Aesthetic Magazine | Album Reviews, Concert Photography, Interviews, Contests

Photos by: Rick Clifford – Review by: Adam Harrison – It was an alt-rock showcase last night at the Budweiser Stage as Incubus brought their “8 Tour” to the 6ix. Opening the evening with their unique touch of Americana was Navisville band, Judah & the Lion. Fronted by none other than Judah [Akers] himself (who looks like a … Continue reading →

Photos by: Kevin Tosh, Joshua Lewis, AJ Ragasa, & Jim Bennett –  Day one of Capitol Hill Block Party 2017 in Seattle last night featured performances by acclaimed hip-hop duo Run The Jewels, who released their third album, Run The Jewels 3, on December 24th, 2016 via RED, Indie Rock band Cherry Glazerr, who released their … Continue reading →

Photos by: Jennifer Boris –  Day one of Faster Horses 2017 took place in Brooklyn, Michigan last night, which featured performances by country music artist Dierks Bentley, who released his eighth album, Black, on May 27th, 2016, country music singer-songwriter Cole Swindell, who released his second album, You Should Be Here, on May 6th, 2016 via Warner Bros. Nashville, country music … Continue reading →

Photos by: Steve Carlson –  Indie Rock supergroup Planetarium, which features Bryce Dessner of indie rock band The National, drummer James McAlister, classical music composer and arranger Nico Muhly, and singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens, and who released their self-titled debut album on June 9th, 2017 via 4AD, performed at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California last night with … Continue reading →

Photos by: Anton Mak – Grammy-nominated DJ/Producer Deadmau5, who released his eighth album, W:/2016ALBUM/, on December 2nd, 2016 via mau5trap, which featured the singles “Snowcone”, and “Let Go”, performed at Rebel in Toronto last night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his record label Mau5trap with Niagara Falls-based EDM DJ/Producer Rezz, whose influences include Gesaffelstein, Deadmau5, Bassnectar and Pretty Lights, and house music … Continue reading →

Photos by: Morgan Harris – Chicago-based hip-hop/R&B artist Jamila Woods, who released her debut album, HEAVN, on July 11th, 2016, which featured collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, Lorine Chia, Kweku Collins and Donnie Trumpet, performed at the Garrison in Toronto last night.

By: Staff – Following the death of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington yesterday (July 20) at aged 41, the band has canceled their forthcoming “One More Light” North American tour. The tour, which was set to kick off at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass. on July 27th, and run until October 2nd at the Hollywood Bowl … Continue reading →

Photos by: Nate Black – Pop-punk band Taking Back Sunday, who released their seventh studio album, Tidal Wave, on September 16th, 2016 via Hopeless Records, which featured the singles “Tidal Wave”, and “You Can’t Look Back”, performed at the Masquerade in Atlanta on July 19th with New York-metalcore band Everytime I Die, who released their eighth album, Low Teens, on September 23rd, 2016 … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Wolf Parade will release Cry Cry Cry, the band’s first new album in seven years (and fourth full-length overall), on October 6th via Sub Pop.  The soaring choruses, rousing anthems, sprawling guitars and chaotic keys that make up Wolf Parade are proudly on display over the course of Cry Cry Cry. These … Continue reading →

By: Staff – UPDATE: Linkin Park member Mike Shinoda responded to news of bandmate Chester Bennington’s death via Twitter at 3:03pm today. “Shocked and heartbroken, but it’s true,” the tweet said. “An official statement will come out as soon as we have one.” ——————————————————————————————- Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington has died at aged 41. Law … Continue reading →

Photos by: Lindsay Duncan – Australian folk/rock/reggae singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd, who released his eighth album, Nanna, on March 17th, 2015, which features a diverse group of musicians from Australia, South Africa, Samoa, Germany, Ireland and Papua New Guinea, performed at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto last night with singer-songwriter Christina Holmes, who released her newest … Continue reading →

Photos by: Adam Harrison – Review by: Curtis Sindrey – When the trio of Muse frontman Matt Bellamy, bassist Chris Wolstenholme, and drummer Dominic Howard stepped into the spotlight last night at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, they transported fans to another dimension. With an elaborate production consisting of 10 three-paneled LED video screens, glowing sneakers, and guitars, along with … Continue reading →

We’re giving away a Riot Fest Chicago prize pack that includes two (2) GA full-festival passes + a Riot Fest t-shirt!  Buy tickets here. Date(s): Sept. 15-17 Venue: Douglas Park Featuring: Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Jawbreaker, New Order, Paramore, Prophets of Rage, M.I.A., Wu-Tang Clan, Mike D (DJ Set), A Day To Remember, Gogol … Continue reading →

Photos by: Brad Goldstein – UK alternative rock/shoegazing/dream pop band Ride, who released their fifth album, Weather Diaries, on June 16th, 2017 via Play It Again Sam, which featured the singles “Charm Assault”, “Home Is a Feeling”, and “All I Want”, and which is their first album since 1996’s Tarantula, performed at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto last night with … Continue reading →

Photos by: Morgan Hotston –  Day two of Hillside Festival 2017 in Guelph on July 15th featured performances by Juno Award-nominated, Montreal-based indie pop singer-songwriter Coeur De Pirate, who released her newest album, Roses, on August 28th, 2015 via Dare To Care Records, Halifax-based electropop band Century Egg, Quebec-based singer-songwriter Klo Pelgag, and more! Chexk out our day one photos … Continue reading →

Photos by: Morgan Hotston –  Day three of Hillside Festival 2017 in Guelph on July 16th featured performances by Australian folk/rock/reggae singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd, who released his eighth album, Nanna, on March 17th, 2015, which features a diverse group of musicians from Australia, South Africa, Samoa, Germany, Ireland and Papua New Guinea, folk-rock singer-songwriter Lisa Leblanc, folk singers Billy … Continue reading →

