First Avenue was gifted a boon of bountiful metal tunes this past week - Baroness brought their Sweet Oblivion tour supporting their latest release, Stone, to Minneapolis on Tuesday, gracing the stage with the current segment’s tour buddies Spotlights and Chat Pile. The seasoned metal outfit - headed by the impossible-to-miss, towering John Baizley - brought a whole cavalcade of tunes, new and old, to the venue, with sincerely screamed vocals and jumping guitars aplenty.
Support band number one was Spotlights, a metal trio from Brooklyn that sounds like a dozen bands you’ve heard of while at the same time sound completely unique. When hearing them, one is bound to be reminded of a very wide ranging variety of bands, especially on their latest album Alchemy For The Dead. Deftones, 16volt, Katatonia, Torche - they seem to draw from these and more to create a sound wholly their own. Translating live, the band is an atom bomb going off - their short set was the first few songs off of Alchemy, but amplified tremendously, the opening notes of Beyond the Broken Sky sounding significantly larger, the vocals sounding even more mysterious and brooding, and the musical, groovy drumming of Chris Enriquez even more captivating.
Indie-ish darlings Chat Pile were up next. Chat Pile have, for those heavy music listeners living under a rock, taken the metal world by storm these past few years, blowing up seemingly out of nowhere with their release God’s Country in 2022, skyrocketing them directly into everyone’s attention. Their sincere mix of noise-come-sludge and drunken, rambling, heartfelt vocals seemed to connect a common vein of outrage and frustration at the perfect time. Live - this doesn’t work quite as well, as while the heavy songs like "Why" and "Tropical Beaches, Inc". are tailor-made to crush a live audience, the vocalist’s incoherent mumble-talk-scream and general disinterested demeanor has a place in performance art, but as a frontman he does as much harm as he does good, stripping away some of the energy of the solid musicianship and creating a conflict between band and vocalist.
Baroness came to the stage last, arms raised to the skies as the opening notes of "Embers" played over the house speakers, and then Stone’s first real track "Last Word" kicked in and we were off! Baizley’s vein-popping, full-energy style of delivering vocals is incomparably charming, a distinguishing feature of their performances. He has spoken often in the past about how much Baroness’ music is trying to strike at a connective tissue through music, and watching him give everything he’s got in everything song - it’s impossible not to be taken in. You combine this with impeccable supporting fare in Gina Gleason, who is fighting a battle to the death with standing still, and Nick Jost’s effortless groovy bass contributions, and how could you not fall in love? Baroness followed with a track off of 2007’s Blue - "A Horse Called Golgotha" - and then marched right into "A March to the Sea" from 2012’s Yellow/Green. They then sailed into tracks from all over, covering pretty much their entire discography, before returning to Blue and Yellow/Green for their encore with a rendition of "The Sweetest Curse" and "Takes My Bones Away". A stellar performance that took the crowds to sweet oblivion and back.
The music video for "Sweet Child" by John-Robert left me pleasantly surprised. The warmth and nostalgia it exudes, combined with John Roberts' velvety vocals, create a captivating experience. The attention to detail shines through, especially in the blend of laid-back guitar and groovy drums. The nostalgic vibe, inspired by "teletubbies and other oddball children's programming," adds a unique touch. "Sweet Child", the lead single from John-Robert's upcoming EP Garden Snake, beautifully merges his Appalachian roots with modern indie pop. It feels both authentic and cinematic, capturing the essence of a coming-of-age epic. Excited for the full release of John Robert’s fourth upcoming EP Garden Snake on December 8th via Nice Life.
Meet 19MIL, the authentic rising star from Miami, a true force in the music scene. As a singer, songwriter, and producer, she unveils a multi-faceted talent with a dark yet beautiful voice that evokes a euphoric feeling of sadness, shaping the unique genre of dark-pop. Anticipate conversations in the upcoming months surrounding her distinctive style.
In her latest single, "Deep End," 19MIL offers a profound emotional journey, using metaphors to convey her resilience in seeing herself beyond the negativity—an exploration of beauty emerging from overcoming adversity.
Whenever I’m shooting a show at the House of Blues, and now MGM, I like to get down to Boston for a little pre-show ritual. I park over on Newbury St. and walk past the “Cathedral of Boston” (aka Fenway Park) over to the Tasty Burger on Van Ness. I order a Spicy Jalapeno burger (add +1 patty), and a large fry before heading over to the venue. I don’t know why it’s become the routine, but nonetheless, it has.
