As summer break winds down for students across the country there are still plenty of concerts going down. We’ve compiled reviews for Lady Gaga in Inglewood, Calif.; OneRepublic in Toronto; Incubus in Phoenix; Shawn Mendes in Montreal; and 311 in Valley City, Utah.
John Davisson – Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga piles it on during her headline set at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., April 15.
Lady Gaga @ Forum in Inglewood, Calif., Aug. 8 – “Though there’s much to be said about Gaga’s unfaltering vocals and high-energy showmanship, it’s also worth noting one of the most impressive parts of the show: the set. With bridges that lowered from the ceiling that allowed Gaga and her dancers to jump from the main stage to three other ones in the venue, the transitions were absolutely seamless.” – Alex Stedman / Variety
OneRepublic @ Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario, Aug. 12 – “OneRepublic is able to replicate its sound remarkably well live with the richness of cellos, fiddles and collective drumming adding to the overall effect. In the wake of the day’s horrific events in Charlottesville, Tedder made a statement about racism before playing Rich Love. He revealed that he’d grown up surrounded by closed-minded bigotry and that it’s never okay.” – Neloufer Perera / Live In Limbo
Incubus @ Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix, Ariz., Aug. 12 – “There wasn’t much levity on display tonight. They played their set with the poker-faced determination of a wedding band hellbent on giving the audience what they want. … The only interesting thing about them, in terms of stagecraft, was the way singer Brandon Boyd held his mic: at arm’s length, away from his face.” – Ashley Naftule / Phoenix New Times
John Davisson – Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes plays to a sold-out crowd at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., July 28.
Shawn Mendes @ Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Aug. 14 – “Mendes effortlessly and charismatically hit all the right notes, delivering a polished yet authentic live show. For all of his exhortations to sing and clap along, Mendes knows how to strip it down, often performing just with his acoustic guitar, without his four-piece band — notably on the memorable ‘A Little Too Much,’ which Mendes acknowledged has taken on new meaning in these politically charged times.” – Richard Burnett / Montreal Gazette
311 @ USANA Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah, Aug. 12 – “So my takeaway after watching Nick Hexum, P-Nut and the rest of the crew? One does not need herb, pot, weed, ganja, or whatever other name you want to call it to have a great time. After all, I came in completely clean, and walked out having seen my favorite concert of 2017 to date.” – Scott Tittrington / Daily Herald