TCB

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Bullet the Blue Sky

• As you can see, sometimes a chance to see Paul McCartney fronting U2, Richard Ashcroft join Coldplay for the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony," the Who (pictured), and a reunited Pink Floyd for Live 8 on a movie-sized screen at Auditorium Shores can't hold a candle to air conditioning.

• The Platforms, whose high-fashion take on garage rock led to a handful of "Best New Band" accolades in last year's Chronicle critic's poll, were nearly lost when three-fourths of the group abruptly quit right before SXSW, but guitarist Junie Tune has recruited new singer Dee Licious, bassist Tia Tiara, and drummer Vaughn Zipper – that's right, a guy – to pull on the go-go boots. They strut back onto the scene Saturday at Trophy's (see Music Listings); appropriate attire a must.

• Clifford Antone, whose History of the Blues and Rock & Roll class is one of UT's most popular courses, has acceded to the overwhelming nonstudent demand and, as of July 20, will start teaching a version for the general public at the One World Theater. Classes run 7-9pm Wednesdays through Sept. 28 (no class Sept. 14) and cost $35 per session or $300 for the whole run. Call 329-6753 to register.

• CMT's Wide Open Country, a twangy spin on 120 Minutes, is now second to only the Austin Music Network (yes, it's still around) in terms of local videos. Besides alt-country godfathers Steve Earle and Lyle Lovett, other Texans in regular rotation on the show include Kevin Fowler, Reckless Kelly, Radney Foster, and might-as-well-be-Texans the Greencards and Cross Canadian Ragweed. Unfortunately, the show only airs once a week (Sundays at 9:30am), because CMT needs the rest of the time to promote the new Dukes of Hazzard movie.

• Moonlight Towers release sophomore full-length Like You Were Never There Aug. 23, which falls in the middle of their tour, so they're offering a preview Saturday at Emo's. For free. The Good Times Crisis Band, Youngmond Grand, and La La Land round out the rhyme-tastic bill.