Live Reviews

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Chvrches ups the energy

Posted By on Wed, Oct 17, 2018 at 10:38 PM

Chvrches, Lo Moon
The Fillmore
Oct. 16, 2018

Good lighting is nice. The sound definitely matters. But the right stage presence and energy can lift any concert up to the rafters. Chvrches hit the stage on Tuesday night at The Fillmore and offered another upbeat and entertaining performance that left the whole crowd swooning. Maybe it's the indie-pop rhythms or perhaps its the sweet vocal tones of singer Lauren Mayberry. Whatever the case, Chvrches is on that list of must-see acts thanks to the quality of their sound and simplistic goodness that shouldn't be missed any time they're in town. You just want to dance, sing along and hope the show never ends. The night started with Lo Moon, who kicked off their brief set with the hit single, "This Is It."



Chvrches setlist
Get Out
Bury It
Gun
We Sink
Graffiti
Graves
God's Plan
Under the Tide
Miracle
Science/Visions
Really Gone
Deliverance
Forever
Recover
Leave a Trace
Clearest Blue

Encore
The Mother We Share
Never Say Die

Lo Moon setlist
This Is It
The Right Thing
Thorns
Wonderful Life
Real Love
Loveless

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Thursday, October 4, 2018

Florence & The Machine offer a vocal showcase in Charlotte area

Posted By on Thu, Oct 4, 2018 at 9:46 PM

Florence & The Machine, Billie Eilish
Oct. 3, 2018
Spectrum Center

Add Florence Welch to the short list of people who could sing an encyclopedia and still be entertaining. Performing around an elaborate wooden stage at Charlotte's Spectrum Center on Wednesday night, Welch and the rest Florence and the Machine could do no wrong in the eyes of fans packing the uptown venue. From her sing-along hits to rarer tunes, fans soaked up every note. Welch's effortless singing and barefoot dancing struck the right chords. 16-year-old Billie Eilish opened the night with an energetic set that showed she has talent beyond her years. It won't be long before Eilish is headlining arenas on her own.




Florence and the Machine setlist
June
Hunger
Between Two Lungs
Only If for a Night
Queen of Peace
South London Forever
Patricia
Dog Days Are Over
100 Years
Ship to Wreck
The End of Love
Cosmic Love
Delilah
What Kind of Man

Encore
Big God
Shake It Out

Billie Eilish setlist
Bellyache
Idontwannabeyouanymore
&burn
Bored
Bitches Broken Hearts”
Hotline Bling
Party Favor
you should see me in a crown
Ocean Eyes
Lovely
My Boy
Copycat

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Monday, August 20, 2018

Rodgers, Beck and Wilson prove they aren't too old to rock

Posted By on Mon, Aug 20, 2018 at 10:16 PM

Stars Align Tour f. Paul Rodgers, Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson, Deborah Bonham
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 19, 2018

Paul Rodgers is 68 years old. Jeff Beck is 74. Ann Wilson is 68. Who says you can't get better with age? The trio of rock icons hit Charlotte's PNC Music Pavilion on Sunday night and proved they've still got what it takes to hit all the right notes. While Rodgers filled his performance with songs from Bad Company and Free, Ann Wilson of Heart focused more on covers of music that influenced her and meant something to her. Meanwhile, it was Beck who lit up the night from start to finish. The legendary guitarist simply shredded every note and showed why he's at or near the top of so many best guitarist lists. (Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring even made the drive up from Atlanta just to see him.) The night was opened by John Bonham's sister, Deborah. There might not have been many people in attendance but those who were soaked in every minute of classic rock. As Ann Wilson said, "It's a night full of music performed by people with real voices and instruments." Plenty of modern musicians should take notes.



Paul Rodgers setlist
Little Bit of Love
Can't Get Enough
Wishing Well
Feel Like Makin' Love
The Stealer
Ready for Love
Movin' On
Mr. Big
Woman
Fire and Water
Shooting Star
Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy

Encore
Walk in My Shadow
All Right Now

Jeff Beck setlist
Pull It
Stratus
Nadia
You Know You Know
Morning Dew
I Have to Laugh
Lonnie on the Move
Mná na h-Éireann
Just for Fun
Little Wing
Big Block
Cause We've Ended as Lovers
Brush With the Blues
Superstition
A Day in the Life

