CONCERT REVIEWS
Luciano
La Onde, April 9, 2001
Luciano and crew blew through town Monday night and played a wicked set to a packed house at La Onde.
First off, the promoter told us it would be an early show (8:30 p.m.), so we stressed that on the air the past few weeks (me and Michael Kuelker). I did a major push on my radio show Saturday night, pumping it up heavy. But in the back of my mind I figured it might not happen - her shows usually start around 10 or 11 ... but I trusted her as it was a Monday night.
Anyway, Monday comes and it's a gorgeous day. Went down and saw the Cardinals win (!) then went to the show. 8 p.m. and people were starting to come in. Nice crowd by 8:30 and it looked like it would start as the music stopped. Then it was silent for almost 30 minutes, but incredibly the Firehouse Crew took the stage at 9 p.m. Played a couple of songs with Dean Fraser blowing some wicked sax. Then Mikey General played for about 30 minutes. Not familiar with his music but he was good. Had some excellent tunes.
Hate to say, but La Onde is a terrible venue for a concert. Old and beat up (no big deal) but the sightlines are terrible and the sound I thought was really shitty. Still a good time, but could've been a lot better.
Jr. Kelly then stepped right up and started off with "Rise," and from there he rocked for around 30 minutes also. Played "Sunshine" and mixed in Marley's "3 O'clock Road block" inside "Boom Draw." Finished off with "Love So Nice." He was cool and the crowd was very receptive. But again, the sound left a lot to be desired...
Throughout the show Babylon was walking all around kicking people out for ganja smoking. The MC got on stage and told people to stop or the show would end. So then Luciano took the stage. Was in great form as he wore that infectious smile and sang his heart out for about an hour and a half. The most incredible point to me was during the show the promoter came out and pleaded for people to cease the spliff, or the show was going to end. Luciano then got on the mike and talked up the ganja. I'm thinking the whole time, OK there's NO WAY he's gonna light one up like he's been doing in other cities. There's police in the place, there's just no way. All of a sudden he lights up this incredible spliff and smokes the whole thing! It was hilarious! He went into "Legalize It" and the place went crazy. I was dying...
The show went 2 1/2 hours straight and ended at 11:30, so it was cool. The promoter saved face and I didn't look like a complete idiot for pumping up the show as an early one!
Definitely check this package out if they come to your area.
Talked to everyone after the show as they patiently signed autographs for anybody who was in line. As usual. Luciano was extremely gracious. Instead of just a quick signature he would write like 3 or 4 lines to EVERYONE! He's a cool guy. Told him I couldn't believe he lit the spliff on stage and he just laughed...
That's about it. Skank on everybody.
keep skankin...
Prof
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