Daybed and Goliath
With the exception of free or low-cost performances by local musicians, I don't go to see live music as much as I used to. Maybe it's a combination of frugality and the cumulative disappointment from a handful of mediocre performances I've paid good money to see. But last night I went to see Macklemore at Club Congress, and I wasn't disappointed. I don't know how many times I've been at concerts and, toward the end, had little or no interest in what was happening on stage; I was ready to treat my ringing ears to some quiet, ready to go home and try to get a reasonable amount of sleep. But I could have stayed for another hour or more of Macklemore. He has energy on stage that doesn't come through in his studio music. He didn't play my mental wish list of songs, but it didn't matter. It only means that he expanded my list of favorites.
Macklemore shared the stage with three opening acts. The first two were good, but the third opening act, Champagne Champagne, was ridiculously good. I thought their name sounded stupid, so, expecting the worst about their music, I anticipated using their set as a good time to step outside for some fresh air or perhaps go to the bar for a pineapple spritzer. But as I saw them set up, I was too intrigued. I assumed they were hip-hop (since the rest of the show was), but they were bringing drums, a guitar, and a keyboard onto the stage. And like Das Racist and Blue Scholars, they add variety to hip-hop's ethnic make-up. The two emcees are Black and the the instrumentalist (the guy who was using the drums, keyboard, and guitar) is Desi (I think). Their Facebook page describes their music as "Tropical Trip Pop," which fits. A unique sound needs a made-up category. Like Macklemore and Blue Scholars, they're from the Pacific Northwest. I think that region could become the home of a hip-hop renaissance. Some of the artists emerging from that region salvaged my dormant interest in hip-hop a few years ago. Most hip-hop has become too commercial, too musically predictable, and too lyrically vacuous, but the Pacific Northwest seems to be turning the tide a bit.
Macklemore shared the stage with three opening acts. The first two were good, but the third opening act, Champagne Champagne, was ridiculously good. I thought their name sounded stupid, so, expecting the worst about their music, I anticipated using their set as a good time to step outside for some fresh air or perhaps go to the bar for a pineapple spritzer. But as I saw them set up, I was too intrigued. I assumed they were hip-hop (since the rest of the show was), but they were bringing drums, a guitar, and a keyboard onto the stage. And like Das Racist and Blue Scholars, they add variety to hip-hop's ethnic make-up. The two emcees are Black and the the instrumentalist (the guy who was using the drums, keyboard, and guitar) is Desi (I think). Their Facebook page describes their music as "Tropical Trip Pop," which fits. A unique sound needs a made-up category. Like Macklemore and Blue Scholars, they're from the Pacific Northwest. I think that region could become the home of a hip-hop renaissance. Some of the artists emerging from that region salvaged my dormant interest in hip-hop a few years ago. Most hip-hop has become too commercial, too musically predictable, and too lyrically vacuous, but the Pacific Northwest seems to be turning the tide a bit.