I recently found out I am a Gemini, and while I believe that a concert can be effective in coverting listeners to fans (there is a difference), I was already a fan of Macklemore and his music; what he has done and intends to do with it.
There is usually a reason or story behind every song, and while concerts are about the music, it wouldn't be the same without those stories, those that inspired the music or those that came to be after the music was released. Concerts may spotlight the artist and their music, but the right one will make it about the fans, and Macklemore was one of those artists. From the story about his uber-cool experience with the ride-sharing app, and how he nearly was directed out of the venue had a guard failed to pay more attention to detail. Or there is the story of the snake that he won at Darien Lake, and "Out of all my accomplishments that I've had in my career, winning this snake is in my top three
thousand, but I may keep this forever." (paraphrased).
Before Macklemore opened with his presumptuous party anthem "Ain't Gonna Die Tonight," things happen, he let everyone know that regardless of any factors that may divide (creed, pigmentation, sexual orientation,etc.) that everybody is welcome at this past show and any future shows; that love and acceptance had set the tone. So if had died that night it would have been on a high note.
Whether the palm trees were from a "Thrift Shop" or not, it didn't matter. It was a party, and the venue was an island, of acceptance and elation, to name a few.
Not that it is a requirement, but if Macklemore went on about universal acceptance without performing "Same Love," it may not be the same. I could see and hear the passion throughout one of his biggest tracks and that smile when he reflected on his opening line.
While the original "Willy Wonka" cannot be replaced, Macklemore looked pretty good in that hat.
One of my favorite songs from This Unruly Mess I've Made features Idris Elba makin one heck of a Vincent Price impression. To think it would be a regular surprised me, but what is a party without some dancing? The performance would be a farce had an actual "Dance Off" failed to occur, while the moves were simultaneously memorable and forgettable, the victory of the six year old was a triumph, and so the recording artist and his snake were parted. "If I had a daughter, and she did half as well as you I would be proud." That placed a smile on this face, and that of many others, most likely, and it would only grow wider with what followed.
Yes, it was written that when Macklemore performed one of his most rocking anthems, that the crowd would go nuts and it would blow the roof off the venue, at least for the lawn seats. One of my favorite high- energy jams to spaz out to. The cooldown consisted of a stroll "Downtown," and then a "Glorious" tribute to his Grandmother, it also described my state of mind at the time. Having a live band perform these tunes added more to the performance for sure.
I must have been so high that I failed to notice that a spaceship landed on the stage. Kesha managed to blow expectations out of the water with her first song; even improving upon the solid musicianship already showcased on her declaration as a "Woman." I was not the only one who brought their "Boogie Feet," and its been awhile since they have been in use.
Kesha's latest album served as a revival or a phoenix of rainbow flames, rising from the ashes of what was to free herself, in more ways than one. With her shift in style, it was only natural that her live show also undergo a change, allowing her to prove herself and party as a Rock Star.
There were moments where the songs weren't immediately recognizable, but hearing "Timber" with a southern rock swagger was refreshing, although I do enjoy the original.
While some of the fans may have missed the style and sounds of her earlier records," Macklemore said it best when he said "That's life people" even though he was not referring to the concept of change and its constant presence in the world, but the fact that only two lucky fans received golden tickets, from which the winners made their stage debut with "OMG, I'm on stage with Macklemore" either in text or on a social media app of their choice. But to return to the point, I admit that her rock reinterpretation was not as addictive when it came to "Your Love is my Drug," but the energy compensated for that. "We R WHo We R," and this anthem of acceptance of self was even better in its rock reinvention.
"As if you could not tell by now, I am a singer, but I am also a songwriter." While that statement may still draw criticism, even after her resurgence with Rainbow, it would not be accompanied with as much laughter. I find her music to possess a unique charm, and her latest is a pot of gold.
So to answer your question, She did perform Macklemore's future ode to the "Good Old Days," and her tribute to one of her favorite women and songwriters was made when she performed "Jolene."
While "weird" is a subjective term, the duo kept it interesting and made sure the crowd was engaged, because most go for, and to be part of, the experience. Near the end of his set, Macklemore applauded the crowd for their participation and giving it 100%, saying the crowd was the show.
You can bet that before performing her clothes-dropping anthem, some fans did "Take It Off," and donated a few shirts and bras to Kesha's wardrobe, to which she graciously accepted and thanked the fans. She took a selfie for another and graced a fan of sweet sixteen with a towel adorned with boobsweat; you could not find a more unique and personal gift for an animal than that. Then, there was a rainbow flag that was given by a fan, to which she exclaimed "this brings me good luck," and then had it arranged to wrap around her microphone stand.
Kesha did take out her guitar to play her anthem that shouted out the bastards, and encouraged the "different" animals, or any outsider, to be themselves and to not allow that persecution for being different to drag them down.
Her fauxnale was determined by the reaction of the crowd to her song , that could have been the last before she would "Blow" the joint; leave, smoke, double entendre. Long story short, it wasn't over. She played a one of the darker colors of her rainbow, but that was merely because it reflected a darker time in her life, to which it still draws much emotion. "Its a little different every night, but I still feel it." The crowd was "Praying" to hear her debut smash, which still causes me to cringe occasionally, or laugh a little at times when I focus on the delivery and lyrical content aside from the chorus; it is a fun song, but it serves as an example of her growth as an artist, from the other end of the spectrum.
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