I have seen Stephen Marley in concert more than any other artist or band, probably around 15 times. Damian is right up there as well. This is one of the best performances by Stephen I have ever seen, Damian too, but Stephen’s performance stood out to me specifically. Back in 2015 they toured together on the Catch A Fire Tour, but that was more of them doing their own songs and their own sets, only joining each other from time to time. That was a fantastic concert as well, but in these nine years since, so many more songs from the two of them and so much growth. Then in February of 2022 at Cali Vibes all the Marley Brothers performed to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday. That may be the best, most important, most epic show I have ever seen live. There was truly a Natural Mystic flowing through the air that night. I have shivers going up and down my back right now just thinking about it. That show took me to a totally different place. But that show was all about Bob and celebrating his music and his legendary life. The Traffic Jam Tour is about Stephen and Damian and all the work they have done together through the years. I’ve always said they should do some albums together, between their solo albums and singles, they put out a ton of music together, so maybe they don’t need an album together. But it would be nice to see them work on a unified project together, it would be amazing.
They walked out on stage, with huge grins on their faces, you could instantly tell this was going to be amazing. The Fillmore was packed, I have never seen it this filled before. They played songs they have done together, their own songs and of course, Bob songs. It was a perfect mix for a perfect show. You can see how much they love each other and how much they love performing together, always smiling and laughing on stage. Their connection and interaction is simply amazing. After the first three songs (they actually had us leave midway through the third song “So Much Trouble”), I would normally keep photographing from the crowd close to the stage, but the venue was so packed and people were so close to each other, I couldn’t get anywhere near the stage for a good view. So I spent the rest of the night up in the balcony, which was a great view and perfect sound. They went into “Pimpers Paradise,” a song I have heard them do together but never live, I was so excited to hear this. They absolutely killed it….with the crowds help.
“She loves to party (Stephen), have a good time (crowd)
She looks so hearty (Stephen), feeling fine (crowd)
She loves to smoke (Stephen), sometimes shifting coke (crowd)
She's laughing when there (Stephen) ain't no joke, hey” (crowd)
“That's all she was, now
Pimpa's paradise (Stephen), Pimpa's paradise (crowd)
That's all she was
Pimpa's paradise (Stephen), Pimpa's paradise (crowd)
That's all she was, now
Pimpa's paradise (Stephen), Pimpa's paradise (crowd)
That's all she was”
Then Damian comes in hard:
”Cause coke was a thing that once she first try
Was once a blue moon to once a blue sky
Now she's wondering who else wants to go buy
She don't got no money and wants to get high”
I just simply loved hearing this! They hit us with “Still Searchin” and kept up the love and energy. The smiles from them was heartwarming. “Tight Ship” was next up, Stephen grabbed his guitar and hit us with his smooth voice and then Damian comes flying in with his verse, I love the contrast in their styles, sound and voices. IT WORKS SO WELL! Always has, but I swear the older they get it just flows so much better. It was time to bring up the energy to another level with “It Was Written” with Damian jumping up and down and willing the crowd to join him. So much high energy in this song. What I loved about this show was the song choices, so many of their songs I was hoping to hear them play, old, new, crowd favorites, my favorites. Throughout this show, their band (a mix of Stephens and Damian’s bands) sounded amazing! Their energy was so high, they were feeding off of Ragga and Jr. Gong, and Ragga and Jr. Gong feeding off of them! I was really hoping to hear something from Stephen’s new album Old Soul and they go into “Cast the First Stone,” and WOW this sounded perfect! Stephen banging on the drum and singing and Jr. Gong doing his thing. I am so sorry I missed his Old Soul tour because that is one of the best albums release in a long time. Another classic and another amazing song, “Jah Army” was up next. This was one of the best on the night, they absolutely killed this. I think the only thing that would have made this any better would have been if Buju stepped on stage with them.
