Chris Molina

Nikka Costa belts one out

Nikka Costa
The Luckman Fine Arts Complex
May 12, 2012

Opening with the song "Dance To The Music" by Sly and the Family Stone, Nikka Costa and her band took the stage with an explosive amount of energy. From the moment the funky diva walked into the spotlight, not only were her powerfully soulful vocals enough to blow the roof right off of the building, but her brightly colored, skin-tight outfit was sexy enough to knock fans unconscious. It's not often you come across a performer who has the unbeatable combo of beauty and a phenomenal voice and the ability to strut around in 4-inch heels.

Costa made it clear at the beginning of the show that she "didn't care if the seats were comfy." She wanted everyone in the venue standing up, clapping their hands, dancing and rocking out. As soon as everyone in the crowd was standing up, Costa started getting her groove on to the funky beats of her band as they played the beginning notes of "Like A Feather" off of the album Everybody Got Their Something. At this point, fans at the Luckman were not only movin' and groovin' to the spine-chillingly soulful sound of Costa's voice, but people were also remarking about the hypnotizing sounds of bassist Shawn Davis. "Like A Feather" has a loud, pulsating bass line that translates phenomenally live.

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Andrew Youssef

Devo

Devo
The Observatory
May 13, 2012

What better way to tell your mother you love her by taking her to see Devo on Mother's Day? Old-school punks and energy dome-wearing fans packed into the Observatory in Santa Ana to catch an intimate performance from the pioneering art-damaged, synthpunk group.

Clad in their grey jumpsuits, Mark Mothersbaugh was collapsed on the floor and suddenly sprang to life for the opening salvo of "Don't Shoot (I'm A Man)" from their 2010 album Something for Everybody. It didn't take long for them to jump into their back catalog as the siren-sounding synthesizers of "Peek-A-Boo!" kicked up the energy level. The song still sounded fresh despite being over thirty years old.

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Andrew Youssef

Snow Patrol
May 10, 2012
Fox Theater in Pomona

Snow Patrol blew into the Fox Theater in Pomona last night touring in support of their latest album Fallen Empires. With high production values, including lasers, lights and a movie screen backdrop, Snow Patrol came to entertain and give their fans their all. "Hands Open" started things off on a high note as lead vocalist Gary Lightbody actively paced the stage.

It has been awhile since I've seen Snow Patrol live and was surprised to see seven members on stage creating a thick blanket of sound. The light and laser show really started to kick in during "Take Back The City" as Lightbody playfully interacted with guitarist Nathan Connolly for assistance on vocal duties.

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KROQ Weenie Roast y Fiesta
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
May 5, 2012More >>

The Offspring

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Andrew Youssef

ColdplayMore >>

Mary Carreon/OC Weekly

Rodrigo Y Gabriela

April 7, 2012

The Hollywood Palladium

As the lights went down, the crowd cheered on the Latin guitarists as they took the stage; and as soon as the first few riffs were heard, the entire venue exploded with excitement. Not necessarily because the kick ass guitar duo had just set foot on stage, but because their six-piece band started playing riffs from the song "The Pot" by Tool. Seconds after people in the crowd screaming "Oh my god! They're opening with Tool..." the fiery duo led the dark riffs of Maynard into energetic salsa rock that had every one in the crowd instantly shimmying and shaking.

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Andrew Youssef/OC Weekly

Sleigh Bells
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​Michael Cavanaugh with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra
Long Beach Arena
March 24, 2012

I'm somewhat of a fixture at the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra POPS! concerts, but until Saturday I never felt like I got the entire experience because I'm always stone sober. This unfortunate occurrence has to do with the fact that I review many -- if not most -- of these shows and, because I am a professional, I don't drink when I'm on the clock. God knows I should and Satan knows I want to, but I don't.

However, this weekend was different. Instead of taking mental notes and observing with a critic's eye, I decided to do what seemingly everyone else does at these shows, which is to say I showed up early, drank wine at my table and was feeling pretty darn good by the time conductor Steven Reineke hit the stage.
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We don't normally get sent music reviews in YouTube form that make us wish we were there, but this YouTube video of the I'm On a Boat Festival at the Queen Mary on Friday by fan Tawny Yoder has classic shots of Extreme Turbo Smash (in costume!), Death By Stereo (shut down by the boat!) and Street Drum Corps (with guest drummer Adrian Young). It looked like a riot. Wish we were there.

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