TV On The Radio And Grizzly Bear Rock The Hollywood Bowl

It had been a while since I'd been able to collaborate with my brother, Paul, on a show project, so when we heard that TV On The Radio and Grizzly Bear were teaming up for a show at the Hollywood Bowl AND Paul was free ... we were there. I've been to a lot of great shows at the Bowl this summer, but none of them really fell into the "Rock" category - and that's what we were in the mood for.

A beautiful Harvest Moon was rising as we took our seats in the Bowl, but the opening act was not rock. It was more like a little bit more upbeat spa music, with modern dancers interpreting it. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith handled the synthesizer, while three dancers jumped around acting it out. It was o.k., but the Bowl was still pretty empty at this point, and most were pretty well focused on their picnics at this point (ours was courtesy of Bay Cities, and was delicious, thank you). I like listening to anything at the Bowl, so I was fully entertained, if a bit head scratching.

KCRW's Anne Litt took the stage to welcome everyone to the last "World Festival" show of the season, and got cheers just for being Anne Litt - deserved. KCRW is a great curator of shows, and this one was no different. I had read an article in the L.A. Times earlier in the week where both TV On The Radio and Grizzly Bear hinted at this being their last L.A. show - kind of going out with a bang at the big landmark venue that the Bowl is. They both sounded kind of over it and crabby (it was even entitled "Navigating Grumpy Old Manhood" - so we didn't really know what to expect for this show, but we were happy we'd see them before they hung it up. If they do.

TV On The Radio was up first, and they were "Very pleased to be with you here tonight!" Tunde Adebimpe said, "We're gonna blow it that way, and we hope you'll blow it back this way!" It was  very atmospheric to begin with, and then they kicked into "Young Liars" and we got that rock we'd been needing. Adebimpe was dancing all stiff-legged in his style, and soon the whole place was - especially the dude right in front of us - FEELING it.

"Lazerray" went off, as did "Golden Age" and "Province" (that features David Bowie on its recorded version). Horns chimed in on this one, and man, the brass always elevates things, don't they? Love it. The Bowl's bandshell was all psychedelic projections during their set, and that also elevated things, as there was always something fun to look at. Little kids were dancing in the aisles during "Happy Idiot", clearly brought out on a school night by parents that dug these guys 20 years ago.

"Could You", "Winter", ("This is a song about the climate heating up, and affecting people ... but that's not happening") and "Red Dress" were all awesome (with Kyp Malone and his beard alternating lead vocals with Adebimpe), and "Shout Me Out" had them all shading their eyes and looking into the audience for their friends at this hometown show (as they've all since moved to L.A. from Brooklyn). "Trouble" is the song I feel like the whole country needs to listen to right now, as Adebimpe sings, "Don't worry, be happy ... everything's gonna be o.k." ... and for a moment at the Hollywood Bowl - it was.

"Is it the full moon? Can you feel it?!" asked Adebimpe, and we sure did. It was beautiful out, and we felt the good vibes absolutely. "Repetition" was amped all the way up, super high energy for a song "Loosely about an amoeba ... that climbed out of the ocean ... became human ... got thumbs ... and the thumbs are now on a phone ... but you can vote with your thumb! Thumbs UP to the People!" Well, the dancers gave thumbs up to that, and the energy was so full throttle you thought it couldn't get any more hyped, but then they did "Wolf Like Me" and it was bedlam - at least in the box right in front of me. Thumbs up to THAT dude, 'cause he didn't let up for a second. Their last one was their first one, the debut single "Staring At The Sun" ... and it got TV On The Radio a standing ovation, for what we very much hope won't be their last time. They were AWESOME.

Intermission. Picnic. Wine. Chat with box neighbors. Compare notes on shows you've been to. Ignore the guy that said he'd seen them before and they were way better (there's always one of those guys). Look up at the moon. Lights go down - time for Grizzly Bear!

