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Monday, April 30, 2012
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Sugarland, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 4/27/2012
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Sugarland w/ Dave Stewart
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
April 27, 2012
Halfway through Sugarland's set on April 27, 2012, Jennifer Nettles bathed in the spotlight and belted out the band's Grammy winning song, "Stay." Full of emotion and appearing on the verge of tears, Nettles showed vocal range and strength as the crowd sang along to every word. The show could have ended right there. Instead, the country crossover duo honored a few more requests before calling it a night as Charlotte's Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre kicked off its summer season.
The duo, Nettles and guitarist Kristian Bush (along with a full backing band), honored just about every song request that came their way as they put on a show that was completely for the fans. Appropriately titled the "In Your Hands" tour, Sugarland's fans got a sweet taste of the hits along with some more obscure tunes and covers. Having already toured in support of their 2010 album, The Incredible Machine, this tour is purely for the love of performing.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Safetysuit, Ovens Auditorium, 4/9/2012
Posted By Alison Angel on Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 4:38 PM
Daughtry w/ Safetysuit
Ovens Auditorium
April 9, 2012
When SafetySuit began its eight-song opening set for Daughtry on April 9, 2012, it was clear from the opening notes that the majority of the Ovens Auditorium crowd had no clue who the band was.
Most in attendance stared quizzically at the stage as the band members walked out and began rocking a song from their new album, These Times. Safetysuit's brand of pop-rock combines strong-and-steady guitar melodies with tear-jerking vocals, producing an almost ethereal sound while still being catchy enough for radio.
By the time the band launched into the next song - fan-favorite "Something I Said" - they managed to stir up some activity in the crowd, as if they were the main event.
Frontman Doug Brown thrashed around so much there was fear he'd throw his back out. Brown would find a way to wring every last ounce of emotion out of each lyric while sinking down to his knees and singing his heart out to a crowd that was initially indifferent.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Time Warner Cable Arena, 4/6/2012
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Red Hot Chili Peppers w/ Santigold
Time Warner Cable Arena
April 6, 2012
I believe most Red Hot Chili Peppers fans fall into one of two groups - those who started listening before "Under the Bridge" and those who discovered the band because of the radio hit. The first camp believes nothing the band released after Blood Sugar Sex Magik has come close to the glory of the early years. The other camp loves every radio-friendly, pop-leaning tune they come out with and thinks the band is in their prime.
The last time I caught the Chili Peppers live it was 20 years ago, shortly after the release of "Under the Bridge." When the band played the song live at 1992's Lollapalooza festival in Scranton, Pa., a mosh pit started in defiance of the mellow undertones. Fast forward to the April 6, 2012, concert at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena and "Under the Bridge" was clearly the favorite song, boasting the night's loudest sing along. Personally, I used the time to check my e-mail.
Aside from a strong distaste for one song, I headed into the concert with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have all of the energy they used to exude, but it's now done in different ways. Singer Anthony Kiedis, 49, still finds time to dance, but his wild side has calmed down a bit. Drummer Chad Smith, 50, still appears to have an absolute blast behind the kit - throwing sticks to the crowd and making faces at people - and bassist Flea is as crazy as ever - evidenced by his random comments and stories, walking across the stage on his hands and constant jumping around. As for new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer - more on him in a moment.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: The Black Keys, Bojangles Coliseum, 3/24/2012
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 10:52 AM
The Black Keys w/ The Arctic Monkeys
Bojangles Coliseum
March 24, 2012
The Black Keys like to keep it simple. "We are the Black Keys. Let's get it started," was all guitarist Dan Auerbach had to say before the band launched into a 90-minute set at Charlotte's sold-out Bojangles Coliseum on March 24, 2012.
Drummer Patrick Carney unleashed the familiar thump of "Howlin' for You" as Auerbach released its riff and the duo quickly found its rhythm. A majority of the set focused on the Keys' latest albums, 2010's Brothers and 2011's El Camino, though they did find moments to revisit their past.
After a handful of recent songs including the latest single, "Gold on the Ceiling," the band went back to 2004's Rubber Factory for "Girl is On My Mind" and later "Your Touch" from 2006's Magic Potion.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Greensboro Coliseum, 3/19/2012
Posted By Grant Britt on Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 12:38 PM
- Photo by Mary Law
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Greensboro Coliseum
March 19, 2012
Monday night at the Greensboro Coliseum, Bruce Springsteen opened his own school of rock for the only scheduled North Carolina date of his current tour. The Boss taught a master class in rock writing and performance that had the near-capacity crowd on its feet for most of the two-hour-and-45-minute concert.
Taking a page from master showman and godfather of soul James Brown, Springsteen took the stage to the strains of "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag." Springsteen lampooned himself in an introduction loosely based on Brown's over-the-top introduction at his classic 1962 performance at New York's Apollo Theatre.
Brown billed himself as the hardest working man in show bidness. Springsteen claimed to be "sexy and he knows it," mock boasting that "he's had a number one album on the charts for a whole week now." Both claims stand up. The first speaks for itself. The second is backed by the fact Springsteen's new album, Wrecking Ball, which debuted at number one on Billboard, is his tenth number one, tying him with Elvis.
Overall, Springsteen's concert was a mix of old and new, kicking off with "We Take Care Of Our Own," a jab at the Bush administration's do-nothing politics: "From the shotgun shack to the Superdome/We yelled "help" but the cavalry stayed home/Wherever this flag is flown, we take care of our own."