This crowd knew all the words to all the songs, it was truly an incredible scene. It was time for Damian to educate the crowd on the medical and health benefits of marijuana, and we all knew what was coming……..”Medication.” Damian asking the crowd if it is legal in Philadelphia, and when the crowd yells no, he says “we need to change that,” the crowd erupting in a cheer! They really hit on this one….but then again, they were hitting on all these songs. It was time to take us back to 2008 with “The Mission,” another classic from Ragga and Jr. Gong. Huge scream from the crowd as they started. The band really was amazing on this one, and the energy between them and Stephen and Damian was powerful! And while I said they took it back to 2008, then they took us waaayyyy back to 1996 for “Love and Inity.” I swear the love and energy just kept rising and rising with each song. It was time to hit us with a little Bob since they had this crowd “Jamming.” Bob up on the screen behind them as they poured their hearts out on this one. Sticking with the Bob groove, and one where the entire crowd sang along, so loud that they almost overtook Damian and Stephen. Crazy listening to 3000 people all singing “Is This Love” and not missing a word or beat. Stephen hits us with “Rock Stone” and like I’ve said before, the energy was crazy. Just when you think it can’t get any higher, it does!
“Road to Zion” was next up and Damian had everyone pull out their lighters and phones. What a site, 3000 people holding up their lighters, what a cool vibe going on, chills hitting me. Damian sounded perfect and I kept hoping Nas would come walking out on stage. It was time for a song that no matter how many times I have heard it, it just never gets old, “Welcome to Jamrock.”
“Out in the streets, they call it merther”
I swear every time I hear this it gets better and better. It never gets old. Damian goes into “Move!” the crowd jumping right along with Jr. Gong. As Stephen and Damian walk off stage, the entire crowd starts chanting MARLEY, MARLEY, MARLEY! We all needed just a little bit more from them. This was an epic show but no one wanted it to end. We were all having such a great time, so were Stephen and Damian. They finished off this wonderful show with a great, and long, rendition of “Could You Be Loved.” It really was the perfect song to finish this off, because we all felt the love between these brothers, we could feel the love they had for everyone there. This is one of the best concerts I have ever seen, they were so amazing, everything about this night was perfect. And like I said, I have seen them both many, many times and this was them at their best.
One Love - Todd
One of the best benefits to living in Southern California is the plethora of concert venues in the area. Orange County & Los Angeles alone easily have over 100 venues combined where shows can spring up and happen. If that isn’t enough for you, just a drive down the 5 freeway to San Diego can open up a whole new concert going experience with new venues to take in. I was fortunate enough to finally experience the Observatory North Park down in San Diego when KMFDM came through on their 40th Anniversary Tour. This industrial band from Germany has made a name for themselves over the decade, and I was finally able to see what they had to offer.
Opening the night was the band known as Sour Tongue. These guys brought an upbeat groovy punk aspect to the show. Lead singer Satori Marill lets her voice flow between sultry melodies and in your face screams of passion. Reminded me of Cherie Currie from the Runaways. Guitarist Jake Bonn drives the song with his distortion ladened riffs. Bassist John Murphy is one of the most animated on stage, letting his hair whip around while just losing himself on his instrument. Drummer Max Codoceo handles Sour Tongues changing styles with ease. From pushing the beat with punk rhythms, to creating a two steppin yeehaw vibe for a country-style song, and even crafting a dance beat during the song “Soap.” No matter what the song called for, Codoceo was able to groove with it. Sour Tongue played other songs like “Jorking My Shit,” “A Mile in Clown Shoes,” “Teeth,” “Supreme Jort,” “Godspeed 43,” “Godzilla Sex Tape,” “Nebraska,” “Watch This Drive,” and “Poopy Pants Baby.” The crowd may not have known what to expect from a band called Sour Tongue, but the band played with passion that could be felt with every note they put together.
Two podiums were placed on stage with the KMFDM logo spray painted across the bottom. The beat to the opening track “All 4 1” rang out across the venue. Founder and co-vocalist Sascha Konietzko stepped on stage still sporting a spiked mohawk. With the lyrics to the song starting by shouting the band’s name of “K. M. F. D. M.” the crowd went wild. Quickly joined by his other co-vocalist Lucia Cifarelli who helps to create a dynamic vocal range with Konietzko for each song. These giant podiums also serve as a bigger aspect to the show besides adding texture to the stage dressing. As Konietzko is the band’s programmer with Keys, synths, and percussion, while Cifarelli also performs on keys, these podiums hold the musician’s instruments. Yet, both performers find time to step out and play unobscured for the audience to truly taken in their performance. Something I love about industrial music is that traditional instruments are manipulated to create sounds you wouldn’t normally expect from them. Guitarist Andee Blacksugar handles a normal 6 string axe and drummer Andy Selway is on an acoustic drum kit. But by sending their sound through pedals and computer system they can modulate the sound to make it sound more robotic, futuristic, or even rhythmic.