Grizzly Bear took the stage with no introduction, and started things off with the trippy sounds of "Aquarian". "Losing All Sense" was next, and singer Ed Droste (in his "With Pleasure" tee) commented that all three girls from its video were in the house. Fresh. "Cut Out" and "Yet Again" were both "Fine For Now" (then), but their energy just didn't match that of Tv On The Radio's set. Not even close (though the guy in front of me was just as active - it may have been substance-fueled though). It didn't help that their backdrop looked like an asbestos spiderweb, and they didn't utilize ANY lights or projections on the bandshell, so it just looked boring ... and kind of rubbed off on the sound, if I'm honest. It didn't feel special. It didn't feel like one's last show - if it was indeed that. (Grizzly Bear has more shows scheduled, but they're as openers for Florence & The Machine, not headlining their own Bowl show). Maybe it IS time for them to hang it up, if their boredom with it all is this relatable? The little kids were now dozing, and their parents seemed close.

"It's such an honor to play here, let alone with these guys", said Droste in a shout out to their openers. "Ready, Able" - "Mourning Sound" - "Sleeping Ute" - "Two Weeks" - "Foreground" - "While You Wait For Others" (for contrast, TVOTR got Bowie to do backing vocals ... Grizzly Bear had Michael McDonald on this one ... and their sets felt that different) ... one was hard to distinguish from the next.

They did "Knife" and the really good "Three Rings", and then Droste said, "The clock is ticking, so we can't have much banter, but thank you to the crew!" ... and rather than talk, they did another song, and "On A Neck, On A Spit" was probably the high point, with the bass player doing a quick change from bass to sax that was impressive.

"There's no encore, but we feel so lucky to live here! Thank you and good night!" and the house lights came up and that was that ... and we all ambled down the hill humming TV On The Radio tunes. No matter what you see at the Bowl, it's always a great time, and this gig was no different ... just less WOW than it usually is, musically. The venue and the stars (and that moon!) are always wow though, and as another season of wonderful Hollywood Bowl shows comes to a close, we can count our lucky stars that Los Angeles gets to have this special place to share these moments of togetherness and music. We love you, Hollywood Bowl!


Photos by Paul Gronner.

Reggae Night XV At The Hollywood Bowl - Burning Spear's Last California Show

We just celebrated Reggae Night XV at The Hollywood Bowl, and I'm happy to report that I have perfect attendance to this beautiful Los Angeles Summer tradition. I LOVE it. Everyone coming together, feeling Irie ... it's a perfect night every time.

The weather was a delight, and all the Bowl patrons streaming in with their picnic baskets were FEELING it. Almost every person there had something on in red, green, and gold as it seemed that everyone in attendance was an honorary Rastafarian for the evening. This show really is all about One Love, as people laugh and share and generally have the best time ever. We had a box this time, and I was happy to see that even the folks in the good seats were getting down this time - which may have been helped along by the gigantic Red Stripes the waiters were delivering. My favorite.

The show opened with a lively set by Etana, a gorgeous Jamaican woman with a great voice and excellent band. She came out in a bright red dress, and had the crowd moving along with her in no time flat. They did a song called "Reggae" and Etana educated us that in reggae, "the bass line goes with the waist line," and showed us how to move our hips for the Rude Boys in the Dancehall. We got it.

This was my first time seeing Etana, but even when you don't know a reggae band's own music, they always come up with some classics that get the crowd in there with them, and "No, No, No" did that trick for them. Babies were dancing in the aisles, game old people were being helped up the stairs to rock in their seats, and everyone in between was up and dancing. People watching at Reggae Night is spectacular, and one could have a good time with that alone, but it is always so much more. "Do not walk with fear ... with all that's going on in the world, find the strength to sing, NO, I'm not afraid!", urged Etana, as they lit into their song, "I'm Not Afraid". We all sang along to the chorus, and I think we all really needed to say, feel, and do that - together last night, but really, all the time. Thank you for that, Etana. Truly.

More good people watching during the break, and yes, there were several in the house wearing those knitted tams with yarn dreadlocks attached, in case you were wondering. When else would you wear it?! Chatting and snacking resumed until it was time for Kymani Marley to take the state. This was also my first time seeing this Marley, and he did not disappoint. In fact, he might be the one that sounds the most like Bob. A HELLA lot like Bob, which is trippy considering he was only 5 when his father passed away. Marley kicked things off with his dad's "Concrete Jungle", again getting the crowd on his side right away with one they knew.

