CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTHER PERFORMANCES/EVENTS THAT I CAUGHT DURING THE BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE
Below are clips of each of the songs that Jill Scott performed at this show. I may have missed a song or two. I hope you enjoy it.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTHER PERFORMANCES/EVENTS THAT I CAUGHT DURING THE BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTHER PERFORMANCES/EVENTS THAT I CAUGHT DURING THE BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE
Below are clips of each of the songs that Maxwell performed at this show. I may have missed a song or two. I hope you enjoy it.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTHER PERFORMANCES/EVENTS THAT I CAUGHT DURING THE BET EXPERIENCE AT L.A. LIVE
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
The Briefs are a punk rock band from Seattle, Washington. Critics have described their brand of punk rock as a throwback to 70’s British punk and early 80’s L.A. bands. However you may want to classify them, their music rocks.
I tried doing some research about the band before the festival to learn more about them, but other than their Wikipedia entry and their Facebook Fan Page, there wasn’t much press I could find about them. Based on what I could glean, the band took a little hiatus sometime around 2007 as one of their members joined a new band.
Notwithstanding the little info I could find about them, and based on what I watched and listened to on youtube, I decided I’d check them out. I’m glad I did.
Rapid power chord progressions with catchy hooks, and performed with a cocksure attitude, these guys were a fun kind of punk that really got me ramped up. I may not have been keen on their lyrics (as I was basically being exposed to their music for the first time), but what I heard was good enough for me to make me want to check out there music some more.
I couldn’t find a setlist of their set online, so if you attended the event and know what their setlist was, please post it in the comments, and I’ll add it to the post.
Immediately below are some videos I found of The Briefs performing at the festival and also the Ink-N-Iron pre-party. If you know of any other videos that are online, please post the link below in the comments so that I can add it to the playlist.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
Last year, I got the royal treatment at the BET Experience. Not only did I get the chance to see Beyonce, Snoop, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, R. Kelly, New Edition and The Jacksons perform on the main stage, but I was able to score an “Artist Pass” for the entire weekend, which allowed me to roam freely backstage at Staples Center. Armed with only a small Sony Cybershot G, I took photographs the best I could and actually ended up with some decent shots. After that weekend, I decided to take concert photography more seriously, because I determined that it was something that I truly had a passion for. Since that weekend, I’ve invested in some “professional” photography equipment that I could afford and have been self teaching myself how to snap, what I think, are decent concert photographs.
This year, I didn’t use any of my entertainment contacts to score a special tickets or photo/media passes. Rather, I applied independently as a blogger. Though I didn’t get any media or photo passes for any of the main evening concerts, I was approved for certain daytime events at the BET Experience at L.A. Live on Saturday and Sunday. The daytime events on Saturday and Sunday were free and open to the public, and it’s my opinion that anybody who is fan of soul, R&B and hip-hop music, and didn’t go to witness any of the events, missed out on a hell of an opportunity.
As fate would have it, I Complex Magazine saw fit to award me tickets to see the Friday evening concert featuring Jill Scott and Maxwell. I tried to sneak my DSLR and lenses into the Staples Center for that show, but ended up having to check my bag at guest services. However, I was able to use my trusty Sony Cybershot G point and shoot to take a handful of pictures that I think are worth posting on my blog.
Below is a list of all of the wonderful singers/rappers/performers that I was able to capture with my cameras. You’ll notice below that for each performance, I’m posting two separate pages: one for Instagram video captures, and one for photographs and my thoughts on the performance. I tried to take Instagram videos of each of the songs all of the artist’s performed. I don’t know everything about each artist, so if you know the names of the songs an artist sings, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to the post.
I hope that what I’ve captured gives you a sense of what I experienced over the weekend. The photo/review pages will be posted in due course, as a solo blogger, editing and selecting pictures “worthy” of sharing takes a little bit a time. Hey, I took over 2000 pictures! Cut me some slack! LOL.
