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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > January > 26 > Entry
All-Star Music at the Tabernacle
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta R&B superstar Usher capped what had to have been a taxing week back in his hometown Friday night, where he played host at the NHL All-Star Weekend concert featuring Wyclef Jean.
Though Usher walked the red carpet at the Tabernacle, and posed for pictures, he did not discuss his father’s passing days earlier, his campaign appearance with Barack Obama Tuesday, or even his New Look Foundation, for which the Jean concert was a fundraiser.
On stage, however, he warmly welcomed the near-capacity crowd, and paused a few times to soak in its applause and adoration. “It’s all about the love in here tonight,” he remarked.
Actually, the Jean concert was about a lot of things: Before the incredibly talented musician wrapped up his set, after midnight, he had addressed the country’s economic state (“I love America - we’re going in a recession right now”); poked at this country’s president (“George Bush don’t care about me. He care about the oil”); flashed back to his days with the pioneering hip-hop trio the Fugees (playing “Fu-Gee-La” and “Ready Or Not”); channeled a bit of late rock legend Jimi Hendrix (playing his guitar with his mouth); welcomed Atlanta rapper-producer Akon to the stage (with whom he performed Jean’s recent single “Sweetest Girl - Dollar Bill”) - deep breath here - and finally, created a bit of Carnival.
Jean called it a “hip-hop rock and roll show”. But with all of that - plus a mighty eight-piece band (including a four-piece horn section), a bit of Shakira, and many local notables (Willie O’Ree of the NHL, Atlanta City Council member Kwanza Hall, Bert Weiss of Q100’s “The Bert Show”, Slim of 112, Nicci Gilbert of Brownstone) in the audience - it was, spectactularly, so much more.
Were you at the Tabernacle for the concert? How would you rate it? And what about opening act the Old 97’s?
Comments
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By teamwork_dreamwork
January 26, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Atlanta , this was great , spectacular. haven’t enjoyed anything like this since , don’ know when
By Taylor
January 27, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Hello everybody i had my first hand experince of wyclef jean at the tabernacle, I feel like the wyclef concert was well planned out like a festival, and had many high points to it, I love how wyclef intregrated the crowd as well as that special kid with the mo hawk on stage, I also love how he got the crowd going in every song, by telling us to wave our hands or “put your hands up” There were people in the balcony standing and vibeing to his music. Also there was a great mix of people there which was awesome to see. All in all it was a great concert experince and I recommend anyone who has not seen wyclef in concert that they should go see him!!!
By Taylor
January 27, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Hello everybody i had my first hand experince of wyclef jean at the tabernacle, I feel like the wyclef concert was well planned out like a festival, and had many high points to it, I love how wyclef intregrated the crowd as well as that special kid with the mo hawk on stage, I also love how he got the crowd going in every song, by telling us to wave our hands or “put your hands up” There were people in the balcony standing and vibeing to his music. Also there was a great mix of people there which was awesome to see. All in all it was a great concert experince and I recommend anyone who has not seen wyclef in concert that they should go see him!!!
By Taylor
January 27, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Hello everybody i had my first hand experince of wyclef jean at the tabernacle, I feel like the wyclef concert was well planned out like a festival, and had many high points to it, I love how wyclef intregrated the crowd as well as that special kid with the mo hawk on stage, I also love how he got the crowd going in every song, by telling us to wave our hands or “put your hands up” There were people in the balcony standing and vibeing to his music. Also there was a great mix of people there which was awesome to see. All in all it was a great concert experince and I recommend anyone who has not seen wyclef in concert that they should go see him!!!
By max
January 28, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
wyclef was great. i also wanted to see old 97s but my ticketmaster tickets said the show started at 10pm. we got there 10 after and wyclef was setting up. we thought maybe they switched spots but the lights came on at 1245 or so and everyone emptied out. was i supposed to know that the show was going to start before the ticket said?
By AK
January 30, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Wyclef was great. First time seeing him and first time at Tabernacle. Great venue and fun show.