Photos and words by David Hall Was it really only back in September that I saw British experimental quartet Alt-J last roll through Orange County, drawing around 300 fans for an opening slot ahead of punk duo Blood Red Shoes at the tiny Constellation Room, the Observatory’s venue-within-a-venue? Seems like a lifetime longer, given the [...]

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Photos and words by Sam Saturday You could practically feel the desert in the air as The Faint and White Arrows teamed up to play the Observatory between their Coachella dates. In the process, White Arrows psyched up the crowd with cool jams, mostly from their full length Dry Land Is Not A Myth. Nebraskans [...]

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It appeared the entire audience for OC’s The Observatory showed up well before doors opened on Thursday night.  Filling in every available space of the venue early on, the plethora of young (and mostly female) faces marked with fluorescent swatches of war paint were hungry for WALK THE MOON’s sold out appearance.

 Opening the evening [...]

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Major Lazer turned Santa Ana’s Observatory into a full-on dance party. With Diplo behind the controls and a supporting cast of dancers, djs and party people, the Major Lazer party was an unforgettable night of high energy music mixed with an epic blend of costumes, crowd participation and showmanship. Dancehall-meets-EDM, the party continued into the [...]

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One might have believed a New Year’s Eve celebration was happening, what with all the balloons, confetti, and streams of toilet paper showering over the dancing, glow necklace-wearing masses. But no, it was just a Thursday night at OC’s The Observatory as it played host to mash-up artist Girl Talk (aka Gregg Michael Gillis). Real [...]

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OC’s The Observatory played host to rising stars, The Lumineers, on Sunday night, marking the third sold out So. Cal. date on the band’s latest tour. The Denver-based group has been much buzzed about as single “Ho Hey” still remains in constant radio rotation. The sound evokes an image of a flickering flame that warmly [...]

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I have known of Hank 3 (aka Shelton Hank Williams) for quite a few years, simply on reputation alone. This was thanks in part to a friend and fan that freely interacts with other fans both online and off, often times with Hank 3 himself. It became commonplace to inquire of my friend what was [...]

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Friday marked a return to the greater La area for Heartless Bastards by way of The Observatory in Santa Ana, as the band played the second to last show of a tour promoting latest release, Arrow. Frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom’s mournful vocals paired well with the unabashed rock and roll soundscape created by the four-piece. Opening [...]

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Of Monsters and Men has been snaking its way throughout the country and summer music festival circuit, and last night the band played to a sold out OC crowd at The Observatory. Already rising stars in home country Iceland, the seven-piece folk outfit has enjoyed almost instant success as well here in the U.S. based [...]

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Monday night blues were cured with good time punkers The Black Lips and rocker King Tuff at The Observatory. Oh, and Happy Birthday Jared! Photos by Matt Draper

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