It's a big sound this time out. The E-Streeters are now 17 strong with a horn section, an extra percussionist and two gospel-throated backup singers. But when the band stormed into "Badlands," it seemed there was going to be a big piece missing. For the first time, there was no Big Man for Springsteen to lean on, to get that mighty blast of wind to hold him up. But just as the Big Man part came around, departed saxman Clarence Clemons' nephew Jake stepped up and knocked it out of the park, as he would continue to do all night.
The night was full of anthems. Many of the new songs have "whoa ho, ho yeah" choruses built for crowd singalongs, and this crowd already knew the lyrics and bellowed along lustily.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Jane's Addiction, House of Blues, 3/10/2012
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 at 2:24 PM
Jane's Addiction w/ Black Box Revelation
House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
March 10, 2012
Jane's Addiction is in the middle of its Theatre of the Escapists Tour, a cross-country journey taking the '90s alt-rock kings to various venues which average 2,000 people per night. While a May 23 concert at Charlotte's Ovens Auditorium was recently announced (with opening act The Duke Spirit), I decided to make the four-hour trek to the shore last weekend to see the band at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach as an early preview.
The opportunity to see a big-name band in a small concert venue doesn't happen often. As an artist grows in popularity, the ability to see them in a smaller club wanes away, unless they play a last-minute tour warm-up (see Van Halen's recent N.Y.C. gig) or head out on one of those rare club tours.
Having seen Jane's Addiction a handful of times over the years - Lollapalooza and at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1991, during the Relapse Tour in Atlanta in 1997 and at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans in 2009 - I was curious to see them in a more intimate setting.
As the sounds of introductory Pink Floyd music faded away, Jane's Addiction - singer Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Chris Chaney - took the stage. With one hand in the air, Farrell began singing as the band launched into "Underground," the energetic first song on the band's 2011 album, The Great Escape Artist. Starting with a new song was a sign this outing is much different than previous performances.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Augustana
Posted By Alison Angel on Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Throughout their 25-song set at the Visulite Theater on Monday, Feb. 6, Augustana frontman Dan Layus was never without a smile on his face as he belted out lyrics that make up the band’s nine-year history. It was quite a different sight from the frontman of two years ago — an alcoholic who couldn’t seem to see the brighter side of life.
With this tour, Augustana makes it clear that those days are long gone. Despite a lineup that has been in constant turmoil and being dropped from their label, Epic, after six years, the band is back with a new set of songs reflecting their contentment with life and a mellow attitude which is reflected in every song.
The foursome took the stage without a word. Only the low whine of a lone guitar chord announced the band's presence as they launched into “Hey Now” from their 2008 album Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt.
With lyrics like “Now we’re bleeding for nothing... We’re damned at the end and we’re damned at the start,” Layus showcased his attitude as a songwrtier and his crew blossomed with a steady guitar rhythm carrying them forward. Constant smiles on their faces indicated that although the same sweet melodies drive their music, they are not the same band that wrote those words so long ago.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Tool
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Tool
Bojangles Coliseum
Feb. 4, 2012
The last time Maynard James Keenan and Co. were in town — July of 2009 at Charlotte's Bojangles Coliseum — the Tool singer felt under-the-weather and the band shuffled through the same setlist they'd been playing for a couple of years. Fast forward to Saturday, Feb. 4, at the same venue and the songs and setlist both received breaths of fresh air leaving a sold-out venue satisfied.
Quietly taking the stage to the steady opening rumble of "Hooker with a Penis," Keenan sang through a megaphone, offered sporadic dance moves in his black t-shirt and jeans and ended the song with a quick courtsy.
"Hooker" has re-entered the band's setlist for their current tour for the first time since 1999. While more than half of the songs played were also played at that 2009 show — "Jambi," "Stinkfist," Schism" and "Aenema" among them — fans were also treated to a few new ones, including radio favorite "Sober," the more obscure "Intension" and fan favorite "Pushit."
Monday, November 28, 2011
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist Live review: Puscifer
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Puscifer w/ Carina Round
Ovens Auditorium
Nov. 27, 2011
Donning a cowboy hat, black button-down shirt and dark jeans, Puscifer frontman Maynard James Keenan hauled a small Airstream trailer on to the empty Ovens Auditorium stage. He slowly unpacked a couple of chairs and a folding table and began a short, poetic spoken word diatribe about sustainability in the current state of the world. As bandmate Carina Round exited the trailer to help set up more chairs and pour some wine (probably Keenan's own brand), Keenan began to talk about the value of creativity, ending with "Here at Puscifer, we believe in being creative with every breath you take."
Those talks set the tone for a night of music that was high on creativity —Â� from a 30-minute mockumentary interlude to short skits between songs — and the band's own musical paintings that drew from its two albums for an 18-song journey.
The night started with "Green Valley" and "Tiny Monsters" before kicking into high gear with "Vagina Mine." Various videos ran in the background while a hanging LED screen showed occasional mock advertisements such as one for the Arizona Border Patrol with the slogan, "We put the 'Panic' in Hispanic."
Monday, November 14, 2011
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.
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Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
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Beats Antique at Neighborhood Theatre tonight (5/5/2012)
Duo fuses old-school instruments with modern rhythms.
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In concert: Bon Jovi (04/22/2010) 1
Tater Family Traveling Circus and Bon Jovi make Charlotte come alive