KMFDM’s style and sound was on full display through songs like “Let Go,” “Freak Flag,” “Hyëna,” “Airhead,” “Oh My Goth,” “Naïve,” “Go to Hell,” “Push!,“ ”Liquor Fish & Cigarettes,” “Rebels in Kontrol,” “Bumaye,” “Blindface,” and “A Drug Against War.” With this being their 40th Anniversary tour, the band could not just end the show there. They have too many beloved songs and came out for a five song encore with “No God Here,” “Megalomanic,” “When the Bell Tolls,” “Godlike,” and truly ending with “Paradise.” Even though some of these songs can be considered heavy, KMFDM is creating more danceable beats and rhythms. A dance pit would form in the middle of the crowd, as fans couldn’t help but dance to some of their favorite music from the last four decades.
I have heard of KMFDM in passing over the years, but it took my editor Matthew Belter advising me to see their show to finally get me out there. And I am so greatly fully appreciated that he recommended this show. Not only was the music lively, fun, and danceable, but the band still sound like they do on record. I was transported to a industrial club with heavy bass pounding into our ear drums, and I soaked in every moment of it.
A fun way to pay homage to your favorite band can be starting a cover band. Some cover bands go above and beyond to not only sound like the people they are imitating, but to also dress and even look like them down to the hair and facial details. One band that decided to put a unique spin on the cover artist idea is the legendary Mac Sabbath. Imbodying the ideas of Black Sabbath if they had sponsorship deals from McDonalds and wore costumes like they were the live band at a satanic Chuck E. Cheese. Pioneering the Drive Thru Metal genre, Mac Sabbath has been singing about the perils of the golden arcs for a decade. Celebrating 10 years as a band, they came to one of their favorite venues, the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA and bringing D.I. and The Venomous Pinks to raise hell.
Opening the night was a three piece all female punk band from Arizona known as The Venomous Pinks. These girls were ready to raise hell and throw down just as heavy as any male punk band. Fronted by guitarist Drea Doll, she was armed with a voice full of intensity and rage. Not so much singing but commanding the crowd with her lyrics. Bassist Gaby Kaos screamed melodies alongside Drea and sync’d her playing perfectly with drummer Cassandra Jalilie. The two crafted bombastic rhythms that got the mosh pits started for the night. Playing songs mostly off their album Vita Mors, The Venomous Pinks infected the crowd with chaotic energy that would continue to grow throughout the night.
Up next was the Orange County natives known as D.I. As soon as the band hit the stage, but before a single note could ring out, the crowd was already screaming and ready to let the mosh rage. Helmed by Casey Royer on vocals, who was more just shouting at the crowd. But we ate it up. Guitarists Clinton Calton & Trevor Lucca tackled the fast simple punk melodies with ease and mixed in some quick but punchy guitar solos. Bassist Eddie Tatar and drummer Joey Tatar crafted the rhythm section with an almost running groove to it. This running groove helped keep the energy alive in the moshers to never let the pit stop. D.I. fully turned the Observatory into a hardcore show, with people jumping on stage, two stepping with the band, before launching themselves back into the crowd. The band fed off this chaos and their energy seemed to pick up as the crowd got more rambunctious. D.I. did not let the energy slow down even for a moment with songs like “Living in the USA,” “Johnny’s Got a Problem,” “Imminent War,” “Falling Out,” “Obnoxious,” “Richard Hung Himself,” “(I Hate) Surfin’ in H.B.,” “Guns,” and “Youth in Asia.” I have always heard of the name D.I. but finally getting to experience them was a whole other beast. They’ve been around for over 40 years, and they still continue to incite rage and chaos with the new youth of the nation.
