Reviews: Paul Simon, U2, Steely Dan & More

AP Photo / Julie Jacobson – Paul Simon
“2016 Global Citizen: The World On Stage,” Skirball Center For The Perf. Arts, New York City

This week, for your reading enjoyment, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Paul Simon in Vancouver; U2 in Inglewood, Calif.; Steely Dan in Charlotte, N.C.; Babymetal in Houston; Dr. Dog in Austin; Bhad Bhabie in Toronto; and Snow Patrol in Dublin.

Paul Simon @ Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, May 16 – “His set of two dozen songs could all have been hits; he has more than enough. But Mr. Simon juxtaposed his own idiosyncratic favorites with his crowdpleasers, and he is still tweaking — or iterating — songs that he could easily have delivered as jukebox copies.” – Jon Pareles / New York Times

U2 @ The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., May 15 – “Nonetheless, when it comes to performing live, U2 remains the gold (and platinum) standard, the one band you’d show to future intelligent races to explain just how much emotional succor white, middle-class boomers and Gen Xers receive from four Irish expats — men who wrap themselves in red, white and blue, as U2 did for ‘American Soul,’ their love letter to the country and the music they revere.” – Roy Trakin/ Variety

Steely Dan @ PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, N.C., May 10 – “If there was a complaint to be made — aside from, perhaps, the lack of a well-deserved tribute for Becker — it was that Fagen went with solo efforts like ‘Green Flower Street’ and ‘New Frontier’ over The Dan standards like ‘Do It Again’ and ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,’ both Top-10 early-’70s hits that seem to beg to be included in what’s essentially a nostalgia show.” – Théoden Janes / The Charlotte Observer

Babymetal @ Revention Music Center in Houston, Texas, May 13 – “In BabyMetal, you have the perfect gateway act to the wider world of metal, and I’m glad they’re getting booked on some of the bigger American rock festivals. Judging by the crowd, their fans are more than just people who think they’re hot.” – Cory Garcia / Houston Press

Dr. Dog @ Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, May 12 – “With such an incredible set list and energetic show, the only disappointment is that Dr. Dog was only playing one night in town.” – Joey Willis / Glide Magazine

Bhad Bhabie @ Mod Club in Toronto, Ontario, May 14 – “Bhad Bhabie might be up for her first Billboard Award this month, but her underwhelming performance could only be described as, well, bhad.” – Sumiko Wilson / Now Toronto

Snow Patrol @ Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, May 15 – “Snow Patrol could have easily used what is a very intimate gig by their standards purely to showcase the new material from their forthcoming album, Wildness; instead, they present what is essentially a greatest hits set, peppered with some fresh tracks. It’s a wise decision.” – Hot Press