Reviews: Yusuf / Cat Stevens, Thom Yorke, Matisyahu & More

This week, for your reading enjoyment, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Yusuf / Cat Stevens in Auckland, New Zealand; Thom Yorke in Los Angeles; Matisyahu in Chicago; King Crimson in Milwaukee, Wisc.; Angus & Julia Stone in Washington, D.C.; and the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Portland, Maine.

Charles Sykes / Invision / AP –
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Yusuf / Cat Stevens @ Spark Arena in Auckland, N.Z., Dec. 13 – “In between songs the autobiographical banter from the lean, silver-bearded Stevens touched on his faith and the cornerstones that led him to his well-documented conversion to Islam, namely, his near-death experiences with tuberculosis in 1969 and almost drowning in 1977.” – Tim Roxborogh / New Zealand Herald

Thom Yorke @ The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif., Dec. 13 – “Yorke’s set had its eyes fully on the greater prize of a complete sensory experience, enough so that when one of the set’s most recognizable cuts, Atoms For Peace’s ‘Amok,’ was dropped in the middle of the performance, it felt more like an afterthought that it might actually be a well-known song to the more casual fan.” – Philip Cosores / Uproxx

Matisyahu @ Concord Music Hall in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 12 – “The show was not only my first time seeing Matisyahu while he’s on tour for ‘Broken Crowns,’ but also my first reggae concert I had been to, and he as well as the supporting acts did not disappoint.” – Dazy Daze / Mix 24/7 EDM

King Crimson @ Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisc., Dec. 10 – “As was clear throughout, this unit didn’t lack in ambition or dexterity. The group members impressed when they took the circular, angular rock of ‘Breathless,’ which shares many of the musical touchpoints for the band’s mid-‘70s instrumental classic ‘Red,’ and brought a whiff of aggression to what sounded on vinyl like a purely mathematical exercise.” – David Hyland / Wisconsin Public Radio

Angus & Julia Stone @ 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., Nov. 19 – “Aided by the intimate atmosphere of the 9:30 Club, the performance featured a well-balanced mix of soft acoustic tunes and rousing crowd-pleasers. Angus & Julia Stone harmonized extraordinarily well; the natural ebb and flow of the singers’ voices made for an experience that cannot be replicated.” – Megan Shapiro / The Hoya

Portland Symphony Orchestra @ Merrill Auditorium at City Hall in Portland, Maine, Dec. 10 – “There is a bit less obvious dazzle than last year, when guest acrobats from the Cirque de la Symphonie performed high above the Merrill Auditorium stage as part of the program, but the soaring instrumental and vocal music, colorful lights and positive spirit were more than enough to make this year’s show another holiday treat.” – Steve Feeney / Portland Press Herald