Movies

Review: Nickel Creek awes and amazes at the tiny Largo theater

BBG News

Review: Nickel Creek awes and amazes at the tiny Largo theater

As a seasoned concert-goer who has witnessed the likes of Thundercat and Anderson Paak, I can confidently say that Nickel Creek‘s performance at Largo at the Coronet was an unparalleled, jaw-dropping experience that has catapulted itself into the pantheon of my all-time favorite live shows.

On a cozy evening, Nickel Creek treated a fortunate audience to a preliminary performance at Largo at The Coronet in Los Angeles, where they displayed remarkable talent and enchanted listeners with their captivating folk tunes.

Initially, it appeared quite surprising: Given their talent, how could a band of such caliber perform at such a diminutive venue? The Largo, with its 280 seats, is significantly smaller than the high school auditoriums that had been graced by my bands’ interpretations of jazz, reggae, and similar genres.

The show was positioned right after one in San Diego and before two at the Forum in Inglewood, as they were touring with Kacey Musgraves. They interspersed songs from their latest album “Celebrants” among familiar tunes, thus presenting the audience of approximately 250 people with fresh material while also providing a good dose of nostalgia from past records.

Using just a single microphone among all four band members, they kicked off their performance with several beloved tunes from their repertoire, such as “The Smoothie Song,” an exceptionally complex instrumental number that even the most accomplished folk bands might find challenging to perform.

Nickel Creek’s tunes possess a dramatic flair; they often narrate stories, with some even eliciting laughter. I never realized the humor in their lyrics before, possibly because their recordings captivate me immediately with the boldness of the instruments they employ. For instance, “To the Airport,” a song about flying, is genuinely humorous and musically intricate. It’s an impressive balancing act that only a handful, if any, other artists can manage. If Weird Al had attended Berklee and encountered three more Weird Als, this tune might have been their creation.

“Thinnest Wall” was probably the biggest hit from “Celebrants,” released in 2023.

Following a complete playthrough of their album, the band entertained audience suggestions – and they did so wholeheartedly. It’s almost as if they could whip up complex and intricate music on command, another one of their amazing talents. This included a lively rendition of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” which might have been the musical highlight of the evening for some. Despite its flawless performance and the audience’s enthusiasm, playing that song seemed to use up some valuable time from Nickel Creek, as it lacked the complexity needed to truly showcase their skills.

On certain performances, the exceptional skill showcased leaves me speechless right from the start. Tonight was definitely one of those instances, earning a spot among musical greats such as Thundercat and Anderson .Paak in terms of their impressive technique.

As a music enthusiast, I must admit that my admiration is typically focused on just one or two members in a band. But when it comes to Nickel Creek, I found myself utterly amazed by all four of them. Each one of them was skillfully strumming complex harmonies – mandolin, violin, and guitar respectively – leaving me speechless with their collective display of musical prowess. It was an unparalleled demonstration of talent that I’ve never witnessed before.

Regarding the audience, no one joined in with the singing, and applause primarily occurred during breaks between songs. Instead, everyone seemed engrossed in appreciating the intricate strumming. The venue prohibits phones, which made it delightful to observe a captivated crowd, undistracted by hundreds of small screens, capturing subpar replicas of the live performance on them.

Nickel Creek primarily functions as a live band, and while I’ve cherished their album recordings for many years, it’s important to remember that studio work often involves production tricks and multiple tracks. Thus, the idea that their studio albums could have been recorded live came as a surprise. However, witnessing their stage performance left me utterly amazed, making me inclined to accept even seemingly impossible claims.

Composing this review was challenging as I’d rather not reveal the outstanding live band in L.A., which occasionally performs at a small venue. It’s a struggle to secure tickets when they perform next, given the limited seating availability. Here’s hoping they continue these shows for the love of music.

Read More

2024-10-05 05:01

Previous post Lana Del Rey’s new husband Jeremy Dufrene jokes that he FED his ex-wife to alligators
Next post Ada Nicodemou breaks her silence on how her Home and Away castmates found out about her off-screen romance with James Stewart: ‘It was weird’