OBK CHANNEL

Category: PHOTOGRAPHY

  • The Wrecks open up for New Politics Lost in Translation Tour (review, photos, video)

    Only Black Kid stops by The Fillmore Silver Spring to watch New Politics, The Wrecks and The Dreamers walk on top of crowd, backflip off drumsets and more at the “Lost in Translation” tour.

    New Politics has devoted fans that hold them up literally.

    Covering two concerts in two days in Silver Spring, Maryland; Monday night, we found ourselves, Only Black Kid – amongst an audience of 600 headbangers as Danish rock band New Politics played The Fillmore Silver Spring – which has a 3,000 max capacity – in part of their “Lost In Translation” tour which is to promote their latest album release of the same title.

    New Politics lead vocalist and frontman David Boyd was in peak performer mode. Whether Boyd was backflipping off bandmates Louis Vecchio’s drumset, walking on top of the crowd’s hands while singing “Everywhere I go,” or break dancing during band’s guitarist Søren Hansen guitar instrumental; the content crowd remained focused on living in the moment and focusing on who was there with them and not who wasn’t.

    A lineup that continued to build from the opening act to the headliner; alternative bands The Wrecks and The Dreamers got the party going early.

    The Wrecks were the first act to take the stage and their energetic opening performance set the tone for the night. Eccentric frontman and lead singer, Nick Anderson, bounced on and off the stage to perform with the fans on the barriers as the five-piece band performed tracks from their “Panic Vertigo – EP.” Despite being the first act on the bill, The Wrecks received a positive crowd reaction during their set, getting the audience to sing  during songs “Favorite Liar,” “James Dean” and “Turn it Up.”

    An energy you can not re-live unless you were there to witness it for yourself; the three bands remained enthusiastic and never failed to bring energy to the stage. What opening acts The Wreckers and The Dream lacked in stage design and lights compared to New Politics, they attempted to make up in energy and spirit. However, when you have a 40-year-old Boyd moving the way he did without breaking a hip, all the rising artist could do is sit back and enjoy New Politics as they progress through their touring circuit.

    By OBK

  • Walk of the Earth ends US leg of 2018 tour with sold out family affair at Fillmore Silver Spring (review,photos)

    Canadian rock band Walk off the Earth close out their first headlining US tour in three-years with a sold out show at The Fillmore Silver Spring.

    While Canadian rock band Walk off the Earth has built their name thanks to viral videos of them remixing popular songs on their 2.9 million subscribers’ YouTube channel, the group’s ability to produce music videos and bring them to life while on tour has helped set them apart from your typical cover band.

    Ending the US leg of their 2018 tour with a sold-out show at The Fillmore Silver Spring, I found myself – The Only Black Kid – partying with a majority-white all-age 3000-person audience, as Walk off the Earth made their way back to Silver Spring, Maryland for the first time in three years.

    A venue special to the group; members Sarah Blackwood and Gianni Luminati informed me during an interview, prior to the show, that in 2014 the venue was their first-ever sold-out headlining show in America.

    Taking a risk in an uncontrolled environment – built around bringing their corky yet creative D.I.Y. videos, which have garnered multi-million views on YouTube, to a live show – Walk off the Earth’s stage set is one giant circus. Whether there was 5 peeps playing 1 guitar at the same time during the cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Use To Know,” plastic pipes slamming against a table to create a baseline during their cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” or giants balloons floating on top of the crowd as wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men blew erratically on both sides of the stages during Outkast’s “Hey Ya!,” Walk of the Earth kept the audience on their toes, blending genres to fit their custom sound.

    Walk of the Earth does an impressive job at multitasking and allowing each member to have their own shine while still keeping the best interest of the band. During performances of original songs – “Taekwondo” and “Nomad,” – the band cuts back on visual effects, allowing the crowd to focus on their singing and harmonizing skills.

    Meet and greet ticket holders had the opportunity to witness a raw, stripped down version of the band prior to the show. Gathering around the five-piece band to participate in a campfire type singalong, Walk of the Earth performed an acoustic pre-show jam session before having an intimate Q&A session with the audience; all while Blackwood and Luminati’s seven-month-old infant played peacefully on daddy’s lap as strangers stared at him and took pictures.

    Blackwood, Luminati, Marshall, Cassidy, and Taylor are a gang of rhythm. More than 2,500 people – ranging from toddlers to elderly – gathered as the Canadian band provided great music over festive effects to end the US leg of their 2018 tour. Walk off the Earth does not come around here very often, but it is a treat when they do.