A curtain was draped over the stage to allow a transformation into the drive thru restaurant we were all about to dine at. As the driving guitar to “Organic Funeral” rang out over the crowd, people cheered with anticipation. The curtain was ripped away as Mac Sabbath took the stage. Ronald Osbourne engaged the crowd strapped into a straight jacket. This madman could only be contained for the first song, before ripping himself free to truly embrace the chaos of the world we had just walked into. Flanked by guitarist Slayer MacCheeze and bassist Grimalice, this quartet is rounded off by drummer the Catburglar. These found entities imbue Black Sabbath sounds with lyrics about the horrors of fast food. All the while their Employee of the Month flings french fries into the crowd. When I say the crowd ate this up, I am speaking literally as people were eating the french fries. If there is one thing Mac Sabbath can do it is inciting pandemonium in the crowd. As my experience with Mac Sabbath shows continues, they cause some of the wildest crowds of any band I have experienced. With Songs like “Sweet Beef,” “More Ribs,” “Grilled by Death,” “The Lizard,” “Beth,” “Chicken for the Slaves,” “Frying Pan.” And “Pair-a-Buns,” the crowd could not be contained from showing their love for their McDonald’s overlords.
Mac Sabbath continues to be a hidden gem in the metal and overall music world. It can be tough for a cover band to really break out into the general public, but these guys have such a unique spin on the idea, you can’t help but have fun at one of their shows. This was their 10th anniversary show of being a band, and they don’t seem to be planning to stop. Drive Thru Metal could make its way to a city near you, and no matter how long the line is to place your order, the meal will leave you happy that tried something new.
March 14th at the El Rey was a night for the outcasts and it was magical. Leanna Firestone opened the night and her beautiful voice could be heard even from outside. A lot of her music has a relatable nostalgic feel to it. Leanna's song "Strawberry Mentos" captures the feeling of being in a relationship that's warm and affectionate by talking about candy and it's refreshing to listen to. Her smile also lit up the whole space, it was easy to tell that she's passionate about her music and appreciated her fans. Even just on her acoustic guitar, Leanna's performance was still filled with a ton of energy. It was cool seeing the audience sing along to her song "You Just Didn't Like Me That Much". This is a song that I feel like the world needs because it talks about having feelings for someone who just isn't interested and coming to terms with it and just accepting it. This is something that isn't really talked about, so having a song for people to process these kinds of situations, I feel like is something that a lot of people are going to be able to process things better from. The song has powerful lyrics such as “And the opposite of love is indifference”.
Another one of her songs that stands out is "Least Favorite Only Child". If you've ever felt unloved by your parents and wanted their love and to not be a disappointment to them, you'll relate to this song. The lyrics “I just wanna feel different than what I've felt before'' pulls at the heartstrings. It was also refreshing to hear Leanna joke around and talk about how she's now been in one of the best long-term relationships she's ever been in. One of the songs Leanna finished her set off with was her newest song "Cool!", which starts with the lyrics “I don’t eat my feelings, I swallow them whole”. It's a really good song to end a set with because it has a lot of energy to it. It was also nice seeing Leanna after listening to her for years and seeing how much she cares about her fans. She was taking Polaroids with her fans after the show which was really wholesome and I got a chance to talk to her briefly, which is a moment that I'll always treasure.
After Leanna Firestone's set, Maddie Zahm (the talented headliner), graced the stage. The official name of Maddie's tour is Now That I've Been Honest and boy does it live up to its name. You can also tell right away that she shares a close bond with her band that was up on stage with her. You can even see the bond when she's singing while sitting next to one of the guitar players in her band -what a heartfelt moment. She also brought Francis Karel on the stage and they sang "Seeing Other People" to each other. Which is a song that if you've been hurt by other relationships in the past and you're still trying, you'll relate to this one. The lyrics such as “I went and broke my heart again” are definitely relatable. Not to mention the singers sing really well together on stage.
I really loved the confidence Maddie showed as she moved around the stage and sang. It was a brave moment when Maddie talked about her religious trauma and sang some songs about it as well, her song "If it's Not God Being One of Them" which talks about her choice to leave religion behind because they didn't accept her for her sexuality. It's a powerful song and I'm proud of her for choosing herself in the end and making a choice for her own happiness. I'm sure her choices have given strength to many other people in the LGBTQ+ community. Her song "Bedroom" was exciting to hear live, ranging from her energy, the sick guitar solo and the audience dancing and singing to it, it was a moment in the set to be remembered. She also got up and personal in the crowd during her song "You Might Not Like Her" which is a powerful song about growing up and becoming yourself even if it wasn't the person your younger self thought you'd be and that it'll be scary at first but you'll learn to grow into that version of yourself. I feel like it's a good song for young adults and teenagers because it lets you know that it's ok to grow into a different person than who you thought you would be. One of the songs Maddie wrapped up with was "Fat Funny Friend", and during that song, there were moments when just the audience was singing. This song has lyrics that will make you cry such as “do they keep me around, so their flaws just seem silly”.
