Category: Concert Review

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Concert Review

MYKKI BLANCO feat. TENNIS RODMAN and discovery djs

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This performance was by far one of the most spectacular nights I’ve had all summer, and it all happened thanks to these rising artists of Raleigh.

The show began with the Discovery DJs spicing the crowd up with some irresistibly catchy club beats. Tennis Rodman took it from there with his experimental mash-up of hip-hop, rap, beats and dance. His energetic personality emerged as he spit a diverse range of aggressive rap styles and beat production to the crowd.

Next, Mykki Blanco sat amongst the crowd as a casual participant and quickly began his show with an attention grabbing poem filled with drama. His performance ranged from sarcastic and narcissistic tirades of gender confusion to theatrical explosions that included eating a microphone and having a voluntary seizure on the sticky concrete floor. Mykki Blanco had me constantly entertained with not only his mastery of performance art, but also with the interesting commentary in his lyrics and the various ways of executing them. This included acappellas or mosh-instigating rap styles that offered outrageous and unexpected performances that made me laugh or feel uncomfortable at times. Nonetheless, I can surely say that everyone at the show had a crazy night.

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Concert Review

Local Band Local Beer July 10th, 2014

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After being abroad for the Spring semester, last week’s LBLB was my first one of 2014, and it was the perfect re-introduction to what WKNC, Tir na Nog, and Raleigh has to offer.

The first act, Beauty World, was a great cello and guitar duo with a guest drummer towards the end. They created a soothing, yet energetic atmosphere that was emphasized by the cool blue lighting.

Once Curtis Eller took the stage, the party kicked into high gear as the unusual band composition of banjo, upright bass, trombone/accordion, drums, and two backup signers. The audience was moved to dance by songs about Abe Lincoln, Elvis Presley, and other American historical figures. This circus really knew how to bring the energy to this Irish pub.

Throw in a French Broad Brewery tasting that went on in the back and this Thursday night was complete.

-Muta

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Concert Review

A Hunky-Dory Musical Experience at NC Museum of Art

NC Museum of Art (NCMA) amphitheater is a beautiful place to experience music.  You can ride your bike there, enjoy a picnic on the lawn, and choose to stand in the pit.  The sunset added a colorful tone to start the evening.  And the breeze lightly shook the maple trees surrounding the venue adding additional resonance to the aural experience.  

Before settling down with my WKNC co-patriot, C. Biscuit,  I spoke to a few old friends before Angel Olsen set the mood.  ”Angel Olsen is amazing…Her last album is one of my favorites…you’ve got to look her up.”  After ‘enlightening’ some people I sat down for Angel to serenade me. 

Instead of the emotional force I’m used to hearing, Angel sounded like a wimpy high school girl performing in front of her chorus class for her Sophomore year choral exam.  After two songs the audience completely lost interest, and within seconds the audience was louder than she was.  I hate people who talk and talk and talk during performances, but I really couldn’t blame the audience this time.  It was as if Angel thought her assignment was to play background music for an ex-hippy summer solstice gathering.  After ending her small set I pondered the many factors in her life that could have caused this off performance.  

And then Iron & Wine went on.  Iron & Wine was hunky-dory.  His melodies don’t tend to push the status quo and they rhythm mirrors the demographics of NCMA (old white people).  That being said Samuel Beam’s voice affects the soul like Vix-Vapor-Rub, you just can’t help but be affected. I enjoyed his music at base of the stage and danced to what ever rhythm my body could take away from his melancholy music.

Overall, a 2.5 on the 3 scale.

-Coyote

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Concert Review

[Dr.] Dog kills [at] Cats!!!!

Whoever does not listen to Dr. Dog is missing out.  Dr. Dog’s folky, bluesy grooves speak to everyone.  Most people found Dr. Dog after their release of Fate in 2008, but they’re still continuing to astonish people with their relaxing nostalgic melodies, beautiful harmonies, and killer blues ballads.  

My evening began with the astonishment of the band The Districts.  Also from PA, this band killed with their indie rock.  Then, after a few more PBR’s, I dove into the depths of the crowd to find a comfortable spot to groove.  And did I groove… Dr. Dog’s silly outfits, their duel frontmen, and their ability to completely change their songs kept everyone in a emotional trance.  They played many songs off Be the Void, but my favorite song they played was “Shadow People”, off Shame Shame.

Their latest album B-Room holds some amazing tunes despite not quite living up to their previous album Be the Void.  I struggle when I try to answer “Who is your favorite band?” But by Golly Gee Wilikers, I just can’t help saying Dr. Dog is my favorite indie rock band of all time!!

Or at least in my top 3.

-Coyote 

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Concert Review

Of Montreal Concert Review

In the last week of March this year, Of Montreal announced the dates of their upcoming US tour. This band performed in 18 states across the nation and at 27 venues. Starting March 29th and concluding May 18th, Cat’s Cradle was the last destination for of Montreal and their opening act, Dream Tiger. As the adage goes, these groups saved the best for last.

The show last night could be described as “unreal” on many different levels. Before Kevin Barnes and company (of Montreal) took the stage, Dream Tiger started off the night with songs from their two relatively recent EPs: “Soft Skin” and “A Lover’s Request.” Dream Tiger and of Montreal only performed together for the last eight days of the tour. Considering the complementary sounds of the two groups, was unfortunate for the venues played before May 10th.

Of Montreal’s setlist was all over the board, featuring a variety of songs from their most recent albums as well as earlier compilations released in 2007 and earlier. The performance by of Montreal was bizarre yet enjoyable as most of the songs included masquerading, costumed dancers on stage. The feel of the show was animated, carnivalesque, and abstract, providing captivating visuals the entire time. Did I know what was going on during the entirety of the show? Absolutely not. Did I have a great time and enjoy the entertaining artists? Absolutely.