    By OBK

  • Third Eye Blind celebrates 20th year anniversary with ‘Fall of the Summer Gods’ tour at Fillmore Silver Spring (review, photos, video)

    On tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Third Eye Blind made their way to the Fillmore Silver Spring for “Fall of the Summer Gods” tour.

    By OBK

    SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND —

    When you are 20 years into the game you can do what you want!

    “We were only supposed to tour Europe. We should be in the studio right now,” Stephan Jenkins said during Third Eye Blind’s sold out “Fall of the Summer Gods” tour stop at The Fillmore Silver Spring Tuesday night.

    On tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album, Third Eye Blind performed newer material as well as their beloved past tracks which helped make the 90’s awesome.

    Lead by 52-year-old lead signer Mr. Jenkins, the five-piece band, which homes two original members, got the night going with the first track of Third Eye Blind: Losing a Whole Year, with the band lit in minimum light, allowing fans to focus on lyrics, vocal and instrumental ability.

    Third Eye Blind at Filmore Silver Spring

    Hiding within the stage set; the group followed up with “Red Star,” “Narcolepsy,” and “Faster” before beaming the stage and audience with blue smoke lights and performing “Wounded” and “1000 Julys.”

    A testament to how the group has managed to create timeless music and stay relevant with newer music showed with the diverse age range of ticket holders, expanding more than three generations of listeners.

    While the first side of the debut project was the clear highlights of the night, Mr. Jenkins thanked the audience for enjoying the band as a whole and not just their big hits, pulling songs from their 2016 project “We Are Drugs” and their 2015 album “Dopamine.

    “If you’re here now, that means you are here because you love us.  Thank you for loving us,” said Mr. Jenkins during the extended instrumental interlude of “Semi-Charmed Life,” which transitioned the audience from head nodding into a rhythmic sing-along. ” I mean what I’m saying right now. This is the fall tour. We are not even supposed to be on tour this fall. We are not even supposed to be here right now. This is all just a gift, for us.”

    A nostalgic gift that Third Eye Blind has earned for providing the soundtrack to the party.

    The Setlist

    “Losing A Whole Year”

    “Red Star”

    “Narcolepsy”

    “Faster”

    “Wounded”

    “1000 Julys”

    “Semi-Charmed Life”

    “Company of Strangers”

    “Dopamine”

    “Graduate”

    “Back to Zero”

    “London”

    “Blinded”

    “Motorcycle” (Acoustic)

    “Crystal Baller” (Acoustic)

    “Jumper” (Acoustic)

    “Never Let You Go”

    “God of Wine

  • Tamar Braxton brings TV to reality with ‘Love and War Tour’ (review)

    LAKE BUENA VISTA ー What better way to end the week then with a packed grown and sexy party.

    “We are at the BBQ right?” asked DJ Slym, host of the event, as he warmed up the House of Blues crowd Sunday night for the “Love and War Tour.”

    DJ Slym, the official Dj for Orlando rapper Caskey, entertained the crowd for nearly 45-minutes before Tamar Braxton hit the stage. With an extensive Dj mix, that blended an array of old school jams with new class ratchet club bangers, he kept the mainly “25 and older” crowd dancing ー whether it be shuffling, the electric slide and of course twerking.

    Mrs. Braxton would carry that energy right over into the first song of her performance. Following the curtain opening, the audience was welcomed by a choreographed dance session by the singers animated backing staff, to go along with a rotating video reel displaying highlights from the singer’s reality TV shows. The woman of the hour would be revealed as uptempo track “She Did That” would come to an end, and the screen would reach its back with her waiting patiently on it.

    Tamar Braxton performs at the "Love and War Tour" at the House of Blues, in Orlando, Florida, on May 18 2014. (Ty Wright / Valencia Voice)

    “What’s up Tamartian fans?” Braxton shouted during uptempo banger “The One,” of her Grammy Nominated album “Love and War,” before breaking into a “Single Ladies” like dance with female dancers to “Tip Toe.”

    The youngest of the Braxton sisters told us earlier in the week that she only has one project in which she would perform songs off, so how would the flamboyant artist keep the crowd engaged and remain original was a big question for me going into the night.

    Not three-songs into the set, Mrs. Braxton would answer that question. Her being herself was the best source of entertainment you could from the artist.

    “You’re not going to like me for me, so I’m just going to be fabulous and you are just going to have to eat it,” stated the artist in one of her neck-rolling, wig-flinging, lip-smacking, in your face, over-the-top, keeping it “100” commentary sessions. Everything one would expect from a diva.

    While the 37-year-old artist did not disappoint on the vocal side of the performance — and songs like “White Candle,” “Pieces” and “Stay and Fight” helped showed her range and draw great amount of applause from the audience — it was her presentation leading up to each song which really seem to connect with her Tamartian fans.

