Saturday night marked this year’s third installment of KCRW’s Sound in Focus Summer concert series in Century Park. The eclectic lineup of opening artist Wild Belle and headliner Nas drew a unique slew of characters to the modern outdoor venue, but those were not the only things to keep them busy. The Annenberg Space for Photography featured its riveting photo spread Refugee – a pictorial documentation of the ups and downs modern day refugees experience around the world. Across the central courtyard, another exhibit New Americans featured some of the travelers’ hopeful arrivals to America as well as some others’ success stories of making new lives for themselves here. From the fascinating photo spreads and awesome live music to the delicious craft brews and food trucks galore, the event had a little something for everyone, making it the coolest way to beat the heat on a summer day in LA.
The original brother-sister duo Wild Belle fills up the stage with a seven piece outfit to complete their sound. Their tropically inclined psychedelic pop music infuses the crowd with danceable beats which ultimately bring any and all interpretive dancers to their feet. Frontwoman and singer Natalie Bergman’s brazen rocker chic outfit playfully contradicts her light raspy voice that tickles each song with a sweet attitude. Though they are only two albums deep, this group has cultivated a well-rounded following over the past few years and their new collaboration with electronic dance power group Major Lazer has taken their sound to the next level. The best part? Hearing each of their hits right as the sun goes down over the smokey Los Angeles sky.
At nightfall, Nas takes the stage and tears it up. Provocative and real, this world famous rapper celebrates the 20th anniversary of his second album this year. Having been in the game for decades now, this veteran chronicles his and others’ urban life experiences in some of the most iconic hit songs of his genre. After greeting the audience, Nas mentions that it is an honor to perform for Los Angeles because it is one of his favorite cities in the world since, “the weed is so damn good.” With that quip, he has the entire crowd’s attention and maintains that level of interest throughout the night. He quickly spits out as many songs as he can squeeze into his hour. Touching on hit after hit is exactly what everyone needs to hear. One might think that he hits his peak with “N.Y. State of Mind” and then it is all downhill from there. No qualms about it, he keeps the morale high. The fast-paced blend of song after song with the occasional punctuated moment to preach about anything from chasing dreams to how “love conquers evil every time,” perpetuates Nas’ mission to preach what’s real which culminates with a powerful rendition of “One Mic” at the show’s end.
The hardest part of the night is leaving at the close of Nas’ set, knowing that it will be another year until the next Sound in Focus event. If this year’s lineup is any indication, the promise that the next one will be even better is worth betting on.
Wild Belle Setlist:
Mississippi River
Losing You
Dreamland
Happy Home
Another Girl
Cannonball
Giving Up On You
Love Like This
Our Love Will Survive
The One That Got Away
It’s Too Late
Rock & Roll Angel
Throw Down Your Guns
Keep You
Nas Setlist:
Hate Me Now
Nas Is Like
Got Yourself a Gun
The World Is Yours
N.Y. State of Mind
Life’s a Bitch
Represent
Halftime
The Message
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics cover/teaser
Street Dreams
I Can
What Goes Around
It’ Ain’t Hard to Tell
Get Down
Made You Look
One Mic
Stay (instrumental outro)
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