Encore
Corpus Christi Carol
Going Down

Ann Wilson setlist
The Real Me
Barracuda
Ain't No Way
I Am the Highway
Back to Black
You Don't Own Me
Life in the Fast Lane
Won't Get Fooled Again

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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Rain doesn't dampen the party with Kesha and Macklemore

Posted By on Thu, Aug 2, 2018 at 9:51 PM

Kesha, Macklemore
PNC Music Pavilion
Aug. 1, 2018

Someone said there were massive downpours at PNC Music Pavilion last night. I also heard that the sets by Kesha and Macklemore were cut short by two songs each. Those in attendance didn't care because they were too busy having a great time. The pop stars brought a party to Charlotte last night and rain didn't hold anyone back. Usually when it rains, concert-goers run for cover. In Charlotte, they acted like it was an extension of Macklemore spraying water on the crowd or Kesha's confetti bombs.

Macklemore opened up the night with an eight-song run through his biggest hits. He brought crowd members on stage, threw things into the crowd and never stopped dancing from one side of the stage to the other. Kesha's anthem "Praying" brought many to tears, but her entire set showed she's a pop start without the "diva" label. Her set started off with plenty of f-bombs and middle fingers in the air, but she clearly had a blast from the first notes of "Woman." She even joked that her ass wasn't hanging out of her leotard enough. Sure, those in attendance would have preferred less rain and more music, but they loved every minute of the party that rolled through town.



Kesha setlist
Woman
Blah Blah Blah
We R Who We R
Good Old Days
TimberDie
Young
Your Love Is My Drug
Take It Off
Blow
Praying
Tik Tok

Macklemore setlist
Ain't Gonna Die Tonight
Thrift Shop
White Walls
Same Love
Otherside
Willy Wonka
Dance Off
Can't Hold Us

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Sunday, July 22, 2018

Evanescence, Lindsey Stirling bring new energy to PNC Music Pavilion

Posted By on Sun, Jul 22, 2018 at 10:49 PM

Lindsey Stirling, Evanescence, Cellogram
July 20, 2018
PNC Music Pavilion

If you went to PNC Music Pavilion on Friday night expecting to see a blistering rock show, you left either completely disappointed or pleasantly surprised. While Evanescence was on the bill with co-headliner Lindsey Stirling, the band left the heavy rock behind. Singer Amy Lee took center stage to showcase her vocals through rearranged, more mellow versions of the band's songs accompanied by more than two dozen orchestra members. She showed depth and range for more than an hour and brought numerous fans to tears with the emotion and power in her vocals. Stirling capped off the night with an energetic performance filled with non-stop dancing. It wasn't the typical show for PNC Music Pavilion as both artists performed their music with renewed style and grace. If only more artists brought something completely new to the table on their own tours.



Evanescence setlist
Overture
Never Go Back
Lacrymosa
End of the Dream
My Heart Is Broken
Lithium
Bring Me to Life
Unraveling
Imaginary
Secret Door
Across the Universe
Hi-Lo
Lost in Paradise
Your Star
My Immortal
The In-Between
Imperfection

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Thursday, June 21, 2018

Willie Nelson's return is worth the wait

Posted By on Thu, Jun 21, 2018 at 10:53 PM

Outlaw Music Festival f. Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Jamey Johnson and Sarah Shook and the Disarmers
PNC Music Pavilion
June 20, 2018

When Willie Nelson abruptly canceled his performance nearly a month ago, fans left Charlotte's PNC Music Pavilion filled with disappointment. Sure, they said they'd make up the show, but would it really happen? When a June 20 makeup date was announced, fans remained optimistic. On Wednesday night, Nelson held up his end of the bargain in fine fashion. Though the night started a bit slow for the 85-year-old legendary singer/guitarist, he quickly warmed up his vocals and fretwork. He rolled through hit after hit and cover after cover. At this point, Nelson doesn't owe anyone an explanation or a makeup date, but he showed his love of performing for more than an hour. His only acknowledgement of last month's debacle was a simple, "I feel like I've been here before."

Before Nelson, Concord's own Avett Brothers performed a stripped-down set a la 2008. With only Seth and Scott Avett flanked by bassist Bob Crawford and cellist Joe Kwon, the quartet rifled through songs like they used to when they were performing in Charlotte on a regular basis. Family harmonies, energetic foot stomping and spot-on instrumentation highlighted the set. It might have stole the show if they were opening for anyone other than Willie Nelson.



