all words and photos by Dakota Fine
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Following up on yesterday's Sant(i)gold posting, The Roots played last Saturday night at the convention center in Washington DC. Headlining the second night of Powershift, The Roots unfortunately delivered a less than memorable performance.
Although I will always love The Roots for being the hip hop pioneers that they are (what other hip hop act can boast a bopping tuba dude?), their appearance on Saturday night felt like a mere formality. I don't think Black Thought uttered a single word to the crowd (5000+!!), and though some might prefer that, I for one, did not. I want to know that tonights performance is unique, whether that be because you're feeling it or not, can I at least get a "Washington DC!"
They also played no encores. Not a one. Zip, zero, zilch. Boo. Anyways, why was Black Thought wearing a Yankees hat? It makes absolutely no sense for a hip hop act from Philly (of all places! They won the World Series last year!) to wear Yankees gear. None. Ugh. More zeroes.
Whatever, to their credit, they played (as they always do) with a live band, with ?uestlove on the drums and another very talented percussionist backing him up, their performance definitely kicked in the bass category. Being that I think this was my first time seeing the group perform (is that even possible?!?) I would like to see them again, but if only to prove to myself they can do better.
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London Souls opened for The Roots, since I know nothing about this group, I will give you only pictures... except to say they were definitely channeling the Jimi Hendrix Experience up there.
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Previously in Live DC:
- 2/13: LiveDC: George Clinton & The Parliament-Funkadelic @ 930 Club
- 2/13: LiveDC: Veronica Falls/ Brilliant Colors @ Black Cat
- 2/13: LIVE DC: Steve Aoki/ Datsik/ Alvin Risk @ Fillmore
- 2/13: LiveDC: The Darkness @ 930 Club
- 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
God loves a cheerful giver.
thoughts on their new gig as the house band for Jimmy Fallon?
I own every Roots album out there but for me, a Yankees hat crosses the line. They might as well have declared themselves eunuchs signing that dotted line to play on Jimbo's show. What's next...former members of NWA doing kid movies???
I saw the Roots perform years ago and have seen footage of their concerts since and it seems like Thought wears a yankees cap regularly, as he did when I saw him. Surprised that they didn't do an encore though. Possibly because ?uestlove had a show at Bohemian Caverns. Which was amazing by the way.
did you have to pay $100 to get in?