6/27/14 (Friday)
6/28/14 (Saturday)
6/29/14 (Sunday)
MUSIC INSTA-BABE: Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger is a singer, songwriter, actress and dancer who first gained notoriety as the front-woman of The Pussycat Dolls (a burlesque inspired recording group) before branching out as a solo artist. Part Filipino, Hawaiian and Russian, she seems to have procured the best of each gene pool. Follow her on instagram: @nicolescherzy.
KILLER COVER: Sam Smith covers Whitney Houston
I acknowledge that Sam Smith has a great voice, but I haven’t been all too impressed with his latest singles. They’re growing on me, but I think the switch still needs to be turned on before I purchase his album (full disclosure, I haven’t heard the entire album) … but when I found his cover of Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know”, I was floored. I actually went to iTunes to see if that recording was available on his album. It wasn’t. Let’s just say I would have purchased the album just for that cover.
Bonus Whitney
Since we’re talking Whitney, you should check out the a cappella track from her recording. It’s pretty awesome too.
Think You Know All About Michael Jackson’s Videos?
Rolling Stone Magazine posted a cool video “compilation” of some of Michael Jackson’s best videos. With each of the videos comes a little tidbit that you probably didn’t know about. If you have time to go through 20 of his videos, this read is highly suggested
The Making of OK Go’s “The Writing’s On The Wall”
Since I blogged about their latest video last week, I figured I post this week a “behind-the-scenes: from the trenches” video that they shot simultaneously of them making the video. It’s basically all real time, and really cool.
MUSIC NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
I’m not a fan, and really never have been, of Electronic Dance Music. But the youth these days can’t seem to get enough of it. Well … some have paid the ultimate cost recently when two died after attending the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas and dozen of fans were hospitalized during an Avicii show. Personally, I just don’t see the true musicianship in EDM “performances” … if you’re willing to call it a performance. I hoping that it’s just a fad. Something new has got to come along, right? Man, I hope so.
L.A. Weekly (one of my favorite local publications) wrote a great editorial about “How Bob Marley Was Sold to the Suburbs”. It’s a terrific read. If you have the time, and you love Bob, you should read the article.
YouTube is making it hard for independent labels today. Some great artist’s videos (like Adele, Vampire Weekend, etc) may no longer be available to view on their traditional platform. For an in depth analysis of why independent label are unhappy with Youtube’s contractual offerings, you should click here and read this article. It’s not the easiest read, but it will give you perspective.
Rumors are afoot about D’Angelo’s new album FINALLY coming out in 2014. Please, please, please, please, please let this be true.
TMZ reports that Chris Miles, a 15 year old rapper, just signed a million dollar record deal. Apparently, his appearance on “America’s Got Talent” got his videos going viral. Sure, he needs to sell/write records to make that milli, but he did get a $182,500 advance. Is he worth it? Check out the video below and let me know what you thinking he poll.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
Fresh off their late-night gig in the Queen Mary’s bar the night before, Hopeless Jack and the Handsome Devil took to one of the main stages at the festival to bring their raucous sound to the masses. I could recognize faces from the night before, and they filled the previously empty hall with the others who joined in to catch them play.
Their performance from the night before must have been a warm up, cause they took it up a notch for their late afternoon set, and tore the stage up. Their music was loud and rocking; their energy relentless and unstoppable. As they played their set, more and more people kept trickling into the room. Clearly, it was the music that was drawing them in.
Now, I love taking pictures, but I’m far from a “professional”. I still tinker with settings during sets, and I end up taking tons of pictures – thank god there’s digital, or I’d be spending a years salary on film. I’ll kick myself in the ass every once in a while when I miss a shot. The featured shot of this blog post was a shot that I almost didn’t get. Granted, I had to mess with the photo’s setting to enhance certain aspects, but of all of the “imperfect” shots I’ve ever taken, this is one my favorites.
At that moment, the crowd was going nuts. It was the last song, and the crowd was whooping and hollering all throughout, watching the Handsome Devil standing over, and smashing, his drum kit. The finale reached its climax when he mounted his drum kit- all while playing – and on the last beat, jumped into the sky. I could feel the room hold its breath. Everyone’s eyes were fixated on the tatted up drummer leap through the air, and there was a collective exhale when he landed, followed by instant cheers from fans old and new.
