Reviews: The Tragically Hip, Lyle Lovett, Drake, Ted Nugent, Adele, Paul McCartney

The Tragically Hip @ Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Aug. 18 – “The concert was divided into sections of songs from various albums. The band kicked things off by going way back, diving into a string of classic tunes from Up To Here, their first full-length album. The crowd went wild for the opening stretch, which consisted of ‘Boots or Hearts,’ ‘Blow at High Dough,’ ‘Opiated’ and their breakthrough hit, ‘New Orleans is Sinking.’” –  Ottawa Sun

Lyle Lovett & His Big Band  @ Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 17 – “When Lovett and cellist John Hagen sang a duet of ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me,’ you could sense that this was something special to be savored.” – Joshua Pickard / Nooga.com

Drake @ Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 17 – “During ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home,’ he stepped into a hanging basket that lifted him up there with the balloons to ride over the crowd and deliver sweetness to the fans: ‘I see you baby girl in the white,’ ‘I see you came to the show on crutches, gotta love it.’ On and on. It was like a frat party without the beer pong tables.” – Scott Mervis / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ted Nugent @ Express Live! in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 17 – “The songbook was familiar and very close to the one he’s been playing regularly on the road recently. How could he not, given his testimonial that he continues to play, ‘the best guitar licks in the world.’” – Curtis Schieber / The Columbus Dispatch

Adele @ Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., Aug. 16 – ‘Adele’s voice was flawless throughout the night, and her stage presence, which never once felt contrived, only made the night more enchanting. Her concert served as a serious statement about her place as one of pop music’s great talents while showcasing her natural affability and seemingly instinctual comedic timing.” – David Accomazzo / Phoenix New Times

Paul McCartney @ Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 15 – “He plucked timeless verse-chorus-verse wonders like jewels out of the Beatles’ priceless catalog vault, delivering them with an irrepressible enthusiasm that belies his age. He’d finish a number – say, ‘And I Love Her,’ or ‘Lady Madonna’ or beloved Wings cut ‘Band on the Run’ – and shimmy and wiggle, as if working out excess energy not expended during the song.” – John Serba / The Grand Rapids Press // MLive.com