Ziggy Marley @ Pacific Amphiteatre / OC Fair / Costa Mesa

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Toots and the Maytals / Pacific Amphitheatre / Costa Mesa July 19 2019

Hinds @ La Santa, July 13 2019

 

Girls just want to have fun? Hinds @ La Santa, Santa Ana. Infectious and fun four piece girl garage rock outfit from Madrid, Spain

 

I first saw Seal perform in 1989 – or it could have been 1990 (those years are a little bit blurrey) – when he sang on Adamski’s ‘Killer’, a breakout rave hit back in the day. Shoutout to Adamski, the original rave keyboard wizzard. They were playing alongside 808 State, Orbital, Guru Josh and assorted other ‘rave’ acts at the London Docklands Arena. At the time Seal was unknown. Soon after this he experienced a very rapid ascent to super stardom.
Flash forward – gulp – almost thirty years and I’m watching him at the Pacific Ampitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA. I haven’t been surrounded by this many out of control cougars since safari in Kenya. They worship this man. As soon as he comes on you can see he has that ‘thing’ – talent, charisma, a voice, presence, striking looks and good songs. Someone who fathers three children by Heidi Klum has to have something special.
He totally owns the crowd often striding into the middle of it touching outstrectched hands like a prophet talisman. His in between song chat is also endearing – coming across as humble and kind – and further gains crowd affection in buckets. He’s a great performer. Of course, aided by having classics like ‘Crazy’, ‘Kiss From a Rose’ and ‘Prayer For The Dying’ in his catalogue. He even plays ‘Killer’ towards the end keeping this old raver happy.

Empire of the Sun @ The Wiltern, Los Angeles, 28 June 2019

Dido at The Wiltern, Los Angeles June 25 2019

I know. Let’s get involved in a Facebook debate with someone we don’t know. Choose the topic – gun control, climate change, immigration policy, Brexit, etc – and fire away. I am sure through reasonable dialogue and persuasive argument we can each convince the other of our point enough to make them swivel in their opinion and join our side. Or not. Probably.

Rather, the debate will descend into a bitter stalemate – opposing sides more opposed. Off to read other news sources to amplify through echo chamber their ingrained belief and increase the angry polarization. Perhaps coming back after few hours / days having mentally forumlated their devastating response. Linking to other news stories / quotes / sources to validate their argument as everything you read on the internet is true. ‘LOOK, this article / infographic I am linking to definitely proves my point. I told you! End of!’

The comments section of the debate might meander off and loop with others chipping in. Sometime debaters joining forces and ganging up, circling like jackals going for the kill, nipping at the heels in provocation, looking to press buttons and get an angry response. There might be side arguments, splintering off in sub-sections, mini skirmishes outside the main mob. I am smarter, quicker, better read, my superior dialectic has left you stuttering.. I am just more right than you are.

The anger swells. Someone in a bad mood somewhere in the world punching input into their smartphone trying to ‘win’ the argument with a trenchant swipe of keyboard that proves their point, emerging as short lived victor with a last mintue goal. I am right. You are wrong. I AM RIGHT. YOU ARE WRONG.

I was genuinely excited to be seeing hip hop legend Rakim alongside his long term DJ Eric B. I first heard this duo in the mid to late 80s as they are true hip hop pioneers. For many Rakim is considered the greatest MC, an asseration with which I agree. I remember playing their debut ‘Paid In Full’ album relentlessly, probably in the summer of 1987 (I know, that dates me). In fact, it specifically reminds me of a family summer to holiday to Miami when I listened to the album on loop on my Sony Walkman whilst walking the humid South Florida streets and beaches. For a teenage suburban Londoner, the rhymes and beats totally transported me to another place. I can still this day rhyme word for word along to ‘Paid In Full’ and the eponymous single is for me perhaps the greatest rap song ever. Also, as a DJ the Double Trouble remix of ‘I Know You Got Soul’ was – and still is – a staple dance floor filler for the best part of 30 years. Interestingly this remix was by a young Norman Cook who went on to become Fatboy Slim. Eric B – the ‘Microphone Fiend’ – I truly salute you.

 

Eric B & Rakim / Grove of Anaheim June 21 2019

Lee Fields & The Expressions / La Santa, Santa Ana

My self-imposed no ‘tattooed white shouty geezers with guitars’ ban has been lifted. IDLES came to LA ahead of a lot of hype and buzz and for me more than delivered. If I’m honest, I’m not really into shouty and heavy indie punk but when it’s this good – helped by witty lyrics, limitless passion and Spinal Tap (but not in a lame way) on stage rock and roll histrionics –  it can work. The energy was relentless as was the wall of sound – I had a double barrier of both ear plugs and safety headphones for my tinnitus – and it was still loud as fuck. I also like their aggression and anger, I think it taps into something we are perhaps all feeling. Coming from Bristol UK, their words, songwriting and themes captures the gloomy state of a divided, directionless and challenged nation, a state largely brought on by the Brexit calamity. Agggh, don’t mention the dreaded B word! The best live show I’ve seen in a long time.