To me, that moment was surreal. This two man band commanded a stage that 10 piece bands had occupied the other day, and they filled the room with an insane energy that people couldn’t keep talking about after it was all said and done.
I overhead people in the audience proclaim,”That was the best thing I’ve seen in a while,” and “That’s got one of the best sets of the weekend”. I wasn’t going to disagree.
Follow them on Facebook. They’re my favorite band that you’ve never heard of. I want to see if I can change that.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
The first time I saw Hopeless Jack and the Handsome Devil perform live, it was Ink-N-Iron in 2013. I saw them perform one other time since Ink-N-Iron 2013, so when I heard that they were playing TWO sets this year, I knew that I had to catch both of their sets.
The first set they played was a late night, after hours gig in one of the bars of the Queen Mary. In fact, it was so late night, that it was literally the last act to perform that day. Drunk festival goers who were lucky enough to book a room on the ship had all congregated to the bar to top off their buzz. They were in for a treat.
Hopeless Jack and the Handsome Devil ripped into their set and bar patrons took notice. Heads at the bar turned as soon as the loud blues/roots rock blasted through the speakers. The music must have attracted others from the down the halls of the legendary ship as more and more people kept filing into the room to join the party.
I spent most of their performance enjoying the show, so I didn’t take that much video or snap too many shots. I figured I’d make up for it, as they were going to be the first band that I checked out the next day.
Do yourself and follow them on Facebook. You’ll want to catch their live show if they end up in your neck of the woods.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
Merle Ronald Haggard revolutionized country music when he and his band, The Strangers, developed the Bakersfield Sound in the 1950s; a style of country music that was born in Bakersfield, California. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994, he has continued to record and release music since, and at the ripe age of 77, he put on a show at Ink-N-Iron that proved why his music, and sound, has withstood the test of time.
Now, I may not have the greatest knowledge of country music, but listening to him sing a song like “Workin’ Man Blues”, and other songs that reach out to the common man and their daily life, really left an impression on me. Just him and his band playing music for the people.
He played both his guitar and his fiddle, and his voice seemed unaffected by age. In fact, I’d even say that at his age, his voice, based on the early recordings of him that I happen to have on iTunes, has only matured like a fine wine. Definitely smoothed out and in control.
If someone is going to open my ears to a different kind of country other than Rascal Flatts, I’m happy to report that Merle just may have done it. Hell, if a living legend couldn’t do it, then I don’t know who could have.
I couldn’t find a setlist online, so if anybody knows what songs he performed, and the order that he performed them in, let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it there.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
MUSIC INSTA-BABE: JoJo
http://instagram.com/p/o7oysnHCyx/
Though her music career had been embroiled in contractual battles with her prior label, fresh off performing at South by Southwest and having inked a new deal with Atlantic Records earlier this year, it sounds as if JoJo’s music career is about to get some much needed major label support. I’ve always enjoyed her R&B infused pop music … and being easy on the eyes certainly doesn’t hurt. Follow her on Instagram: @translucentbrownsugar
KILLER COVER: Allen Stone covers Marcy Playground
Remember that Marcy Playground song “Sex And Candy”? I do. I first heard it on the radio at college. It was a HUGE college radio song. Allen Stone soul singer who is about to release his sophomore album, and he does a great job covering this song.
Here’s the original Marcy Playground track:
HAHAHAHA …. Just For Laughs
The POWER of Music! It seems like Terry Crews can do anything with his muscles … even make music.
OK Go with a NEW Ground Breaking Music Video
OK Go’s music videos are always amazing. The music video for their latest single, “The Writing’s On The Wall” is a both a sonically pleasing and visually amazing. And it looks as if they did it all in ONE take. Take a look.
MUSIC NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
Bjork to have a 3-D fusion of film and music exhibit at the MOMA! She’s always on the cutting edge of art, so it seems only fitting that she’ll have an exhibit at a prestigious museum.
A family named their twin boys Ghostface and Raekwon. Is this taking fandom to a new level … or Nah … lol.
