Wednesday
Oct132010
Friday Night Music
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 5:35AM
Friday night saw Nicole and I heading off to the Majestic for a concert. Well, to be more precise, I joined Nicole at the venue, as we were driving back from Algoma, and Nicole wanted to get there nice and early to get to the front; before staff got there even. So early she almost kind of sneaked in. Not that she needed to! Nicole secured us two free tickets, being on the guess list and all, after previewing the show for the Badger Herald. Special huh?!
I find the Majestic a neat little theatre. Plenty of seats, an upstairs balcony, looking down on a nice small stage, allowing the audience to get close. Cosy. And with toilets directly under the stage, what more could you want! Never having to miss a second of music, even if nature calls.
We went to the show excited about seeing Justin Nozuka. I saw him a few years ago in Manchester, when Damon Valentine, aka Nomad Jones, supported him. He has a full band behind him now, and his sophomore album has some great songs on it. Heartfelt ballads and catchy tunes. His band shined, particularly the guitarist/keyboardist. And yet, the show was a bit of disappointment. It almost felt as though the band didn't want to be there. They rattled through the first few tracks with barely a hello to the audience. The vocals for Justin were a little too low, so we couldn't hear his voice as well as we should have done over the band. And it just didn't feel as a good as his album, even though his voice did sound great live. Worst still, he did not know who Bucky was!
However, the night was made worthwhile because of the support act. Alex Cuba. I had never heard of him before, but I came away wanting to buy his music. Hailing from Cuba, it was just him, his guitar, and his tunes. He was almost like a Hispanic Newton Faulkner; beating and strumming along on his guitar, singing warming songs. The audience got to dance and clap, and watch Mr. Cuba entertain on stage, with his playing, his moves, and his great voice. He even got the crowd singing along on the song below. This video really doesn't do him justice. This song was a little faster, and more upbeat, and he really showed off his talents on the guitar. If you ever get the chance, see him live!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEDyHfL3bII]
Oh, and I think I should grow some sideburns like the ones Alex has!
I find the Majestic a neat little theatre. Plenty of seats, an upstairs balcony, looking down on a nice small stage, allowing the audience to get close. Cosy. And with toilets directly under the stage, what more could you want! Never having to miss a second of music, even if nature calls.
We went to the show excited about seeing Justin Nozuka. I saw him a few years ago in Manchester, when Damon Valentine, aka Nomad Jones, supported him. He has a full band behind him now, and his sophomore album has some great songs on it. Heartfelt ballads and catchy tunes. His band shined, particularly the guitarist/keyboardist. And yet, the show was a bit of disappointment. It almost felt as though the band didn't want to be there. They rattled through the first few tracks with barely a hello to the audience. The vocals for Justin were a little too low, so we couldn't hear his voice as well as we should have done over the band. And it just didn't feel as a good as his album, even though his voice did sound great live. Worst still, he did not know who Bucky was!
However, the night was made worthwhile because of the support act. Alex Cuba. I had never heard of him before, but I came away wanting to buy his music. Hailing from Cuba, it was just him, his guitar, and his tunes. He was almost like a Hispanic Newton Faulkner; beating and strumming along on his guitar, singing warming songs. The audience got to dance and clap, and watch Mr. Cuba entertain on stage, with his playing, his moves, and his great voice. He even got the crowd singing along on the song below. This video really doesn't do him justice. This song was a little faster, and more upbeat, and he really showed off his talents on the guitar. If you ever get the chance, see him live!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEDyHfL3bII]
Oh, and I think I should grow some sideburns like the ones Alex has!
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