Show Review: Beyoncé @ CenturyLink Field

Posted on 05/21/2016 by Dagmar

Show Review: Beyoncé @ CenturyLink Field, 5/18/16
~Dagmar

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniela Vesco/Parkwood Entertainment)

Beyoncé showered her blessings on Seattle last Wednesday, May 18th in a performance that displayed why she is one of America’s great artists. Sexy dance moves, gorgeous vocals and costumes, and a hot damn stage set combined to make a most excellent show. Just when I thought there’d be any kind of lull in the excitement, something else cool would happen. I am certain that every single person at the concert (all 77,000 of them) was totally moved.

The Formation Tour’s event included fireworks and a giant square, rotating screen that opened and closed, making very creative spaces for Beyoncé and her dancers. I think there were approximately eight female dancers who wore matching outfits and danced as one with Beyoncé. While Beyoncé was, of course, the center of attention, the dancing seemed more of a troupe than just having a supporting role. That all band members were female also emphasized Beyoncé’s status of feminist icon. The production was so detailed you’d need to see the show many times to catch everything, but then you’d still miss some neat element. The huge cube turned purple for a moment to remember Prince by playing “Purple Rain.”

Several of my friends on Facebook posted, in some way or another, that the show was a religious experience. I agreed, and had posted, before I read others’ posts: #beyonceblessed. Tracks off the set list that especially got me going: “Formation,” “Yoncé,” “Bow Down,” “***Flawless,” “Kitty Kat,” “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” “Ring the Alarm” (including a wicked Doors’ sample and appearance of Beyoncé sitting on a golden throne – it looked totally normal), “Diva,” “Blow,” “Naughty Girl,” “Drunk in Love” and “Partition” (during which Beyoncé got that couch out – you know the one – and the giant square placed the dancers into individual doors with flashing lights – kind of like in the video). And always remember, as Beyoncé warned: “A diva is a female version of a hustla.”

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniela Vesco/Parkwood Entertainment)

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Set List, with songs’ albums:

Formation (Lemonade)
Sorry (Lemonade)
Kitty Kat (B’Day)
Bow Down (***Flawless part 1 – Beyoncé)
Run the World (Girls) (4)
Superpower (Beyoncé)
Mine (Beyoncé)
Baby Boy (Dangerously in Love)
Hold Up (Lemonade)
Countdown (4)
Me, Myself and I (Dangerously in Love)
Runnin’ (Lose It All) (Naughty Boy cover)
All Night (Lemonade)
6 Inch/I Care/Ghost (Lemonade/4/Beyoncé)
Don’t Hurt Yourself (Lemonade)
Ring the Alarm (Doors sample) (B’Day)
Diva (I Am. . . Sasha Fierce)
***Flawless (Remix) (Beyoncé)
Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj cover)
Yoncé (Beyoncé)
Drunk in Love (Beyoncé)
Rocket (Beyoncé)
Partition (Beyoncé)
Hip Hop Star/Freakum Dress (Dangerously in Love/B’Day)
Daddy Lessons (Lemonade)
1+1 (4)
Love on Top (4)
The Beautiful Ones (Prince cover)
Purple Rain (Prince)
Crazy in Love (Dangerously in Love)
Naughty Girl (Dangerously in Love)
Party (4)
Blow (Beyoncé)
Die with You/Blue
Freedom (Lemonade)
Survivor (Destiny’s Child cover)
End of Time (4)
Halo (I Am. . . Sasha Fierce)

Lily & Madeleine @ Ballard Homestead

Posted on 05/20/2016 by Kirk

Lily & Madeleine – sisters Lily and Madeleine Jurkiewicz, hailing from Indianapolis – headlined at the Ballard Homestead over the weekend. The venue is a former church and gave the show a house concert feel, thanks in part to the very attentive audience. Backed by Shannon Hayden (cello, guitar, mandolin) and Kate Siefker (drums), the sisters are touring in support of their third full-length album, Keep It Together.

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Interview & Show Preview: James McCartney @ the High Dive, Th. 5/19

Posted on 05/18/2016 by Dagmar

Show Preview: James McCartney @ the High Dive, Thursday May 19th

British singer-songwriter James McCartney visits Seattle’s High Dive this Thursday, May 19th. McCartney, who has now released three full-lengths, including the 2016 album, The Blackberry Train, and two EPs, is very much conducting his career on his own terms. See, his parents are Paul and Linda McCartney, so there was always going to be artistic talent in his genes. There’s no getting around that, and so, we’ve addressed his lineage. What’s he like as an individual artist?: beautifully rocking.

James McCartney – photo by Mary McCartney

McCartney combines Britpop with grunge. The Blackberry Train‘s “Paralyis” and “Ballerina” are fine examples of his work, as is that album’s “Unicorn.” You can also hear psychedelic rock in many songs. There’s some Oasis with Nirvana and a bit of Blur. Then there’s simply the blissed-out nature of 2013’s Me. I have a strong feeling these, and, other tracks, will be powerful live. On “The Blackberry Train,” McCartney worked with engineer Steve Albini, whose credits include the Jesus Lizard, the Cribs and Veruca Salt, and it’s an excellent album.

James McCartney wrote, in “Thinking About Rock & Roll”: Life’s so fine and it’s already mine. I’ve got a Q&A for you that McCartney, who has such a strong outlook, recently did with me; check it out! And don’t miss him. He’s fantastic. I’m digging every single song he’s written.

“Unicorn” is one of my favorites from The Blackberry Train. Where did that lovely song come from?

James McCartney: I like the music to have elements of the avant-garde, psychedelic, and be just a little against the grain. But in the end, it’s about having as much emotion as possible for me, musically and lyrically. It’s all about the music being cathartic, heartfelt and true.

You’ve studied art. What kinds of art styles do you create in addition to music?

JMcC: I feel that they are deeply related, but are also different. In fact all the artwork for my first record, Me and for the the first single off that record, “Strong As You” are made up of paintings that I have done. And I feel that art and expression are always related like that.

What was the process like working with Steve Albini on The Blackberry Train?

JMcC: It was great. He is a very talented producer and it was great fun working with him.

I enjoy the honesty and positivity in your lyrics. How does your commitment to Transcendental Meditation inform your work?

JMcC: Ultimately, let your heart and mind guide you and strengthen you, and you’ll be where you want to be.

~Dagmar

Head over to Ticketfly’s event page for tickets & more details.

Video: Adia Victoria’s “Dead Eyes”

Posted on 05/17/2016 by Dagmar

Artist: Adia Victoria
Song/Video: “Dead Eyes”
Why You Want to Listen/Watch: A stark and scary video, and one you might not want to watch alone. Spoiler: Victoria gets away from her pursuers in a Thunderbird! The southern rock/country/gothic artist just released her debut, Beyond The Bloodhounds, and hits the Seattle area for a June 11th show at the Sunset. The tour is called Me & The Devil. This is intense.

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Selena Gomez @ KeyArena

Posted on 05/14/2016 by Kirk

Selena Gomez recently brought her Revival Tour to KeyArena, one of the first stops on the North America leg. This is her second solo concert tour and is in support of Revival which was released last year. Complete with backing band and nine dancers, Gomez entertained the enthusiastic crowd for well over a hour. Joe Jonas’ new band, DNCE, and Bea Miller opened.

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