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Live Review: Bruno Mars at Reliant Stadium (3.7.13)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Pop-soul singer Bruno Mars is the total package. He plays the guitar, drums and piano. He’s an accomplished songwriter, co-penning hits like Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire” to B.o.B’s “Nothing on You,” and he can dance, too. Last Thursday night he packed Reliant Stadium, bringing in 75,000 screaming fans — a record attendance, according to Rodeo Houston.
Mars carries a casual and comfortable stage persona and exudes self confidence. Dressed in a checkered flannel shirt, lime-green t-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers, the Hawaii-born singer immediately got down to the singles from his current LP Unorthodox Jukebox, released last December via Atlantic Records. He began with “Moonshine,” then moved to “Natalie” and “Treasure,” onto “Show Me,” mashing it with “Our First Time,” another R&B-reggae tune from his debut Doo-Wops & Hooligans.
Honestly, it was a short set. Thirteen songs in a bit over an hour. But ask me if it mattered? Mars danced and hammed it up the entire time. Fans ate it up (including me!). Performing “Billionaire,” mixing it with an oldie “Money (That’s What I Want),” the talented artist segued into “Marry You” from Doo-Wop and back to his recent with “If I Knew,” blending it with Boyz II Men’s 1992 hit “End of the Road.” Bringing the romance full circle, Mars, of course, sang “When I Was Your Man,” the vulnerable ballad that’s as beautiful live as it is on the radio. He closed out the night with chart-toppers “Grenade,” “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Just the Way You Are.” It was the fastest hour of great music I’ve ever witnessed at the rodeo. Total package indeed.
LIVE REVIEW: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, House of Blues (Houston, TX) – 11/11/12
Grace Potter on stage at HOB’s in Houston, TX, on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (photo/ND McCray)
Opening with the title track from her latest album, The Lion The Beast The Beat, Vermont singer-songwriter Grace Potter showcased her rock-star style along with band mates the Nocturnals at House of Blues on Sunday night.
Undeniably a rock and roll outfit, GPN is also steeped in soul, blues, gospel and country music. Touring heavily in support of their newest project, released in June, the crew opened for country music superstars Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in August at Reliant Stadium for their Brothers of the Sun Tour.
Potter told CultureMap Houston last week: “That whole tour was a highlight for me this summer — especially when I got to sit in with Kenny during his show and watch how he controls the energy of 50-some-odd-thousand people. It’s a pretty inspiring thing to see.”
Grace duets with the star on his track “You and Tequila,” a 2011 crossover hit that exposed the group to a much wider audience.
Grace Potter at House of Blues. (photo/ND McCray)
With a light show that rivaled many big-name major-label artists, Potter showcased that she learned from (and can hang with) the best of them. Divvying up sentimental songs like “Stars” and the theatrical “Turntable” (from The Lion The Beast The Beat) with their catchiest tracks from previous albums like “Money,” “Low Road,” “Stop The Bus,” Medicine,“ and of course, “Paris (Oh La La),” the band also included cover versions of Otis Redding and Elton John tunes.
Their set list was compiled via fan-requests on Twitter, thus, making every show a new and different experience. But I, as well as the people around me, could feel the passion in Potter’s voice during Redding’s “Pain In My Heart,” where her powerhouse vocals and organ skills shined through.
For Elton John’s sing-a-long classic “Rocket Man,” country-blues singer RayLand Baxter, who opened for the group, joined in for a rousing rendition. As for other tracks performed (think: “Nothing But The Water II,” “Sweet Hands,” “Apologies,” “2:22,” “That Phone,” as well as an amazing cover by Heart (“Crazy On You”).
Potter says this about a live show: “People come to a rock concert to get lost in the moment and to lose themselves. [And] the best way to do it is to dance, shake off your inhibitions, just really let go and sing at the top of your lungs, whether you know the words or not. That to me is a true visceral rock-and-roll experience.”
And what an experience it was.
The Lion The Beast The Beat is available everywhere now.
Disco Queen Thelma Houston headlines Discovery Green’s “Rainbow on the Green”
Thelma Houston in Houston, TX, on Friday, June 22, 2012. (Photo/ND McCray)
“Rainbow on the Green” is part of Houston’s LGBT Pride Celebration held at Discovery Green on Friday night (June 22). The event ushered in disco diva Thelma Houston to perform her 1977 hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, among other tunes.
Hosted by local talent Tye Blue, festivities included “appearances” by Adele, and Beyoncé impersonator Tyonce’ Moore, as well as loving tributes to the late Whitney Houston and Donna Summer.
After performing her signature disco-soul classic, Ms. Houston shared her newest single “Gliding on Love” – a thumping electro-club jam that’s now available on iTunes.
Upcoming NYC Shows!
