Reviews: Dave Matthews Band, Katy Perry, Ms. Lauryn Hill & More

This week, for your reading enjoyment, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Dave Matthews Band in Charlotte, N.C.; Katy Perry in Perth, Australia; Ms. Lauryn Hill in Toronto; Paramore / Foster The People in West Valley City, Utah; Yanni in Buffalo, N.Y.; and the Smashing Pumpkins in Miami.

Zack Wajsgras / The Daily Progress via AP – Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews takes part in the Concert for Charlottesville benefit at Scott Stadium in Virginia Sept. 24 in the wake of the white nationalist rallies this summer.

Dave Matthews Band @ PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, N.C., July 24 – “The star, by far, was Matthews. Over the course of nearly three hours, as he progressed from the almost-all-falsetto ‘Again and Again’ to the primal scream at the end of show-closer ‘All Along the Watchtower,’ the bandleader’s voice actually seemed to get stronger — and his guitar-playing did, too. Literally.” – Théoden Janes / The Charlotte Observer

Katy Perry @ Perth Arena in Perth, Australia, July 24 – “Yes, there were pyrotechnics and confetti. This was a big – a very, very big – pop show, in case you hadn’t worked that out. As Perry, who plays Perth Arena again on Wednesday night, disappeared into the palm of that gigantic hand, the none-too-subtle suggestion was that she had us in hers. At times, yes, she did. But not always. Big, by anyone’s definition, is not always better.” – Simon Collins / The West Australian

Ms. Lauryn Hill @ Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Ontario, July 18 – “Moments after Lauryn Hill closed out her very late, fairly short, and somewhat odd performance at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, there was a general disgruntled feeling that settled across the audience, followed by boos, confusion, and several fans pledging their anger in tweets and videos on social media.” – Mehek Seyid / Live In Limbo

5/2/2015 12:00:00 AM – Paramore
Beale Street Music Festival, Tom Lee Park, Memphis, Tenn.

Paramore / Foster The People @ USANA Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah, July 23 – “Williams entertained to the max, constantly dancing and moving about the stage, dressed in a white T-shirt, red hat and shorts, light blue nylons, black shoes, and an orange blazer, which she removed a couple songs in. She was utterly herself onstage, which I think was fun for everyone. But knowing Williams’ powerhouse vocal talent, I wished she would have jumped around a little less, so she could give more energy to the notes she was singing, rather than her dance moves.” – Sarah Harris / Daily Herald

Yanni @ Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, N.Y., July 20 – “Joining the celebration were impressive musicians who hail from all over the world. I was especially impressed with drummer Charlie Adams, trumpeter Jason Carder and violinists Lindsay Deutsch and Samvel Yervinyan. Yanni would probably be the first to admit his band members have better chops than him, but the former rock musician is the leader and songwriter. He stands between three keyboards, and often plays two at a time, smiling and cheering his musicians on as they solo.” – Dan Herbeck / Gusto

The Smashing Pumpkins @