Indie royalty heads to Paramount this week

  • By Andy Rathbun Herald Writer
  • Wednesday, April 1, 2015 3:22pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

In the coming week, a string of shows headed to the Paramount Theatre will spotlight some of the biggest and brightest names in rock from the past three decades.

First up is Belle and Sebastian, the Scottish act that has become an icon of indie rock. It plays the Paramount at 7 p.m. April 7.

The group got its start in 1995 and first won a following with its hushed, melodic take on pop — the act became linked with the genre known as “twee,” made up of other slightly precious bands.

Since then, however, the band and its leader, Stuart Murdoch, have pushed the group in new directions, with each subsequent album having an increasingly radio-ready feel to it.

The group is touring now behind its ninth album, this year’s “Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance,” which, true to its name, found the band bringing a dance-friendly sound to its smart, whimsical music.

Opening act Perfume Genius, meanwhile, is on the rise. The singer, who recorded his first album while living in Everett, is touring behind the critically adored “Too Bright,” his third album.

Tickets are $41.25 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Then at 8 p.m. April 8, Stone Temple Pilots head to the Paramount.

One of the biggest names of the grunge rock explosion, Stone Temple Pilots made its mark in the early 1990s with a string of multiplatinum albums. Its songs, including No. 1 rock hits “Plush,” “Vasoline” and “Interstate Love Song,” became staples of alt-rock radio.

While the group often had to deal with derisive critics who accused the band of being a Pearl Jam knock-off, STP’s riff-ready appeal and glam-rock trappings helped it win a huge audience.

Admittedly, the band has not reached those heights in recent years. Instead, inter-band arguments have pushed former frontman Scott Weiland out of the act. The group is now touring with Chester Bennington, lead vocalist from Linkin Park.

Tickets are $35.75 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Finally, at 8 p.m. April 9, the Replacements will bring its reunion tour to the Paramount.

The Replacements were one of the most influential rock bands of the 1980s, with its bristly sound and self-sabotaging antics winning fans and riling studio executives. Though it never hit the top of the charts, the group has seen its legend grow since disbanding in the early 1990s.

Now, lead singer Paul Westerberg and bassist Tommy Stinson are back on the road. The pair, who arguably made up the heart of the original act, has sparked plenty of interest with their reunion, including a glowing article in Rolling Stone.

Expect to hear some of its best-loved songs — “I’ll Be You,” “Alex Chilton,” and “Can’t Hardly Wait” among them — during the band’s stop in Seattle.

Tickets are $46.25 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Vance Joy also is headed to Seattle for a concert at the Showbox at 9 p.m. April 9.

The Australian singer-songwriter hit it big with his infectious, folk-tinged single “Riptide,” which has been played more than 200 million times on Spotify.

That track, off his debut album “Dream Your Life Away,” impressed plenty and helped win him a spot opening for Taylor Swift on her upcoming summer stadium tour.

Tickets are $29 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.

Finally, Stromae will play the Showbox SoDo at 8 p.m. April 6.

The increasingly popular Belgian producer is known for his ability to meld hip-hop, house and electronica.

His solo work has won accolades from some big names, with Kanye West guesting on one of his early tracks and his second album, “Racine Carree,” leading Lorde to put him on the most recent “Hunger Games” soundtrack.

Tickets are $37 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.

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