The show opened with Saukrates. He was a hip-hop/rap/pop kind of singer. He had the moves and his songs were good, although I found the lyrics a bit cheesy at times. I gained all respect for him when he picked up an electric violin and starting playing “Kashmir†by Led Zeppelin. Although it was more of a Puff Daddy “Come With Me†jazzed up version. It rocked.
Next up was Kenna. I was actually out of the arena on a mission to find earplugs when he first came on. From outside I thought it was your typical alternative/punk/rock type band of white guys. Not cookie cutter or anything though. In fact, I found the music really unique and refreshing. Kristen made a comparison to the Voilent Femmes, or something she would have listened to in junior high. They did kind of have a retro sound. Oh, but apparently it’s not a band, it’s just Kenna. Oh, and Kenna is a black guy (totally unexpected, I’m not being facetious). His new CD is coming out in July, and I might have to snag me a copy.
Upon further investigation, I discovered he had a CD back in 2003. Also, according to his myspace page, his “journey to the forefront†is featured in a new book by Malcolm Gladwell called Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, who also wrote a national bestseller called The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference which I am currently reading. I might just have to check out Blink. Anyway, I digress.
Nelly Furtado, a.k.a. Nelly “No Band-Aidâ€, as not to confuse the C in cklahr.com, put on a great show. She played a good mix of new and old songs, as well as a cover of Gnarles Barkley’s “Crazy.†During the song “Forca†she came out wearing a Minnesota Wild jersey that was presented to her before the show, complete with FURTADO 07 on the back. The song was about fútbol so it was quite fitting (in a competitive sport way, I’m aware that the Wild play hockey). Very un-diva like for her to do.
Saukrates joined Nelly on stage to pick up on Timbaland’s vocals in “Promiscuous Girl†and “Give it to Me.†He also did some background vocals and dabbled a bit behind the percussions. Quite the multi-faceted character if you ask me. And not bad to look at either. I think I prefer Saukrates to Timbaland. Nothing against Timbaland, he’s very talented, but it’s not as if he’s entertaining to watch or anything. During one of Nelly’s costume changes, Saukrates and the backup vocalist sang “Sexy Back†which was really neat. I was rather bumbed that she didn’t sing “…On the Radio” because it’s my favorite song of hers. She played other songs from her first album that didn’t get radio time, so quite frankly I was baffled.
It was Kristen’s first concert that included backup dancers, so it was quite a treat for her. And almost as entertaining as the show was watching some of the guys in the audience dancing. I tell you, there sure is a lot of talent here in the Twin Cities!!