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My review of Young The Giant in Vegas SEVEN (5 31 12 Issue)

1 Jun

No secret if you read this blog you know how big a fan of Young The Giant I am so naturally when the opportunity came to review their most recent show for Vegas SEVEN, I jumped on it.  My review appears in the May 31 issue and since I can’t be biased in my reviews, there in print lies my true thoughts on the show.  Having seen these guys a handful of times, this was by far the most disappointing show to date and really a shame since I’ve seen them absolutely crush it the other times.  Hoping when I see them again, next week, that energy and enthusiasm is back!

 

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Setlist: Young The Giant | 5 26 12 | BLVD Pool | Las Vegas, NV

27 May

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Revisited: My Last Week in Live Music – Santana, Kelley James, Ozomatli (Video)

7 May

Last week was a whirlwind of a music one for me.  It started last Wednesday with the opportunity to see Carlos Santana’s new residency at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Not only is Santana a living legend that I encourage everyone to see, his band is truly amazing.  The show was about two hours and spanned his whole career of hits.  With a brand new sound system in place, HoB was rocking and the perfect venue to capture the iconic guitar work of Santana.

On Friday it was off to a semi-private show with the mighty talented, Kelley James.  If you are not familiar with Kelley’s sound/style, you’re sorely missing out.  In addition to a bunch of his own songs, he busted out some Sublime and Neil Diamond.  Plus he is one of the most gifted freestyle artists which added to the fun and entertaining evening.

For Cinco de Mayo it was time for Ozomatli.  I can’t even remember how many times I’ve seen these guys live and the shows are always a blast.  This time the venue was Body English inside the Hard Rock Hotel and not only do I love and miss the former nightclub but it served as practically a private concert venue.  Intimate and in close quarters with the fiesta faithful, it was one wild dance party that I wish everyone could have experienced.  Check the video below of a little Latin cover of Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough.”


Santana images courtesy of Erik Kabik.

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Revisited: My review of Florence + The Machine in Vegas SEVEN (4 26 12 Issue)

29 Apr

A week ago I had the chance to see Florence + The Machine at the BLVD Pool at The Cosmopolitan. This was the second time I have seen Florence and I have to say this time was a whole lot better. See below for my review which appears in the April 26 issue of Vegas SEVEN or click here for a link to the story online.

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Revisited: JUSTICE | 4 19 12 | Las Vegas | (Photos)

20 Apr

Back in 2008 I had the chance to see JUSTICE perform at House of Blues in Las Vegas and I was just too exhausted to go (living in Las Vegas and the line of work I was in can do that to you) so I gave up my ticket .  Not a day went by I didn’t kick myself for missing that show.  Finally last night I got the opportunity to redeem myself as the duo of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay took the stage in front of a amped crowd at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.  I’ve often said I love concerts out at the BLVD Pool because one, it’s outdoors and two, the there is something about being surrounded by the neon glow of The Strip that just makes these shows better.

As for the show itself, AWESOME.  I know, I know it’s an experience and the lighting rig was impressive (LED piano was sweet, LED orbs adorning the backdrop were intense) but I really just wanted to hear them live.  For me the highlight was “On’n”On,” my favorite track off Audio, Video, Disco which along with “We Are Your Friends” was teased before bringing both back during the encore.   Plus when they played “D.A.N.C.E.” I don’t think you could find one person standing still which brings me to the wide eyed crowd; wow, it was an intense group right in front of the stage!

At the end of the day I can count on one hand the electronic acts I would go out of my way to see and sure enough, JUSTICE is right there.  See you in August at Lollapalooza!

 

Photos courtesy of Scott Harrison

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Revisited: My review of Portugal. The Man in Vegas SEVEN (4 12 12 Issue)

12 Apr

Last week I had the pleasure of catching the Portugal. The Man show at Veil at the Silverton. See below for my review which appears in the April 12 issue of Vegas SEVEN.

