Reviews: Jason Aldean, Kesha, Roger Waters & More

The beat goes on! For your reading enjoyment we have compiled critical reviews of live performances by Jason Aldean in Columbus, Ohio; Kesha in Milwaukee; Roger Waters in Montreal; Foo Fighters in Greesnboro, N.C.; Toni Braxton in Dubai, U.A.E.; Mura Masa in Washington, D.C.; and Evanescence in Los Angeles.

Kenny Williamson – Jason Aldean
“Windy City Lakeshake,” FirstMerit Bank Pavilion @ Northerly Island, Chicago, Ill.

Jason Aldean @ Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 19 – “And though the music sometimes ventured outside the land of steel guitars, Aldean’s words remained faithful to his Macon, Georgia, roots. … Most of his fans likely don’t know what it’s like to live in the shadow of a national horror, and Aldean did his darnedest Thursday night to make sure they wouldn’t have to find out.” – Julia Oller / The Columbus Dispatch

Kesha @ Rave Bar in Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 19 – “Performing for an adoring, sold-out crowd that displayed their fandom with glitter, glow sticks, and at least one unicorn costume, Kesha played the hard-partying hit she built her brand around, but most of the set was dedicated to her new material, which the crowd responded to as rapturously as the old radio staples.” – Evan Rytlewski / Shepherd Express

Roger Waters @ Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Oct. 16 – “Despite its title, the Us + Them tour is less about division, more about rebel communion. The sensational visuals and note-perfect band surely helped prompt the sustained ovation that left Waters visibly emotional before the closing redemption of ‘Mother’ and ‘Comfortably Numb,’ but his rallying rage was just as potent.” – Jordan Zivitz / Montreal Gazette

Scott Legato / RockStarProPhotography.com – Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters
The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Mich

Foo Fighters @ Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, Calif., Oct. 15 – “The band went on for so long – 2 hours and 50 minutes, stopping just shy of midnight – that Grohl’s shaggy, dark-brown locks seemed to have grown an inch or two between the start and the end of the show.” – Théoden James/ The Charlotte Observer

Toni Braxton @ Dubai Tennis Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 19 – “Watching her perform, up close and personal, was a unique experience. She voraciously fed of the crowd’s energy and delivered some good-natured fun. … It’s now official, Braxton is the definitive ‘Matriarch of Soul.’” – Leslie Wilson / Gulf News

Mura Masa @ 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., Oct. 11 – “Miraculously, he was able to reproduce the same rich music live as he does in a studio, thanks to up-and-coming singer Fliss. Mura Masa brought Fliss along in order to perform the songs on his album that featured a number of artists who could not appear on the tour.” – Meghan Mandi / The Hoya

Evanescence @ Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Oct. 15 – “Both the concert and the album — Evanescence’s first since its self-titled 2011 effort — offer a reimagining of the group’s catalog with a full symphony orchestra, arranged by none other than Beck’s father, veteran arranger David Campbell, whose collaboration with the band dates back to its first album.” – Roy Trakin / Variety