This was my first rap show since high school, so I forgot what they were like to be honest – that was until I started walking over to the box office. After I paid my tab and started walking over that night, I couldn’t believe it: BOTH sides of Fenway were completely wrapped around the block with people waiting in line. I had never seen Uzi live before, so as I passed hundreds and hundreds of people on such a bitterly cold night, I thought they were crazy. But then I got through security and walked into the GA pit and saw the unbelievable stage design that it hit me – they weren’t crazy, this is going to be a really rad show. And Lil Uzi Vert put on just that.
Lil Uzi Vert's concert last night was an absolute rollercoaster of energy and vibes. The atmosphere was electric from the moment he hit the stage. The crowd, a sea of fans ready to lose themselves in the music, erupted into cheers as the first beats of his hit songs reverberated through the venue.
Uzi's stage presence was undeniable. He moved with an effortless swagger, engaging the audience with every word and every move. The light show was mesmerizing, syncing perfectly with the beats and adding a visual spectacle to the auditory feast. The combination of pulsating lights, fog machines, and Uzi's dynamic performance created an immersive experience that had the crowd on their feet throughout the night.
The setlist was a perfect blend of his chart-toppers and fan favorites, showcasing his versatility as an artist. From the high-energy bangers like "XO TOUR Llif3" and "Money Longer" to the more melodic tracks like "The Way Life Goes", Lil Uzi Vert kept the audience captivated from start to finish. His ability to seamlessly transition between different moods and styles demonstrated why he's at the forefront of the rap game and was the perfect “welcome back” to rap shows.
Lil Uzi Vert's concert was not just a performance; it was an experience. It was a celebration of music, a communal expression of joy, and a testament to the power of an artist who knows how to connect with his audience. As the final notes echoed through the venue, and the lights dimmed, there was a collective sense of satisfaction in the air—a feeling that this was more than just a concert; it was a night to remember.
As the clock struck 7pm on Halloween at The Factory at Deep Ellum, Dallas, Texas, the Hollywood & N9ne Tour 2023 transformed the night into an electrifying fusion of rap and rock, featuring the powerhouse acts of Tech N9ne, Hollywood Undead, and KING ISO. The stage was set for a unique and unforgettable experience on this spooky night, marking a coheadliner showcase that transcended musical boundaries.
My anticipation was heightened by the fact that the last time I witnessed the explosive energy of Tech N9ne was back in 2019. The prospect of seeing him once again, alongside the dynamic performances of Hollywood Undead and KING ISO, created an air of excitement that permeated the Halloween atmosphere.
KING ISO kicked off the night with a performance that set an intense and captivating tone. His rapid-fire delivery and magnetic stage presence immediately engaged the crowd, drawing everyone into his lyrical world. As the beats resonated through The Factory, KING ISO showcased tracks from his latest album, delivering a performance that demonstrated both skill and passion. The audience, clad in Halloween costumes, responded with enthusiasm, setting the stage for a night of musical exploration.
Following KING ISO, Hollywood Undead took command of the stage, and the atmosphere shifted into a chaotic yet harmonious spectacle. The Los Angeles-based band seamlessly blended rap, rock, and electronic elements, creating a sonic tapestry that defied easy categorization. Hits like "Undead" and "Bullet" were met with a sea of Halloween-clad fans singing along, their energy adding to the band's already electrifying presence. The stage came alive with a visually stunning display of lights and pyrotechnics, further enhancing the immersive experience.
As the clock neared midnight, the anticipation for Tech N9ne's return to the stage reached its peak. The coheadliner format of the tour allowed each artist to shine independently, and Tech N9ne did not disappoint. Tech N9ne delivered a career-spanning set that blended his signature rapid-fire delivery with intricate lyricism. The Halloween night added an extra layer of mystique to the performance, as the crowd reveled in the eerie ambiance of the venue. He played all the hits but the standout tracks had to be “Einstein”, “Red Kingdom”, and “Caribou Lou”. We even got “Face Off” with KING ISO entering the stage again to run it back with Tech.
As the night came to a close, marking the end of Halloween and the conclusion of the Hollywood & N9ne Tour 2023 in Dallas, the crowd erupted into applause. The coheadliner showcase had exceeded expectations, offering a night of musical diversity, unity, and unforgettable performances. The Factory at Deep Ellum became a temporary haven for music enthusiasts, where the boundaries between rap and rock blurred, and the spirit of Halloween infused an extra layer of magic into the experience.
