December in Atlanta is out of hand — not just because of Festivus and ya know, those other holidays, but also because there’s a ton of talent playing this month. The month starts strong with Son Little and Thelma and The Sleaze, and ends with disco dancing into the New Year.
Check out these other shows not to miss for a livelier holiday:
Dinner Time and JMY
9 p.m. Dec. 11, The Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, www.eventbrite.com.
This show is on a Wednesday night, but that won’t stop us from seeing what Alejandro, Andrew, London, Ian and Chad (Dinner Time) have cooked up for us. If modern Beach Boys music sounds like fun, you should plan on coming too because we know Dinner Time puts on one hell of a show. Not only is Nordista Freeze and Cry Baby playing the show also, but this show happens to be the first headlining show for JMY. JMY is John Michael Young, founding member of Atlanta Dream Pop band Lunar Vacation. He recently left the band and released his psych pop filled debut solo single. This is a great show top to bottom.
Twin Peaks
7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, www.eventbrite.com.
C’mon, get over that Twin Peaks reboot. We’re talking about Twin Peaks the band here. This Chicago band has been around since 2010 and they still make music that brings joy to our ears — they released their latest album Lookout Low in September of this year. Expect plenty of crowd surfing to occur!
Rebirth Brass Band
8 p.m. Dec. 13, Terminal West, 887 W. Marietta St. NW C, Atlanta, www.eventbrite.com.
Atlanta, watch out — it’s about to get lit. Rebirth Brass Band is bringing that true Mardi Gras funk to Terminal West. For those who don’t know, this band formed in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, and have evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. They may have also out-funked the Red Hot Chili Peppers on stage once or twice…
Improvement Movement
8:30 p.m. Dec. 18, 529, 529 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, www.eventbrite.com.
Opening for Gary Wilson, synthy tunes, and real-time printing from the stage while performing are all things Improvement Movement can check off their list. If you love a good adventure, come see what this local band has in store on December 18 at 529, a special night that includes Spookey Ruben, Safari Williams, Nina Garbus, and Art Contest.
Disco Hypnosis
8 p.m. Dec. 31, Food Court, 682 Murphy Ave. SW, #3064, Atlanta, www.freshtix.com.
Live performances from Material Girls, Mute Sphere, Cindy Cane, and more. This is going to be a dance heavy night with these wild bands alongside DJ Krystal V bringing the disco vibes. In addition to the music, Disco Hypnosis promises to bring allusions of hypnotism through various art installations, video activations, and costumed characters. A lot of work from the local art community with go into this to make one spectacular NYE with the art installations, good food (OK YAKI), great music and a welcoming vibe. Plus who knows what they’ve got up their sleeve when the clock strikes midnight to ring in the New Year. Right now all we know is that there is a special outdoor activation planned for midnight, guess you will just have to be there to find out what. You never really know what’s in store when it comes to Food Court (The Mammal Gallery), The Bakery, and Irrelevant Music.
Honorable Mentions:
Dec. 6 – Atlanta Pop: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Atlanta International Pop Festival at Variety Playhouse
Dec. 7 – Laura Stevenson at The EARL
Dec. 7 – Antarcticats ‘End Of The Line’ EP Release & Farewell Show at The Drunken Unicorn
Dec. 8 – Kaya’s Embrace at Terminal West
Dec. 13 – Mountain Party (Single Release Show) at Waller’s Coffee Shop
Dec. 14 – End of Year Tiger Bomb Bash at Go Bar (Athens)
Dec. 14 – BUG Off Benefit Show/Pop-up with True Blossom at Mammal Gallery
Dec. 16 – Jeffrey Butzer & TT Mahony perform Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas (limited tickets remain) at The EARL
Dec. 30 and 31 – The Coathangers at The EARL
Dec. 31 – Dot.s at NYEAV
Dec. 31 – Washed Out (DJ set) at Monday Night Garage
