Back 2 Back Nights. Two Venues. One…Allen Stone, #afterthebreak…
Allen Stone
“Heard @ Andaz” & “Live @ The Troubadour”
[03/23 and 03/24]
(All Pictures & Video Shot by Canon Powershot S100)
(re-edited: 11/11/2023)
==Backstory==
(apologies for all grammar / spelling mistakes, typing super fast)
Remember when we saw Allen Stone back at the Echo in December? Well, seeing how I caught half of the show, my friends promised that when he returned to Los Angeles we would go see him again. A few months past. His second self-titled album became a personal favorite of mine. Then March fell onto us and we were set to see Allen Stone perform live at my favorite Hollywood venue — The Troubadour. Like to think of it as our ‘Home Court’, seeing how we have visited The Troubadour eight times within our terrible 2s. We know the place. It’s secrets. Most importantly, how to bring you a electrifying showcase of pictures & sound. [This one takes the cake btw!]
Thus, my Saturday was ready. Was stoked to get to experience the soul man Mr. Stone one more time. Minded my own business throughout the week. Then, while playing on twitter during my lunch on Thursday, saw a tweet. It invited everyone to an exclusive special acoustic performance by Allen, atop of the glamorous Andaz Hotel in the heart of Hollywood. Quickly RSVP and sent it to my twitter click. Personally, I love small showcases and knew this was going to be one of those “shouldn’t be missed” type of events. And it was…
Allen Stone – “Heard @ Andaz”
[03/23/2012]
Left the Arclight and got to Andaz shortly past 7:30. Check in, chilled, and waited to my friends arrived. Very nice hotel. If I ever get that ‘Lambo’ I dream of or if they host another event, I’ll be sure to return. Everything was very organized and comfy. We stepped out of the elevator, and joined the celebration atop on the roof of the hotel over looking all of Hollywood. For it being a beautiful night, made the setting that much better. We had two bars to choose from as my friends and I sat on the back end of the stage. That is where I remained for most of the event. Did go up front to take some quick pictures. You can see them below!
After an hour or so, Allen Stone started the showcase performing a slow cover of Seal‘s “Kiss From a Rose“. Then transitioned into his beautifully arranged acoustic versions of “Celebrate Tonight“, “Unaware“, etc. Just as he finished Unaware, officially closing the set, the rowdy crowd screamed out a request for his classic “Vibe With Ya“. It was very nice of him to oblige, seeing how I hadn’t heard that song before. Caught it on camera (see below). The track blew me away. Repeated it all day Saturday. It is really sexy song, and couldn’t help but stare at this unknown beautiful girl’s behind as she ‘vibed’ side to side next to me. Didn’t even see her face, just the hips.
We met up with Allen‘s team and chatted them up a bit after the set. Around us, the camera team was trying to troubleshoot. Turns out, something happened during “Kiss From a Rose” where the cameras weren’t recording and so they had to record it again. Call us lucky, because we were right in front of the stage when this all went down. Funny how things work out. Got some amazing shots from that position. The cover still rocked.
Amazing warm-up for the Troubadour. We ended the night chatting to Allen himself, and he is one cool cat man. Don’t believe me? Check this out. He paid a visit to an unlucky fan in his Andaz hotel room who couldn’t make the show because of passport issues. Who does that?? So cool. Not to be topped, my two friends — who are long time fans — got a picture to punctuate this amazing impromptu Hollywood Night. Check out the media below, might make you feel like you were there.
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Allen Stone – “Live @ The Troubadour”
Special Guest: ZZ Ward
[03/24/12]
Home court baby!
Walking into my favorite venue with an experienced “Ultimate Weapon” was an exciting one. Knew I was going to get some great shots seeing how an Allen Stone show is a mixture of minding blowing rock ‘n’ roll, soul,sexiness, powerful, blues, electricity, jams, loud cheering,hooting / howling, fresh dancing, and so much more. It’s a gumbo of sheer pure unfiltered brilliance. Got a taste of it at that December Echo show but being at the Troubadourwas like standing at a buffet line and saying, “give me more“! Like a shark with blood on it’s teeth, the sheer adrenaline was almost tangible as it pricked at my fingers. Very strange feeling. You’d think after two years of this, I would be bored of it…however, that is far from the case.
My friends and I watched ZZ Ward rock the house from the VIP lounge. If you look at the pictures below, everyone was glued to the stage as this new rock sensation brought her unique blend and style to the jam packed historic building. Seriously, she controlled the room. Wish I could tell you what she was playing. [Shows you how talented I am as a blogger, huh? lol] Whatever it was, it sure was epic! (I’m sure Picksystickswould know.) In any case, I am surprised that she was a middle carder seeing how she could probably sell out theTroubadour on her own. Sure was better than some of the acts I have seen there.
We headed down to my favorite spot on the floor and prepared ourselves for another night of epicness. The crowd was rowdy, few “Allen” chats flew and echoed off the wooden walls in prep. If I thought the Andaz crew was hardcore, these Troubadour folks matched their intensity blow for blow. Even when the band came down to tune their instruments, they just seemed to get louder. It was freakin’ sweet. The lights got lower, and it was game time!
Washington State bred Allen Stone rolled out of the darkness and into “What I’ve Seen“. My friends had a feeling it was going to be “Satisfaction“, but that ended the main set. As expected, Allen dominated the stage and the more high notes he hit with sheer “Adele” excellence and the more us beasts in the pit started to ‘vibe’. As he transitioned from “What I’ve Seen” to “Sleep“, there was no stop to the beat…everything just blended together. That remained for almost 5 songs till he got to the meaningful slow jams and his haunting cover of Sx & Candy — which stole the whole night. My friends said they had chills throughout it. If you are listening to it now, can you feel it too? [Sheer talent.] Kind of want to rip the audio, so I can listen to it in the car on the way home. Los Angeles would be even more haunting with it playing in the background.
My favorite moment was his performance of “Contact High“ and the little brief southern style explanatory preach by ‘Pastor Stone‘. He wrote the song about our generations love for social media and how a “contact high” is way better than anything you can find on the internet. Totally agree. Now I can’t stop listening to it! The whole reminds me of Stevie Wonder’s classics. If I had another moment was the finale of “Unaware“, it was so spectacular. Good thing, I caught it on camera.
He didn’t stray from the tracks from his current self-titled record…I didn’t mind. It’s the album I know every word to, thus made me be able to sing-a-long…minus all his incredible high notes. They just hurt my voice. Allen‘s powerful gospel trained voice is like a knife with it’s pitch perfect precision. It’s the type of sound that sends chills up and down the spine. You’ll say, “God damn” many times over.
Picture wise, everything came out better than I hoped. Surprisingly, the pictures were worst from afar than close on. That usually never happens. Did play with the colors, but not as much as the last show. Still blown away by the aerial ZZ Ward ones. The Troubadour never looked so good! This camera has made me a believer of the possibilities of amazing guerrilla non-flash concert photography.
The songs are still in my veins as I write this, and like always, it will take roughly three days to get off the Allen Stone. I’m okay with it. If I have to leave you with anything, go see Allen Stone live. He’ll put on a show and make you a believer of true blue and pure non-commercial music once again.
Thanks for reading (i’ll be spending the next three hours revising this) and enjoy the rest of our highlights from theTroubadour!!
==Picture Selects==