    For a good session of the show, Mrs. Braxton sat on a bar stool and walked everyone through the story of how her and her husband,”Teddy Ruxpin,” got to where they are now, bringing WE tv’s “Tamar and Vince” to front stage. From teaching women how to get, keep and please a man; to encouraging everyone to follow their dreams; as well as a quick twerk lesson during “Hot Sugar,” Mrs. Braxton provided not only an entertaining musical experience but also life-changing advice.

    Prior to getting into the Tamartian national anthem “Love and War,” Mrs Braxton would channel her inner “Yeezus,” in a long-winded speech where she would go on to thank thank acts John Legend and R. Kelly (who she has toured with in the past) for giving her the opportunity to shine. “They helped make my dreams come true! So tonight, on this stage, I’m going to make your dreams come true,” said the singer before she hand picked four Tamartians to help her close out the night.

    From multiple outfit changes, “Chippendales”-esque strip tease during intermission, and outrageously witty commentary, Tamar Braxton’s first national headlining tour solidifies that the she is truly entertaining and what we see from her on TV is truly who she is. However, it does leave speculation on whether this tour is to promote Tamar’s other business endeavors or give “Love and War,” the album, one last push. Incorporating no live band, DJ, or backing singers to give the songs a new feel, the diva is relying solely on the things that got her to this point to succeed. And that’s her sass, amazing voice and willingness to say say what ever comes to her mind without holding back.

  • Photos: Big Guava Festival Day 1

    Photos: Big Guava Festival Day 1

    BY OBK STAFF

  • Darius Rucker brings rock-star vibe to his country show (review)

    ORLANDO — Every family has that one oddball uncle. The one no one truly understands because his current ventures come off as weird if you compare them to things of his background.

    You know, the one who only comes around every so often, however when does he is always bearing gifts. The uncle that all the younger cousins wished was their permanent babysitter because he allows them to underage drink, as long as they don’t tell mom. The one who has people hating him for the same exact reasons everyone else loves him.

    Former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker was that uncle to Orlando, when he brought his “True Believers Tour” to the CFE Arena on Thursday.

    During his one-hour and 45 minutes set, Mr. Rucker’s setlist featured some country, some covers where he crossover genres, and a ton of Hootie magic.

    Mr. Rucker opened up his set with “Radio” and “Heartbreak Road,” two songs from his certified Gold album which he is currently out touring. With the vibe many of the songs created, he left many wondering: If Hootie & the Blowfish were to come out in the recent years, would they be able to find a home in the mainstream country music scene and climb the charts; as many of Mr. Rucker’s songs as a sol-artist contained ballads that wouldn’t have sounded weird if the rock group was to play them in the 90’. In fact, he introduced the Hootie and the Blowfish song “Let Her Cry” as “the first country song I ever wrote.”

    Mr. Rucker was very casual and all about his business, dressed in blue jeans, a Nike ball cap and matching black shirt and vest. He was not one to talk much while onstage, however when he did it would always get a great response from the crowd. He showed support to UCF multiple times. At one point during the show, he displayed the school’s logo across his giant video screens, behind his massive amount of stage lights.

    Aside from singer’s Corey Smith 30-minute opening set, and the Eli Young Band’s hour-long set, which contained all three of their smash hits “Even If It Breaks My Heart,” “Crazy Girl,” and “Drunk Last Night,” both acts would join Mr. Rucker on stage to perform Hank Williams, Jr.’s “Family Tradition.”

    Mr. Rucker would his set with “Wagon Wheel,” a hit of his which has garnered him great success on the charts and at music award shows.

    While Darius Rucker will always be known for his contributions to Hootie and the Blowfish, spending more than 25-years with the group, he has gone on to make a solo career for himself.

  • Kendrick Lamar performs at UCF’s annual “420 Concert Series”

    Kendrick Lamar stated to CFE Arena that he would be back, when he performed at the venue last year, and Sunday night he lived up to his promise. After taking a break in 2013, UCF brought back their annual “420 Concert Series,” with Mr. Lamar. He was supported by a vast of supporting acts, with the most recognizable act being his Top Dawg Entertainment label mate Jay Rock.

    Mr. Lamar stayed true to his “Control” verse — where he stated that “I ain’t rockin’ no more designer sh*t” —  as he hit the stage sporting a white tee, blue jeans, Detroit Tigers fitted, and a pair of white, blue and gold Nikes (possibly Lebron 9’s). He does not have many show dates on his schedule, so it’s uncertain what Mr. Lamar has been up. Based off of his scruffy look, possibly (hopefully) working on a new album. The Compton, Calif. rapper performed songs dating back to his first project “O.verly D.edicated,” up to singles past his “good kid, m.A.A.d city.”

