The Independent Weekly’s words+ on music
So this makes Anna Kendrick who?
Raekwon the Chef was due at Lincoln Theatre Thursday, Jan. 14, while American Idol ex Elliott Yamin was expected at Cat’s Cradle on the same date. They’ve both canceled their appearances. No reason has been given for the missed gigs, but if you’ve seen Up in the Air, perhaps Raekwon is Vera Farmiga to Yamin’s George Clooney? Scandalous.
Looking for moe.rons
moe.
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Last Wednesday was the perfect night for the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh to begin selling liquor, as moe. stamped the night with its melted notes, dueling guitar solos, driving bass and a blend of lights of all colors. The crowd of glow-stick bearing “moe.rons”—some still dressed for Halloween, or maybe they were just dressed for a jam—dove into the new offerings quickly, several enjoying Jager shots along with their beers. Then, through beams of rainbow light and beer goggles, the assembled mass
witnessed two sets of one of the leading acts on the jam-band scene. Continue reading »
"Oh, hey, thanks for coming to my show!"
Mike Gordon
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Monday, Sept. 14
In a gravely, commanding voice, Phish bassist Mike Gordon encouraged his fans to do away with the dull and “get bassed” during his month-long club tour. At $20 a head, no one was, to pun, free-bassing it at Lincoln Theatre Monday. Still, considering Gordon is fresh off the summer Phish reunion tour where three-figure bidding wars and “Buddy, I need a miracle” signs were common, it sure felt that way.
For Gordon, who leads a drum, percussion, keyboard and guitar ensemble, the tour gives him a chance for a much more personal show: “It’s really fun to get to hang out with people on stage,” he said after the show, a line of 30 waiting to meet him at the merch table. “The sound is all tight. The walls are closer. I like big venues, too, but I like mixing it up. It’s a whole different experience.” Continue reading »
The National's Matt Berninger in Raleigh Thursday, May 28 (Photo by Geoff Wood)
Snoop Dog
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Wednesday, May 13
If you’re not puffing ganja or drunk-fingerbanging someone in the crowd (which, honest Eric, happened last night), there’s really no other way to enjoy yourself at a Snoop Dogg show, right? Continue reading »
Toby Love/ Girlz Talk
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Sunday, Feb. 22
Bronx bling met Dominican swagger Sunday night at the Lincoln Theatre, where “crunckchata” chanteur Toby Love and his protegés, Girlz Talk, played to a house of about 50. Love, neé Octavio Rivera Jr, is Puerto Rican, “but I have Dominican family,” he says.
Toby Love: "Like a little Usher meets Al Green..."
A former member of bachata boy band Aventura, Love claims he’s 24 (though other sources add 5 years to that). At least he owns the youthful image, spicing our interview with “yes ma’ams” and wears a black chainmail hoodie and “Gucci” backpack, plastic still covering the double G’s like Love’s a teenager on his first day of school. Continue reading »
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
Friday, Feb. 20
In three short years with the Drive-By Truckers, the Georgia-based southern-rock stalwarts, Alabama native Jason Isbell was a model of efficiency: The eight songs he wrote for them, over the course of three albums, are among the group’s finest tracks. (I would argue Isbell’s “Outfit” is the best song they ever did.) Last night at Raleigh’s Lincoln Theatre, Isbell–who now fronts his own group, the 400 Unit–sounded great, but had noticeably less restraint. The show, which included highlights from Isbell’s tenure with the Truckers, as well as tracks from the forthcoming Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, his second solo record, was a DBT-esque two-and-a-half hours long, including a break and encore. Aside from a straight-ahead cover of “Psycho Killer,” in which guitarist Browan Lollar sang the verse, Isbell was center stage from start to finish, and seemingly loving it.