In the summer of last year, there was one artist who absolutely stole the show at the Canadian Juno Awards. After taking the Canadian pop industry by storm with her debut studio album Phoenix, Charlotte Cardin went on to be nominated for six different awards: Album of the Year, Video of the Year, Single of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, Fan Choice Award, and Artist of the Year. She brought home the trophy for three of them: Single of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year. In addition to her big nominations and even bigger wins, she put on a hell of a show performing “Meaningless,” the song she also won Single of the Year for. After seeing her crush it across the board last year at the Junos, Charlotte was high on my list to see live when she made her way down to Southern California. On November 7th, her 99 Nights Tour finally stopped in Los Angeles, California. Let’s hop into it.
Up first was the band New West. The Toronto-based band took to the stage and performed many singles from their debut album “Based On A True Story…”. Charlotte Cardin fans are open minded and positive, and they were very receptive to New West. New West rocked the crowd with singles like “Those Eyes,” “IYKYK,” and “Cold Tea”. By the time New West wrapped up their set, the crowd was warmed up and ready for the main draw.
At 9 PM sharp, the classic red curtains at the El Rey parted and the spotlight found Charlotte Cardin as she strut across in the stage in an all-white outfit. Almost immediately, it was clear why she was nominated for all those Juno’s the year before. From her soulful powerful voice, emotive song-writing and performance, and musical elements of pop, jazz, and electronic music, she had it all. There’s a level of talent that multi-instrumentalist artists have, that other artists cannot even compete with. Cardin strut on beat around the stage with her mic for the majority of her set, but she picked up the guitar and made her way over to the keyboards for a good amount of songs. The most memorable moment for me was when her band took a break, and she sat down at the grand piano on stage for gave us performances for “Meaningless” and “Next To You”. Oh man. The notes she hit in those songs had people in the venue yelling “wooo!” like they just heard the hardest screw-face-inducing house beat “drop” ever. Other notable moments of her set were “Next To You”, “Looping”, and when she got everyone singing along to “Jim Carrey”.
All in all, the multi-talented Charlotte Cardin crushed it at her Los Angeles show. I can’t imagine what her shows are like in places like Istanbul and Munich on this global tour. This is a 40-date tour so she may still be on the way to your hometown market. If tickets aren’t already sold out, cop a few for you and your friends. It’ll be a great time.
On Saturday, October 28th, Rittz fans waited in anticipation under a full moon outside Brick By Brick, eager for the show to start. Being one of the smaller venues in San Diego, Brick By Brick is the perfect place to get up close and personal with your favorite artist. With new music from his MellowLOvation album, Rittz commanded the stage and took advantage of the smaller venue. He personally engaged with his audience from beginning to end. With his unique flow, lightning speed bars, acapella rhymes and comedic banter between songs, Rittz is a solid entertainer.
Opening up for the Southern rapper was local San Diego rapper, Switch. He was followed by special guests Noble Poets and Jehry Robinson. Each artist warmed up the crowd with a surprisingly intimate encounter in their own way. Noble Poets came down onto the floor to perform. Vocalist, Caleb May, belted out powerful, melodic notes in the center of the room - while Rapper, Jevon Barnes AKA Drty, delivered impressive, rapid fire verses face to face with the audience. They were literally so close you could touch them.
Jehry Robinson opened up singing an emotional acoustic set accompanied by Caleb May from Noble Poets on guitar. After a couple songs, Robinson jumped up, producing a fast-paced fusion of hip-hop, reggae and pop that got the crowd moving. Both note-worthy openers gave the audience an intriguing performance to remember.
Finally, the room filled up in anticipation for the main event, “It’s Rittz, Bitch!” With a dynamic introduction by DJ Chris Crisis, Rittz appeared on stage through a cloud of smoke. He flashes a heavily studded CNT chain to proudly promote his own record label. Rittz checks the crowd's pulse and immediately brings the energy. His sound is smooth, flawless and incredibly fast. I like how he plays with contrast - moody, mellow tracks complimented by his staccato rap. To prove his mastery of juxtaposition, “In My Zone” started to play. Every tough guy in the room belted out the lyrics, “I’ve got sunshine in my pocket.” Rittz layered on the rap and crushed it.
In addition to his other talents, Rittz is funny, charismatic and real. He interacted with his fans and made sure everyone had a good time. While he introduced the party anthem, “Crown Royal,” the 40 year old rapper transparently admitted that his drink of choice is much lighter in color these days. One has to wonder, what was in the cup? Was it vodka? Was it water? Who knows. Who cares? He gave the people what they wanted - a live performance they won’t forget!