    Aside from his short set, Mr. Jay Rock would join Mr. Lamar on stage during his performance to play their song “Money Trees” together. During his solo set, he performed his 2011 hit “Hood Gone Love It,’ as well as his verse from Ab-Soul’s “Black Lil Bastard.”

    Orlando-based rapper Caskey also made a brief visit to the stage. While he did not perform, he and his DJ Slim did manage to take over the microphone and hype up the crowd prior to TDE taking the stage.

  • Tech N9ne brings ‘Independent Grind Tour’ to Plaza Live (review)

    A rapper that spits rapid-fast aggressive lyrics, paints his face, draws a hardcore cult fanbase, and is named after a semi-automatic handgun, just doesn’t sound like the guy you want to walk up to and attempt to start a conversation with.

    Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne brought his “Independent Grind Tour” to Orlando Thursday night, performing at the Plaza Live — his first time ever at the venue.

    “We like this place, so don’t do anything stupid. We’re trying to come back here next year,” said the show’s hype man to the crowd, before exhibiting his utterly disgust for another Orlando venue which Mr. Tech N9ne has performed at in the past.

    In attempt to get a feel for his audience, Mr. Tech N9ne disguised himself under a red Jabbawockeez mask and wandered throughout the Plaza venue; grabbing a few drinks at the bar and even catching the entire set for opening act Psych Ward Druggies.

    By the time it was his turn to take the stage, Mr. Tech N9ne had did a complete outfit change. Dressed head-to-toe in a black mechanic outfit with white face paint, the independent rapper out of Kansas City Mo. displayed his showmanship in his 90-minute set.

    Tech N9ne performs at the "Independent Grind Tour" at the Plaza Live in Orlando, Fla. on April 17, 2014. (Ty Wright / Valencia Voice)

    Quite interesting, fan were more into actually experiencing the moment  instead of recording it on their smartphone. For most of the show — despite when Mr. Tech N9ne encouraged female audience members to climb on top someone shoulders and display their breast — if one was to look out into the audience all they would see is “strange” people with their face painted, dancing, raging and moshing, not being distracted by technology and the outside world.

    Mr. Tech N9ne was accompanied by Strange Music labelmate Krizz Kaliko, dressed in similar attire minus the face paint. The two put on what appeared to be a choreographed hip-hop show; non-stop motion, timely stage exits and arrivals between songs, and synchronized dancing.

    While his pop locking skills; Motown like moves; and machine gun type flowing were entertaining, he was at his strongest during his more intimate sessions of the set. He let the crowd in on his sensitive side as he introduced popular single “Fragile,” which features Kendrick Lamar, ¡MAYDAY! & Kendall Morgan. While none of the artist were their to assist in the performance, Mr. Kaliko would help provide backing vocals — much like he did the entire night.

    Freddie Gibbs opens for Tech N9ne at the "Independent Grind Tour" at the Plaza Live in Orlando, Fla. on April 17, 2014. (Ty Wright / Valencia Voice)

    Rapper Freddie Gibbs, out of Gary, Ind., acted as the main opening act and had no problem demonstrating to everyone why he is called Gangsta Gibbs. Throughout his set, he would get everyone of the audience to scream “f*** the police” every chance he got. Mr. Gibbs took a more simplistic approach, gaining the attention of the crowd with less attention to the production aspect, but more on his bars and Acapella flows.

    Jarren Benton opens for Tech N9ne at the "Independent Grind Tour" at the Plaza Live in Orlando, Fla. on April 17, 2014. (Ty Wright / Valencia Voice)

    Funk Volume’s Jarren Benton also served as a support act for the “Independent Grind Tour.” He was backed by “the worst DJ ever,” who kept his identity hidden behind a full-face mask; and a crazy-haired drummer. He wasted no time on the turn up, quickly heading to the guard rails to get close and personal with the crowd. Mr. Benton is a very charismatic artist. He commands the stage, while giving fans the opportunity to perform on a big stage, even if it’s only as his hype man.

  • T. Mills first headlining show in Orlando

    It did not take T. Mills long to strip down to his white sleeveless hoody, and display his tattoos at his “All I Wanna Do Tour” when it played the Social here on Saturday night. In fact, it only took one song to be exact. His audience — 95 percent populated of females in their early-twenties late-teens — ate up every minute of it.

    While the 24-year-old out of California, born Travis Tatum Mills, has played in the city multiple times in the past, this show was extra special to him. It was his first time headlining a show in Orlando.

