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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Dax, a hip hop artist, from Canada performs at Gabe’s on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. Dax stopped into Iowa City on his it’s Different Now tour. (Raquele Decker/The Daily Iowan)

YouTube hip hop artist Dax stops at Gabe’s as part of his first ever tour

Samantha Murray, Arts Reporter November 13, 2019

For over an hour and a half, opener after opener rapped and energized Gabe’s into its signature vibration of seemingly everything. Each artist layered a new excitement onto the stage while remaining...

Canadian countryman Corb Lund sings Western spirit to Iowa City

Canadian countryman Corb Lund sings Western spirit to Iowa City

Kyler Johnson, Arts Reporter November 11, 2019

Within five minutes of the opening act strumming its first notes, the open, wooden floor of Wildwood Smokehouse and Saloon had its first couple dance in the openness. The floor’s first pair was soon...

Guitarist and backup singer Shawn Jump of Icon For Hire performs at Gabe’s on Nov. 8th. The show was part of the 2019 Icon Army Tour. (Reba Zatz/The Daily Iowan)

Icon For Hire proves authentic lyricism outpowers any and all labels

Kyler Johnson, Arts Reporter November 9, 2019

Heading into concert halls and entertainment bars, two to three hours of music is expected. The punk scene does it a little differently. Marking a four hour event, consisting of three different opening...

Eric Ryan Anderson/Contributed

Country singer Adam Hambrick’s unconventional journey to music leads him to Iowa City

Austin J. Yerington, Arts Reporter November 6, 2019

For country singer Adam Hambrick, singing in front of a crowd is a dream come true. “I love being on stage and being a singer, and being in that moment, [performing] in church, in a bar, there’s something...

Experimental music group “Drop Bear,” performs in the Yacht Club on Tuesday, Oct. 29th, 2019. Their songs focused on breaking down typical methods of music performance with methods like playing through their mouth pieces and playing the Ghostbusters theme at ludicrous speeds. (Hayden Froehlich/The Daily Iowan.)

Getting weird in Iowa City: Yacht Club showcases bizarre bands in its second Free Weird Music Show

Austin J. Yerington, Arts Reporter October 29, 2019

Lately, I’ve been into more experimental sounds while searching for new music, so when I heard that the Yacht Club was hosting a Free Weird Music concert, I was beyond intrigued. After walking into the...

Rex Orange County’s Pony blends older style with new experimental sound

Rex Orange County’s Pony blends older style with new experimental sound

Kyler Johnson, Arts Reporter October 28, 2019

Following a surge of popularity with his 2017 release of Apricot Princess, Alexander O’Connor, under the stage name Rex Orange County, sparks a snap of energy with his new October release, Pony. The...

Actors perform in Evil Dead: The Musical at the Iowa City community Theater on Thursday, October 24th, 2019. The musical is baed on the 1981 cult film, The Evil Dead.

Evil Dead: The Musical offers rip-roaring, blood-soaked humor

Austin J. Yerington, Arts Reporter October 27, 2019

With an ending that left the stage bloody and the crowd roaring with thunderous applause, Iowa City Community Theater’s Evil Dead: The Musical premiered Oct. 25. As both a longtime fan of musical...

The Violeet Nines perform during a show at Yacht Club on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. The Violet Nines, based out of Minneapolis, have been together since 2017.

Groove-pop and saxophone solos: The Violet Nines at the Yacht Club

Ashley Dawson, Arts Reporter October 27, 2019

For someone looking for an energetic, interactive live music experience on Saturday night, the Yacht Club with opening act The Violet Nines was the place to be. After a few hours of live stand-up comedy...

Bob Dylan performs in 2010 in London. Dylan will not attend the Dec. 10 award ceremony for the prize in Nobel Literature, citing "pre-existing commitments."  (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/Zuma Press/TNS)

Bob Dylan returns to Iowa

Austin J. Yerington, Arts Reporter October 24, 2019

Bob Dylan in concert was an experience I’m still processing.  After attending a concert with a seemingly structured set, sparse crowd, and powerful instrumental style, I still can’t properly define...

John Calvin Abney’s folk music bloomed at the Trumpet Blossom Café

John Calvin Abney’s folk music bloomed at the Trumpet Blossom Café

Ashley Dawson, Arts Reporter October 24, 2019

In the soft pink light of the organic-food venue Trumpet Blossom Café, Nalani Proctor took the stage with her guitar in hand, a keyboard on the ground in front of her, and a laptop on the stand to her...

Mat Kearney performs at the Englert Theatre on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

Mat Kearney’s relaunched acoustic version of City of Black & White kicks off its tour at the Englert

Kyler Johnson, Arts Reporter October 16, 2019

Home of the Hawkeyes, the city of black and gold sang to a different color combo at the Englert Oct. 15, acting as the kick off point for singer-songwriter Mat Kearney’s City of Black and White Revisited...