“I was of the mind that it was never going to be a TV show, because it’s so dark,” said Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead comic book series that was adapted into the critically acclaimed AMC TV series, one of the biggest and best reviewed cable series of 2011. At the panel in Ballroom 20 the producers teased and cast season two, which debuts October 16. We also have the trailer for season two.

Square is the new hip, and rockers without a cause have been replaced with the guys you bring home to meet mom and dad. At least that was the starting vibe Thursday night at El Rey Theatre, as hometown heroes Foster the People took the stage.

On the final date of Beady Eye’s four-show, sold out U.S. tour, Liam Gallagher had the Philadelphia crowd wrapped around his finger as his band tore through the entirety of Different Gear, Still Speeding, like Oasis never existed. You’re up, Noel, but this is going to be one tough act to follow.

Swedish duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums are punk. Don’t let their jazz school educations; Andreas Werliin’s inventive percussive lines, or Mariam Wallentin’s artful vocal-slurs, tell you any different.

Seeing Friendly Fires live is a bit like stepping into a disco ball. Audibly at least. The sound swirls around you, tightly wound verses exploding into lush, melodic choruses. Look closely—you can see the sparkles in the air.

Few reviews have been able to discuss Anna Calvi’s music without mentioning David Lynch, but the connection is fiction.

Born of an extended stay in Hawaii, and nurtured by Lefse Records, Houses (aka boyfriend/girlfriend Dexter Tortoriello and Megan Messina) recently hit the road on their maiden voyage.

“We can banter with a crowd this size even if the banter is 95% about banter,” joked Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold to the sold-out crowd at the Hollywood Palladium on Saturday night. All retro-harmonies and acoustic guitars, the sweater-clad Seattle sextet seems like an unlikely crew to carry the banner as new indie heart throbs. They are, however, ridiculously talented musicians.

Day three of Coachella 2011 was already the weakest day in terms of the lineup, so this year’s festival ended with more of a whimper. There were highlights, including some ’80s New Wave legends, and some dancing Danes. And then there was Kanye West.