It is easy to understand why musicians on the road feel the need to deliver not just a concert, but an event. Ticket prices have climbed and the ability to transport ornate stage setups and special effects - combined with healthy performer gravitas, a typical summer concert in 2008 consists of equal parts sonic experience and eyecandy. The Raconteurs' stop at the Bank of America Pavilion on Tuesday night, however, was two times the throwback......

Books Jazz critic Bob Blumenthal reads from Jazz: An Introduction to the History and Legends Behind America's Music, and Branford Marsalis is going to join him. However, word is from Harvard Book Store that Marsalis will only talk about jazz, not perform it. The event will be at the Regattabar at the Charles Hotel (via Harvard Book Store), 7:00 pm. Free. Music The Von Bondies have been quiet as of late. What happened? A major......

Seattlest has a talk with the photographer from last week's "Segway Mom" and then experiences some dissension in the ranks over the question of wine vs. beer. It's not West Side Story, but about as close as they'll get. They're also still waiting on some inbox relief after a spammer is arrested. As Chicagoist counts down the days to its third anniversary party, they found all-organic pizza to be underwhelming amidst the hoopla, tried......

Wait, wasn't that whole "Flash mob" trend supposed to encourage completely spontaneous events that prompted hordes of people to gather at random places and then suddenly go away? Well, the Flash mob trend, which Harpers called "the most forgettable hipster fad of the past five years" persists as a marketing tool for Cingular and Sony Ericsson, and, if you're a Von Bondies fan, you'll get a free concert tonight at the Paradise. The whole......

This weekend both NEMO and the Beantown Jazz festival will be taking place in town. NEMO is a showcase for New England artists, a networking opportunity for the little-known and the big fish. The performances will invade, occupy, and entertain at just about every venue in Boston. It's a great opportunity to see your favorite local band – or discover a favorite you never knew you had. It's a whole lot to take in,......