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Tuesday, November 25, 2014
News Killer Mike gives emotional speech about Ferguson
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, Nov 25, 2014 at 10:35 AM
In the wake of the grand jury's decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the Aug. 9 killing of Michael Brown, Killer Mike, who was performing in nearby St. Louis last night, gave an emotional speech to the crowd after hearing the news. Mike is one-half of the hip-hop duo Run the Jewels.
... very grateful that everyone in this room is here. I would like to say, 'Rest in peace' to Michael Brown. ... I would like to give all thoughts and prayers to the people out there peacefully protesting. I also give thoughts and prayers to the people who could not hold their anger in because riots are only the language of the unheard. We usually come on to Queen’s ‘Champion,’ and I just got to tell you today, no matter how much we do it, no matter how much we get shit together, shit comes along that kicks you on your ass and you don't feel like a champion. So, tonight, I got kicked on my ass when I listened to that prosecutor. I'm gonna tell you. You motherfuckers got me today. I knew it was coming. I knew it when fuckin' Eric Holder decided to resign. I knew it wasn't gonna be good. I gotta tell 'em, 'You motherfuckers got me today.' You kicked me on my ass today, because I have a 20-year-old son and I have a 12-year-old son, and I’m so afraid for them. You motherfuckers... You motherfuckers... (unintelligible)... you motherfuckers that we vote for... (unintelligible) You motherfuckers got me today.When I stood on the bus, and I cried, and I hugged my friend and he came and he hugged me, right there, and I said, ‘These motherfuckers got me today.’ When I stood in front of my wife, and I hugged her and I cried like a baby, I said, ‘These motherfuckers got me today.' You motherfuckers will not own tomorrow, we will not live in your fear, we will not accept your pain, we are not going to keep playing that race card, because we know, we know you don’t value my skin. We know you do value his (El-P), but you know what, we’re friends and nothing is going to devalue that.
Before I came out here, there was no peace in my heart and I wanted to walk out to ‘Burn This Motherfucker Down.’ But I got to tell you, I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, something said, ‘Just look for something Martin King might have said.’ So I googled Martin King and Wikipedia popped up, and he was 39-years old when you motherfuckers killed him. He was the same age as I am, the same age as El. He was a young man when they killed him.
But I can promise you today: If I die when I walk off this stage tomorrow, I’ll let you know this: it is not about race, it is not about class, it is not about color. It is about what they killed him for. It is about poverty, it is about greed and it is about a war machine. It’s about a war machine that uses you as a (unintelligible). So as I go tomorrow, I might go the day after, but the one thing I want you to know it is us against the motherfucking machine!
Monday, November 24, 2014
News / First Notes First notes (11/24/2014): Two country singers come out as gay
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.
* Country singers Ty Herndon and Billy Gillman both came out as gay last week. Herndon was married, twice, previously to women but says he has been in his current relationship for years and always struggled with his sexuality. Gillman revealed his orientation via Twitter and a YouTube video to his fans.
* There have been rumors for weeks, but it was finally confirmed that Katy Perry will be the halftime performer at Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015.
* One Direction won Artist of the Year honors at the American Music Awards last night. For a complete list of winners, go here.
* Harry Connick Jr. will perform at Belk Theater on Feb. 17, 2015.
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live photos: Slayer, The Fillmore (11/23/2014)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 24, 2014 at 10:40 AM
Slayer
The Fillmore
Nov. 23, 2014
With a backdrop that included a large band logo and two massive upside-down crosses, Slayer took the stage at the sold-out Fillmore on Sunday night and throttled through its 21-song set in classic fashion. With guitarist Gary Holt filling in for the deceased Jeff Hanneman next to original members guitarist Kerry King and bassist/singer Tom Araya, along with drummer Paul Bostaph, the band proved its mettle to fans who haven't seen the band in Charlotte since their 1999 tour stop as a part of Ozzfest.
Slayer setlist
World Painted Blood
Postmortem
Hate Worldwide
Die by the Sword
Chemical Warfare
War Ensemble
Mandatory Suicide
Necrophiliac
Spill the Blood
Hell Awaits
At Dawn They Sleep
Altar of Sacrifice
Jesus Saves
Disciple
Seasons in the Abyss
Snuff
Dead Skin Mask
Raining Blood
Psychopathy Red
South of Heaven
Angel of Death
Friday, November 21, 2014
Videos Video series looks at Avett Brothers at Time Warner Cable Arena
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Nov 21, 2014 at 10:54 AM
A new four-part video series entitled, Out With the Old, takes a look at the Avett Brothers' performance at Time Warner Cable Arena for New Year's Eve last year. Documented by Crackerfarm, Part II of the series looks at some of Scott and Seth Avett's artwork, in addition to live performance and backstage footage from the show.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: 96.9 The Kat Country Jam, The Fillmore (11/19/2014)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 1:19 PM
Scott Clark Toyota Kat Country Jam presented by 96.9 The Kat f. Hunter Hayes, Montgomery Gentry, Dustin Lynch, Maddie and Tae
The Fillmore
Nov. 19, 2014
"This next one's a love song," Hunter Hayes told the sold-out crowd in attendance for the Scott Clark Toyota Kat Country Jam presented by 96.9 The Kat at the Fillmore on Wednesday night. "... like I'm going to sing anything else tonight." The 23-year-old then kicked off his music award-winning song "Wanted," much to the delight of countless young female fans shrieking in the audience.