Photos by: Morgan Hotston –  Day one of Hillside Festival 2017 in Guelph on July 14th featured performances by Toronto-based alt-rock band Lowest of the Low, who will release their fourth studio album, Do The Right Now, is set for on September 8th via Pheromone Recordings, Toronto-based indie rock band Future Peers, Toronto-based alternative artist Chastity, who released the Peroxide 7 … Continue reading →

Photos by: Katie Kuropas –  The third and final day of the 2017 Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago last night featured performances by reunited emo band American Football, who released their self-titled second album on October 21st, 2016 via Polyvinyl, Chicago-based soul/R&B/hip-hop artist Jamila Woods, who released her debut album HEAVN, on July 11th, 2016, New Jersey-based indie rock band Pinegrove, and … Continue reading →

Photos by: Lisa Mark – Review by: Curtis Sindrey – Metallica brought the head-banging masses together for a sold-out extravaganza at Rogers Centre in Toronto last night. Following their intimate charity show in front of 950 sweaty fans at the Opera House last November, the metal legends took full advantage of Toronto’s biggest venue with five massive video screens … Continue reading →

Photos by: David McDonald –  Grammy Award-winning UK heavy metal band Iron Maiden, who released their sixteenth album, The Book of Souls, on September 4th, 2015 via Parlophone, which featured the singles “Speed of Light”, and “Empire of the Clouds”, performed at Budweiser Stage in Toronto last night with Swedish heavy metal band Ghost, who released their second EP, … Continue reading →

Photos by Callie Craig – Chicago-based hip-hop artist Vic Mensa held a listening party at the Ace Hotel in Chicago last night for his forthcoming album, The Autobiography, which is set for release on July 28th via Roc Nation/Capitol Records.

Photos by: Katie Kuropas –  Day two of the 2017 Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago last night featured performances by iconic hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, who released their sixth and final album, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, on November 11th, 2016 via Epic, folk/indie rock singer-singwriter Angel Olsen, who released her third album, My … Continue reading →

Photos by: Katie Kuropas –  Day one of the 2017 Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago last night featured performances by reunited dance-punk band LCD Soundsystem, who will release their first album in seven years called American Dream on September 1st via Columbia/DFA, Detroit-based rapper Danny Brown, who released his fourth album, Atrocity Exhibition, on September 27th, 2016 via Warp, New York … Continue reading →

Photos by: Anton Mak – UK-based electronica DJ/Producer Kelly Lee Owens, who released her self-titled debut album, on March 24th, 2017, performed at Coda in Toronto last night.

By: Staff – PVRIS has released “Half,” the third track + video off their forthcoming album, All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell. Stream the track below. “Half” follows the recent release of “What’s Wrong” and “Heaven,” and all three songs are available as instant downloads by clicking HERE to pre-order the … Continue reading →

By: Staff – East Bay punk rock supergroup Armstrongs, featuring Billie Joe (Green Day), Tim (Operation Ivy/Rancid/Transplants), Joey (SWMRS), and Rey Armstrong, has released their brand new song “If There Was Ever a Time”. Releasing the track via Hellcat Records, Armstrongs will donate 100 per cent of proceeds to 924 Gilman: a DIY, nonprofit, all-ages … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Known for their unique ability to weave ethereal soundscapes into blown-out, crush-pop confections, Vancouver’s Belle Game have announced their sophomore album, Fear/Nothing, which slated for release on September 8th via Arts & Crafts. Produced by Dave Hamelin (The Stills) and executive producer Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), the 10-track collection is filled with lush compositions, … Continue reading →

Photos by Quinn Middleton – R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Khalid, who released his debut album, American Teen, on March 3rd, 2017 via RCA/Columbia, performed at the PNE Forum in Vancouver last night.

By: Staff – Matthew Good has released a brand new single today titled “Decades”, which comes from his forthcoming album, which will be released this fall. Though this is the official release for “Decades,” Good has been previewing it for audiences on his 28-date, cross country 2017 Beautiful Midnight Revisited tour. In addition to the single, … Continue reading →

By: Staff – GRAMMY-nominated artist Vic Mensa will release his debut album, The Autobiography, on July 28 via Roc Nation/Capitol Records. In celebration, he shares the track “Wings” featuring Pharrell & Saul Williams, which is now available for download/streaming HERE. The Autobiography is available for pre-order HERE. Fans who pre-order the digital album will instantly receive “Wings.” Executive produced by No … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Toronto pop-punk outfit Seaway will be releasing their new album, Vacation, on September 15th via Dine Alone Records. Vacation is the follow-up record to Seaway’s critically acclaimed 2015 release Colour Blind and marks a progression in sound, while still giving listeners the high energy and well-crafted hooks they have come to expect. Fans can … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Indie dance duo Sofi Tukker today shares their defiant new single “Fuck They.” The bouncy, confident track was co-written with Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and Evermore’s Jon Hume. The group says “‘they’ is anything that holds you back from being who you are. Whoever ‘they’ is in your life or in your mind, Fuck They! Who’s … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Toronto based electronica band Holy Fuck are releasing a new four-song EP titled Bird Brains on July 21st via Last Gang Records; their first release since 2016’s JUNO-nominated, Congrats. Holy Fuck recorded Bird Brains live at various studios over the past few years. The EP represents the ongoing creative process of a band whose members live … Continue reading →

By: Staff –   “First Fires” is an uplifting future-funk feel-good anthem that sees Shy Luv at their most exultant – and there’s plenty to celebrate. They’ve just played their first ever headline show in London which was completely sold out and they’ve amassed over three million combined streams with preceding singles “Shock Horror”, “Joyrider” … Continue reading →