Roots Picnic

// June 14th, 2009 // Live

26690243 26690248 slarge Roots Picnic

*My first draft of this article had about two computer scroll screens of words. I decided to narrow it down to one screen which unfortunately should have been on the site since last Sunday (sorry folks…won’t happen again)*

We arrived at the venue early, partly because I had forgotten to print my tickets and another part was getting in a bit early to soak up the feel. After waiting for a hour to get my tickets printed, we headed into the eye of the storm. As soon as we walked in The Roots started. Perfect timing?  Perhaps..or they knew London D was in the house (I kid I kid). Opening up they let us know we were in for a great show, and they had a few guest they wanted to introduce, The JabbaWokeeZ, Jordan Knight and Donnie Walberg of New Kids on The Block.  While the JabbaWokeeZ did their dance number, Donnie Walberg and Black Thought flowed back and forth.  It’s amazing, that I respect Donnie Walberg more as an actor then a musician.  Surprisingly, he did a good job.  The Roots went through a few hits, such as ‘Get Busy‘ (sans the locked up Peedi Crack), ‘The Web’, and Curtis Mayfield’s, ‘Move on Up.’  After tearing it up for about a half an hour, they let us know who was performing the rest of the day.

I came to see the Roots, Public Enemy, and TV on The Radio.  If someone caught my attention then fine.  The rest of the line up was as follows:

Zoe Kravitz and her band Elevator Fight, simple rock and roll, nothing more nothing less.

Bus Driver, group from Los Angles.  Their beats were full of head thumping bass, but to bad their band’s leader was full of nonsense.  I couldn’t understand what this guy was saying.  What a waste of quality beats.

The Antibalas, are an afrobeat band that really caught our attention.  It was relaxing and a change of pace from Bus Driver.  Exactly what the crowd needed.

Next up was Kid Cudi, I caught the tail end of his performance and wasn’t a fan of his stage presence.  You know you need some more hits, when you do the original version of your song and then the techno one.

Santigold, is an artist I wasn’t feeling when she first started (due to all the M.I.A. comparisons), but she has grown on me.  Her performance was one of the best of the day.  Loads of crowd control and just a fun performer.  She brought out Spank Rock for “Shove It” and even did Soulja Boy’s ‘Turn My Swag On‘ (Damn..I hate to admit I love this track but I do).

Up next was the Black Keys…I wish I could comment on their performance, but my feet were killing me and their set was filled of sound errors.  Perfect excuse to sit down somewhere

I managed to catch Asher Roth at the beginning of his set, which was full of jokes, songs about weed smoking and he even manged to fit in some of that weed smoking.  When he was done he had the crowd calling his name.  (Please keep in mind, Asher performed inside on the second stage).

Finally, P.E. hit the stage and tore it down.  They were backed by The Roots and Antibalas.  PE performed their 1988 classic, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back.  For two old guys, Flav and Chuck D moved around the stage effortlessly throwing their mics in the air and showing each section of the crowd love.  Classic numbers, like ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’ and ‘Fight The Power’ had us moving.

Brooklyn alt-rockers, TV On The Radio, were up next and just like the rest of the crowd, was still in awe of watching P.E. backed by the Roots.  They even spoke about it during their set.  Speaking of which was short but enjoyable.

Last up was The Roots.  Now I don’t know if you can steal the show at your own show, but what the Roots did will haunt me (in a good way) for the rest of my life.  They played, You Got Me, The Next Movement and The Seed (2.0),  which by my estimation went on for about on 40-45 mins.  During their three song, 45 min set they seem to play every genre known to men.  From reggae to jazz to soul to even Guns and Roses, ‘Sweet Child Of Mine.’

Amazing, Amazing (had to say it twice) concert.  Easily one of the greatest shows I’ve witnessed.  I can’t wait for next year!

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