Reviews: Ariana Grande, Pink, Shakey Graves, Earl Sweatshirt & More

This week, for your reading enjoyment, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Ariana Grande in Philadelphia; Pink in Oklahoma City, Okla.; Shakey Graves in Edmonton, Alberta; Earl Sweatshirt in Silver Spring, Md.; James Bay in Los Angeles; and Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets in Houston. 
Pink
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation) – Pink
Pink performs during her
Ariana Grande @ Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Penn., March 26 – “The singer mostly wailed over a playback track of her own vocal, allowing her to take a beat or two off as she engaged with her troupe of 11 or so backup dancers to pull off some fairly intricate choreography. She’s no Britney Spears but rarely did Grande appear clumsy or overwhelmed by the need to dance and simultaneously sing her sky-scraping songs. “ – Bobby Olivier / NJ.com

Pink @ Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., March 23 – “In her first Oklahoma City concert, the 20-time Grammy nominee brought fearless aerial acrobatics, powerhouse vocals and dynamo dance moves to Chesapeake Energy Arena.

“The singer-songwriter born Alecia Moore opted to ‘Get the Party Started’ by swinging from an enormous sparkling chandelier high above the massive stage while belting her anthemic smash and rocking a black catsuit.” – Brandy Mcdonnell / The Oklahoman

Shakey Graves @ Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, March 26 – “The foursome tore through a few songs from Graves’ latest album, Can’t Wake Up, including ‘Counting Sheep,’ ‘Mansion Door’ and ‘Dining Alone,’ but something felt lost once the band arrived. Maybe we just didn’t want to share him, didn’t want that voice to be lost amid the sonic-pop sounds that filled the room, but the earlier intimacy had melted away.” – Ryan Garner / Edmonton Journal 

James Bay @ The Wiltern in Los Angeles, Calif., March 25 – “Midway through the set, Bay invigorated the crowd with one of his most popular songs: ‘Let it Go.’ The chart-topper prompted a mass karaoke performance, with the audience singing its heart out alongside the crooning Bay.” – Kennedy Hill / Daily Bruin

Earl Sweatshirt @ The Fillmore Silver Spring in Silver Spring, Md., March 27 – “Earl was absolutely glued to the beat and didn’t miss a single word, not even an ad-lib, in any of his songs. I’m not even sure if he had a backing track — it sounded like his studio recordings, only better. The only time he wasn’t rapping he was joking with the crowd, telling us to keep hydrated or asking if we remembered Big Sean’s ad-libs.” – Jack Roscoe / The Diamondback 

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets @ Jones Hall For The Performing Arts in Houston, Texas, March 25 – “There’s a reason every review of this show goes on at length about how it feels like a miracle or a revelation because this is a show that many fans never thought could exist. Some of these songs Pink Floyd themselves never touched live. But here they are, alive and vibrant, ready for their time in the spotlight. It’s all well deserved. Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets shows off what made Pink Floyd interesting and special, all without a single brick in the wall or trip around the moon. The heartbeat goes on, for now at least.” – Cory Garcia / Houston Press
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