Alice Cooper’s genre of music used to be labeled “Shock Rock.” Five decades into his career, there’s nothing really shocking anymore. Except what a great show Alice puts on. The man and the band are consummate professionals. It was 17 songs played and performed to perfection.
Every sneer. Every snarl. Every swing of the baton or stab of the sword are performed with the utmost theatrical movement. Every raised makeup enhanced eyebrow adds an extra element to each word in the song. The performance was part of an additional three shows added in October to the Alice Cooper/Rob Zombie tour and was dubbed the Halloween Hootenanny. While there was nothing overtly Halloween themed about it, some audience members did come in costume, and hey, this is an Alice Cooper show that already features multiple costume changes, monsters on stage, snakes, strait jackets, and a beheading by guillotine, so really what more needed to be added?
A welcome return to the overall tour was guitarist Nita Strauss. She adds an extra level of musicianship and showpersonship to an already spot-on band. Also killing it on guitar are Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henriksen. The rhythm section featured Chuck Garric on bass and Glen Sobel on drums. This is a super-tight band that does justice to all of Alice Cooper’s hits and looks like they are having a hell of a time doing it. A special shout out to the Marie Antoinette-like character leading Alice to his beheading. That was Sheryl Cooper, Alice’s wife.
Alice’s tour has now ended. Nita’s on the road supporting Mammoth WVH. But since the name of his newest album is Road, look for Alice Cooper to be out there sometime soon, doing what he does better than anyone else in the business.
Alice Cooper Halloween Hootenanny Set List
1. Lock Me Up
2. Welcome to the Show
3. No More Mr. Nice Guy
4. I’m Eighteen
5. Under My Wheels
6. Billion Dollar Babies
7. Hey Stoopid
8. Lost in America
9. Snakebite
10. Feed My Frankenstein
11. Poison
12. Black Widow Jam
13. Ballad of Dwight Fry
14. Killer
15. I Love the Dead
16. Elected
When you think of the most influential bands of all time in terms of musicality, showmanship, and a desire to create the greatest live show ever seen. There is an argument to be made that no band has done this better than KISS. Four New Yorkers who decided to put on white face makeup, stylize it with their own personal flare, dress up in the shiniest attire any stage has seen, wear platform boots, and still rally the crowd to rock out as hard as they can. In today’s age this doesn’t sound too crazy, but in the 70s KISS were trend setters. And for 50 years they have proven that they are the hottest band in the world with a top notch stage show that few can compare. Selling out the 17,500 seat Hollywood Bowl, KISS was bringing their blistering hot stage show to the good people of Los Angeles one last time with their End of the Road World Tour. From kids as young as five, to the oldest KISS fans, the Bowl was a sea of fans dressed up with their face painted in their favorite members makeup look. We were all here for one last chance to see the hottest band in the world.
As a huge KISS banner hung across the front of the stage, Led Zeppelin’s classic “Rock and Roll” played over the speakers. This was the familiar alarm that fans have grown to know that the band is hitting the stage in a few moments. As the banner fell, the band started off the night with “Detroit Rock City,” and all 17,500 fans were up on their feet singing and dancing ready to lose themselves in the show we were about to see. Yet the stage was barren, until we realized all four members of KISS were descending from the ceiling of the Hollywood Bowl, each on their own separate platform while fireworks and pyro ignited around them. This just made us all go even crazier in our seats as no band is starting off their shows this way.
I’m sadly too young to have seen KISS in their younger days, but getting the opportunity to see them now, I feel they have not lost a step in their performance. Each member of the band is still whole heartedly dedicated to their onstage persona and the performance they are giving the crowd. Guitarist and vocalist Paul Stanley has not stopped embodying the Star Child personality that he dawned all those decades ago. The man still struts around the stage waving his libido for all to see, and the crowd continues to eat it up. Bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons is a towering demon on stage, with his batwings, and the ability to heighten their stage show to a whole new level. Not only has this man written some iconic basslines and songs, but he continues to breath fire over the front row audience and soar high above the crowd spewing blood during “God of Thunder.” Fellow guitarist Tommy Thayer has really made The Spaceman persona his own over the last two decades. During his guitar solo he fires off multiple rockets from the headstock of his guitar, taking out flying saucers that have descended onto the KISS stage and saving the crowd from alien abduction. Drummer Eric Singer honors all qualities of The Catman not just behind the drum kit but stepping front and center to give his beautiful rendition of KISS’s biggest hit “Beth.” All four members are still performing at the top of their game after all these years.
