These days you're more likely to see a rock star sipping champagne in the mezzanine during intermission than admiring a freshly-trashed hotel room. From plays to musicals, operas and beyond, it seems musicians are taking the stage in new and inventive ways.

Sonic Youth, whose lengthy career with Geffen Records expired with the release of 2006's Rather Ripped, have finally -- after a brief partnership with Starbucks! -- confirmed a new home: New York-based indie label Matador.

It was a good thing we had our video phones handy at Friday night's Sonic Youth gig in Philadelphia: The band decided to debut two new songs at the top of their set. Thanks to Converse, who sponsored the event, SPIN.com was able to invite a Sonic Youth fan to interview the band and film the set with a handheld video phone that posted clips to our SPIN Live player.

As the Democratic National Convention draws nearer to its kickoff date of Aug.