Overall it was a night filled with music that the world needs but nonetheless will still bring you to tears. So if you want music that will touch your soul, I highly recommend checking out both Leanna and Maddie.
On March 8, 2024, Between You and Me performed at the Echoplex for an electrifying night of music that was not to be missed. It was an exciting opportunity for fans to experience the band's live music and enjoy an unforgettable evening of entertainment. The show was a vibrant and dynamic showcase of talent, featuring captivating performances from Young Culture, Homesafe, and Zoe Ko, providing fans with a fantastic night of music along with long lasting memories.
Zoe Ko opened the night with confident energy and style, owning the stage with her performance. Her song "Lovesick in Public" resonated with the audience, while "Dirt" stood out for its rebellious feel, showcasing Zoe Ko's admirable energy and authenticity.
Homesafe took the stage next, highlighting their new EP What Did You Find Out?, released on March 1st. Their hit "Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams" captivated the crowd, accompanied by a birthday surprise and energetic performances, including the uplifting "With You".
Young Culture brought an explosive energy to the stage, uniting the audience and fellow musicians in a powerful display of community. Their songs "Shiver" and "Holiday in Vegas" stirred the crowd, showcasing the band's commanding presence and interactive performance.
Finally, Between You and Me delivered an exhilarating set, inciting the crowd to sing along and dive into the music, particularly with their song "Dakota". Their tracks "Overthinking", "Better Days", and even a rendition of a song from Shrek resonated deeply, ending the night with an iconic performance of "Butterflies". This unforgettable concert catered to punk rock fans and left a lasting impression, making their upcoming show in Anaheim a must-see experience.
For the betterment and detriment of the music industry, Spotify has been a powerful source for musicians. One of the biggest upsides is the exposure and reach that Spotify has and allows artists to find a new audience. Thanks to this media mogul, I have discovered some of my favorite bands in recent memory. One artist that Spotify kept sending my way was Charlotte Sands. She has been steadily growing as a featured singer on many more established artists songs. But she finally put out her debut album can we start over? and has embarked on her first world tour to promote it. Making a stop at the Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA, she brought with her Senses and Cloe Wilder to light the place up. It was a tour de force of female power, and the line was around the block with fans of all ages and genders ready to rock out.
Opening the night was solo artist Cloe Wilder. A young up and comer with a powerful voice that will knock you back. Opening with her song “Homesick”, Cloe was dressed like she was going to Prom, but carried songs with her that sang about heartbreak and love loss. She was accompanied by an acoustic guitarist Eric Scullin that helped drive the melancholy melodies that her songs carry. Cloe herself is a multi-instrumentalist, not just captivating the audience with her voice, but accompanying herself on piano for the song “Five Years” and adding an extra layer of guitar when she performed “So 17.” With other songs like “Super 8,” “House by the Water,” “Fake ID,” “Cliff Diving,” and closing with “Cigarette.” Though Cloe’s songs were more on the softer side of the night, she created a vibe and an energy that connected with each and every one of us in the crowd.
Up next was the duo known as Senses, made up of vocalist Madison Taylor and drummer Nick Sampson. This power duo was ready to get everyone exploding with energy and bouncing in the crowd. Opening with their song “Gonna Make Sure,” Madison was all over the stage giving the people an in your face performance. Though Nick was stuck behind his kit, he never lost sight of the fact that they were performing a live show. Playing with what felt like a never ending abundance of energy, he played with huge eye catching movements while maneuvering around the kit. The band was joined by Jordan Keigher on guitar who helped round out the sound of Senses. Though Madison could have wowed the audience with her stage presence alone, she also picked up an acoustic guitar to help on melody during the show as well. Senses played a high energy set that got us hyped with energy with songs like “See You Go,” “No Fun,” “Novocain,” “The Comedown,” “Burnin Up,” “Playing Dead,” “Sleepwalking,” and ending with “Better Than This.” This pop-rock dynamic duo continues to shine as a solid support act to any show. But I already can see that they will be headlining their own tours in no time.