May 2012
May 23, Slum Village, 8pm, $20
May 24, Nikka Costa, Highline Ballroom, 8pm, $18-$20
May 25, Lalah Hathaway, Highline Ballroom, 8pm, $30-$35
June 2012
Jun 4, BAM150 Documentary Screening, Brooklyn Academy of Music, 8:30pm, FREE
Jun 4, The Foreign Exchange (Phonte & Nicolay), Music Hall of Williamsburg, 9pm, $25
Jun 5, Celebrate Brooklyn! Opening Night Concert w. Jimmy Cliff, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 8:15pm, FREE and open to the public
Jun 7 – Aug 9, 2012 R&B Festival at Metro Tech feat. Larry Graham & Graham Central Station (Jun 7); Ky-mani Marley (Jun 21); Metro Tech Commons, Brooklyn, Thursdays at 12pm, FREE
Jun 7, Eat, Drink & Be Literary w. Sapphire, BAM, 6:30pm, $50
Jun 8, Erotic City (Tribute to Prince), Brooklyn Bowl, 11:59pm, $8-$10
Jun 9, An Evening w. Anthony Bourdain, BAM, 7:30pm, $52.50
Jun 9, The Pimps of Joytime, Bowery Ballroom, 8:30pm, $16-$18
Jun 10, Céu, Highline Ballroom, 8pm, $25-$30
Jun 13, Michael Kiwanuka, Highline Ballroom, 8pm, $15
Jun 14, Eat, Drink & Be Literary w. Edwidge Danticat, BAM, 6:30pm, $50
Jun 14 – Kool Keith, Brooklyn Bowl, 8pm, $10-$12
Jun 14, Langhorne Slim, Bowery Ballroom, 9pm, $15
Jun 14, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), Apollo Theatre, 9pm, $45-$145
Jun 17 – Dam-Funk, Brooklyn Bowl, 8pm, $10
Jun 17, Ziggy Marley, Irving Plaza, 7pm, $35
Jun 23, Nobody Beats The Drum w. Cubic Zirconia, 11:59pm, $5-$10
Jun 28, Meshell Ndegeocello, Highline Ballroom, 9pm, $25-$30
Jun 28, Scarface, SOBs, 9pm, $35
July 2012
Jul 3, WFUV Presents: Norah Jones, Summerstage, Central Park, 7pm, $49.50
Jul 5, 2012 R&B Festival at Metro Tech feat. Van Hunt, Metro Tech Commons, Brooklyn, Thursdays at 12pm, FREE
Jul 25, Allen Stone, Bowery Ballroom, 9pm, $17-$20
Jul 26, Kindred The Family Soul, BB King’s, 8pm, $27-$32
August 2012
Aug 10, Jon B & Jagged Edge, BB King’s, 8pm, $26-$30
Aug 22, WFUV Presents: Al Green w. Charles Bradley, Beacon Theatre, 8pm, $50-$135
Aug 24, Will Downing, BB King’s, 8pm, $50-$53
Aug 25, Raheem DeVaughn, BB King’s, 8pm, $32-$35
LIVE Review: Candice Anitra, Drom, NYC – 4/5/2012
Candice Anitra held her NYC Big Tree album release party at Drom on Thursday night (Apr. 5) on the Lower East Side. Supporting acts included soul and blues act The Revelations featuring Tré Williams and Singapore hip-hop artist Kevin Lester.
The sound of the self-proclaimed “left-of-soul” singer is hard to define but what her performance at Drom proved, it really doesn’t matter — just say Candice Anitra makes good music. Opening with the title track from her sophomore LP, the Brooklyn-based artist seemed immediately comfortable in the intimate space. Whether singing sweet ballads (“Before,” “I Hear Music”), up-tempo tunes (“Today,” “Love Sick,” “We Are Love”), or tackling a Donny Hathaway classic (“A Change Is Gonna Come”), Candice’s message of love and positive vibes was felt by all. And though it was my first time seeing her perform live in New York, I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.
Big Tree is out now. Below check out Candice Anitra singing the title track; footage recorded by yours truly.
The role concerts play in people’s lives
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| Lenny Kravitz ticket stub from Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, in Grand Prairie, TX; 2nd concert this year the author has seen. (Photo/ND McCray) |
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| Electronic ticket for Yelawolf on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, in Houston, TX; 1st show the author saw this year. (Photo/ND McCray) |
“[However] Rock The Bells tickets [last year] were $100 and a part of me thinks I just should have paid it to see an awesome lineup.”
Why do you still attend concerts? What do you get out of the experience?
Live Review: Lenny Kravitz, 2/22/2012, Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, TX
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Lenny Kravitz on stage Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX
(Photo credit: Mathieu Bitton)
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Even with his rock star status, Lenny Kravitz showed an amazing amount of humbleness last night (Feb. 22) at the small but perfectly-sized Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, TX, just outside of Dallas.
