I know I’m late on this but since I didn’t watch the ACM Awards I just got around to watching the Zac Brown/James Taylor performance of “Colder Weather” into “Sweet Baby James.” Great duet and definitely worth watching if you haven’t caught it yet either.
Props to Las Vegas CityLife A&E Editor Mike Prevatt and his blog item yesterday on Aloe Blacc found here. Earlier this year Mr. Blacc spent four nights performing at Book & Stage over at the brand new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and during his time in the desert he reshot the video for “I Need A Dollar.” Love seeing his Book & Stage performances made it into the video and if you haven’t had a chance to see Mr. Blacc perform live please make sure it’s on your list of artists to see, he’s that good.
(apologies but Sony Music blocks the video from playing on the site so just click the link in the screen below)
Last weekend I had the opportunity to check out Moondog Matinee during Neon Reverb in Las Vegas and below is my review which appeared in the March 17-23 issue of Vegas SEVEN. While this may be short and sweet, let me preface by saying this was stepping into uncharted waters for me and now I can officially cross another item off the bucket list. Music is one of my favorite things in the world (obviously) and by starting to keep a blog about it I never actually thought it would lend itself to something like this coming from it. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Last Saturday night was music mania. Besides being at music festivals I have never experienced so much live music in one night. The night started across the street from Luxor where The Ting Tings and Cee Lo went back and forth rocking out as part of the Red Bull Sound Clash event. Very cool concept and both acts ran the gamut on their hit songs as well as performing a handful of covers including The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock The Casbah.” What was definitely the highlight of the night was watching the entire crowd go ballistic when Cee Lo ended the show with “Fuck You.”
From Sound Clash the race was on to make it over to the Cosmopolitan for The Strokes concert. Thankfully they were 30 minutes late hitting the stage so I only missed the opener. Playing their first show to support the new album, Angles, they sounded solid and definitely had all rocking the entire show (you could seriously feel the floor shaking throughout). Being my first time seeing The Strokes live, they exceeded my expectations and put on one of those shows you’ll never forget.
Next up was racing downstairs to catch the last set of Foster the People over at Book & Stage. Seriously those who were able to catch at least one of the eight sets they played over their four day stint, consider yourself lucky. It was great to see how much fun the guys were having and exuding an energy that had the packed house appreciating what the next big thing were rocking out with. While their EP featuring only three songs “Pumped Up Kicks,” “Houdini,” and “Helena Beat” sounded absolutely magical and have netted them sold out shows on their current tour, I can’t wait for the debut album TORCHES to drop in May. Look up the song “Kids” and you’ll know what to look forward to from the band that’s about to become the darlings of SXSW and Coachella.
After Foster The People it was time to take a hard left and hit up Marquee and the end of Kaskade’s set to keep the night of music going.
Get off your couch, change your plans, don’t crawl into bed and get over to Book & Stage to see Foster The People at least one of the next three nights if not all three. Set times are 10 p.m. and midnight and we have FREE shows to see one of the fastest rising bands around. To let you know how lucky we in Las Vegas are, their current tour (Vegas is stop #2) is practically sold out already and includes dates at SXSW and Coachella.
The only disappointment will be you not showing up to see the show.
Ryan Shaw was in one word last night, amazing. What a performance he gave over his two sets in Las Vegas on Thursday night. If you are in Sin City this weekend, no excuse to not go and see at least one set over the next two nights. And if you’re worried you won’t know any of his music, have no fear as Ryan’s performance last night included a whole bunch of great covers including: Michael Jackson – “Man In The Mirror,” Janis Joplin – “Piece of My Heart,” Bob Marley – “Redemption Song,” Stevie Wonder – “Superstition,” and Beatles – “Let It Be.”
The video is not great quality and the security guy kept getting in the way (I think he just wanted some face time) but give a listen to hear Ryan performing “Redemption Song.” Also apologies as I missed the first minute of the song. Will try to get some better video this weekend.
Good buddy Roger is back at it again with a remix of one of my top songs of the moment “Hello” by Martin Solveig. Give a listen by following the link below and if you’re in Vegas, Solveig makes his first appearance in Sin City this Friday at Surrender.
http://soundcloud.com/rogergangi/martin-solveig-hello-roger-gangi-bootleg-remix
Last week was a musical bonanza for me beginning and ending with the Black Keys. Having not seen the guys live before, getting a chance to see them twice in seven days was quite a treat. The first show was a corporate event so while it was a phenomenal show it was tame and all business. I much preferred last night’s performance, full of energy and getting the chance to see a real rock show (something seems to be lost nowadays). I was also mad excited as Big Boi was the opener last night and he definitely didn’t disappoint. The 45 minute set featuring numerous Outkast classics and some off his highly acclaimed Sir Lucious Left Foot… The Son of Chico Dusty, Big Boi had the packed house bouncing their heads and breaking into several sing-a-longs during “B.O.B.,” “Ms. Jackson” and “I Like The Way You Move.” Primed and ready for the Keys, it was fast paced and electric once Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney hit the stage. Running through a gamut of tracks including “Chop and Change” and “Tighten Up,” I personally have to say my favorite of the night was hearing “Howlin’ For You” live.
At first I was skeptical of seeing them perform in a modified ballroom but it actually sounded good. And check out the gallery of photos from last night’s show courtesy of Erik Kabik of Retna/ErikKabik.com.
Here’s the first single off their upcoming LP Angles. What do you think?
Video from their performance on January 27, 2010. Enjoy!
Do You Hear The Music? 