’s Bad, The Social, October 27
It’s no secret that I love me some Michael Jackson. And since I’ll never get to see him live, I’ll have to settle for the next best thing: an MJ tribute band! And really, what better way to get into the Halloween spirit than with a re-enactment of "Thriller?"

Put Your Hands Together and We'll Set This Night On Fire

VHS or Beta returns to Orlando tonight to rock The Social and I am totally stoked. The last time I saw them was in 2004 when I was obsessed with Night on Fire. All I knew about the band was that the lead singer sounded extremely similar to Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran. But during that show, not only was the group completely on point, they turned the place into the biggest dance party I had ever seen -- a surprising feat for live band. I felt like I was watching a DJ. You definitely don't want to miss out.

Doors for the show tonight are at 10 PM and opening acts include Tigercity, one of Rolling Stone's Artists to Watch, and Orlando's own DJ Diddles.

Here are some MP3s from VHS or Beta's most recent album, Bring On The Comets:

Time Stands Still.mp3
Take It Or Leave It.mp3
Burn It All Down.mp3

And for the heavier crowd, here are some awesome remixes:

Burn It All Down (Surkin Remix).mp3
Burn It All Down (Fred Falke Remix).mp3
Can't Believe a Single Word (LA Riots Remix).mp3

!!! vs. The Roots vs. Foreigner

Last night's Justice show in one word: WHOA.

More on that when I can think straight.

As I type this, I'm still hungover and trudging through work. Tonight will be recovery time because I have big decisions to make. Saturday night forces me to choose between three loves as Orlando's "Feast or Famine" rule rears its ugly head:



!!! is playing at the Social
The Roots are playing at House of Blues
Foreigner is playing for FREE downtown near City Hall

Somehow I keep missing The Roots (probably because I decide to go last minute and tickets are sold out), although ?uestlove is my hero and I have seen him DJ at least 5 times.

I am a huge fan of !!!'s first album, especially the Giuliani track, and I bet they put on a killer dance party-esque show, similar to VHS or Beta.

But in my heart of hearts, I already know Foreigner will win, even though mostly everyone will try to talk me out of it. It's not often you get to see a band like them so far past their prime. Not to mention I have been on a huge Foreigner kick lately, thanks to The Worst Music Party®. And even though the band is sans Lou Gramm, the price is right and I am broke after NYC.