I haven’t danced so hard at a concert since I saw Prince at Madison Square Garden in 2010. But I was amazed at how interactive and fun and exciting Kravitz was with the audience. It was an all-ages show and the consummate performer had us on our feet for nearly two-hours rocking out to his brand of retro rock and soul. Clad in all black and supported by a seven-piece band with an ill horn section, the multi-instrumentalist showcased real musicianship, energy and peace through songs about love, hope and equality among races. Opening act Raphael Saadiq also brought his lively mix of rock and soul to the stage.
However, Lenny Kravitz owned the night. Performing mostly chart-toppers from his nine studio albums, the singer-songwriter made it an evening of dance, funk, and rock and roll, but also one of reflection. With a kaleidoscope of backdrop images (several with his late parents, mom Roxie Roker [Helen Willis from the TV show The Jeffersons] and dad television producer Sy Kravitz), he sang a moving rendition of the title track from his latest album, “Black and White America.” From that point on, I was further convinced that this was by far one of the best concerts I’ve attended in the last 20 years.
As Kravitz moved to the last song of the night, “Let Love Rule,” he began walking through the audience (amid tons of security) giving out handshakes, hugs and photo ops to eager fans. And if I wasn’t so starstruck excited myself, I would’ve gotten a shot of the man himself hugging my mom and shaking her hand! But what are you going to do when a guy you’ve admired since forever is literally thisclose to you that you can feel his sweat on your arm?? Exactly, you kick yourself seconds later as he walks back to the stage!
Set List:
- “Come On Get It”
- “Always on the Run”
- “American Woman”
- “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
- “Mr. Cab Driver”
- “Black and White America”
- “Fields of Joy”
- “Stand By My Woman”
- “Believe”
- “Stand”
- “Rock n Roll is Dead”
- “Where Are We Runnin?”
- “Fly Away”
- “Are You Gonna Go My Way
- “Let Love Rule”
Live Review: Yelawolf @ Warehouse Live, 2/16/2012, Houston, TX
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| photo credit: exclaim.ca |
Opening with “Daddy’s Lambo” and subsequently running through “I Just Wanna Party” “Pop the Trunk,” “I Wish” and “Love Is Not Enough” from his 2010 mixtape Trunk Muzik, Yelawolf, otherwise known as Michael Wayne Atha, smashed any doubters as to his authenticity to “speed-rap,” slow it down, smooth it out, pay homage to greats in country (Johnny Cash), rap (Too Short, Easy E, Outkast, Wu-Tang and The Beastie Boys) and dedicate his track “Marijuana” to his mama, all in a single hour. The energy was palpable. “Hard White (Up In The Club)” from his proper full-length Radioactive was a requisite performance, as it amped up the crowd of mostly white twenty-something’s even more. Making appearances were rap idols Trae the Truth and Bun B of UGK. Yela closed out the show with the Kid Rock-assisted single “Let’s Roll.” It was def a hip-hop show but I think it’s more interesting to image what could have happened if the country rocker, known for killer shows as well, would’ve actually showed up.
J*DaVeY – "WHATCHALOOKIN@?" {Live in Studio}
Exhibition & Signing: Back in the Days Remix with Jamel Shabazz, 7/12/2011, powerHouse Arena, DUMBO, Brooklyn, 6pm
More information at powerHouse Arena.
DJ Center, Devil’s Pie Sunday, 6/3/2011, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Opening Reception: Fool’s Gold Retail Store, Friday, June 24, 2011, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The World’s Biggest DJ Competition, TODAY, June 11, 2011, Santos Party House, New York City
Music documentary: BAMcinemaFest Presents "Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer," BAM Rose Cinema, 6/26/2011
BAMcinema Fest runs from June 16th through June 26th. Click here for ticket details. Peep the video below for insight into the documentary.
Thievery Corporation w. Raphael Saadiq, Dam-Funk, & Master Blazter, Friday, June 24th, 2011, Williamsburg Waterfront, Brooklyn
Black Alternative Fest Returns to Brooklyn
2011 Festival lineup: Cee Lo Green, Janelle Monae, Santigold, Jay Electronica, Toshi Reagon, Ninjasonik, Res, Joi, & plenty more. Details at Afro-Punk. Peep the video below from the 2010 lineup…
Show Review: Revive Da Live Big Band Tribute to G.U.R.U. & the Jazzmatazz Legacy, 4/21/2011 at Le Poisson Rouge, NYC
Live Review: J*DaVeY at SOB, 4/5/2011
Though the openers, Baltimore rap duo Black Sunn and 810, Harlem emcee Skotch Davis, and hype-man Def Sound made the audience a bit antsy with their
To download Evil Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes, visit http://www.jdaveybaby.com/