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Revisited: SXSW 2012 via @Wat_Mo

21 Mar

Since I wasn’t able to make it to SXSW I had my buddy Mike Watson share his experience and the highlights from Austin.  He definitely had the chance to hear a ton of great bands and catch some very unique performances.  Hope you enjoy!

 

Bands I had never seen live:
Top 3

Of Monsters and Men

Walk the Moon

GIVERS

They all put on amazing shows.  Of Monsters of Men had never played in the US.  Saw them twice.  I was at their first US show and it was in a bike shop.  Gotta love SXSW.  I really think they are going to blow up.  Talked to them at the Mumford & Sons concert and their album is being released in the US on April 3.  I had been a fan of Walk the Moon and GIVERS for a while now and they definitely didn’t disappoint.  The both put on incredible shows.  There is no wonder they get so much buzz.  Even if you don’t know a single song of theirs they will have you a fan after seeing them live.

I would say Walk the Moon and GIVERS put on the best shows from the bands I had never seen, along with Gary Clark Jr.  Gary Clark is just unbelievable on guitar.  I see why Clapton has taken him under his wing. The dude is going to be the next big thing, he already is in the blues guitar community.  He played at the White House with Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, and Mick Jagger.  Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr also put on a hell of a show, but I am just not into their music.  Maybe it will grow on me.  Fun. was a band that obviously had a lot of hype with the song out right now “We are Young”.  They have a lot of other great songs though.  The title track of their album was awesome live, “Some Nights”.  I had never seen Keane before.  I absolutely love their first album from a few years back and they sounded really good live.  The lead singer’s vocals were spot on.

I was really excited to see Princeton.  I love their album but they didn’t have a lot of energy in their show.  Maybe it had something to do with it being 11am on a Thursday but a band should not have to say “y’all look tired”.  They should be able to amp up the crowd on their own.  I was also excited to see Reptar but they just didn’t sound good live.  I will have to give them another chance.  Tennis was another band that I was excited to see but the show left a lot to be desired.

Bands I have seen before:
Top 3

Temper Trap

Mumford and Sons

Band of Skulls

Temper Trap played a few new songs and in particular the song “Trembling Hands” was amazing.  They are just great live.  Band of Skulls lead man is so incredibly talented on the guitar.  Some of the stuff they pull off live is just amazing.  He really makes the band because the girl doesn’t do much on stage.  Everyone knows how good Mumford is.  They played a few new songs that were really good.  I see their second album having the same success as their first.

Bands I didn’t get to see but wanted to:

Alabama Shakes – They were THE buzz band going into SXSW this year.  Much like Foster the People last year.

US Royalty

Tango in the Attic

Bright Lights Social Hour

Finally, here is a list of bands I saw, I know I am missing some but can’t remember them all:

He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister @ Bayou
These people brought a ton of energy.  The chick drummer plays standing on top of a drum head wearing tap shoes.  It was crazy.  So much fun.  I had never heard them before but they were a great live show.  I am going to have to listen to them more.

Dawes @ Cedar Street

Future Unlimited and Princeton @ Beauty Bar

Tennis @ Stage on 6th

Big Deal @ Hype Hotel

Of Monsters and Men @ Mellow Johnny’s (First time playing in the USA)

Punch Brothers, Ed Sheeran (This guy was cool, was just him and his guitar.  He would play something, loop it, and then play riffs over it.  Was awesome show), Kimbra (She was awful), Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr, Dr. John, Gary Clark Jr all @ La Zona Rosa

Walk the Moon @ Antone’s

Reptar, Band of Skulls, Kaiser Chiefs, Keane @ Cedar Street Courtyard

Imagine Dragons, fun., @ Woodies

Girls, Kaiser Chiefs, Temper Trap @ Stubb’s

Of Monsters and Men @ Cedar Street Courtyard

Howler @ W Hotel

Free Energy @ Peckerheads

50 Cent, Eminem @ Austin Music Hall

Old Crow Medicine Show, Edward Sharpe, Mumford and Sons @ LBJ Library Lawn

They played the Railroad Documentary on a screen.  This was probably my favorite part of the weekend.  Weather was perfect and the documentary was incredible.  Oh and those bands are pretty damn good too.