The stage was stripped except for a drum set in the back right corner, and a few lights set up at the back of the stage. As we were blinded by the back lighting, Charlotte Sands walked out on stage, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Opening with “can we start over?” as a soft open into what was sure to be an energy filled performance. Kicking straight into “pity” Charlotte and the crowd erupted with energy. Charlotte is an inherent performer who was feeding off the energy of the crowd. Whatever she gave us, we returned back ten-fold which just elevated her showmanship even more. Not only is Charlotte a charismatic performer, but her charm also extends to her ability to just talk and connect with the crowd in between songs. She comes off so genuine and sweet that you can’t help but fall in love with her. Backed by Dillon Jordan on guitar and Holden W. Clontz on drums, these two helped bring the power and elevate Charlotte’s already magnificent performance.
Charlotte carved out a unique moment where the audience was able to pick two songs to be played from her Burn Book. Two random fans were handed the book to pick songs and they picked “Six Feet Under” and “Nothing’s Even Wrong.” For these two songs, Charlotte played without her backing band, and performed acoustically to really have a special moment with her fans. Outside of this moment that was left up to the fans, Charlotte crafted a perfect setlist consisting of many songs from her debut album, and singles she’s released over the years like “Bad Day,” “dead body,” “on the outside,” “Every Guy Ever,” “Rollercoaster,” “get over it,” “Lost,” “blindspot,” “use me,” “teeth,” “Alright,” “spite,” and ending with “Dress – Heavy Version.” Which started a mosh pit in the crowd. The energy was so uncontrolled that Charlotte leaped from the stage to finish the song dancing with her fans.
All three artists absolutely brought their best to Los Angeles. If there’s one thing that should have been different, this show should be selling out bigger venues. The amount of talent Cloe Wilder, Senses, and Charlotte Sands have has yet to truly be seen by the masses. But I guarantee it will. These three artists are in for a wild and successful career. And I am so happy to say that I got to see all three of them on the same tour, in a 750 cap venue before they really blew up.
After breaking out into the music industry by releasing singles and auditioning on Season 18 of American Idol, up and coming pop singer Natalie Jane has been making waves on the internet. Racking up 1.26 million subscribers on Youtube, 2.1 million followers on Instagram, and 9.3 million followers on TikTok, Natalie Jane is carving out her own line as a prominent pop voice of her generation. She recently dropped her debut album, “Where Am I?” on November 17, 2023. In 2024, she brings her “Where Am I Again?” Tour across the country. She had a stop at the Constellation Room in Santa Ana, California and I was lucky enough to catch it. Let’s hop into it.
Up first was Jessica Baio. She also dropped her debut album, “catalyst” in 2023. She took to the stage and warmed up the crowd with her catchy melodies and memorable hooks. I’m new to her work but she definitely has put in the hours laying the foundation by racking up 453 thousand Youtube subscribers, 1 million Instagram followers, and 2.3 million TikTok followers. She vibed with the crowd and in a somewhat vulnerable moment, she thanked everyone for the support and let everyone know that this was the first big tour she would go on. The supportive fanbase cheered her on throughout her set. It was a heartwarming sight to see. After about a 35-minute set, the lights dropped and the concert went into a 25 minute intermission for the main act, Natalie Jane.
At 9:00 PM sharp, every fan in The Constellation Room screamed at the top of their lungs as Natalie Jane made her way to the stage. She had the whole crowd swaying back and forth to her viral hits like “Do or Die” and “Intrusive Thoughts”. It wasn’t just her vocal prowess that captivated the crowd. It was also her stage presence and undeniable charisma. She really drew the crowd into her world with anecdotes, laughter, and moments of vulnerability.
All in all, Natalie Jane left an incredible mark on the hearts of all those in attendance. Fans were glowing in happiness as they left the venue. This tour continues throughout the United States and has a European leg to follow. Check her out when she’s in a city near you. It’ll be a memorable one!
