If you're a fan of live music, the Pageant has released information on a bunch of new acts that will be coming to town in the not-to-distant future! If you click on the Video tab you'll find samples of all the artists described below. Enjoy!

Idina Menzel is better known for her work on Broadway than her recording career. She was in the original casts of "Rent" and "Wicked," winning a Tony award for the latter. (She's also married to Taye Diggs) Her music is a little more on the mellow side, but her voice is dynamic. (About what you'd expect from a Broadway star!) She's here on August 1st.

Jack's Mannequin is out of Southern California, playing rock and roll with a piano base to the music. The "Alternative Press" has called their forthcoming album the most anticipated of 2008. (It's due out in September) Lead singer Andrew McMahon is also a cancer survivor. They'll be here twice, on July 1st with the Vans Warped Tour, then at the Pageant on August 10th.

Vampire Weekend is the first Indie-Rock band I've ever heard of that lists African popular music and western classical as their main influences. But if you listen closely, you will hear a little bit of both. If it's still not clicking for you, think 21st century ska! Good stuff from a group of Ivy Leaguers (they met while attending Columbia) who decided they wanted to rock. Spin Magazine called them 2008's best new band. They come to the Pageant on September 10th.

Neko Case is definitely hard to pin down if you're looking for a label to attach. Her solo work is described in some reviews as alt-country. (She's been banned for life by the Grand Ole' Opry for removing her shirt on stage) She also was the female vocals for the critically acclaimed New Pornographers, who had no country twang whatsoever. Whoever or whatever she is, she rocks. Case takes the Pageant stage on September 24th.

The Canadian act, Stars describes a number of big '80's bands, notably the Smiths. as influences on it's music. This is a group that's all over the place. Several members are also part of the band Broken Social Scene, and the lead singer does some acting as well. (He's been on Sex and the City and The O.C.) The O.C. has also been home to three of the band's songs if they sound familiar. They come to St. Louis on September 25th.

Well, we had to have one British invasion in the bunch, and that would be The Kooks. These guys are huge on the other side of the pond, having sold more than a million copies of their first album in England. (They were in the top 20 there for 6 months back in '06." The singer was just 16 when he wrote their biggest hit, Naive. Now they have a new album and an American nation to try and take by storm. The St. Louis stop at the Pageant is October 7th.