CONCERTS, CONCERTS, CONCERTS

I have been on a Concert Rampage over the last couple of months. All of these shows were great in their own way and the majority of the shows were sold out.  Seattle Music Scene continues to impress me, especially in the fall when it seems like there are so many shows.

It started first with Flamingosis at Crocodile

I have been a fan of this guy's music for some time. My homie DB Cleaver put me on and since then I have kept an eye out for the next time he would be in Seattle. I didn't think much of the show but when I showed up to the Crocidle and the loud speakers say, "First Sold Out Show of the Tour", I knew it was going to be lit.

Then it was Dawes at Showbox

This was my first Dawes concert and I only went because a friend of a friend is the keyboardist. I met The Keyboarder a couple months ago on a camping trip and he told me he would get me a ticket for his new show in Seattle. To say the least, I was very impressed. He is incredibly talented and the whole band had a magical harmony. I haven't been to a show where the crowd is silent as if they were at a movie theater. The energy during those final songs was strong.

Then it was Tom Misch at Showbox

I came across Tom Misch on one of those youtube rabbit hole nights. He is a very talented multi-instrumentalist with a melodic British voice. I kind of forgot about this show till last minute but I was able to get a solo ticket last minute. The vibes at the show were real sexy.

Then it was Zhu at Paramount

Every time I try to think of ways to describe this concert I am left speechless. To start it was on a Tuesday which is weird and it was at Paramount which is a venue most often reserved for Theater. The crew for this show was solid with about 10 friends who all like to get down.

I can’t emphasize enough how amazing this show. Who knew some chocolates on a Tuesday and Zhu concert would be one of the most memorable days of all of 2018. The vibes and energy as Zhu would transition from each song were so euphoric that at one point I thought I was going to cry. There were so many times throughout the show I would look at my friend and all I could say was is “This is the best”.

Then it was SG Lewis at Crocodile

Kind of like Tom Misch, I came across Sg Lewis via Youtube. However, I bought these tickets while a little drunk at the Flamingosis concert earlier that month. I almost forgot about this show and I waited too long that it was hard for me to ask anyone last minute to come with. I knew I could rely on my homie CAPS to come through. The show was dope. It was sold out, packed, and filled with mainly adults. The crowd was cool but I might have been better going to the show with a female.

Then it was Gorgon City at Showbox

TBH I did not really want to go to this show. I have seen Gorgon City so many times and I had just seen them a couple of weeks ago at Dirty Bird Campout. At the Campout, they had the best set so I still was semi-considering going to the show. It was when they dropped their new Escape (Terrace Dub) EP just two days before the concert that pushed me over the threshold. That Dub EP album is so good and after listening for a while I decided to go. We had a solid crew for this show and we all dressed up as Vampires since it was close to Halloween. I guess no one else got the dress up memo and it was mainly just us 7 that were dressed up, lol.

Then it was Raul Midon at the Triple Door

What a unique experience. I have never been to an old school jazz and dinner concert venue. The Triple Door in downtown Seattle is a cool small Jazz Theater that is divided into these romantic booths and bar areas. The whole idea was to get a full course meal and then watch the show. We ended up coming right at show time so we missed that experience but the music made up for it. I had not heard of Raul until my co-worker told me about him/bought me my ticket. This man is blind and can play the Saxophone like a magician. He can also play the congos at the same time and has a great voice. On top of all of that talent, he was a human beatbox machine. You just have to go see him.

Then it was Complex Con (in LA)

I could write a whole blog post about the impact this event had on me and is continuing to have on me as I think about where I want to go in the future. It was a place full of creative energy, high fashion, and very accomplished people. I truly valued Gary Vanderchec and Virgil Abloh during their presentations. Now, this concert is about music posts so I will keep it focused on that. I saw 3 artists that I am actually surprised as I type this out that I have never seen before. Future, Rae Sremmurd, and Action Bronson. They each have their own style and they brought it 100%. I didn't realize how many bangers Future and Rae Sremmurd really have till that night.

