On Tuesday, April 20th, Shwayze and Cisco Adler reunited for the first time in years to perform their debut album, Shwayze, in its entirety. Shwayze and Cisco Adler co-wrote the album that was released in the summer of 2008. Shwayze features elements of hip-hop, rap, reggae-rock and funk that all blend together to create the perfect sound to blast on a drive down Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down.
At the start of the concert, viewers saw the duo standing in what appeared to be a backyard with a beautiful, elevated view of the palm tree-littered shoreline that matched the beachy vibe of the music that followed. Shwayze and Cisco immediately started to perform the first track, “Roamin’” before they welcomed fans to the concert. “Lazy Days” kicked off with Cisco’s smooth, relaxing singing accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a consistent melody. During the upbeat “Corona and Lime,” Shwayze and Cisco displayed how well they play off of each other with beautiful harmonies. Lo-fi echoes of Cisco’s singing added a touch of beachy-ness to the tune. Throughout the set, the duo danced and joked around, making it clear that they loved performing together.
Shwayze and Cisco kept the concert casual; about four seconds into “Buzzin’,” Shwayze cut off the song and said, “It’s 4/20, I’m not smoking enough, I’m disappointing everyone out there.” After a quick smoke break, the duo resumed “Buzzin’.” Cisco’s smooth, slow vocals paired excellently with Shwayze’s relaxed rapping. Throughout the set, the camera cut in close to the performers, and the video stream faded to sepia tones, giving the show a vintage California beach vibe. Next came the summery, bright tune “Don’t Be Shy,” during which the audience saw clips of the shoreline. “Hollywood” started off slow and somber but maintained the Cali-style sound heard in the previous selections. “Polaroid” featured upbeat drums and a rough, muffled guitar riff. Shwayze and Cisco then performed the nostalgic song “James Brown Is Dead” live for the first time.
The calming tune “Lost My Mind” included a call-and-response section that all but transported listeners to an intimate beach bonfire. The tenth song of the show, “Mary Jane,” featured a flowy melody and tranquil maracas. Next, Shwayze and Cisco performed “Lazy Susan,” which incorporated a dreamy, techno backbeat as Cisco sang along with the last few words of Shwayze’s rapping for emphasis. A soft acoustic guitar riff led into “Flashlight” and later integrated an electric guitar solo. Lastly, the duo played “High Together.” The sound of clapping hands and an upbeat drum pattern kept the tempo up while what sounded like a distorted flute added a distinct element to the track.
Shwayze and Cisco signed off with, “We love you guys very much and happy 4/20,” as the camera panned up to the view of coastal California.
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