Iggy Azalea recently scored both the Number One and Number Two spots in the Billboard Hot 100. A feat only accomplished by one other musical act: The Beatles. Now firming entrenched in the spotlight, commentary regarding her rise to the top has been steady growing.A professor from my alma mater, Cornell University, wrote one titled “The Conspiracy to Whitewash Hip-Hop”. An interesting read, for sure, but do you agree?
Enjoy watching music videos on Youtube? What’ll happen if your favorite band’s music is no longer available to watch? Well, it may be happening sooner that you think. Youtube hasn’t been able to work out deals with certain independent record labels, and music acts like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Adele and others may soon no longer be available to watch on Youtube. A damn shame if you ask me.
JACK WHITE WITHDRAWAL
Last week I posted a link to a Jack White show that I regretted missing. Over the weekend, I suffered from Jack White withdrawal when I kept seeing various twitter feeds explode with Jack White updates during his performance at Bonnaroo as it seemed to be legend … wait for it … ary. I was again heartbroken for not being at a Jack White show. See below and join in my sadness.
Riff overload: Jack White triumphantly opens #Bonnaroo headlining set with “Icky Thump.”
— billboard (@billboard) June 15, 2014
Jack White has shouted out Detroit auto workers, ’30s blues musicians and homeless traveling musicians. #bonnaroo – @cpayneonaplane
— billboard (@billboard) June 15, 2014
#bonnaroo crowd chanting the “Seven Nation Army” bass line to get an encore from Jack White – @cpayneonaplane
— billboard (@billboard) June 15, 2014
Jack White is 25 minutes over his scheduled end time and showing no signs of slowing down. – @AlexYoung
— Consequence of Sound (@coslive) June 15, 2014
…and Jack White is still going. Just broke into “Seven Nation Army” #bonnaroo – @cpayneonaplane
— billboard (@billboard) June 15, 2014
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
Wanda Lavonne Jackson is known to many as the “Queen of Rockabilly” or the “First Lady of Rockabilly”. An accomplished singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist, the success that she had during the 50s and 60s paved the way not only for women, but also for rock and roll and country music genres; and she is duly recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an “Early Influence”.
I was able to get up front for her performance, joining a mixed-age crowd. It didn’t surprise me that she was able to pull kids who couldn’t have been out of their teens to her show. After all, one of her more recent albums, 2009’s “The Party Ain’t Over” was produced by Jack White (which, by the way, was her first album to break into the Billboard Top 200, peaking at number 58.
When the lights dimmed, and the band started playing, I could see a small woman in a flamboyant, pink top make her way downstage. The crowd cheered loudly as their heroine took her steps forward, and when she addressed the crowd with a, “Hello,” the concert hall within the Queen Mary erupted.
Though in her mid 70’s, Wanda Jackson, like Ray Campi, gave a performance with such attitude and passion, that I could only imagine what she would have been like back during her hey-day. She yodeled, she growled, and she punched out notes like a pro, and the audience ate up every second of it … as long as they weren’t singing along with her.
In between songs, she would tell some stories as a segue into what she would perform next. She spoke adoringly about her brief time “dating” (“If you called it that,” as she noted) Elvis before vamping into Heartbreak Hotel. She reminisced about her experience making music with Jack White and the “disagreement” she had with the uber producer about covering Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” before singing it.
I loved watching Wanda Jackson perform. I loved the way she interacted with the audience, marveling at their youth, and even joking about their hair color and body piercings. I loved watching the look in her eyes when the youthful crowd sang along to her classic tunes.
Towards the end of her set, she reached out to those of her fans that were lined up at the front; shaking/holding whatever outstretched hand that was reaching out to her. I reached out as well, and when she grasped my hand, and mouthed, “Thank you,” while looking into my eyes, it was a moment I’ll not soon forget.
I couldn’t find a setlist of the songs that she performed online, but I did take a picture of it (which I know isn’t the correct order, as the “You Know I”m No Good” isn’t even listed, which is included in the photographs below. If you were there, and know the order of the songs performed, please let me know and I’ll add it here.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHER ACTS I WAS ABLE TO CATCH AT INK-N-IRON
#DKLPHOTOS 