-Submitted by DJ Dilemma

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Concert Review

Angel Olsen at Cats Cradle

Angel Olsen performs live at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro. Photo by dJ/dx.

Friday night brought indie folk-rock artist Angel Olsen back to her home state for a performance at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro.  The openers, Nashville’s Promised Land Sound, kicked off the night with great energy, backing southern-style harmonies with their country-rock sound.  They even brought Olsen and her percussionist on stage for a song that they claimed to have only played together once before.

Olsen and her crew carried the night onward and upward with a shuffled setlist of new and old, alternating between songs from her most recent release Burn Your Fire For No Witness and tracks from older discography.  It was difficult to resist swaying along to the Missouri native’s enchanting vocals as the outlined the emotionally charged lyrics that I’ve been humming along to for months.  To the crowd’s delight (as indicated by the girly screeches erupting from the house), Angel surprised the crowd with a rendition of Rhiannon by the WKNC-beloved Fleetwood Mac.  Closing out the set with a solo performance of White Fire and Iota, Angel continued to hypnotize the audience without the assistance of her bandmates, leaving the crowd with a simple “thanks” and high hopes for an encore.  She returned to the stage with her bandmates to close out the night with the high-energy of Forgiven/Forgotten.  Overall, it was an impressive performance by a wonderful artist.  While many of her shows are selling out around the country, I’m glad I had the chance to see Olsen perform in the Triangle for the first time since last year’s Hopscotch Music Festival.  It’s always nice to see talented artists getting the attention they deserve.  For more information on Angel Olsen, including tour dates, merch, and news, you can visit her website at angelolsen.com.

– dJ/dx

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Concert Review

Pissed JeansPissed Jeans

Thee TsunamisThee Tsunamis

Apache DropoutApache Dropout

The Pinhook | Durham, NC | 4/12/14

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Concert Review

Mobb Deep Album Release Concert at King’s // April 1, 2014

It’s not too often that you find a sold out hip hop show in Raleigh these days, let alone on an unsuspecting Tuesday night. But the formula of the infamous Mobb Deep, North Carolina’s own 9th Wonder, and a fresh album release combined to pack King’s with hip hop heads ready to celebrate some of the greatest craftsmen still in the game.

The show started off with 9th Wonder spinning beats for some of the up and coming artists on his new Jamla is the Squad album. GQ and Rapsody killed it and got the crowd sufficiently hyped up for the main event. 9th Wonder graciously relinquished the stage and the heavy weights entered (literally, Mobb Deep had a 350 pound body guard chilling in the corner). The Infamous kings of east coast rap have not lost a step, as both Havoc and Prodigy spit bar after bar of electrified gold.

Photos by Alex Cao. Used by permission. 

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Concert Review

Show Review: Dum Dum Girls at Kings Barcade 3.21.14

Playing for a sold out show, Blouse opened up vibrantly with an array of psychedelic projections, intense bass, loud drums, and a dreamy voice brought by the beautiful Charlie Hilton.  After a terrific opener, the stage was lit with an electrifying blue stemming from the neon-lit heart behind the stage.  The Dum Dum girls appeared on stage to fulfill their audience’s expectations.  The performance was perfect leaving little time for conversation and more time for songs.  Most of the concert came from their new album, Too True, where songs such as “Rimbaud Eyes,” “Are You Okay?,” “Too True To Be Good,” and “Evil Blooms” were played.  Their most popular song, “Lost Boys and Girls Club,” was not played before they left the stage… only to be performed in their encore. Brilliant show.  

–DJ Z and DJ B

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Concert Review

Show Review: The Pizza Underground at King’s Barcade

Thursday, March 20, 2014 marked the day that brought a night of bizarre wonder to Raleigh. Who, do you ask, was responsible for bringing this ridiculously magical experience to the masses? None other than former child, Macaulay Culkin. 

An antsy crowd filled the sold out Kings Barcade as they awaited the performance. Toby Goodshank, of the Moldy Peaches, warmed up the audience with a solo acoustic set including songs centered around love and heartache. His voice sounding much like Colin Meloy’s of The Decemberists. While he performed, a screen behind him displayed black and white video footage of various road trips and people. During his set there was a man on stage dressed to the nines as Andy Warhol complete with a striped shirt, blonde wig, and video camera in hand while he captured Meloy’s performance. He was later seen eating a banana…well played, sir.

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Following Meloy’s intimate set The Pizza Underground took the stage. Before they began, they passed around nearly ten boxes of pizza for the crowd to which everyone was beyond excited about. The band delivered an eccentric and pun-filled thirty-minute performance with songs including “I’m Beginning to Eat the Slice,” “Papa John Says,” “I’m Waiting for Delivery Man,” and “Take a Bite of the Wild Slice.” Of course these are all pizza-themed covers of The Velvet Underground’s “Beginning To See the Light,” “Stephanie Says,” “I’m Waiting For The Man,” and “Take a Walk on the Wild Side.” Instruments included an electric guitar,a glockenspiel, a pizza box, a kazoo, and an African shekere. Video footage played in the background making the whole performance feel more like an art installation.

At one point during their set, Meloy took the stage as “Kurt Cobain’d” and performed a slew of Nirvana songs in the past tense. Get it?

Overall, this much anticipated show was ultimately what one might expect from a former child actor-  a memorable novelty concert of 2014. It certainly wasn’t breaking ground in terms of musical talent but it was entertaining nonetheless. 

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