With the release of the Bob Marley: One Love movie on February 14th, Island Records and Tuff Gong Records release a ten track EP Bob Marley: One Love Music Inspired by the film. These are ten songs written and created by Bob Marley that the Marley family had a hand in choosing for this release. It is a nice choice of contemporary stars that paired up nicely with the songs, six of which come from Exodus, the album that the movie centers around.
Bob Marley songs have been redone many may times, bands play them in concert, there are many versions out there. I am a huge Bob Marley fan and I honestly do not like most remakes of Marley songs. There is so much to the songs, not just the song itself, but the meaning, the feeling, the vibe. The songs are either done as, basically a cover, or are changed to make it unique, but it rarely hits. This album was done very well, I actually caught myself listening to it over and over. They don’t all hit, but most do.
We start off with “Natural Mystic” by Bloody Civilian, a Nigerian singer, she has a great flow to this song, has a nice baseline to take us through this nice jam. Just a nice groove with this and a perfect way to start us off. Next is a song by Bob Marley’s grandson Skip Marley, “Exodus.” One of Bobs most popular songs, but a song that I have never really liked. It is an amazing song, the lyrics and meaning, I just could never get into it. But this track is done so well by Skip. The music changed up just enough with Skips vocals sounds really nice. The third track is “Waiting In Vain” by Daniel Caesar, a Canadian R&B/Soul singer. This is slowed down a little for a really nice chill vibe. Love his voice with this song. Not one of my favorite songs by Bob but I really enjoy this take. Kacey Musgraves brings us “Three Little Birds,” with a little bit of a county feel to it. Not one of my favorites on this album, even a little country is too much for me. She does have a beautiful voice to carry this song.
“One Love” by Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid is next, and to my surprise is not an Afrobeats groove. He gives a nice soulful reggae riddim that sounds so nice. He shows us his beautiful voice and versatility. One of my favorite tracks on this. That brings us to “Is This Love” by Jessie Reyez, a nice upbeat take on this song with a nice guitar throughout. The Canadian R&B and Hip Hop singer sounds wonderful on this track. Another solid track. We come to my favorite Bob Marley song, “Redemption Song” a song I used to sing to my kids at bedtime, a song I have tattooed on my arm. Leon Bridges, American soul singer, sounds great, he has a beautiful soulful voice, but this version just doesn’t do it for me. When it comes to “Redemption Song” I find it very hard to find a good remake, I don’t know if it is because what the songs means to me, or maybe it is just one of those songs that can’t be redone. I give him credit for the attempt, but it just doesn’t hit for me.
“Rasta Reggae (Jammin)” by Farruko, the Puerto Rican Reggaeton artist, hits us with a great Reggaeton flow in this “Jammin” groove. I love the switch up of tempo in the song with some nice bass but also his flow. He really does a beautiful job with this song. We have another one of Bob’s grandchildren, Mystic Marley, on “Misty Morning.” She sounds wonderful on this track, she would make Bob proud. This is slightly slowed down and has a nice bass throughout, with a little Bob singing “MISTY.” Really nice song to groove to. The album is finished off with my favorite track, “No Women, No Cry” by Shenseea the Jamaican Dancehall queen. It is a much different take on the Marley original, but Shenseea makes this work so well. She has such a beautiful voice that plays out so well with the lyrics. The electronic music is not the typical music I would like, but her voice is so wonderful it just dances overtop of the riddim.
This is a really strong album, one worth a listen. I normally wouldn’t go for something put together like this, with the wide-range of artists and styles, but it all comes together nicely. It is really about ONE LOVE, spreading Bob’s message around the world. Everythings Gonna Be Alright!
One Love – Todd Judd
It’s no question that Brother Ali is one of the best storytellers in hip-hop. Over the years, his body of work stands in a league of his with deep introspection, emotional depth, social and political commentary, all bound together with technical skill. The single “Cadillac” showcases all of these as Brother Ali takes the listener down a haunting path shining light on the plight of victims of systemic racism and police brutality in certain neighborhoods in the United States. In addition, the accompanying animated video created by Justin Unjust Herman is one of the best animated shorts I’ve ever seen. Let’s hop into it.
