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Tim McGraw
May 16, 2008
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
The Deal: Tim McGraw’s “Live Your Voice Tour” co-staring Jason Aldean (a mini-me Tim McGraw) made a pit stop at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre the night before the NASCAR All-Star Race. Which made it convenient for the race fans camped out at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and made the concert like a race. (more…)
Shooter Jennings
May 15, 2008
Visulite Theatre
The Deal: Son of Waylon Jennings showcases his outlaw style. (more…)
The diva’s not facing charges related to the photos in Britain’s The Sun newspaper depicting her smoking a crack pipe. Amy Winehouse has been under the scope since January after the photos were released and was arrested last week for suspicion of possessing drugs. According to the Associated Press, her spokesperson announced Wednesday that police have concluded no further action is necessary for the 24-year-old singer.
He father told The Sun that as much as it tore him up to see her that way, maybe the exposure would finally give her the overdue realization she needed to get herself together. In fact, she did go to rehab after The Sun stirred the pot. She now hopes to move past the matter, and is now considering a multi-million dollar book deal.
She dodged another bullet last month when she after head-butted one man outside a London pub and punched another. She was “cautioned” by police after the alleged assault, meaning the incident is going on paper, but no charges were pressed in the matter.
So, this year they’re going to make Ozzfest a one-day event in Texas with Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica headlining.
But here’s the real question — Most of the bands that appear on the Ozzfest bill are heavy metal acts that use fast guitar riffs and “cookie monster” vocals. Osbourne is more melodic, you can understand what he sings and some of his later songs can almost border on pop (see “Mama I’m Coming Home.”) So, what’s the deal with that?
I know he’s the co-founder of Black Sabbath and one of the legends of metal, but it seems odd to have him as the ringleader of music that sounds nothing like his.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the albums being released today:
Joe Cocker Hymn for My Soul
Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs
Duffy Rockferry
Filter Anthems for the Damned
Jason Mraz We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
10 Years Division
I interviewed Richard Patrick of Filter recently (see the May 21 edition of the paper for the full story) and thought I’d share what he had to say about the record industry since it probably won’t get into the article. Just something to think about:
“The only thing that’s gonna stop music is the absolute and total betrayal and theft that’s being done by the audience. If you’re gonna download all our stuff or you’re just gonna burn copies of all our CDs for all of your friends, and no one is gonna participate in actually paying for the intellectual property that’s on those discs, then you’re gonna put us out of business, plain and simple. People say it’s adjusting, but there is no adjusting. People are rippin’ us off. If you had a food replicator and, opposed to replicating a CD, it made you a cheeseburger, you’d put fuckin’ McDonalds out of business, correct? You’d put Wendy’s out of business, correct? So, that’s what they’re doing to music. People see “MTV Cribs” and think we’re all rich. Uh-uh. All those rappers are putting up a false front because they’re ego maniacs. All those rappers talk about how much money they’ve got, but they ain’t got no money. That’s all rented. Those fuckin’ cars are rented for the video shoots. All that gold — it ain’t bling. It’s not real. That false bullshit… The music industry is in pain right now.”
Radiohead
May 9, 2008
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
The Deal: Radiohead performs for two-hour, In Rainbows-focused set. (more…)
Glow in the Dark Tour with Kanye West, Rihanna, NERD and Lupe Fiasco
May 8, 2008
Time Warner Cable Arena
The Deal: Probably one of the hottest shows this summer, Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark Tour, featuring Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna and N.E.R.D., popped off at Time Warner Cable Arena last night.
The Good: The people who put this tour together made sure there was a little bit of everything.
• Lupe was the soulful lyricist who was obviously engulfed in his music the way he was leading an imaginary orchestra. He was able to hype it up, though. Of course he did “Superstar,” but I think the crowd’s favorite (and mine) had to be “Go Go Gadget Flow.”
• N.E.R.D. definitely appealed to the folks in the crowd who were hyped up on sugar — their performance made me dizzy with the loud bass and staticky images across the screen. The lead singer must have felt the same way because he fell on the floor, but kept on singing. Some fave hooks from N.E.R.D.: “All the girls standing in the line for the bathroom” and “Hundred dollar bills, achoo, achoo.”
• Rihanna brought mad sexiness to the tour — “Break It Off,” “Pon de Replay,” “SOS,” “Please Don’t Stop the Music” and “Umbrella.” Although most of her stuff I’ve heard on the radio, I can overlook that because she’s hot. And her male dancers were sexy as hell. In fact, Rihanna, if you’re reading this, please hook me up with one of your dancers — either one, I’m not picky. Thanks.
• And Kanye West, as arrogant as he may be, brought the inspiration. His performance had a theatrical twist to it (he was supposed to have crashed in his space shuttle onto another planet), which worked well with the songs he gave us — including “I Wonder,” “Champion,” “Flashing Lights,” “Gold Digger” and “Jesus Walks.” He definitely keeps it real and is passionate about his music (but I definitely wouldn’t say he’s a dancer. At one point, he looked like he was sword-fighting or something. Don’t try to dance Kanye, please.)
The Bad: So, apparently, Chris Brown made a quick appearance with N.E.R.D., and I missed it. How did I miss it? Well, if N.E.R.D. hadn’t brought so many people up on stage with them to “Spaz” out, I might have seen him. And it was a little weird to watch Kanye up on stage by himself. No dancers? Not even a hot chick during “Gold Digger”? I didn’t even notice his band until well into his performance. He’s definitely full of himself. When the shooting stars told him he was the “brightest star in the universe,” all I could do was shake my head. Seriously?
The Verdict: By the time the show was over, I was tired as hell, and my hearing was gone. The show started at 7 p.m. and lasted well after 11 p.m. Couple that with the fact that these four great acts have you dancing in your seat, and you’ll understand why I’m dragging ass today. If you missed last night’s show, drive to Raleigh tonight. It’s worth it.
Dierks Bentley
May 7, 2008
Whisky River
Last night, Dierks Bentley celebrated the release of his Greatest Hits album with a performance at Whisky River, where he played his greatest hits…and some Johnny Cash.
I have never had to apply so much to get into a bar as I did last night. Ticket holders had to fill out a membership application for Whisky River, and then stand in a long line to get into a not yet crowded bar. Why not let people in so they can spend money at the bar? Just saying!
Once we got in and made our way through the pit lizards trying to crawl on the NASCAR drivers on hand for the show, we secured a perimeter close to the stage. I have made the executive decision to never go to a crowded concert with a flat standing area again. I am a mere 5′ 2″ so unless there are all little people standing in front of me, there’s no way I am going to be able to see the stage. Even the tall boys were straining their necks to get a view of the Bentley. (more…)
Usually, we like to take some photos at live shows (thanks to a photo pass) and put them in the paper and post them online.
Well, don’t expect to see any from tonight’s Glow in the Dark Tour. Kanye West has refused any media from taking photos at tonight’s show. Yep, that includes openers Rihanna, NERD and Lupe Fiasco.
You’ll just have to wonder what it looked like…
