Reviews: Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Vince Staples & More

Amy Harris / Invision / AP – Vince Staples
Vince Staples sets the tone during his set at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., April 20.

This week, for your reading enjoyment, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Ariana Grande in Chicago; Billie Eilish in Vancouver, British Columbia; Vince Staples in Chicago; Herbie Hancock in Perth, Australia; Weird Al Yankovic in Clearwater, Fla.; Brandi Carlile in George, Wash.; and Greta Van Fleet in Cleveland.

Ariana Grande @ United Center in Chicago, Ill., June 4 – “Ariana Grande is all business on stage. She didn’t have much time for chit-chat Tuesday in the first of two concerts at the United Center as she buzzed through more than 30 songs in 90 minutes.” – Greg Kot / Chicago Tribune

Billie Eilish @ PNE Amphitheatre in Vancouver, B.C., June 1 – “Dressed in a white sweatsuit with a clown print, Eilish had the sold-out crowd singing to every word of every song. She even managed to get everyone to put down their phones urging all her young followers that ‘This is the only moment we got, bro.’” – Darrole Palmer / Beatroute

Vince Staples @ House Of Vans in Chicago, Ill., May 31 – “Since his emergence to a bigger audience in 2014 Vince Staples has been on the forefront of innovation and success in the music world and tonight’s show is a culmination of skill and what’s to come. Vince made it feel like summer. “ – Brandon Smith / Third Coast Review

Monterey Jazz Festival / Jim Stone – Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock performs during the Monterey Jazz Festival in California Sept. 15.

Herbie Hancock @ Riverside Theatre in Perth, Australia, May 31 – “Hancock has often talked of breaking the mould and welcoming challenges, and it was clear to see that that was what he was attempting with this concert but it would have benefited from a little temperance rather than such full-blown, fluoro rock effects. A few sacred minutes of beautiful cover music might have helped to lessen the sudden transitions that were not appreciated by all.” – Barbara Booth / Performing Arts Hub

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic @Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Fla., June 5 – “Yankovic, 59, still performs with limber-limbed liveliness that sees him scampering across the stage, scooting on a Segway and high-kicking above his head. His shows have never not been fun, but the Strings Attached Tour feels like a new kind of a good time. A few ticketholders might grouse about not getting more accordion songs, a polka medley or an appearance from the Michael Jackson fat suit. But you know what the folks in Clearwater got instead? Harvey the Wonder Hamster!” – Jay Cridlin / Tampa Bay Times

Brandi Carlile @

Greta Van Fleet @ Jacobs Pavilion in Cleveland, Ohio, June 2 – “There’s something imitative about the band, something that feels downright unoriginal when you queue up any Led Zeppelin song after listening to Fleet’s debut full-length 2018 album Anthem Of The Peaceful Army. Critics of Greta Van Fleet have raised a ruckus about the band in the form of memes and criticism, most notably a scathing 1.6 out of 10 review on Pitchfork.” – Anne Nickoloff and David Petkiewicz / Cleveland.com