Reviews: Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler, Femi Kuti, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Pet Shop Boys

Chris Cornell @ Martin Woldson Theater At The Fox in Spokane, Wash., July 20 – “The set was filled with songs from throughout Cornell’s career, most of them accompanied by a story about the song’s origins, or a funny non sequitur that showed a guy known for dark lyrics has a wicked sense of humor.” – Dan Nailen / Inlander

Steven Tyler @ Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., July 20 – “In fine voice throughout, Tyler does enough high-pitched shrieks at age 68 to make you wonder how he managed to not sound any worse for the wear and tear on his larynx, even pulling off a credible Janis Joplin impersonation on a ‘Mercedes Benz’/’Piece of My Heart’ medley.” –
Serene Dominic / Phoenix New Times

Femi Kuti @ The Ready Room in St. Louis, Mo., July 9 – “The contagion of his zeal was apparent across the stage, as horns rose and fell in sync with the ladies’ shimmying, shaking, and beaming proudly, while Kuti and the Dancing Man spun like dervishes.” – Courtney Dowdall / Playback: STL

5 Seconds Of Summer @ Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., July 20 – “There are some real chops there – Clifford and singer/guitarist Luke Hemmings swapping guitar licks from opposite ends of the stage on ‘Castaway’ was as solid as it gets.” – Tom Szaroleta / The Florida Times Union / Jacksonville.com

Pet Shop Boys @ Royal Opera House in London, England, July 20 – “They end with a reprise of ‘The Pop Kids’, with its declaration ‘we loved the pop hits’: and like that, the curtain falls on some of the best you’ll ever hear.” – Shaun Curran / Independent