On September 10th, Michael Franti & Spearhead appeared at Marymoor Park. Led by the multi-talented Franti, Spearhead released their latest album, Work Hard and Be Nice (good advice!) just last year. Work Hard and Be Nice is album number 11 from the reggae-hip hop jazz-pop and more hybrid band. Charlotte, North Carolina’s Of Good Nature opened. They have several more dates with Michael Franti & Spearhead, until touring with Passafire and Joe Sambo in the fall.
Michael Franti & Spearhead – photos by Casey Brevig
Of Good Nature – photos by Casey Brevig
Michael Franti & Spearhead Audience – photos by Casey Brevig
Samia is on the road with Sylvan Esso and recently opened at Marymoor Park, east of Seattle. The pop-rock singer performed numerous songs from her debut album The Baby and recent Scout EP, while the crowd enthusiastically sang along.
Carrie Underwood is so talented, and she puts on a hell of a show!!!
Okay, I can hear you now, “Duh, of course.”
Yes, she sings like an angel. Her voice is crystal clear and very powerful, and I just kept saying, “This woman can sing!”
When I say she’s super talented, I mean that she is a true musician. She took the stage standing on the top of a set of risers, enveloped in smoke, and silhouetted in the backdrop’s white glow. Underwood easily played solos that most guitarists would love to play.
A nice touch which I always appreciate is when artists tell personal stories. Underwood talked about how her life influences her songwriting. She also spoke about deceased family members who are waiting for us in heaven. I was moved by this, especially because of the enormous loss during the pandemic.
Right after that personal moment, Underwood turned up the heat and rocked out. Again, she played some healthy guitar solos that revved the crowd. She then gave that cute wave at the crowd, slowed things down a bit, and turned back to country. Her ability to switch between country and pop was seamless. Underwood has a strong, sexy way of performing and the fans LOVED IT!
The other thing that I love about a good show is when everyone knows the lyrics. It just seems like pure joy when fans and the artist share a call and response/back and forth. The crowd and the artist seem to share that certain something. That happened on Saturday night.
Fiddle player and backup vocalist Sydni Perry was a nice combination with Carrie Underwood. Their voices complemented each other so well.
Underwood’s come a long way since she won American Idol‘s fourth season.
Fellow American country artist Adam Sanders opened. Sanders released his debut album, What If I’m Right in May.
Carrie Underwood – photos by John Rudolph
Adam Sanders – photos by John Rudolph
Carrie Underwood @ The Washington State Fair Setlist – 9/4/21
The Black Crowes – fronted by founding brothers Chris and Rich Robinson – played a sold-out show at the scenic Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside of Denver. After a yearlong Covid delay, their Shake Your Money Maker tour is well underway and drawing from three decades of songs. Los Angeles-based Dirty Honey opened.
Minneapolis’ Atmosphere headlined with support from fellow hip-hop artists Cypress Hill last Saturday night at Marymoor Park. The duo will release a new album, WORD?, in October, which will be available digitally and on cassette. They’ll also have more American tour dates through August and September-October. Big congratulations to openers Cypress Hill, who just turned 30 years old, and you can check out Z-Trip’s latest on SoundCloud: Space Funk.