Johnny Corndawg @ Lustre Pearl

The Guards, GIVERS @ Chevy

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Revisited: Bela Fleck & The Flecktones at The Smith Center

13 Mar

Last evening I had the pleasure of seeing the first concert (if you don’t count the grand opening last weekend) at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts as Bela Fleck and the Flecktones performed in front of a packed house.  It was hard not to marvel at Reynolds Hall when you first walked in and I know I wasn’t the only one who kept looking around at every little detail imaginable.  The Smith Center is absolutely gorgeous, the sounds quality has to be the best in town, even the seats are comfy and have plenty of room and quite frankly, the venue is going to change the performing arts scene in Las Vegas. It truly is an exciting time for the Las Vegas community and to see the direction the performing arts program in the city is headed.   I highly recommend if you have an opportunity to see a performance at The Smith Center, you do so.

As for the concert itself, wow. With the original lineup intact, it was a wonderful evening of talented musicians on stage, sharing their love of music for over two hours.  Here are some photos below taken by Erik Kabik (www.erikkabik.com).

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Revisited: My week that was in music

20 Feb

Wow, wow, wow what a week of live music last week was.  It was intense, fun, full of surprises and I got to see a few of my favorite bands/musicians.

Monday, Feb 13 – AG Jeans party at Marquee Nightclub with Foster The People.  Having seen these guys six times previous in the last calendar year, I still don’t’ miss the chance to catch them live.  With a powerhouse sound system and coming off their GRAMMY performance the evening before, it was a solid show and they added “Warrant” to the setlist after nixing it during their October gig at the Cosmo.

Tuesday, Feb. 14 – Out to support the buddies at CRSVR Las Vegas for a DJ Vice x Jason Markk shoe cleaning kit release party.  The one and only DJ Fashen was on the decks as Vice played host for the evening.

Wednesday, Feb. 15 – As part of the Sports Illustrated Beauty & Beats Music Festival at The Cosmopolitan I was all giddy to finally see Delta Spirit live!  Fantastic 90 minute set that culminated with a real life Animal House moment when lead singer, Matthew Vasquez jumped into the crowd and got everyone low before getting “a little bit louder now” and everyone jumping to their feet and Vasquez climbing on the bar to finish out the show.

Thursday, Feb. 16 – A continuation of the Beauty & Beats Music Festival this night with White Denim, a band I have been digging for some time and WOW can they jam! Can’t wait to see these guys at Bonnaroo.  Following it was upstairs to catch the Black Lips before heading to PURE Nightclub for the final Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue soiree of the week where Bruno Mars took the stage and for 30 minutes with his band, played a mash-up melody of hits both old and new before finishing with two of his own songs.

Friday, Feb. 17 – Glam rock at its finest as The Darkness hot on their comeback trail rocked the House of Blues and reignited my love of this band.  Justin Hawkins, my hat off to you.

Sunday, Feb. 19 – Look for my review in the upcoming issue of Vegas SEVEN, Lenny Kravitz show where not only did he serenade Muhammad Ali for his 70th birthday but he was joined by Quincy Jones as well as Slash and Joe Perry.  Terrance Howard also made a brief appearance leading the crowd in a ‘Lenny’ chant during the encore break.

Phew, I’m exhausted just from writing this.  Just another week in Vegas…..

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ALL FOSTER THE PEOPLE IMAGES COURTESY OF OUR FRIEND Erik Kabik (© Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com)

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Revisited: My review of Vintage Trouble in Vegas SEVEN (2 16 12 Issue)

17 Feb

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a fun and energetic performance by Vintage Trouble over at Book & Stage inside The Cosmopolitan.  See below for my review which appears in the February 16 issue of Vegas SEVEN.

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