The song starts with a jazzy guitar lick as Brother Ali paints the picture of a black father and son duo rolling around in their yellow Cadillac. He perfectly illustrates the scene, referencing the swagger of their Stenson hats and sharp suits and ties. Two men, well dressed, cruising the city after a visit to their mosque. Suddenly, the police have the Cadillac surrounded. They ask both men to show their hands and get out of the vehicle. Brother Ali raps in first person as the son of the duo, “Pops said be quiet and do not get shot”. As they are approached by police and put face down on the pavement, Ali continues to rap, “my back became a cushion for their fat ass knees”. He brings to life haunting realities of living in some communities by referencing George Floyd, but the tone of his lyricism is not one of anger. It’s calm, it’s cool, it’s collected. And that projects even more strength. While both men are face down on the pavement, the cops search the vehicle and don’t find the contraband they were looking for. They eventually cut the zip ties off their hands and let the two men go. When it feels safe to do so, the main character asks the police why they were pulled over in the first place. The police answer, “just answering a call, two black men in a Cadillac, that’s y’all // simple misunderstanding is all”. Brother Ali winds down the song reflecting on how traumatic that event was, how wrong it could have gone, and how it was shrugged off as no big deal.
Brother Ali can certainly hold his own with his verbal storytelling, and he did exactly that in this song. But Justin Unjust Herman absolutely nailed the animation of the video, and together, this duo of rapper and animator, really brings the audience deep into their world with both an audio and visual experience.
- Kris Kuganathan
On March 3rd, 2024, the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento became the epicenter of an unforgettable night of music, hosting a stellar lineup that included the iconic Fall Out Boy, the spirited The Maine, and the dynamic duo Daisy Grenade. This concert was part of Fall Out Boy's much-anticipated So Much For (2our) Dust tour, offering fans a unique blend of emo, pop punk, and alternative rock. Attendees were treated to a night filled with electrifying performances, nostalgic anthems, and new hits, marking a memorable moment in the heart of California's capital.
The evening kicked off with an emo pop punk vibe, led by the bubblegum TikTok sensations Daisy Grenade. The Brooklyn-based duo (comprised of Dani Nigro and Keaton Whittaker,) dazzled the audience with their musical theatre-inspired pop vocals, engaging in witty exchanges with their guitarist Elijah Scarpati and drummer, Pete Lazorcik. Their performance, illuminated by pink and purple lights, resonated perfectly with the audience. Mentored by Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, this alt-pop duo set the perfect tone for the night ahead.
Next up was the all-American Alt Pop band, The Maine. With a rich history dating back to 2006 and a discography boasting nine studio albums, this Tempe, Arizona group is no stranger to the music scene. Led by the charismatic frontman, pianist, and vocalist, John O'Callaghan, his smooth yet piercing vocals add a touch of class to the bands already incredible sound. Guitarists Jared Monaco and Garrett Nickelsen engaged in thrilling guitar battles, showcasing their talent and enjoyment of playing on stage together. Patrick Kirch on drums, adorned in gold and white to match the band's attire, and Kennedy Brock with his rhythmic guitar playing, added harmony to their performance. Their interaction with fans and gratitude for support was a highlight, celebrating the authenticity of playing real instruments.
As anticipation built for the main event, the arena echoed with singalongs to house music, culminating in a massive chorus to Miley Cyrus's "Wrecking Ball." This energy set the stage for Fall Out Boy, who opened with "Pink Seashell" and a new track "Love From The Other Side" from their latest album, So Much For Stardust. Patrick Stump's soulful vocals captivated the audience, leading into their hit "Sugar, We're Goin Down." Their nearly two-hour set spanned their 20-year career and eight studio albums, accompanied by a dazzling display of fireworks, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and visuals. Pete Wentz, with his hair tucked into a poncho to protect it from the flames shooting from his guitar, and guitarist Joe Trohman, delivered powerful performances. Drummer Andy Hurley impressed with his fervor and groove amidst the flames. Their marathon set included almost 30 songs, culminating in a three-song encore featuring "Thnks fr th Mmrs," "Centuries," and "Saturday."
This second leg of the So Much for (2our) Dust tour was an unforgettable experience. Fall Out Boy's dedication to their craft and genuine appreciation for their fans shone through, making it one of the best concerts in years. With no reliance on samples or backing tracks, just pure rock and roll, their performance was a testament to their talent. I eagerly anticipate their next visit and encourage everyone to experience the magic of Fall Out Boy live.