With a KISS show you do not just get four insanely talented musicians, as the band wants to not just provide some of the best music of all time, they want to entertain you. With the backline of the stage framed with nearly 30 stage lights, pyro techniques firing behind and in front of the lights, fireworks firing from around the stage, KISS was making sure this was an unforgettable experience. One of the more unique moments of the show was when Paul Stanley jumped on a zip line and soared through the crowd to a mini B-Stage smack dab in the middle of the venue. He wanted to be closer to the back of the crowd, and make sure everyone is having a good time. While Paul was on this mini stage, the band performed the classics “Love Gun,” “I Was Made For Loving You,” and “Black Diamond” before he ziplined back to the main stage. Other classics that graced our ears were “Shout it Out Loud,” “Deuce,” “ Heaven’s On Fire,” “I Love It Loud,” “Cold Gin,” “Lick It Up,” “Calling Dr. Love,” “Psycho Circus,” “1000,000 Years,” and coming back for a three song encore with “Beth,” “Do You Love Me,” and ending with the seminal rock anthem “Rock and Roll All Nite.” With the latter two songs, KISS branded beach balls were being bounced around the entire amphitheatre. As well as Confetti, streamers, and pyro were firing off throughout the final moments of the concert. As the last notes rang out, the Hollywood Bowl ignited a firework show that light up the sky while KISS’s “God Gave Rock and Roll to You II” played over the speakers.
After 50 years, the band has decided it’s time to call it quits. But they are going to give the people one last epic tour and cement themselves as one of the greatest live acts ever. Starting the End of the Road World Tour on January 13th, 2019. This tour has been going on for four years, has had 13 legs, and performed to over 253 crowds of screaming fans so far. Culminating with two final performances to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York. Every fan was sent home happy after seeing this show and yet we were still a bit sad knowing that this is the last time KISS will be playing to a Los Angeles crowd, allegedly. You want the best. We got the best. The hottest band in the World!
The Hollywood & N9ne Tour 2023 featuring Hollywood Undead and Tech N9ne along with special guest King ISO made a stop at Riverside Municipal Auditorium in Riverside, CA on Thursday night October 26 and played a killer show to a capacity crowd.
This month-long tour kicked off October 16 in St Louis and runs through November 19 ending in Nashville and is jam packed with rap and rock from start to finish with King ISO kicking off the show.
King ISO hit the stage to an already packed house and blasted out some unrelenting rhymes as he moved across the stage. The crowd sang along to every song, and it wasn’t long before ISO had removed his shirt exposing his well-toned upper body and six-pack abs and it was obvious the ladies in attendance didn’t mind the view. A short but powerful set had the crowd in full on party mode as they eagerly awaited the next performer.
Up next hitting the stage about 8:30pm was the amazing Tech N9ne along with his live band and they kicked off their party with “Stamina” into “Unfair” and immediately the house was jumping along with each song. Tech N9ne blasted through a good 25 songs during his 75 min onstage and Riverside was rapping and rockin.
At one point early on Tech N9ne brought some youngsters onstage to dance and sing along and he also brough out his clown mask for a few songs mid-set. The stage had video screens on each side of the stage and many of N9ne’s videos played as he rapped out the lyrics.
He kept the talking in between songs to a bare minimum and focused on the live show with crowd favorites such as “Come Gangsta”, “Caribou Lou”, “Erbody but Me” and many more. King ISO came out to duet on the killer song “Face Off” and the two traded off verses in almost a dueling fashion and this was obviously a highlight of the performance. Tech N9ne ended the set with the banger “Red Kingdom”.
Rap/Rock Kings Hollywood Undead took the stage at 10:00pm and finished off the night with 60 minutes of orchestrated chaos with the fans rocking out with fists in the air the entire time. These guys rock the stage like nobody’s business as J-Dog, Funny Man, Johnny 3 Tears, Charlie Scene and Danny all traded off vocals as well as instruments the entire time onstage – its difficult to keep track of who is doing what but it works and is entertaining as hell.
They started the show with “CHAOS” off their 2022 release Hotel Kalifornia and then into “California Dreaming”. The madness never stopped and the band played a killer rendition of “Enter Sandman” then into “Du Hast” which elevated the craziness level of the crowd and then ended the night with “Undead”.
A KILLER 1-2-3 punch with King ISO, Tech N9ne and Hollywood Undead – a show not to be missed.