Upcoming Show: Future @ Concord Music Hall 5/25/2014 - Presented by React Presents

So, this past December I was invited to the Chicago leg of Drake's Would You Like a Tour tour (hey, if 2 Chainz can get paid to rhyme foreign with foreign, then I can say tour back-to-back for free...sue me), which, along with Drizzy, featured PARTYNEXTDOOR, Miguel, and Future. Due to my work schedule, I was only able to catch both Miguel's and Drake's sets.

I had no regrets about missing Future's set until he joined Drake on stage and injected some unadulterated energy into Aubrey Graham's show. The rapper/R&B singer from Atlanta definitely brought it. I told myself that I would check him out if he ever came back to Chicago anytime in the near future.

Well low and behold, the fine folks at React Presents have persuaded Future a.k.a. Mr. Freebandz a.k.a. Future Hendrix a.k.a. Ciara's fiance to make his way to the Concord Music Hall on May 25th and hit his fans with some new music off of his recently released sophomore album, Honest.

Future will be accompanied by another rapper/singer, Rico Love, and fellow ATLien Que, who is riding a strong wave of popularity from his current hit OG Bobby Johnson. This show should provide its audience with a good mixture of sounds from the urban music spectrum, and with as many people as Future has collaborated with, there could even be a few surprise appearances in store.

I'm just looking forward to hearing my guilty pleasure song of the moment, Move That Dope. For tickets, click here and pick your package. Until May 25th, enjoy some Dope. You're welcome.

Tycho & GEMS @ Concord Music Hall 4/10/2014

I was a trance virgin until last Thursday, when I popped my trance cherry at the Concord Music Hall by going to see Tycho presented by React Presents. The doors opened at 8 PM, and there was a line for ticket holders that was long, but the line moved quick. When I entered the hall, blue and green lights danced across the main floor as I made my way to the balcony. Lucky for me, there was also a bar hiding in the balcony. Drink in hand, I found a suitable observation spot as the opening act, GEMS, took the stage.

GEMS is a shadow-pop duo based out of Washington D.C. I wonder if they have had a chance to take a selfie with POTUS yet? Any-who. Clifford Usher and Lindsay Pitts harmonize together over guitar, synthesizers, and thick bass. The whole stage was flooded with purple lights, and when the bass kicked in the strobe lights would flash, putting the whole room in a trance. The crowd pulsed with music and roared after each song. So much energy. It was an excellent show and I plan on seeing them again whenever they come back this way.

Tycho is the musical pseudonym of Scott Hansen, an ambient music producer out of Sacramento (Sac Town for the cool kids). Tycho is backed by a drummer, a guitarist, and a bassist. No vocals, purely instrumental. Like I said before, I am fairly new to the trance genre, so the experience was just different for me. In contrast to the high-energy GEMS, Tycho played mellow, soothing tones. I enjoyed the live drums played alongside the echoing melodies. The crowd swayed as lights pulsed slowly in yellow and orange to accentuate the flowing music. Tycho's set massaged the crowds mentals for the remainder of the evening.

All in all, for my first live trance experience, it was very enjoyable. Through both acts, I was able to see both ends of the trance spectrum. GEMS was there to get that last lap of energy out of you right before Tycho came in to tuck you in, a perfect combination. See you next time.