Austin360 blogs > Almost Urban > Archives > 2007 > April > 06 > Entry
Shivers and soul at the Urban Music Fest
In a way, it’s kind of hard for me to write objectively about the Urban Music Festival because I’m in love with the idea of it. I want to believe with all my heart that there is room in a country-rock town like Austin for a large-scale music event devoted to hip-hop, soul and r&b. Last year’s Urban Music Fest (which was a single-day event) seemed scarcely attended during the daylight hours, but as the sun went down, the crowd poured in to catch the evening’s headliner Chaka Khan. This year, the fest was extended to two days with Friday’s lineup focused on neo-soul and Saturday’s featuring old school funk.
Once again, the crowd during the day was sparse, but tonight as the sun went down, it was cold. Freakishly, unseasonably cold. No doubt, the weather contributed to a less than robust turnout. I also think ticket prices might be a little high for the target demographic, people with kids. Yes, it’s a full day of music, and yes, children 12 and under are admitted free, but $30 advance ($35 at the gate) still seems a little high for a family event at Auditorium Shores. I’m no mathematician, but my gut instinct is that a $20 ticket would pull a much larger crowd. The venue, after all, has the capacity to hold thousands, so there’s little danger of a sellout. I know a fair number of people who really wanted to go to the fest, but couldn’t quite swing the $30.
Nonetheless, the folks who were present seemed to have a great time, the music was fantastic and all of the performers were very warmly received. Angie Stone is a true goddess, Kindred and The Family Soul brought so much true love to their set that I desperately longed for my man, and The Urban Soul Band is very possibly my new favorite Austin r&b act.
What follows is a blow by blow recount of Almost Urban at the Urban Music Festival.
4 p.m. Things are just getting started over at Auditorium Shores. The gates have only been open for 30 minutes and the crowd is sparse. The VIP area at the front of the stage is empty, but the cluster of folks gathered by the soundbooth on the hill responds enthusiastically to the Christian soul of Spirit Groove, which is fitting; it is, after all, Good Friday.
5 p.m. KJ Hines puts down a short but tight set. The kid’s got serious skills. He’s also only 17 years old. Keep him on your radar.
5:45 p.m. The Whut It Dew Fam is probably the most versatile hip-hop crew in the ATX. Their act plays well to all sorts of audiences. On the national mixtape scene, Rapid Ric has been killing it for Texas for a minute now and Chalie boy is insane. His unique blend of soulful song and rap adds a rich depth to all the group’s tracks, and I just love to watch the man on stage. The group also functions well as a unit. Bavu Blakes was given top billing at this performance, but the four men with mics split the front and center time equally, which is refreshing. After spending the better part of the last 5 years with a hip-hop scene comprised almost entirely of solo artists, Austin needs a good solid crew.
6 p.m. Urban Soul is a youth r&b group consisting of seven kids ranging in age from 12 to 18. The band is an offshoot of the Soultree Collective, a fledging program designed to nurture the talents of young Austin musicians. Urban Soul’s chief band mentors are members of veteran Austin r&b act Unified Tribe. With a trio of dangerous young female vocalists and a band that’s already well-versed in the art of groove, the kids have serious potential. Plus they’ve got that effusive youth energy. I love this group!
6:30 p.m. Jean Baylor is best known as half of the ’90s vocal group Zhane. Her set is a little slow, but the setting sun on her face is lovely and her breathy voice carries a lot of heart.
7:11 p.m. Anthony David gets the biggest crowd response of the evening so far. A cry goes through the crowd as comedian Joe Torrey introduces him. He begins his set a capella, his plaintive voice full of soul, seasoned with grit. He performs solo accompanying himself with an acoustic guitar and the crowd loves him.
7:35 p.m. The space seems to be filling out a little. Last year, too, the crowd showed up late, after the relays. This year the weather isn’t helping with the turnout. As the sun goes down, it’s starting to get chilly, and a good portion of the crowd seems wholly unprepared. Nonetheless, when Detroit neo-soul artist Dwele takes the stage he’s warmly received. I’ve been a big fan of Dwele for a minute. More than just a vocalist, he’s a multi-instrumentalist who does much of his own composition. I love him for his complex arrangements and the way his vocal gymnastics send delicate syllables tumbling over each other in passionate flurries.
8:25 p.m. Kindred and the Family Soul really is music for the grown and sexy. They launch into their set with a stirring testament to mature love, then slip into “Sneak a Freak,” a funny track, not about creeping on your mate, but instead about trying to get a little lovin’ without waking the kids. The love between the husband/wife duo of Fatin Danzler and Aja Graydon is so deep and sincere it’s a beautiful thing to witness. The soulful love songs combined with the chill in the air make me wish my own special someone was here to snuggle with.
9 p.m. Comedian Joe Torrey doesn’t really tell jokes at the Fest. As MC for the evening, he focuses on crowd interaction, singling out audience members and customizing quips for them. He drops my favorite on a lady in the VIP, “You enjoying the show? I got some barbeque sauce backstage. I could put it on your toes.” His silly slurping noises make it hilarious.
9:18 p.m. Angie Stone is a true soul queen. Even the folks who shelled out (or hustled hard) for front row seats in the VIP are on their feet as she takes the stage. All of the evening’s entertainment has seemed somewhat skewed toward the ladies but Angie more than anyone else embodies female empowerment. She calls out to the women in the audience and speaks frankly about her struggles with a music industry that pushes image over sound. She’s even considerate enough to coax her male backup singer out of three layers of clothing for the sole purpose of shamelessly objectifying his sculpted chest. (Yes, ladies, Angie Stone loves you like that.)
A gracious performer, Stone takes the time to introduce each member of her backup ensemble individually and gives each musician a moment to shine. Overall, her vibe is solid. Down to earth. She sings, she dances, she even busts a rhyme. The crowd does love her. They scream, they sway, they sing along. But the weather is tough, my own hands are going numb, and I’m not the only audience member who’s already making my way toward the gate as she sings her final notes.
Comments
By Bryan
April 8, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Austin defintely deserves this urban music blessing. It is a melting pot of under exposed intellectual music, which is over whelmed by country, and rock. As venus start to recognize the impact that Austin R&B soul, and Hip-Hop can have on the economy(locally and national wide), we could rival those in cities like New York, Los Angelos, and Chicago. Monitarily, prices should ease-up, yet it weeds out those who could put a stop on future events.
Hip-Hop lover music fan… datboybsnthagutta@yahoo.com