Reviews: One Direction, Leon Russell, Jason Isbell, Drake, Duran Duran, Ariana Grande

One Direction @ MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Aug. 5 – “Despite naysayers slavering for conflict or those who feel that an interest typically shared among young women is not legitimate, their live shows prove that One Direction are here to stay for as long as their fans will have them.” – Entertainment Weekly / Amanda Michelle Steiner

Leon Russell @ The Joint at Hard Rock Casino / Tulsa Aug. 6 – “He set the tone early with a big, rocking start, playing on from song to song for a solid 15 minutes or so, going seamlessly to the next. His keys were on fire, his band was on point, and his voice was as good as ever.” – TulsaWorld / Jerry Wofford

Drake @ OVO Fest in Toronto Aug. 3 – “This was the sixth time Drake has hosted OVO Fest here in his hometown, and with this year’s performance, he fully turned the annual show into his personal Summer Jam.” – The New York Times / Jon Caramanica

Jason Isbell @ Velma V. Morrison Center For The Performing Arts in Boise, Idaho Aug. 4 – “Isbell might be cruising the country charts, but the performing arts center was filled with amps-cranked rock. Drummer Chad Gamble pounded like Dave Grohl. Keyboardist Derry DeBorja (ex-Son Volt) glided from honky-tonk chords to synth-pop waves. When Isbell traded hot, slippery licks with guitarist Sadler Vaden (ex-Drivin’ ’N’ Cryin’), their fretboard pyrotechnics threatened to scorch the pristine fabric of the Morrison Center seats.” – Idaho Statesman / Michael Deeds

Duran Duran @ Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pa., Aug. 6 – “After  ‘The Wild Boys,’ the second song, ‘A View to a Kill,’ boomed with a kick. ‘Come Undone,’ a hit from 1993, had similar intensity in a slower burn. And its No. 1 gold hit ‘The Reflex’ still sounded really good – and the band even slightly updated it with some electronic effects from Nick Rhodes and burning bass from John Taylor.” – The Morning Call / John J. Moser

Ariana Grande @ Bell Centre in Montreal Aug. 6 – “The show began with Grande rising from under the stage – an oft-repeated visual trick on this night – with her back turned to the crowd of just under 12,050. ‘Bang Bang,’ her collaborative effort with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, was the on-the-nose opening number, complete with loud fireworks designed to extend her vocal flourishes.” – Montreal Gazette / Erik Leijon