Another week in the books and artists around North America kept on playing their music for throngs of adoring fans. For your reading enjoyment we have compiled critical reviews of performances by Aretha Franklin in Vienna, Va.; Barry Manilow in Atlanta; John Mayer in Phoenix; Khalid in Miami; Primus and Clutch in Pittsburgh; and Kane Brown in Albert Lea, Minn.
AP Photo / Carolyn Kaster – Aretha Franklin
“International Jazz Day,” South Lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C.
Aretha Franklin @ Filene Center At Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., Aug. 1 – “Backed by a fabulous 21-piece orchestra and chorus, Miss Franklin hasn’t lost the edge in her vocals, even if, perhaps, the energy of her 90-minute show at times flagged.” – Eric Althoff / The Washington Times
Barry Manilow @ Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Ga., July 27 – “Manilow is a practiced showman, and for those who have seen him before, there are plenty of well-worn, self-deprecating staples. … But the presence of fresh material allowed him to make a few tweaks to the show.” – Melissa Ruggieri / Atlanta Journal Constitution
Owen Sweeney – John Mayer
John Mayer feels the music when he plays Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia April 7.
John Mayer @ Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Az., Aug. 1 – “You can accuse John Mayer of lots of things … but after Tuesday night’s show, I won’t accuse him of being insincere. … Have I mentioned that John Mayer plays guitar? He plays a lot of guitar, juggling a series of acoustics, a 12-string dobro, some Stratocasters, and Paul Reed Smiths.” – Jason P. Woodbury / Phoenix New Times
Khalid @ Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami, Fla., Aug. 2— “Despite his talent and potential — his ascent has been quick, and he will reach The Weeknd levels sooner than later — Khalid has plenty of growing up to do. He’s still finding his feet as a performer. He had a few choreographed dance moves with his cheerleaders, but in general he remains a bit goofy, a bit awkward when figuring out what to do with himself onstage. Nonetheless, it’s obvious he’s having a great time.” – Angel Melendez / Miami New Times
AP Photo / Ron Harris – Les Claypool of Primus
Sweetwater 420 Festival, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Ga.
Primus / Clutch @ Stage AE in Pittsburgh, Penn., on July 30 – “Clutch, from Frederick, Maryland, don’t do anything fancy, other than bringing ZZ Top into the grunge-metal era. It’s a simple grinding blues-rock formula that allows Fallon to rage over the top on songs like ‘Earth Rocker’ and ‘50,000 Unstoppable Watts,’ which actually did resemble Rage Against the Machine. … [Primus’s performance] wasn’t the non-stop rawk of the Clutch set, as there was various dark, sluggish noodling around in the middle. The last section was all killer, though, starting with the backwoods bludgeoning of ‘My Name is Mud’ and the giddy set-closing stomp of ‘Jerry Was a Race Car Driver’.” – Scott Mervis / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Kane Brown @ Stage AE in Albert Lea, Minn., Aug. 1 – “Steadfast fans waited out the rain underneath the eves of the Grandstand, while others waited in a line running through the main fairway. Once fans were let back into the reserved seating area, the Grandstand was packed and Brown was not about to disappoint his loyal followers.” – Colleen Harrison / Albert Lea Tribune