17 July 31 - August 6, 2025 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents My Chemical Romance 7 P.M. SATURDAY, AUG. 2, GLOBE LIFE FIELD, 734 STADIUM DR., ARLINGTON. $162+ AT TICKETMASTER.COM Although it’s only been not-quite-three years since Gerard Way and the My Chemical Ro- mance bros last blasted through town, it some- how feels as though it’s been far longer than that. Perhaps it’s because anthemic emo rock seems to be having yet another moment, or be- cause this trip through town is in service of rec- ognizing the 20th anniversary of the band’s epochal The Black Parade album. The nation- wide jaunt to mark that milestone has just 10 stops, and this date in Arlington is the band’s only planned Texas stop. “It’s bizarre that it still strikes such a chord with people,” guitarist and backing vocalist Frank Iero told Rock Sound magazine in 2024. “I’d like to think that is testa- ment to the art that we put out and that it with- stands the test of time and still resonates.” Garbage will kick off the evening with an open- ing set. PRESTON JONES Jessie Murph 8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUG. 2, SOUTH SIDE BALLROOM, 1135 BOTHAM JEAN BLVD. $140+ AT TICKETMASTER.COM At just 20 years old, Alabama native Jessie Murph has roared out of the gate, quickly earn- ing co-signs from a slew of A-list acts, including Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman, Diplo and Koe Wetzel. She’s popped up at both Coachella and Bonnaroo, and on the strength of her 2024 de- but LP, That Ain’t No Man That’s the Devil, as well as its just-released follow-up, Sex Hysteria, she’s hitting the road for a global tour — appropri- ately titled “Worldwide Hysteria” — which stretches deep into November. The singer-song- writer’s raw, vulnerable subject matter is, for her, a case study in catharsis: “I think that writing these songs is the only way I would ever be able to talk about some of this stuff,” she told Teen Vogue earlier this year. “Otherwise, it almost feels too loud, especially things that I don’t even talk to my family about.” With Jorjiana. PJ “Weird Al” Yankovic 8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUG. 2, TEXAS TRUST CU THEATRE, 1001 PERFORMANCE PLACE, GRAND PRAIRIE. $108+ AT AXS.COM As someone who came of age during “Weird Al” Yankovic’s first era of fame — give me 1993’s Alapalooza on repeat, or give me death — it’s both strange and completely expected that his brand of goofy, proto-viral song parodies has endured into the 21st century. Watching new generations discover just how fantastic a cre- ative mind the seemingly ageless 65-year-old California native possesses is a treat, as is seeing him get his due as an artist ahead of his time. His Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour feels like nothing less than a well-deserved victory lap for this ac- cordion-wielding, polka-promoting, Grammy- winning clown prince of sung comedy. PJ Koe Wetzel and Friends 6:30 P.M. MONDAY, AUG. 4, THE PAVILION AT TOYOTA MUSIC FACTORY, 300 W. LAS COLINAS BLVD. $35+ AT TICKETMASTER.COM As recovery efforts in central Texas from the devastating and deadly July 4 floods continue, musicians from all over the state (and, indeed, the country) are teaming up to help raise funds to assist victims with putting their lives back to- gether. Fort Worth-based country star Koe Wet- zel has rounded up a passel of friends for “Stronger Together,” an evening benefiting those impacted by the tragedy. In addition to a set from Wetzel (playing what, for him, amounts to a club gig these days), other artists scheduled to appear include Kolby Cooper, Casey Dona- hew, Ray Wylie and Lucas Hubbard, Pecos Hur- ley of Pecos & the Rooftops, Mike Ryan, Shane Smith of Shane Smith & the Saints and Dylan Wheeler. All net proceeds from ticket sales plus funds raised via donations will benefit the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Those who can’t at- tend, but wish to donate can find more info at koewetzelmusic.com. PJ Regina Spektor 8 P.M. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6, MAJESTIC THEATRE, 1925 ELM ST. $78+ AT AXS.COM Singer-songwriter Regina Spektor’s career has stretched across the last two decades and en- compassed eight albums, including her latest, 2022’s Home, Before and After. Yet, in that long yawn of years, Spektor has been a scarce pres- ence in North Texas; her most recent appear- ance came in 2009, some 16 years ago. So, her return to downtown Dallas will stand as a long overdue reunion with one of the more formida- ble (if somehow strangely slightly slept-on) talents in modern pop music. Even her catalog on vinyl has been tough to come by consis- tently, as she told the Observer in a recent in- terview. “I don’t like shortages. Maybe it’s [me] coming from the Soviet Union, but it’s like, ra- tions and bread lines just don’t feel great. So whenever I hear from people being like ‘I really want this record and it’s out of print’ ... I’m al- ways trying really hard to make sure it all be- comes available.” PJ Mark Beemer My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way was pretty chill and we liked it. | LET’S DO THIS | t Music