After that, the answer to his question, "Are you feeling Irie?!" was an "Absolutely!" Marley introduced a new one of his, "Love Over All" and implored us all to really do that. That we NEED to put Love over all, and really, truly love your neighbor. Once again, I think this night was exactly what we needed, with how scary and negative the world seems to be these days (if you're watching mainstream media, which I try to avoid). It was beautiful. Marley then switched up the set list a bit and threw out another new one called, "Hey", that was all slow and cool and lit up blue. Kymani is clearly an excellent songwriter in his own right. It was lit up again next when Marley brought out his friend, Sammy Wilk, to share verses on one called "Light Up" - which is exactly what just about the whole Bowl seemed to do at that moment. A cloud of smoke enveloped the stage, and every little ting was alright.

There seemed to be a time crunch, so Marley followed that up with the one-two slam-bang finish of back to back "Is This Love" on into "Redemption Song", that, of course, everyone sang along with at the top of their lungs. Marley shouted, "Thank you so much for a beautiful moment for me, in one of my favorite places to be! Rastafari!!" And with that, he left the stage to thunderous applause and ear-splitting whistles (me).

The sun had now set over the gorgeous Bowl audience, and the bandshell was lit up in majestic hues in preparation for the legend, Burning Spear. His band came on and played a little medley of instrumentals, then Burning Spear walked slowly on stage to a standing ovation. Spear is in his 70's, but looks as hip as any dancehall rude boy could. Ripped jeans, rasta military vest, long grey dreads, rasta colored microphone ... Burning Spear is straight up cool. "TALK to me, People!" he would repeatedly urge, and got rewarded every time with massive crowd response.

Spear tore through a lively set, high-stepping and banging on his bongos like a man a third of his age. Each bongo solo was met with a roar from the crowd, and each dance move was applauded like it was his last - because, in fact, it was the very last performance for Burning Spear in California.

I guess the travel is getting to be too much for him, so he made the decision to wrap up touring here. This gave the evening a special patina, knowing that it would not happen again here in this beautiful place. "Jan No Dead" is always one of my favorites, and when Spear sang it, it was reassuring. From his wise eyes that you can tell have seen it all, to his very strong voice, he did a great job of convincing us that all is not lost.

"Do you want some more ORIGINAL reggae music?!" Yes, Sir. We did! Spear kept stressing original, not only the truth that he's an elder statesman of the genre, but telling us all to STAY Original. This was well-timed, as I'd just been having the conversation about how I can't stand slang when it catches on, and if I hear one more person say "Squad goals/That _______ Tho/I can't/ or any of that drivel ... UGH. So, please ... heed Burning Spear, and STAY ORIGINAL! Please forgive the digression - I had to.

"From 1969, the Spear has been burning until this time!" That was almost drowned out by the applause, and you could tangibly feel the respect in the air. After lively versions of "Tumble Down" and "Red, Green, and Gold", Spear walked slowly off the stage, and the place went crazy screaming for more. That went on for a few minutes, then Spear and the band returned, saying, "SHOUT it if you want to hear more ORIGINAL reggae music!" Which we absolutely did, and shouted for. I was not prepared for him to start singing, "Purple Rain", and tears instantly sprang to my eyes. It was a slow, melancholy version, and knowing that it would be Spear's last time here made it all the more emotional (plus it was my first live Prince cover since he passed away). It was beautiful as we all sang along, and Spear said that one thing he admired so much about Prince was that he always stood up for what he believed in, with confidence.

"In my own way, I salute Prince," said Spear as he began his best song, "Slavery Days". It was heavy truth, delivered by a master at the twilight of his career, making us all know and appreciate that what we were seeing and hearing was something special indeed. "Holy Foundation" was likewise heavy, and as Spear stretched out his hands to the audience, it looked like he might cry. I know I did.

"It's my last performance in California ... I know you will always remember Burning Spear, and keep his music alive!" And that was that. Burning Spear left the stage, but with the outpouring of love and admiration that followed, he may rest assured that he will never be forgotten.

What a beautiful time Reggae Night was once again. I'm so grateful to the Hollywood Bowl and everyone involved for the gift that they give to us in Los Angeles each Summer with this wonderful program. Hope to see you at Reggae Night XVI! One Love!

*All photos by Paul Gronner Photography