Willie Nelson setlist
Whiskey River
Still Is Still Moving to Me
Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
Good Hearted Woman
Down Yonder
If You Got the Money
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground
On the Road Again
Always on My Mind
It's All Going to Pot
Jam
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
Hey Good Lookin'
Move It On Over
Shoeshine Man
Georgia on My Mind
I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train
Funny How Time Slips Away
Crazy
Night Life
Still Not Dead
Something You Get Through
Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
Will the Circle Be Unbroken / I'll Fly Away

The Avett Brothers setlist
Laundry Room
Distraction #74
Down With the Shine
Talk on Indolence
Murder in the City
I Wish I Was
Shame
Satan Pulls the Strings
At the Beach
Standing With You
Mama Tried
Through My Prayers

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Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Hayley Kiyoko brings a party to The Underground

Posted By on Tue, Jun 12, 2018 at 11:05 PM

Hayley Kiyoko, Gavin Turek
The Underground
June 11, 2018

From the moment she walked out on stage until the final notes ringing out, Hayley Kiyoko brought a party to The Underground on Monday night. Recent hit "Girls Like Girls" played like an anthem in the early part of the set before Kiyoko recognized that it's Pride Month and time to celebrate. The sold-out Avidxchange Music Factory venue danced and sang the night away while the rain fell outside. Dancing whirlwind and pop-diva-in-training Gavin Turek got the party started with a 40-minute set full of pop music and dance grooves. You never would have guessed it was a Monday night.

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Japanese Breakfast thrills sold-out Neighborhood Theatre

Posted By on Tue, Jun 12, 2018 at 10:58 PM

Japanese Breakfast w/ Dollhands, Faye
Neighborhood Theatre
June 9, 2018

With light-up shoes and non-stop energy, Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner hit the stage on Saturday night and rarely stopped moving. Performing in front of a sold-out crowd on the Neighborhood Theatre's bar side stage, the quartet quickly got the crowd moving and didn't hold anything back. Zauner was all smiles for the duration of the set which drew from the group's two albums, 2016's Psychopomp and 2017's Soft Sounds from Another Planet, as well as a closing cover of The Cranberries' "Dreams." The night got started with short sets from two Charlotte indie rock outfits, Faye and Dollhands. Each quickly won over the crowd and set an upbeat tone for the night.



Japanese Breakfast setlist
In Heaven
Road Head
2042
Machinist
The Body Is a Blade
Diving Woman
Rugged Country
Boyish
Heft
This House
Till Death
Everybody Wants to Love You
Dreams

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Monday, May 28, 2018

Bishop Briggs stuns sold-out Underground

Posted By on Mon, May 28, 2018 at 10:15 PM

Bishop Briggs w/ Foreign Air
May 25, 2018
The Underground

The first time Bishop Briggs played in Charlotte, she was warming up for Kaleo at The Underground. "This show is so much better than the last time," Briggs joked with the sold-out crowd.

Aside from being the headliner this time around, Briggs also had a studio album under her belt. The effortless power of her vocals and unending energy on stage had the crowd singing along for the duration of her 70-minute set.

Sandwiched between hit singles, "White Flag" and "River" were an array of songs to showcase her style and vocals. She won't be playing venues of this size for long.

Charlotte's own Foreign Air, featuring Jesse Clasen (HRVRD, The Bear Romantic), opened the night and got the entire crowd moving with their indie brand of electro rock.

The band is often on tour, but I can't imagine them holding opening slots much longer. Don't miss either act the next time they're in town.



Bishop Briggs setlist
White Flag
Wild Horses
Tempt My Trouble
The Way I Do
Be Your Love
Lyin'
Water
The Fire
Hallowed Ground
Dream
Hi Lo (Hollow)

Encore
River

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Fans leave Outlaw Music Festival disappointed

Posted By on Mon, May 28, 2018 at 10:02 PM

2018 Outlaw Music Festival
May 26, 2018
PNC Music Pavilion

Brandi Carlile dropped off the lineup. Then Elvis Costello dropped off. The Outlaw Music Festival at PNC Music Pavilion was holding on by the strength of its headliners — Sturgill Simpson and Willie Nelson.

So, when the set times were announced, it's no surprise the crowd was sparse for the day's opening acts, including Lee Mitchell, Horse Feathers and Old Crow Medicine Show.

As the night went on, the crowd got bigger as anticipation grew. Sturgill Simpson rocked through his set, winning over countless fans. More jam than country, his quartet pushed the boundaries of every song.

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