Vonecker
BenjaminBooker and Olivia Jean Live @ the Magic Stick
Recently I was blessed by the music gods with winning tickets from MCB to attend a concert last minute at the Magic Stick downtown featuring Olivia Jean, and Benjamin Booker. For those out of the loop, our beloved Magic Stick is being turned into a genre specific electronic music venue. So I am compelled to attend as many shows as possible at this historic downtown music hot spot. This is the place where many have seen their first show, or their favorite band for the first time. Its where I first discovered the Black Keys for $15 in front of a crowd of 50 people. The energy which surrounds the venue is awesome, and the high quality indie acts are practically next to nothing to see. So I couldn’t turn down another chance to celebrate the wonder that is the Magic Stick, before it morphs into its next life of techno.
I arrived at the door an hour early, and the whole place was packed. Winning the tickets last moment from MCB, I had no idea of what I was in for. Rumors swirled around the waiting crowd about one of the musicians allegedly punching out a fan at a previous show, and the madness that followed. Truth or fiction who knows, but in music world all the best stories hold a thread of truth. The waiting area in the bar was packed with eager fans ready to rush the stairs and make their way to the closest spot they could in front of the stage.Gaging the chatter of the crowd, most seemed to be at the event for Olivia Jean, but their still we’re a lot of people charged as hell to see Benjamin Booker.
As soon as the lights went down and Olivia Jean hit the stage, she owned it. Bringing her Detroit charm and style back from Nashville. She became the obvious hometown favorite. Produced by Jack Whites Third Man Records, her music sounds to me like Amy Weinhouse and the White Stripes had an Electric baby. Her music filled the air with purple hues of attitude and a soulful finesse that danced between genre’s and stereotypes. I heard influences in garage rock, rockabilly, and Motown soul and would not be surprised if she ends up on the main stream touring circuit soon.
As far as Benjamin Booker and Co. I can only say that I am almost certain the man is possessed by some folk/blues madman of yesteryear. As soon as he hit the stage he was at a level 12. I was trying my best to sketch the guys on stage but was unable to properly capture the essence of his moment.Benjamin has pure soul, and the energy he delivered on stage really leaves you feeling he’s giving it his all up there. He attacked the microphone with such intensity, it was like a man professing his love to a woman who no longer wanted his attention; only to watch him win her and become putty in his hands.
Unfortunately none of the bands lived up to the wild hype and legends which permeated the waiting masses before the show .No punches were thrown,no chairs tossed into the spotlights by some acid faced teenager. Just straight soul filled music, at a venue packed to the gills with people to see their new favorite band. It makes me sad to think of the Magic Stick as anything but a safe haven for our hometown rockers, and new bands cutting their teeth on the touring circuit. However at least it will remain a house of music, but to me the Magic Stick will always be that place to go and discover that next big act before they sell out, fad away, or tickets to their shows become as much as my car payment.
BenjaminBooker and Olivia Jean Live @ the Magic Stick
Recently I was blessed by the music gods with winning tickets from MCB to attend a concert last minute at the Magic Stick downtown featuring Olivia Jean, and Benjamin Booker. For those out of the loop, our beloved Magic Stick is being turned into a genre specific electronic music venue. So I am compelled to attend as many shows as possible at this historic downtown music hot spot. This is the place where many have seen their first show, or their favorite band for the first time. Its where I first discovered the Black Keys for $15 in front of a crowd of 50 people. The energy which surrounds the venue is awesome, and the high quality indie acts are practically next to nothing to see. So I couldn’t turn down another chance to celebrate the wonder that is the Magic Stick, before it morphs into its next life of techno.
I arrived at the door an hour early, and the whole place was packed. Winning the tickets last moment from MCB, I had no idea of what I was in for. Rumors swirled around the waiting crowd about one of the musicians allegedly punching out a fan at a previous show, and the madness that followed. Truth or fiction who knows, but in music world all the best stories hold a thread of truth. The waiting area in the bar was packed with eager fans ready to rush the stairs and make their way to the closest spot they could in front of the stage.Gaging the chatter of the crowd, most seemed to be at the event for Olivia Jean, but their still we’re a lot of people charged as hell to see Benjamin Booker.
As soon as the lights went down and Olivia Jean hit the stage, she owned it. Bringing her Detroit charm and style back from Nashville. She became the obvious hometown favorite. Produced by Jack Whites Third Man Records, her music sounds to me like Amy Weinhouse and the White Stripes had an Electric baby. Her music filled the air with purple hues of attitude and a soulful finesse that danced between genre’s and stereotypes. I heard influences in garage rock, rockabilly, and Motown soul and would not be surprised if she ends up on the main stream touring circuit soon.
As far as Benjamin Booker and Co. I can only say that I am almost certain the man is possessed by some folk/blues madman of yesteryear. As soon as he hit the stage he was at a level 12. I was trying my best to sketch the guys on stage but was unable to properly capture the essence of his moment.Benjamin has pure soul, and the energy he delivered on stage really leaves you feeling he’s giving it his all up there. He attacked the microphone with such intensity, it was like a man professing his love to a woman who no longer wanted his attention; only to watch him win her and become putty in his hands.
Unfortunately none of the bands lived up to the wild hype and legends which permeated the waiting masses before the show .No punches were thrown,no chairs tossed into the spotlights by some acid faced teenager. Just straight soul filled music, at a venue packed to the gills with people to see their new favorite band. It makes me sad to think of the Magic Stick as anything but a safe haven for our hometown rockers, and new bands cutting their teeth on the touring circuit. However at least it will remain a house of music, but to me the Magic Stick will always be that place to go and discover that next big act before they sell out, fad away, or tickets to their shows become as much as my car payment.