Eight showcases with Allen Stone, #afterthebreak…
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Allen Stone, Bad Rabbits, & Bonavox
At
The Mayan Theater
(09/25/14)
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Journal #8 is a bit of a flash forward. Stay with me as we move from from July 31st to Sept. 25th. I’ll hop back in my time machine and deal with the remaining 11 showcases soon. But first let me interrupt our regularly scheduled program to say a few words about Allen Stone. An artist who now holds an unprecedented record in this blog’s history. He hit the Mayan Theater in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles with Bad Rabbits and Bonavox a few weeks back; marking the 8th time I have covered an Allen Stone show. What can I say? Was brainwashed by Allen’s powerful Seattle soul back in 2011 and it has never weakened. Still as much as a fan now than I was then.
Coming off one of the best meals I ever had, I met up with my friend / former co-worker Karla and her beau Christian outside The Mayan at around 7:45. Karla is the main reason why Allen Stone is such a big part of music life. She began this addiction back in 2011 when she invited me to The Echo. That night, in the dark, Allen Stone blew my mind and I have continued to seek that feeling at every show since. Sadly, no show is like an Allen Stone show. You’re guaranteed chills, dancing interludes, some grinding, and beautiful music that was forged from the heart. It’s what I imagine it would be like seeing Stevie Wonder back in his heyday. Legendary every time. So, to share this monumental experience with K+C meant the world to me. After she left the company, wasn’t sure a night like was possible. Guess as long as Allen continues to tour through Los Angeles…anything is possible.
Bad Rabbits at The Mayan
Bonavox was halfway through their jamming set by the time we took our place by the bar railing. A great spot to experience everything the Mayan had to offer. We could see the whole pit from where we were. If the lighting held up, my guerrilla photos were going to come out fantastic. Made this photographer quite happy. Both Bonavox and Boston’s Bad Rabbits had great performances. Nothing too memorable that sticks out in my mind, sorry to say. Spent most of their sets catching up with K+C. Sharing stories and such. Bonavox got a huge pop from the Mayan and Bad Rabbits left the floor in a groove loop with their brand of tribal hip hop jazz. Bad Rabbits reminded me of a more romantic Gym Class Heroes. Will say they were probably the most suited artists to open for Allen Stone. Made the show feel complete.
Then came the funky Allen Stone. The powerful troubadour hailing from Seattle’s independent music scene. An artist whose legend continues to grow as he sells out venue after venue across the globe. Or (how I refer to him) the man who personifies Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music White Boy”. Yes…that white boy is Allen Stone. Wonder if Wild Cherry knows? Anyway, Allen charmed the Mayan with a mixture of his hits and every noteworthy cut from his upcoming junior effort entitled Radius. For example, he kicked off the show with newbies “Freezer Burn“, “Fake Future“, and then 2012’s “Say So”. Setting up the ratio of Radius over self-titled as 2:1 for the night. Peppering the hits over the new material made the show unpredictable. Allowing the crowd’s electricity to build throughout 1 hour and 30 minute set.
Allen Stone at The Mayan
The Radius standouts continue to be “Voodoo”, “Circle”, and “Love”. Showing he (and his growing harmonious band) still sings well about love. Yet, no song got a bigger pop than his popular “Unaware”. A song where his soprano destroys the scales with some of the highest notes a person can hear. This track used to end his shows, but now it bats cleanup roughly halfway through. It is still the essence of a Allen Stone show that’s why I like sharing it. You can join the sing-along below:
…doesn’t that say everything else? I have chills right now as write this. If that doesn’t persuade you, then check out two more classic performances from The Mayan. Here’s his Radius single — “Million” — and the show closer of 2012’s “Satisfaction”:
The only video that no one posted was his reimagined take on Goyte’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” during the encore. I missed it at February’s Echo showcase, so to experience it live…dancing like a fool, singing along…made this fan the happiest. Provided a link (above) to one such video if your curiosity is peaked by these words.
Allen Stone commanding The Mayan
Never imagined that I could still be this excited about an artist after seeing them 8-times. For the Allen Stone I once knew has evolved into one amazing performer, commanding the stage as well as the crowd, and needs to be experienced at least once live. This Mayan showcase was bigger, badder, and full of mad soul inching Allen closer to his predecessors.
Check out his October Radius tour dates to catch the fever. At the show you pick up an exclusive Radius preview EP that is only be sold at the live events. Each CD is pre-signed by Allen and makes a great collectors item.
Radius EP Exclusive at Live Shows
The real thing is coming real soon.
Big thanks to Karla, Christian, the team from Capitol Records, and especially Allen Stone for leaving me speechless after another fantastic show. Can’t wait for showcase #9…the photo stream below are our gifts to you!