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Friday, November 18, 2011
Live Reviews Live review: The Smoker's Club tour
Posted By Mike McCray on Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 11:39 AM
The Smoker's Club Tour f. Method Man, Big K.R.I.T., Curren$y
Amos' Southend
Nov. 16, 2011
The Smoker’s Club Tour rolled through the Queen City again, this time with Wu-Tang legend Method Man in on the action at Amos' Southend on Nov. 16. Starting on time can never be overlooked at a rap concert. To my surprise, I checked the time and right at 9 p.m., opening act Rich Hill — Tommy Hilfiger’s son interestingly enough — was on stage.
Big K.R.I.T. tore through a familiar set full of hits from Return of 4eva and K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, but even fans in the audience noticed that compared to past performances he’d definitely refined his show. The energy was still high but there wasn’t any lingering between songs or forced crowd work. Even new material like “Money on the Floor” went over well with an audience clearly on his side.
Curren$y had the set of the night. Not only did this guy set up a living room on stage, complete with friends and models aimlessly Tweeting from the sofa as he performed, he ripped the set from a wheelchair under doctors orders not to put any weight on his foot after surgery. In between hopping from chair to chair to get more comfortable, his personality shined through. Spitta surprisingly did a ton of songs from his mixtapes Covert Coupe and Verde Terrace but did a pretty good job of mixing in material from Pilot Talk, Pilot Talk II and Weekend at Burnie’s. The best part had to be him checking his watch then deciding he’d perform whatever beat his DJ threw on, that really got the crowd into it, wanting to sway what’s next.
New Releases Third Eye Blind offers weak Occupy Wall Street anthem
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 10:35 AM
I figured more musicians would write songs to try and inspire change or enhance a political movement, but I never expected anyone would try and make it sound so happy.
Third Eye Blind — remember them? — released a new song called, "If There Was a Time," inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement. Instead of being inspirational, it sounds more like a weak attempt by the band to say, "We're still here! Any chance we can make some money off this, cause we've got bills to pay..."
Singer Stephan Jenkins says on the band's Web site, "I think college students are going to come to terms with the unfairness of student loans, the hallowing out of jobs from finance based capitalism, and the depletion of public wealth. When you take money out of politics, which is what Occupy Wall Street is about for me, you reverse these trends. This song is meant to encourage their participation. I hope we flood this movement with music."
I expect protest music from folk singers, hip-hop artists and energetic rock bands, not a has-been, former Top-40 pop-rock band that hasn't released anything close to a decent song since the masses swallowed their swill back in 1997. It comes off as a sad attempt to get back in public eye and gain attention for the band's upcoming album more than an effort to try inspire and motivate people.
If you're interested in trying to find the shiny, happy side of protesting, listen below:
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
News Song of the Year?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Nov 16, 2011 at 2:20 PM
I sure as hell hope no one sees this list — much less listens to it — and believes it's the best Charlotte has to offer...
Music Menu Off The Record Feat. The Spiveys & Sy Arden - Tonight @ the Evening Muse
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, Nov 16, 2011 at 12:03 PM
This monthly songwriter showcase hosted by yours truly combines stripped-down performances with a bit of storytelling.
Songs are mixed in with onstage Q&A to give those in attendance a look at the songwriting process, message behind the music and a different atmosphere for checking out talented musicians. Sy Arden and The Spiveys are November’s guests.
$6 advance; $8 day of show. 8 p.m. The Evening Muse.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
New Releases This week's new releases (11/15/2011)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Here's a quick rundown of what's new in stores this week:
Andrea Bocelli, Céline Dion, Tony Bennett, Chris Botti and David Foster Concerto, One Night in Central Park
Drake Take Care
Five Finger Death Punch American Capitalist
Childish Gambino Camp
Gym Class Heroes The Papercut Chronicles II
Los Campesinos! Hello Sadness
R.E.M. Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982 - 2011
Sigur Rós Inní
Slash Made In Stoke 24/7/11
Monday, November 14, 2011
Concert Announcement Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw announce stadium tour
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 12:42 PM
The Brothers of the Sun Tour featuring Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw announced a Charlotte tour stop on June 24 at Bank of America Stadium. Along with Chesney and McGraw is opening act Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. On-sale information will be announced soon.
This will be the second time a concert has been held in the stadium — the first was the Rolling Stones in 1997.
The stadium seats more than 73,000, plus any room they'd make available on the field. That's a far cry from the usual Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre concerts that has a capacity of around 18,000. Perhaps they're going for the NASCAR, we-love-to-watch-things-in-a-large-oval crowd?
In the meantime, here's a look at Chesney's video for "You and Tequila" featuring Potter.
Music Menu Floating Action floats through Charlotte - Tonight @ Snug Harbor
Posted By John Schacht on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Black Mountain’s Seth Kauffman, who writes and performs and records virtually everything on Floating Action LPs, is an honest throwback.
His songs sound like lost A.M. radio-transmissions from Trenchtown and Motown, Stax and Sun Studios. In an age when nostalgia reigns, Kauffman’s eclectic tastes make the slippery notion of authenticity paramount, and that’s one reason his songs pull off the neat trick of sounding vintage and fresh rather than recycled. The oft-underrated, post-Exile mid-’70s Stones is a starting point, but only that.
In betwixt The Fling and the Houstons. $8. Snug Harbor.
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Brandi Carlile
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Brandi Carlile w/ The Secret Sisters
Knight Theatre
Nov. 11, 2011
"I've been looking forward to this show for the entire tour so far," Brandi Carlile told a sold-out Knight Theatre crowd. "I thought I'd be playing in coffee houses and small places for a few people and you sold out the McGlohon Theatre so they had to move it to a bigger venue. It's amazing."
Carlile hit the stage dressed in black, a silk scarf around her neck, as she rolled through song after song during her solo performance. Her vocals held the spotlight for the duration of the night — from the opening notes of "Follow" through an a capella version of "What Can I Say" to the final encore. While she mentioned her missing bandmates — Tim and Phil Hanseroth — a few times, Carlile also noted that this solo tour has been a good idea and one she was initially hesitant to do.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
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Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
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Rain doesn't dampen the party with Kesha and Macklemore
Both sets cut short as storms roll through Charlotte, N.C.
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Live review: Fiona Apple, The Fillmore (9/26/2012) 16
Fans ate it up, but it was a trainwreck of tragic and frustrating proportions.
