Reviews: The xx, Margo Price, Fetty Wap & More

This week for your reading enjoyment we have compiled critical reviews of live performances by The xx in Malaysia; Margo Price in St. Louis; Fetty Wap in Silver Spring, Md.; Queens Of The Stone Age in Fresno, Calif.; Steel Panther in Glasgow, Scotland; Brockhampton in Silver Spring, Md.; AR Rahman in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

John Davisson – Margo Price
Margo Price plays Lockn’ Festival at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, Va., Aug. 27.

The xx @ Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 25 – “The contrast between Sim’s deep male baritone and Croft’s calm female tones have always been the most striking element of The xx’s music for me. Both voices standout well enough on their own, evident during solo vocal performances by Croft on ‘Performance’ and Sims on ‘Fiction.’ But together, the contrast and harmony of their voices make for a lush, haunting, and bewitching combination that sounds even better live, especially combined with Jamie xx’s wizardry on the decks.” – Michael Cheang /Star2.com

Margo Price @ The Ready Room in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 21 – “During the finale, her own ‘Hurtin’ (on the Bottle),’ Price veered briefly into a couple of barroom classics: Merle Haggard’s ‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink’ and Johnny Bush’s (via Price’s friend and duet partner Willie Nelson) ‘Whiskey River.’ Her song did not suffer for the comparison. Instead, it was proof that, still early in her career, Price is already a terrific country singer and songwriter. But the rest of her set was a reminder that, thanks to artists like her, the boundaries of that job description are changing right now, and for the better.” – Daniel Durchholz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Fetty Wap @ The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Md., Jan. 13 – “The majority of attendees at the venue were high school or college kids enjoying the weekend, some of them still on winter break. Most had arrived with friends. This seemed apropos, as Fetty constantly emphasizes the importance of celebrating with ‘the squad.’” – Brittany Menjivar / The Young Folks

Queens Of The Stone Age @ Selland Arena in Fresno, Calif., Jan. 30 – “Josh Homme and company did everything they could to bring the roof down. The riff-based rock with a thumping drumline kept everyone nodding in unison.” – Rory Appleton / Fresno Bee

Steel Panther @ O2 Academy Glasgow in Glasgow, Scotland, Jan. 20 – “Whilst it is certainly entertaining, you definitely can not say they are doing anything new. I have now seen them a few times here in Glasgow, and it appears the only thing to have changed is a few more wrinkles in the old boys and the songs in the set list.” – Allan Maxwell / Altwire

Brockhampton @ The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Md., Jan. 28 – “Although lead singer Kevin Abstract lost his voice and was unable to perform, fellow member Ameer Vann performed Abstract’s parts admirably, bringing energy to the absent member’s hook on ‘SWAMP.’ Brockhampton had clear chemistry onstage, and the collaborative nature of the group’s songs made for an engaging spectacle as the focus and microphone jumped from one member to another.” – Mac Dressman / The Hoya

A.R. Rahman @ Bollywood Parks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 26 – “Less than 75 words emerged from this man during his four-hour bombastic spectacle, but Oscar-winner AR Rahman proved that he prefers to let his songs do all the talking. And it spoke volumes.” – Manjusha Radhakrishnan / Gulf News