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Smif-n-Wessun (May 15)
*** Note: If you use these photos, credit @KBevPhoto. If you were on stage and want the full set of photos (n=300), email keith@kbevphoto.com for a link.
It had been a while since I had been to a live show, and I was hoping that Smif-N-Wessun would be a great return to live concert photos. No doubt, they delivered a fun show.
Broadway opened the show and was nice with the beats and flow on the mic. It was even better to see him keep us "well fed" with great hip-hop before and in-between sets that night. Heavy doses of Wu-tang, Nas, and other GOATs kept it live. He was a strong DJ for the night and had people seriously hyped between sets. Every show has an artist that surprises you and makes you glad you came out. It was Broadway for me on this night.
MC Sees made the trip out from CT and was great on stage. Despite a heavy "don't judge" intro, Sees was a white MC that held his own on stage and didn't need the caveats in my mind. To his credit, he started by establishing his skills with a dope acapella verse that basically said, "I know what I'm doing, let's get on with this..." The rest of his set was good. My only hesitation was that I grew up on tri-state boom bap. His music was more new school and noisier than it needed to be. He's got skills on the mic, and a simpler beat would have showcased that strength. He was gracious to the crowd and didn't roll with a posse - that's a big deal to me. Do it for the crowd. You're there for them. Not the other way around! Well done, Sees.
As a special treat, the set featured a DJ battle between DJ Toltech and DJ Ambideckstriks from Chicago's CTA (Chicago Turntablist Authority) . Like most REAL hip-hop battles, this one had plenty of skills, disses, and creativity. It also ended with mutual love and respect from both competitors. The tag-team mix of Elmo's song was memorable. Hopefully, someone has the full segment on YouTube. Props to both DJs. They will be competing against one another in the US DMC Finals later this year in NYC, but at the Shrine they wanted to see who was really the best turntablist in Chicago.... #Respect
The headliners, Smif-n-Wessun were a good show. I have to admit, as their slot came up, more and more people stared going backstage. They had more people on stage during the set than an MC Hammer show! It was all good though. They weren’t distracting from the show and were fine. Sometimes the posse thinks they’re the reason people are at the show 8-) Anyway, Tek and Steel were really fun to watch. The venue allowed the crowd to be up close and they gave pounds, shared hugs, and even took photos during the show with fans. Watching veteran MC’s show love for the crowd is really awesome to see. Younger MC’s can learn from how the veterans handle themselves. Despite how close the crowd was, Tek felt like he needed to be closer. The performed up high on both sides of the stage (on the railings etc) and even did a song form the middle of the crowd. Props. I’d certainly go see these guys again on stage. They were true entertainers.
The only issue on the night was the lax “no smoking policy” at the venue. While some people need a blunt to enjoy a show, some of us don’t – and don’t appreciate a smoky venue. Eventually, the two worst offenders were told to stop, but that was a solid 90 mins into the music. That’s usually not an issue at this venue, so hopefully, it’s not an issue going forwards.
Read MoreIt had been a while since I had been to a live show, and I was hoping that Smif-N-Wessun would be a great return to live concert photos. No doubt, they delivered a fun show.
Broadway opened the show and was nice with the beats and flow on the mic. It was even better to see him keep us "well fed" with great hip-hop before and in-between sets that night. Heavy doses of Wu-tang, Nas, and other GOATs kept it live. He was a strong DJ for the night and had people seriously hyped between sets. Every show has an artist that surprises you and makes you glad you came out. It was Broadway for me on this night.
MC Sees made the trip out from CT and was great on stage. Despite a heavy "don't judge" intro, Sees was a white MC that held his own on stage and didn't need the caveats in my mind. To his credit, he started by establishing his skills with a dope acapella verse that basically said, "I know what I'm doing, let's get on with this..." The rest of his set was good. My only hesitation was that I grew up on tri-state boom bap. His music was more new school and noisier than it needed to be. He's got skills on the mic, and a simpler beat would have showcased that strength. He was gracious to the crowd and didn't roll with a posse - that's a big deal to me. Do it for the crowd. You're there for them. Not the other way around! Well done, Sees.
As a special treat, the set featured a DJ battle between DJ Toltech and DJ Ambideckstriks from Chicago's CTA (Chicago Turntablist Authority) . Like most REAL hip-hop battles, this one had plenty of skills, disses, and creativity. It also ended with mutual love and respect from both competitors. The tag-team mix of Elmo's song was memorable. Hopefully, someone has the full segment on YouTube. Props to both DJs. They will be competing against one another in the US DMC Finals later this year in NYC, but at the Shrine they wanted to see who was really the best turntablist in Chicago.... #Respect
The headliners, Smif-n-Wessun were a good show. I have to admit, as their slot came up, more and more people stared going backstage. They had more people on stage during the set than an MC Hammer show! It was all good though. They weren’t distracting from the show and were fine. Sometimes the posse thinks they’re the reason people are at the show 8-) Anyway, Tek and Steel were really fun to watch. The venue allowed the crowd to be up close and they gave pounds, shared hugs, and even took photos during the show with fans. Watching veteran MC’s show love for the crowd is really awesome to see. Younger MC’s can learn from how the veterans handle themselves. Despite how close the crowd was, Tek felt like he needed to be closer. The performed up high on both sides of the stage (on the railings etc) and even did a song form the middle of the crowd. Props. I’d certainly go see these guys again on stage. They were true entertainers.
The only issue on the night was the lax “no smoking policy” at the venue. While some people need a blunt to enjoy a show, some of us don’t – and don’t appreciate a smoky venue. Eventually, the two worst offenders were told to stop, but that was a solid 90 mins into the music. That’s usually not an issue at this venue, so hopefully, it’s not an issue going forwards.
