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Okay... Being that I not only write the Charlotte Live Limelight article, I also do Musical Conversations on Plaza Midwood Community Radio ( pmcradio.org - Saturdays at 2pm ). I’ve had the opportunity to not just see bands perform, I also interview them as well. That’s what Musical Conversations is about. Recently, I saw a band perform an acoustic set, then on two other occasions I saw them play (and plugged in), then got to sit down with the front man and talk music, influences and everything else, at length and in detail. Jake Haldenwang of his band, Halden Vang, sat in and we talked. Musical Conversations allows for the extended conversation style interview that I’ve not heard anyone else be able to do. This will air on April 18th on PMCR. by Stan Cocheo The acoustic performance was at Iron Thunder Saloon, near Concord Mills Mall. I’ve always felt that when you take your music and turn it around, retell it on acoustic instruments, that you’ve got not only a good grasp of your music, you’re also expressing your creativity and ability as a musician. When Halden Vang performed an acoustic set and still had the place enrapt by ...
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This is a work in progress. It is acknowledged that there are places missing. This is all my opinion, not the rhetoric of the places listed. ~STAN B. NC Music Factory Large audience music venues like the Charlotte Fillmore and the Uptown Amphitheater. Also a lot of smaller bars and taverns, some of which have live music occasionally. C. NoDa (North Davidson) Chop Shop: An old converted warehouse that has two stage rooms with full soundboard & lighting. Larger rectangular room with the bar has the big stage, yet the other room has the taller stage. Well designed sound & lighting. My experience is that it’s great for multiple band shows to fully take advantage of the two stages. Evening Muse: Small place that has some of the best sound in Charlotte. I’ve seen most genres of music there yet I find it’s great for an acoustic guitarist or mellower band. That’s not to say the Muse doesn’t rock. Neighborhood Theatre: Converted theaters make for great concert halls. They’ve taken what looks to me like the shop next door and turned it into their bar area, offering additional side stage seating & also houses another, albeit smaller stage. G. Plaza-Midwood Petra’s Piano Bar: Petra’s is a very welcoming place by all definitions. Not as small of a bar as it seems, there are corridors to other rooms, back patio and more ...
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“What are these music venues like that are listed here in Crowd Surfer?” One of the hurdles of getting into the music scene is that when you go to an unfamiliar venue, you never know what type of place it is you’re walking into. One of the mission statement points of Live Limelight is to give an honest and unbiased look at the venues around town where music is performed and heard. Example being that if you think you’re walking into one type of place and instead it’s another, you’re going to be in for a shock. That’s the case whether you like both kinds of places or not, if you’re not prepared for what a venue is like, it will taint your impression. To alleviate any discomfort, I thought to continue the tradition of venue reviews as Charlotte Live Limelight. This is an introductory primer for the venues in the Charlotte region, and in no way is this a complete list. The mission continues with the intent of making sure that you, the reader of this, is informed and ready to get out and experience some of the amazing live music being performed by not just the local bands ...
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The Best of 2014 to me is that it’s over. It ended for too many and that’s the worst. Some great musicians, music lovers and those influenced by the music were lost this year. So many that I can’t even begin to compile a list as I’ll miss someone. I miss them all, even if I did not know them personally or very well, I do feel their influence on the music scene. So that’s my worst of 2014, it’s that so many have died. Now, as far as music goes? What’s the best of? Nationally & Internationally: 1. David Crosby - Croz 2. Ian Anderson – Homo Erraticus 3. Pink Floyd – The Endless River 4. The Slambovian Circus of Dreams – A Box of Everything. 5. Lunatic Soul – Walking on a Flashlight Beam 6.The Ghost of a Sabre Tooth Tiger – Midnight Sun 7. Beck – Morning Phase 8. Yes – Heaven and Earth 9. Michael Stanley – The Job My opinion is that outside of these it was a mostly bland year musically, until you get down to the local level. So, here’s my best of list from our friends and neighbors in the Charlotte region: 1 ...
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“What a great music scene we have here in the Charlotte region,” he stated. After I stopped laughing, my response was, “What the hell are you talking about?” This was the start of one of those late night conversations that would go deep and not just alter my perspective, it would also be life changing. Why was my reaction one of disparagement and humor in what was a sincere observation? The same reason that Crowd Surfer Magazine exists. I could find no resource that would tell me who the bands are, where they play, and what those venues are like. That conversation was the beginning of what became Live Limelight. Steve Coombs and I talked late into the night about music and everything else. Then, at one point, he made that statement. From where I stood, having lived in Charlotte for more than ten years at the time, I had no idea whether what he was saying had any validity or, I’m happy to now say, was really an understatement. The question arose as to where one would find out information on the local music scene, especially since nobody else seemed to be paying attention. The conversation started back in late 2009 and moved throughout 2010. As the conversation grew, it included a ...
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