This was a wonderful concert, but might have been better at a different venue. Royce has good sound and not really any bad seats. But the marketing / sales did not succeed in selling any tickets for the balcony / mezzanine. Sound-wise, there were a few flubs with the mixers, a scratchy mic, barely heard second vocals by the acoustic guitarist. Viewx's playing is excellent; fast, harmonically complex and dense. He's commanding yet a relaxed performer. The band really cooks. Highly recommended.
LA's Fool's Gold seemed a good fit for a warm up act. Might look around to see them again, locally. Percussion and sax guys were very good. Found the Bass player to be faking the playing sometimes with extra computer tracking. Wondered why.
Special note: Had to move from my 7th row seats to the back rows to avoid the bad "Dead Head" swaying by several dozen old-timers who insist on providing inadvertent visual pollution by their need to "dance" by the stage during Vieux's performance. Something very narcissistic about this compulsion to stand and block peoples (paid) views. I've been to my fair share of outdoor concerts. When people pay for the use of a seat to see a show, it seems selfish to block the view by standing in front. Please, people, learn how to dance properly if you're going to put on a show in public. Have you no shame?
Royce Hall - UCLA @
- Los Angeles @
, CA @
- Fri, Feb 1, 2013 @
Favorite moment: Finding the back row seats a better fit to see and hear the show. @
Opening act(s): Fool's Gold was o.k.. Guitarist has tried to copy that cool 70's Nigerian electric style; goofy hair flipping. @