Concert Reviews

“I’ve got something to tell you young kids… I was singing this long before Shrek, okay?!” With that admonition by self-appointed frontman Micky Dolenz, the remaining members of The Monkees – Micky, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork – launched into their Neil Diamond-written megahit from 1966, “I’m a Believer,” enthralling audience members both young and […]

(This review originally appeared at Reel Film News on April 5, 2013.) Back in 1994, when my family was on Christmas vacation, we managed to catch an airing of one of Green Day’s concerts on MTV (the entirety of which can be found here), where they were shown maniacally darting about the stage, writhing and […]

(This review originally appeared at Reel Film News on March 19, 2013.) In the music industry these days, it seems that there are two types of pop stars: the flash-in-the-pan types that don’t last more than one song, and then there are the timeless artists that have grown out of their niche with each successive […]

(This review originally appeared at Reel Film News on November 14, 2012.) Coldplay have spent the last year touring in support of their new album “Mylo Xyloto” to much critical and audience acclaim. Their live show, augmented by the use of illuminating wristbands (called Xylobands) given to the audience, redefined the relationship between band and […]

(This review was originally published on July 12, 2012 at Reel Film News.) Showmanship. Having it can make you the greatest entertainer, while the lack of it can make you the worst.  It’s what some people have naturally, while others need to rely on gimmickry and unnecessary antics to maintain their prominence in the spotlight.  […]