Then it was Mark Farina at Nectar Lounge

This guy is the 'OG' of "OG's". He has been putting out mixtapes since the time I was born back in 89'. I think my favorite part about Mark Farina is that he has the best music crates around. Every time he plays a bunch of songs I have never heard before and they are groovy as fuck. I pretty much try to leave my Shazam auto-listen feature on the whole show but the majority of the songs are unrecognizable. If you have never listened to him before I need you to go in front of a mirror and slap your self. This is probably the 4th time I have seen him at Nectar Lounge.

Then it was Sango (Soulection Crew) at Showbox

If you know well then you already know how I feel about Sango and the Soulection crew as a whole. I have been riding there future-bass wave for 5+ years and to me it never gets old. The energy at Soulection shows are always so much better than any other shows that I go to. The following they have is a group of open-minded people that love to groove to some vibes. Sango played a lot of dirty remixes and the video I got from that night has a background song that is no different.

Then it was Masego at Neumos

I didn't think this show would sell out too but it was sold out to the brim. We were in the back of the venue of the whole time right by the bar. There was a little pocket of space to dance so we posted there. The inherent mistake in that situation is that we were way too close to the bar. With Masego starting the night with "Tadow" and our "Pocket" (location) the situation got hype real quick.

Then it was Dom Kennedy at Neptune

This was definitely the most ratchet of all the shows on the list.  Not often do you get that vibe in Seattle but when you cross it, it can actually be legit.  The DJ was getting the crowd super hyped before Dom came on as were all of the openers from the OPM Crew.  This was on a Monday night and I probably shouldn't have gone but oh well.  Worst decisions have been made.

Then it was Keys n Krates at Neumos

This was on A Friday and it was yet another sold-out show. I have wanted to see KnK for some time but somehow have missed them several times. I actually sluphed on these tickets and waited till last minute. It sold out but I was able to scrounge two tickets last minute and it all worked out. They are trap music blended with incredible piano playing. The energy levels were high and we had a great spot on the second floor looking down over the stage.

Then it was Freddie Gibbs at Neumos

The very next day I was at Neumos again for Freddie Gibbs, aka Gangsta Gibbs. I was honestly a little too tired going into this show but when I found out it was my boy TK's B-day I got hype. Freddie Gibbs came out with a lot of energy. I am a fan of his but I don't listen to his music all the time. I appreciate his talent and his ability to articulate his words while performing. More than often, Hip Hop shows have the worst EQ and you can't hear the words well.

I won't put a song here but rather link his IG.  He is a hella funny on there with his reposts.

Then it was Amine at Showbox

I would say Amine is my new favorite artist I found in 2018. Smino was this guy for me in 2017. Amine has the right energy, a great following, and a dope ass flow. I am hoping he really pops off and becomes big-time. I think he has the talent for it. I think what draws me to him the most is his creativity.  Whether it is music videos or his artwork, you can tell it is intentional and I appreciate that. (PS: His videos are hella funny)

Then it was the Warehouse Party with Claude Von Stroke

Claude is an absolute legend in the 'House Music' scene so of course, I had to go. The event was at a pop-up warehouse party and the theme was 'No Signal'. They even had a phone blocker on the building to cancel phone signals. I thought it was a great concept but the venue itself could have been better. It was a little hot and extra dark but that's a warehouse.  The party went till 4 AM and everything went well until I lost my jacket and had to crash at my friend's coach.

Claude has so much content out there it is hard to even know where to begin to listen to his stuff.  His 'Curator' game is next level.  I would recommend you go to his music label's playlist "DirtyBird" on beatport and see what the new shit is.

As I read this list it is clear that I went to a lot of shows.  I would say the majority of my free time in the last couple of months, and there has been a lot, has been dedicated to live music.  I don't want to rank all the concerts in order because they were all so different but if I had to select the top three it would be Zhu, Amine, and Sango.  Zhu was the most cinematic concert by a long shit.  Amine was probably the most hype.  And Sango, of course, had the best crowd/vibe.

2019, I plan on slowing down on these concerts.  I want to put more energy into creating music versus going to see live music.