Reviews: Cypress Hill, Madonna, Dead & Company, Chris Young, Grace Potter, Joe Bonamassa + More

Cypress Hill @ Paradise Rock Club in Boston Oct. 27 – “Overall, Cypress Hill came back in a blaze of glory, and the fans were close behind. The band inspired the older crowd to shout out the lyrics as if its members were carefree teenagers sneaking out to see their favorite act. Seeing this crowd feel transported to a different time through music is a nod to the strength of Cypress Hill’s sound.” – Clara Hudson / The Daily Free Press

Madonna @ The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Oct. 27 – “For a veteran entertainer with dozens of beloved hits, her decision to spend a good half of her 2½-hour set on material from Rebel Heart felt like a challenge as well. Ditto her radical reworkings of the old songs: “Dress You Up” rode a fluttering flamenco groove; “Music” started out as a sultry supper-club ballad; “Material Girl” had staticky dubstep squelches. She was insisting on evolution, refusing to be boxed in by any earlier version of herself.” – Mikael Wood / Los Angeles Times

Dead & Company @ Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. Oct. 29 – “After some spacey drum solos and jams, Dead and Company uncorked a rhythmic, driving take of ‘Not Fade Away.’ The evening ended with ‘Touch of Grey,’ Mayer and Weir alternating verses. Its chorus of ‘We will get by, we will survive’ was an understatement. This incarnation of the Dead can thrive.” – Jim Shahen / Times Union

Chris Young @ Santander Arena in Reading, Pa., Oct. 29 – “When he wasn’t making sure the crowd knew its country history, Young made sure they had a good time. His 90-minute performance included a few ballads but mostly high-energy sing-alongs with titles like ‘Aw Naw’ and ‘Save Water, Drink Beer.’” – Jon Fassnacht / Reading Eagle

Grace Potter @ Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, N.Y. Oct. 28 – “Wearing a leather jacket (which she shed, saying ‘I’m hot’ to raucous hoots and hollers), Potter put in 90-plus minutes of sweat-fueled rock ‘n roll. Her voice rose above the flurry of percussion, distortion and keys that kept the show driving at a furious pace.” – Michael Greenlar / Syracuse.com/The Post-Standard

Joe Bonamassa @ Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales Oct. 27 – “I’m fairly sure that a) his fingers made of steel and b) he has more than 10 of them! After two hours, I was still mesmerised watching his fingers fly around the fretborad.” – Liz Day / WalesOnline

Neil Diamond @ Rod Laver Arena in Sydney, Australia Oct. 27 – “With decades of hits, the seasoned singer embraced his past, doing a run of songs from 1972’s live double LP Hot August Night – a smash hit in Australia – and delivering the nostalgic ‘Brooklyn Roads’ against Super 8 footage from his childhood. Yet, he also made room for selections from last year’s album, Melody Road, including the concert debut of ‘Seongah? and Jimmy.’” – Doug Wallen / Sydney Morning Herald