Reviews: Jay-Z, Niall Horan, John Legend & More

This week, for your reading pleasure, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Jay-Z in Houston; Niall Horan in Silver Spring, Md.; John Legend in Johannesburg, South Africa; The Shins in Columbus, Ohio; and Bleachers in Kansas City, Mo.
Jay Z
AP Photo / Matt Rourke – Jay Z
“Get Out The Vote,” Wolstein Center At Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio

Jay-Z @ Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, Nov. 8 – “The 4:44 Tour, his latest North American light jog through the classics offers, maybe for the first time, a bit of bite and added emphasis to prove something to the world. … Jay-Z performed 29 songs on Wednesday, which allowed for 29 different thoughts to run through my head at any given moment.” – Brandon Caldwell / Houston Press
Niall Horan @ The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Md., Nov. 4 — “Horan did not hide behind the guitar but instead used it to show a connectivity to music that was lacking in his previous projects. He moved effortlessly from slower ballads like ‘Paper Houses,’ the emotions augmented by the soft pink stage lighting, to catchier tracks like his new single, ‘Too Much to Ask.’” – Mayeesha Galiba / The Hoya
John Legend @ Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 4. – “The main act performed singles from his latest album Darkness and Light, such as ‘Love Me Now’ and ‘Penthouse Floor’ featuring Chance the Rapper. Fans sang along to some songs behind his grand piano. Legend also went back in time and performed his hit songs ‘Ordinary People’ and ‘All of Me.’” – Naledi Mokoena / FourWaysReview 
The Shins @ Express Live! in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 8 – “The best songs are all closely tied to a certain emotion. Nostalgia was the emotion of choice for James Mercer and The Shins during their show Wednesday night at Express Live.” –  Owen Daugherty / The Lantern
Bleachers @ The Midland in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 8 – “Working the crowd into a frenzy, Antonoff, along with his band, consisting of two drummers and several multi-instrumentalists who worked their way through a variety of keyboards, guitars and a saxophone, burst into pop gems like ‘Shadow’ and ‘Wild Heart.’” – Andrew Gaug / News-Press NOW
Tags