Hayes was one of four singers on stage, alongside duo Montgomery Gentry and Dustin Lynch, for a rotation-style performance headlining the Jam, the proceeds of which were to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The artists took turns singing for six rounds, with each tossing in a cover song in place of doing one song all-together.
New Releases Benji Hughes releases three new albums
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 12:58 PM
If you thought Charlotte singer/musician Benji Hughes had been a little quiet since the 2008 release of his critically acclaimed album, A Love Extreme, there's a reason for it. He's been busy working on a whole bunch of new music — three albums, to be exact.
Hughes announced via Facebook this morning that there are three new albums available via his website, benjihughesmusic.com — XXOXOXX, OXOXOXOXOX and Songs In The Key Of Animals.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Alvvays, Neighborhood Theatre (11/14/2014)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 1:47 PM
Alvvays, Absolutely Free, Late Bloomer
Neighborhood Theatre
Nov. 14, 2014
"I feel like I'm performing at a teen dance at a skating rink," Alvvays singer Molly Rankin told the small crowd at the Neighborhood Theatre on Nov. 14, 2014. Performing on the small stage of the NoDa venue, the Canadian band rifled through songs from its self-titled debut released earlier this year. Rankin never really qualified the statement, so those in attendance can only assume it was meant to be complimentary, in some way — though who liked going to awkward high school dances?
Armed with a steady arsenal of pop-infused indie rock, the quintet's Charlotte debut won over the crowd in short order. Sure, the band's hit single, "Marry Me, Archie" seemed to garner the most energy from the audience, but heads bobbed in approval throughout the band's set.
First Notes First notes (11/17/2014): The latest 'Gangnam Style?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 1:24 PM
Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.
* There's a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid 30 featuring Bono, Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Rita Ora, Elbow, Ed Sheeran, Bastille and more. Money raised goes to fight Ebola. The original charity single was recorded in 1984.
* Chinese singer Rong "Rollin" Wang released a bizarre video for her song "Chick Chick," that looks to be capitalizing on the success of Ylvis' "What Does the Fox Say?" and Psy's "Gangnam Style."
* Sinead O'Connor, in a lengthy interview with the UK's Daily Mail, wasn't a fan of U2 forcing their album on people, referring to it as being something "almost terrorist."
Monday, November 10, 2014
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Larkin Poe, Evening Muse (11/7/2014)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 2:18 PM
Larkin Poe
Evening Muse
Nov. 7, 2014
Before starting its second song, Larkin Poe asked the Evening Muse audience if they'd mind hearing a cover song. It was a bit early in the set, but the crowd obliged as singer/guitarist Rebecca Lovell announced the title, "Wade in the Water," a well-known spiritual. The song started out in traditional format before slowly building and turning into a rambunctious, mandolin- and lapsteel-driven foot-stomper full of soul and spirit. Megan Lovell brought forth a bit of sacred steel influence in her riffs, drawing massive applause as the song ended. This sure didn't sound like the same Larkin Poe who played MerleFest in 2010.
It had been three years since Larkin Poe performed in Charlotte, but the sold-out crowd in attendance for this appearance will hopefully get them back sooner than later. Originally two-thirds of the sister trio The Lovell Sisters, Megan and Rebecca Lovell have been together as Larkin Poe since 2010. Their performance at MerleFest was early in the band's formation and still steeped in its bluegrass roots. Since then, Rebecca and Megan's music has developed into a more soulful Americana that's closer to roots-rock than anything bluegrass or folk.
First Notes First notes (11/10/2014): Led Zeppelin still not touring, more
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 1:25 PM
Editor's Note: First Notes is a weekly update of recent happenings in the world of music.
* Robert Plant reportedly turned down an offer of $300 million to tour with Led Zeppelin. Virgin Atlantic billionaire Richard Branson proposed a 35-show schedule in three cities — London, Berlin and New Jersey — that would have paid each band member that same amount. Plant has repeatedly said that he has no interest in touring with the band.
* Jason Aldean has removed his latest album from Spotify, following the lead of Taylor Swift. Old Boots, New Dirt was streamed by more than 3 million Spotify users between its release on Oct. 7 and its removal.
* One Direction was the big winner at the MTV European Music Awards on Sunday night, taking home five statues. The show, which was hosted by Nicki Minaj, took place in Glasgow, Scotland.
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED:
* Kissmas Concert 2014 featuring Jessie J, Nick Jonas and Bebe Rexha on Dec. 9 at the Fillmore.
* Jessica Lea Mayfield and David Mayfield at the Neighborhood Theatre on Dec. 10.
* Glen Hansard at the Knight Theater on Feb. 9.
* Echosmith at the Visulite Theatre on Feb. 25.
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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.
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Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
