all photos: Dakota Fine
...
Let me count the ways in which I am qualified to write this review:
THERE ARE NONE.
I mean, sure I had a patented dance move in college my best friend and I did to Ludacris' "Lick It" (and I did go to school in Savannah so Big Boi would randomly pop up in our college bars) and sporadically people make me mixed CDs with Jay-Z or Talib on them, and I know all the words to 95% of Missy Elliott's hits, but that's where my hip-hop/rap knowledge ends. In the shallow end of the pool.
Having said that, Wale totally made me very, very happy at our Inauguration party and I've heard good things about Tabi and I will enjoy a go-go band as much as the next person can on a Wednesday night--so I was pretty amped for the Rock the Vote extravaganza at 930 club this week.
Now, I was at the same place on Monday for Grizzly Bear (with the same people, natch) and I just want to say: it is AMAZING that in just 48 hours the same club can be packed to the gills for such different nights. It made me all fuzzy inside with hopes for DC concert-goers.
Because of the rain we missed Phil Ade and the other 2 openers but were there in time for Tabi. Peter said that he thinks Tabi is kinda safe and maybe a little boring but I liked it. Put it in the Pocket is obviously the "hit" track and he did a good job moving the crowd and setting down the groundwork for what was to come.
The kids next to me were all happy and fist-pumpy and everyone went and bought FRESH t-shirts afterward so I'm guessing I was not the only one who liked it.
Then Rock the Vote had to make some official announcements that everyone ignored, and I was a little worried her insistence to speak when there should have been music was going to kill the mood a little, but you know-good organization, good cause, support them.
THEN-WALE. Commonwealth hat on, full of D(istrict)M(aryland)V(irginia) love and feeding on the energy of the now mostly dry and ready to party mid-week crowd.
First up-many many props to the whole "rapping with a live band back up plan".
EVERYONE SHOULD DO THAT.
UCB killed every song and killed it hard.
And from W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E. to Chillin' to the CATACLYSMIC FINALE OF NIKE BOOTS, it was awesome.
When they interluded that "Smells like teen spirit" bit in, and started playing guitars with their teeth, I mean, I was pretty much in middle school heaven.
Wale did great, the delivery was smooth and polished and someone said "sort of reminiscent of early Jay-Z" which is appropriate as he is now Jay's labelmate. And he had progressively more and more people on the stage (including Dakota at some point, standing strong for all white west coast boys out there--I am so bad at making statements like this. Did you all know he had a hip-hop radio show while at GW? HE SHOULD BE THE ONE WRITING THIS REVIEW)
It was good stuff and it was good stuff for good 2 or so hours since the club went over curfew and no one wanted to leave and everyone just jumped and jumped and jumped to a point where my body STILL FEELS it 36 hours later.
I am glad it is over but I would be lying if I didn't say that I would do it again tonight.
Previously in Live DC:
- 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
- 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
- 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
- 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre
- 2/7: LiveDC: Augustana/ Graffiti6 @ 930 Club
- 2/6: LiveDC: All Things Go Presents: Reptar/ Casual Curious/ Fort Lean @ Gibson Guitar Showroom
- 2/6: LiveDC: TYCHO/ Beacon @ RNR Hotel
- 2/6: LiveDC: The Kills / Jeff The Brotherhood @ 9:30 Club
God loves a cheerful giver.
Look at all the GW kids in the front row
Great photos. I'm still trying to decide if this is the best show I've ever seen. I think it might have been...
Oh and if you didn't catch Phil Ade who played second, you missed something special. Check him out.
Amazing concert. I'm still speechless. I've never seen the 9:30 club that hype before! Ever.
Sorta mad I missed Phil Ade, but I'm sure its not the last time I will hear that name.
Good pics as always Dakota.
Dakota, you are absolutely right! You are definitely NOT qualified to write a review on Wale!! I mean.. can BYT really get some diversity here.. someone that grew up in the DMV listening to gogo, listening to the true DC natives, maybe a little more spice
!!.. there is no mention to the classic Gogo songs he played!! I don't mean to hate. I love how BYT tries to cover all types of genres.. but come on.. this show needed to be properly reviewed. It was awesome!!
The pics are dope tho!
Peace.
Ops, I meant the previous comments to whoever wrote the review. Sorry Dakota.
Nice ass write up! I know I cant experience the truth through this article, but you gave it a good enough feel! Big up to all DMV HUSTLAS!!!! Peace
Cris... you know they say, you should never go full retard.
Svetlana wrote this article, and I think what she said was, that I SHOULD have written this article.
duhhhhrrrr.
I did, however, take the pictures. You're welcome.
My bro came all the way from NYC for the show and I think we all (including Wale, of course) showed him that DC is where it's at. Thanks for the great pics, D-money!! And hugs to Svetlana and crew for sharing elbow room in the massive crowd! xoxo
I was pissed I dished out $25 for a Wale show, but the live band made it worth it and I understand everyone needs paid. However, I still am pissed the 9:30 club made me pay $4 to wait in the rain to get my ticket though. Their service charges suck, BYT should organize a boycott
@Cris - Know anyone that wants to help BYT cover hip-hop? Holla at us.
@blunted - I agree, the price was a bit steep and the surcharge is utterly ridiculous, but technically, you dished out $25 for Wale, UCB, Tabi Bonney, XO, Phil Ade, and Wordsmith. And if it's any consolation, part of the money goes to Rock The Vote, so it went to a good cause.
XO was really good as well. Check out his newest effort with local hip hop heroes Oddisee and YU, called Diamond District "In The Ruff". Wale was good, but it was more of a go go set with UCB backing him. Thats cool, but Wale isnt gogo Chillin, Nike boots, and the justice dance remake are not gogo at all. BUT, proppers for keeping it local and bringing a live band.
@hilltop - Diamond District is the truth. Was hoping they'd perform together, but hopefully they will another time.