It’s Friday, which means it’s Concert Review Day here at Pollstar. We’ve compiled write-ups of performances from Santana in Morrison, Colo.; Kendrick Lamar in Glendale, Ariz.; Arcade Fire in Manchester, England; Lou Gramm in Batavia, N.Y.; Gorillaz in Toronto; and CJ Solar in Allentown, Pa.
AP Photo / Tsafrir Abayov – Carlos Santana
Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv, Israel
Santana @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colo., July 10 – “A man who needs no opener, Carlos Santana grabbed Red Rocks by the horns with just himself and his band on Monday night. … Love, politics, religion and philosophy were the theme of his [mid-concert speech], complete with him begging the crowd to join him in ‘illuminating’ the good in education and non-violence.” – Denby Gardiner / 303 Magazine
Kendrick Lamar @ Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., July 12 – “The man has always been an album artist. This is where his head is, where his heart is. It’s why he was able to give such a moving performance. … The crowd ate [Travis Scott’s set] up – in part because the man was riding on a giant bird but also because he’s really hot right now and made it feel more like a co-headlining tour.” – Ed Masley /The Republic
Arcade Fire @ Castlefield Bowl in Manchester, England, July 6 – “Their stirring shows, from basement clubs to the top of festival bills, are often more akin to a spiritual experience than mere pop gig. Tonight was one of those nights. … This is serious music, played with adrenalin shot intensity by a would-be rabble of eccentrics. It is truly something to behold.” – Shaun Curran / Independent
Lou Gramm @ Batavia Downs in Batavia, N.Y., July 7 – “Forty years removed since the debut of Foreigner, Gramm still sings the songs with a lot of heart. Oftentimes, the fans were belting out the chorus as loud as he was.” – Thom Jennings / The Daily News
Gorillaz @ Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, July 10 – “Monday’s Air Canada Centre appearance was only the second date on this summer’s tour in support of the recent Humanz album, and it showed. The sound was harsh and muddy for much of the performance and, while it filled out as the show went on, never really did the players onstage justice.” – Ben Rayner / The Toronto Star
CJ Solar @ GameChangerWorld in Allentown, Pa., July 12 – “If his concert Wednesday at the new GameChangerWorldPa entertainment center in Upper Macungie Township is any indication, Solar is a pay-your-dues, play-the-circuit performer who has the talent to make it big if he gets the breaks – and seems willing to work to get there.” – John J. Moser / The Morning Call