Remember the other day when I told you how amazing Emeli Sande’ is? Well, I am putting my money where my mouth is and all you have to do is click “play” to see and hear for yourself.
Emeli’s career really took off overseas after Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin heard her cover of their track “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.” She was invited to open for Coldplay on their UK tour last year and before long, Emeli scored a number 1 album on the charts.
All you have to do is hear her voice to know she’s going to be a huge star, so with no further delay – enjoy!
Up-and-coming mega-star alert! Wow! Scottish singer Emeli Sande’ performed at a very sold out show at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 24, 2012 and in a word, the show was sensational. From the moment Emeli Sande’ (pronounced “Emily San-day”) hit the stage until she left, the audience watched her perform in awe (and silence!) with thunderous applause and cheers after each song. Emeli Sande’ has a powerful voice that has already conquered Europe and she’s about to capture the US as well.
Emeli Sande'
As she took the stage, she was blown away by the warm reception and was almost surprised that we knew who she was, since her debut album will not be out in the US until June. Not only did the audience know who she is, the crowd knew the words to most every song and the crowd went wild every time she introduced the next song. She decided to “introduce” herself to us through an intimate night by playing stripped down versions of her songs. Each song began with the story of what the song was about and how she hopes that her words will connect with audiences. Mission accomplished, Emeli!
Emeli Sande'
Before performing an amazing cover of Coldplay’s “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall,” she mentioned that once lead singer Chris Martin heard her version, she was invited to open for Coldplay on their UK tour and what fun that was. She also performed soon-to-be US hits “Heaven,” “Where I Sleep” (a song about having your place in the world even if you are a globe trotter), “Daddy” (a song about succumbing to temptation even when you know that person is bad for you), and “Breaking the Law” (written for her sister and is about how Emeli will do anything to protect her, if needed – which was one of the sweetest moments of the night, according2g). Before the main set closer “My Kind of Love,” she mentioned that she had studied to become a neurologist before deciding to do something more creative with her life and that the song was inspired by the many people she met in hospital.
Emeli Sande'
For New Yorkers reading this, Emeli is playing Bowery Ballroom in June and do not sleep on getting tickets! They are going to sell out in seconds. And rightfully so. Emeli is amazing!
I have a new band crush! It’s Alaska-originated and Portland-based Portugal. The Man. They played a way sold out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg as part of their Jagermeister tour on April 20, 2012 (420!) and it was sensational! As you will see below in the photos, they had one of the best light shows I’ve ever seen (and coming from me who sees hundreds of bands a year, that speaks volumes!) Varying lightbulbs were draped all over the stage, and for every song, the light display was displayed in every color, pattern and variation. Pairing the light show with their psychedelic rock sound and the fact that Jagermeister sponsored the tour and on 4/20, the international day of Marijuana – and the audience was generously partaking in the festivities - there were times where it felt like I was in another dimension!
Portugal. The Man
Aside from thanking the crowd, lead singer John Gourley didn’t say much between songs, but considering Portugal. The Man played 20 songs in their two hour set, that hardly mattered. The band is getting a larger following, but according2g, their music needs to be heard and played in stadiums! Every song has a hook that is just begging to be sung by thousands of people in unison. I know this for certain as the whole of Music Hall of Williamsburg sang along to every track and it induced chills many times.
John Gourley
Almost every song off Portugal. The Man’s most recent album “In The Mountain In The Cloud” was played, with the exception of the wonderful track “Senseless,” and they also dove into their back catalog (and they have SEVEN albums already) for tracks such as “The Woods” and the show closer “And I.” A rockin’ cover of The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” was also played and the “na na na” section of “Hey Jude” was also thrown in at the end of “Sleep Forever.” People, including myself, pretty much lost their shit when songs such as “So American,” “Floating (Time Isn’t Working My Side),” “Got It All (This Can’t Be Living Now)” and “All Your Light,” which was the opening song, were played. Talk about hook filled songs that sound incredible live! Wow.
Portugal. The Man
After seeing Portugal. The Man live earlier this year and having such a great time, I got all of their albums, and they are great. If you are looking for a rock band to break you out of the doldrums of the current music scene, I highly recommend immersing yourself in Portugal. The Man’s music. You won’t regret it! Thanks guys for a great night and for a show that will definitely make my best shows of 2012 list.
See the set list after the jump as well as a photo of my encounter with John Gourley after the jump.
If you are not familiar with Alabama Shakes, I reckon you sure will be by the end of 2012! The quartet (quintet if you include their touring keyboard player) from Athens, Alabama rocked the house at a very sold out show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn on April 12, 2012. Lead singer Brittany Howard is also a name you are soon to become well acquainted with as her vocals are like a cross between Betty Davis (not the actress, Miles’ ex-wife – look her up!) and Adele. Musically, Alabama Shakes fuses elements of southern rock, blues and soul and when you put that combination together, you get a rockin’ good time!
Alabama Shakes
Their debut album “Boys and Girls” was released this week and it’s going to be a smash. The Shakes (as they are sometimes known) played the record to an adoring crowd, who sang along to the words of nearly every track! Lead singer Brittany Howard played guitar and also delivered an extremely powerful vocal performance where just from watching the show, you can tell she’s going to be a star! She thanked the crowd for us coming out to see Alabama Shakes and she said that it seems hard for her to believe that she’s in New York performing songs that were written in their bedrooms in Alabama. She better get used to it because in a matter of no time, they are going to be playing huge venues.
It's Brittany, Bitch!
If you head over to Alabama Shakes’ official site (link is above), you can download a free mp3 of their song “Heavy Chevy” in exchange for your email address. Highly recommended! I am looking forward to watching Alabama Shakes shake up and take up the music world.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Fiona Apple played her first show in New York in quite a few years the other night and it was close to impossible to get tickets. I drowned my sorrows by going to another show, but as I like to consider myself the Goodwill Ambassador to the Art and Music Scene in New York, I thought I’d greet Ms. Apple with my great smile and my camera. She was with magician David Blaine, and before the pair disappeared into the night, Fiona was kind enough to stop for a photo with dear ol’ G. Thanks Fiona! Come back as fast as you can (ha!) and play at a bigger venue so I can get a ticket!
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