Photos and Review: Blizzard Music Tour @ Toyota Center (Kennewick, WA)

3OH!3

With a nearly sold-out crowd at the Toyota Center, the Blizzard Music Tour made its way to Kennewick, Washington last Friday. The tour, which was selling out places in the Midwest like Fargo, North Dakota and Helena, Montana, didn’t disappoint with a bill featuring Nelly, 3OH!3, Sick Puppies and Cali Swag District. The Tri-Cities has been on a roll with booking some big name shows this year, including Avenged Sevenfold last month and now the Blizzard Music Tour.

Unfortunately, Sick Puppies didn’t play the last two shows of the tour, which included Kennewick. But that didn’t disappoint a massive sea of fans who packed the Toyota Center. I also missed the first act Big Reeno due to parking issues at the venue – thanks to an auction happening in the building adjacent to the Toyota Center – but that didn’t stop me. Next up was Cali Swag District, whom I wasn’t familiar with but most of the fans enjoyed. The rap quartet came out with an entourage of backup dancers, complete with dirty jokes and broadcasting their show via the band’s MacBook onstage.

Cali Swag District

Next up was pop/techno duo 3OH!3, whom the crowd blew up for. The duo didn’t disappoint either – playing some of their biggest hits from all three of their albums including “My First Kiss” and the ever so popular “Don’t Trust Me.” At one point the band dimmed the lights and played “Colorado Sunrise,”  against a sea of backlit cellphones illuminating the audience, representing a “Colorado Sunrise.” Lastly, Nelly and St. Lunatics took the stage to an already rowdy audience, playing many of their greatest hits such as “Hot in Herre,” “Country Grammar,” and “Ride Wit Me,” just to name a few. Nelly also pulled a couple lucky fans out of the audience to dance or sing with him. St. Lunatics kept the crowd going crazy with their freestyle rap and amazing light show.

To see more, click the following links:

Nelly

3OH!3

Cali Swag District

By: Xander Deccio

St. Lunatics

Nelly

Nelly

Nelly

Nelly

Nelly

Nelly and St. Lunatics

3OH!3

3OH!3

3OH!3

3OH!3

3OH!3

3OH!3

3OH!3

3OH!3

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Cali Swag District

Crowd Shot

Cali Swag District

Crowd Shots

Photos: Kaki King @ The Triple Door, 3-11-11

Kaki King wowed the standing room only audience at the Triple Door on Friday with her unique fretwork played on eight different guitars that were frequently tuned by her guitar tech, Anna Morsett. Kaki was joined by Dan Brantigan on trumpet near the end of her set. Kaki also commented that she was honored to have Megan Washington open for her. While not well-known in the States, she’s quite popular in Australia and I intend to see her again at SXSW later this week.


Anna Morsett


Dan Brantigan


Megan Washington

Photos: Simian Mobile Disco & Blondes @ Neumos

I’m looking at Dave Lichterman‘s photos from Simian Mobile Disco‘s show at Neumos on Wednesday night and they sure bring an amazing looking collection of equipment with them. It all appears quite space age and wonderful. One of their openers was another duo, New York’s Blondes, who recently had a nice article in the New York Times. Photos of both bands:


Simian Mobile Disco


Blondes

Photos: Tapes ‘n Tapes & Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. @ Neumos

Tapes ‘n Tapes – who just saw the release of album three, Outside (this one on independent label ibid) – headlined at the Crocodile last week for a show with Detroit duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. (or DEJJ). Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.’s debut LP hits stores in June. Check out “Morning Thought” and photographer Alex Crick‘s photos from the Crocodile show!:


Tapes ‘n Tapes


Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Photos: Juanes @ WaMu Theater

Last night, Colombian superstar Juanes kicked off his world tour at WaMu Theater before hundreds of fans. The 18-time Grammy award winner is known best for his hit singles “La camisa negra” and “A Dios le pido.”  He recently found success with his fifth studio album P.A.R.C.E. and will spend the next month touring various cities throughout the United States, wrapping up in Orlando, Florida in October.  Check out photos from last night’s show below, with more on Flickr!