Here are some music critics’ reviews of recent performances by
Beyoncé in New York,
Bob Dylan in San Diego,
Dolly Parton in Ohio,
Dixie Chicks in Massachusetts, and
Panic! At the Disco/
Weezer in Tampa.
Beyoncé @ Citi Field in Queens, New York, June 8 – “No matter the inevitability of the ambitious production erring (her costume tearing, or one of the huge video screens temporarily malfunctioning), Beyoncé remains a pillar of perfection holding it all together. At work, just as in the moments of personal crisis shared on Lemonade, any weakness, too, shall pass.” – Dee Locket / Vulture / Vulture.com
Bob Dylan @ Humphreys Concerts By The Bay in San Diego, Calif., June 13 – “On Monday, at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Dylan and his five-man band were having a very inspired night indeed. The result was a triumph, not of the chest-thumping, “Look at me!” variety, but of dedicated musicians digging deep to connect with the artistic traditions that nurture and sustain them.” – George Varga / The San Diego Union Tribune / SanDiegoUnionTribune.com
Dolly Parton @ Hard Rock Rocksino in Northfield, Ohio, June 10 – “Sure, she can sing and write fantastic songs. But during the course of the night, she played acoustic guitar, banjo, piano, fiddle, harmonica, electric guitar, autoharp, lap steel, recorder and saxophone (what a great cover of ‘Yakety Sax,” coming out of ‘Rocky Top”). For those keeping score, that’s 10 different instruments – and I may have missed one.” – Chuck Yarborough / The Plain Dealer / Cleveland.com
Dixie Chicks @ Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass., June 14 – “The Dixie Chicks’ first American tour in a decade certainly touched a chord, even if the band doesn’t have any new music to promote. But while the 24-song set that covered just over two hours included tunes from all of their albums, it was also marked by some tantalizing – and often surprising – covers, which made it feel like they were doing new music.” – Jay N. Miller / The Patriot Ledger / NorthOfBoston.WickedLocal.com
Panic! At The Disco/ Weezer @ MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa, Fla., June 15 – “Panic! at the Disco was safe. It was anemic. It was pop-rock on repeat with a meticulous level of production. Yeah, Panic’s live show is explosive, anthemic, and lead singer Brandon Urie has become one of those kind of rock stars, you know, the kind that spurs dreamy commentary from his teenage fans … That’s it. That’s what you’re getting into. Just understand and accept that.”
“Weezer was too good for this audience. We didn’t deserve them … After a final cannonade of confetti and glitter, Weezer’s soaring encore ended and the mass exodus of parents who went to see Weezer and their kids who’d come to see Panic! made the long trek back to their cars. It was fun for the whole family, I guess.”