    Mr. Mills is a hybrid artist, with his sound switching between and mixing mainly three genres: rap, synthpop, and punk rock. While each song contained a different feel from the one previous, all the lyrics were the same, rude and catchy. During his high energy “Loud,” you could see Mr. Mills appreciation for his fans, as they battled back-and-forth with him through the lyrics.

    The charismatic Warped Tour alumnus was all over the stage with his gold microphone, taking the time to perform songs from his earliest projects; new EP “All I Wanna Do”; and even unreleased content, which is most likely to appear on his debut album with Columbia due sometime this year.

    The Social saw two opening acts prior to getting to the man on the poster, the popular Mod Sun was one. Despite taking the stage assisted by a walking cane, the “Hippy Hop” artist did not let his injured knee slow him down. Mr. Mod Sun amped-up his friends in the audience with stoner tunes and feel good lyrics. Backed by his DJ/ guitarist, who was a non-stop work freight, he ran through some fan favorites like “My Hippy,” “Stoner Girl,” “Free Love” and a new record, which will feature drums from Travis Barker on his new album.

    Mr. Mod Sun is a straight hippy and is “Happy As F*ck” about it. If music was to get boring for the artist, a career as the stoner camp counselor all the guys want to smoke with, and all the girls want to hook up with wouldn’t be far fetched.

    On top of opening the show, California artist Blackbear also took the stage with Mr. Mills to help him close the show. After performing the duo’s collaborated record “Coldest Winter,” one of Mr. Mills “sexy songs” (which contained thrusting and dry humping of the air); he would finish the show with the tour’s titled track, handpicking members of the crowd to join him on stage. After successfully blocking all selfie attempts possible, he would inspire those on stage to live in the moment and not behind their phone, as for the moment they were apart of his band.

    A true highlight of the show.

  • CONCERT REVIEW: G-Eazy treats intimate Plaza Live performance like an arena stage

    It appears as if their is some characteristic in Bay Area rappers that leave men wanting them to have sex with their girlfriends.

    Whether or not G-Eazy followed up with the young man after his show, and took him up on the opportunity to fornicate his girlfriend; when you’re a rising artist these things happen.

    G-Eazy aka Young Gerald, 24, of Oakland Calif., lit up the Plaza Live Theater, Wednesday night, with one of the more extravagant productions the venue has seen in a while. It’s feels as if he thought he was performing on the granddaddy stage of them all. Neon sign spelling out his name hanged high, steps down below, drummer to his left, keyboardist to his right, and lighting trusses helping illuminate the stage — creating an energy the crowd could vibe off of and not leaving him having to depend on their reactions.

    Luckily for him, the crowd’s energy level was either equal to his if not higher throughout the course of the night, so if that was the case he would have still been okay. While the audience could chant the lyrics to songs from his two most popular projects, “The Endless Summer” and “Must Be Nice,” down to a tee, they did not hesitate to show just as much enthusiasm to unreleased songs from his upcoming project “These Things Happen.”

    His set is broken up into three  clear pieces: rage with the fellas, prove my style can flirt with the mainstream sound, and sympathize with the ladies. He showed his more intimate side on popular singles  “Runaround Sue” — sampled from Dion’s 1961 pop song of the same name — and “Kings,” a Jai Paul sample, which first comes off as cover to Drake’s “Dreams Money Can Buy.”

    During his set, G-Eazy took the time to invite his opening acts on stage with him to perform. Rockie Fresh, a Chicago rapper who is signed to Atlantic Records through Rick Ross’s Maybach Music Group imprint, rejoined G-Eazy on stage, alongside up-and-coming  Canadian artist Tory Lanez, to perform an exclusive remix of his track “Been On.”

    After hearing the crowd chant for it all night, it was only right G-Eazy closed out the show with an encore performance of “Loaded”; following the black and white “These Things Happen” balloon takeover during “Almost Famous.”

    Based off his demeanor and cool sleek 50’s school boy swag — slicked greaser hairstyle; black leather jacket with hoodie underneath, black jeans and Nikes, hater blocker sunglasses and gold chain — Young Gerald came off all the boyfriend all parents feared their daughter would bring home for Thanksgiving.

    He didn’t get here by mistake; blending different elements from artist he toured with in the past (Lil Wayne, Drake, T.I. and Snoop Dogg, just to name a few), fans get more than just a guy walking back and forth across the stage — they get an experience. He use the lights, production and stage setup to help cultivate each song transitions.

    Thanks to the internet, it’s becoming much less uncommon for a signed artist to be opening for someone doing music independently. G-Eazy is willing to spend whatever it cost to help him succeed and grow as an artist, so who knows for how much longer fans will be able to get an arena style performance in a smaller venue, with a small venue ticket price.