Blog

RIVERFEST @ The Filmore Detroit – MAY 24/08When Justin Nozuka opened up a very packed Filmore Detroit at Riverfest with the first notes of Down in a Cold Dirty Well, it was hard to believe that the throaty and seasoned voice - which sounds FAR older than it is (but in a good way) - was coming from a 19 year old, but that's nothing that hasn't been said about Nozuka in the past. His album Holly (named after his mom...aww!) deals with some extremely heavy themes - all backed up by a firm wall of minimal, straight-up blues infected pop. His band was extremely tight and watching him perform - it would be easy to compare him and his sound and caliber to the likes of Jack Johnson, Ray LaMontagne and Damien Rice. Not a bad crowed to be compared to, for a 19 year old - however when you take a closer listen, both on his fabulously constructed debut album and live - it's obvious Nozuka possesses a certain...rawness that some of his contemporaries might lack. He didn't say much during his set - which lasted just over a half hour - but his delivery and the quality of his performance spoke for itself: It left the promise of fantastic things to come from this up and coming artist who has a nack for songs that invite you into darker territory, but miraculously, still manage to sound like a sunny day at the beach.Matt Nathanson nearly stole the entire show. He opened his energetic set with the beautiful Car Crash - and it was a non-stop tirade of wit and rock after that. The set was speckled with random "covers" - (an impromptu version of LaBamba which had the entire Filmore singing along) and a spot-on cover of a Journey song (I know, you would THINK that would be lame - but it wasn't - it was COOL as hell!) and I do recall a certain reference to a few "Postal Service" lines on his album - it's obvious when it comes to tipping his hat to the songs he loves, the guy just can't HELP himself! His song Princess was absolutely HILARIOUS - he prefaced it with a disclaimer: "Before you all start saying how much this next song sounds like Jesse's Girl...I know. It basically IS Jesse's Girl...it's the SEQUEL to Jesse's Girl...I just changed up the lyrics so Rick Springfield can't sue me." His set was also filled with hilarious banter and from the second he walked on stage - he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. "I want you all to sing along  " he said. "And if you see some guy, standing next to you - with an angry look on his face and not singing...I want you to hold him. Hold him tight." Too hilarious. Not an ounce of snob-rock in this guy, which is a good thing. Tons of audience participation - and for once - the audience actually seemed HAPPY to go along with it - and his jokes were sarcastic but playful. The audience really picked up on his flirtatious, bottomless bucket of energy. He kept giving and giving and giving - there was never a moment when he wasn't on. It's refreshing to see a musician who doesn't take himself too seriously but is still able to pick up a guitar and belt out some SERIOUSLY great sounds. It seemed Matt Nathanson had ONE goal that night at the Filmore during Riverfest: To make music and sounds that made EVERYONE happy...which sadly, is a rare thing these days. But - mission accomplished. If Matt Nathanson is playing a gig in town - don't hesitate - go see him. It's the kind of show where you don't HAVE to know any songs (although - I assure you - you will hear PLENTY of familiar material!) and you'll STILL have a phenomenal time. That whole "showmanship" thing you've heard tell about? He's DRIPPING with it!Mr. A-Z (yeah...Jason Mraz) hit the stage and the crowd pretty much exploded. Safe to say - he was a HIT. It's pretty cool to see the way Jason Mraz has grown as an artist and really developed his own fan base. I recall seeing him live five years ago - he was opening up for a very popified Liz Phair - and I can't say I was totally impressed with him back then. Something just struck me as bland...boring...typical.In retrospect - that MAY have just been the bad vibes from the new Liz Phair album leaking over and tainting my opinion of him. His 2002 album - Waiting for my Rocket to Come didn't exactly strike much of a chord in me either...something about it just fell flat and I all but forgot about him. Until this new record dropped - and luckily - the majority of his set at Riverfest focused on the songs that make up the AMAZINGLY catchy We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things.Maybe he was lacking stage presence back in 2003...maybe it was just an off-night - but the performer who took the stage at Riverfest was miles above and beyond the performer I saw half a decade back. His improvisation skills are through the roof which made for a lively and spontaneous set (and I noticed this EVEN after 5 beers - so this SAYS something!). Decked out in a t-shirt and fedora (seriously, what ELSE did you expect him to wear?), Mraz was equally chatty and charming and it was refreshing to see him so incredibly gracious and humbled by the enthusiastic crowd. It was also great to see how much more slick his band has become - relying on grooves, beats...dare I say..."funk" - that was just not evident, live or on record, with Mraz before. His lyrics still have a juvenile charm - which could be dismissed as either "silly" or "cute" - but with his easy-going, laid back vibes - it really doesn't matter...the guy can put on a show - and he gave a lengthy, stellar set at  Riverfest, and everyone ate it up and screamed for more.All in all - Riverfest ROCKED. This show wasn't about being a snotty rock star...it wasn't about ego or "indie rock cred"...it was simply - "About the music".