Bark + Bite

Jay-Z and Kanye prove that they're friends forever in Watch the Throne tour

Subtlety has never been The Throne’s strong suit. The supergroup, separately known as hip hop juggernauts Jay-Z and Kanye West, released an album earlier this year full of showy, convoluted beats overlayed with equally flashy, I’m-richer-and-cooler-than-you verses. So, when talks began circulating of a joint tour, imaginations went wild.

Both are known for pretty spectacular stage shows. Jay-Z exhibits more stage presence than most rappers, which is intensified with lighting and the use of a full backing band. West's show is filled with all kinds of theatrics not limited to a full ballerina troupe or tailoring an entire show around a spaceship. So, a lavish spectacle of ancient Roman proportions was something many fans anticipated.

But, like the true innovators they are, The Throne went completely left. The roughly two-hour show in Baltimore, Maryland was surprisingly no frills. Just two MCs, a few props and lights and a DJ.

Ciara turns NY's South Street Seaport Into a white party

Singer Ciara brought the New York City summer heat up a notch when she performed at Beekman’s Beer Garden Beach Club (August 4) at South Street Seaport as part of Malibu Rum’s Radio Maliboom Boom Station Invasion Tour.

Performing under a simple tent, hitting the stage in all white leather, Ciara wasn't letting the small stage stop her from putting out all her energy as she sang and danced through her hits which included ‘Goodies’ ‘Like a Boy’ and ‘Ride’. The singer also threw in a few surprises as she performed "Lose Control" (a song she did with Missy Elliott and Fat Man Scoop), and "Love, Sex Magic," her duet with Justin Timberlake.

Ciara is scheduled to perform during two more dates on the tour, in which the next stop is in Dallas, Texas (August 13), then she heads to Chicago. After Ciara's Chicago performance, Taio Cruz will perform during the remaining dates of the tour through September.

Concert Review: Nicki Minaj proves she's no rookie in Washington DC

Nicki Minaj was supposed to be the opening act to headliner Britney Spears's Femme Fatale tour, but given the performance she put on and the reception she received, some might think she was in fact the real headliner.

The narrative for Nicki's half-hour set was difficult to follow, but it had something to do with space travel, creepy Saw voices, wigs and multiple personalities. But the convoluted storyline aside, Nicki Minaj proved that she'd stepped her game up as a live performer on July 31 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. She held little back and gave the audience the entire dosage of Minaj, unfiltered.

Concert Review: Britney Spears goes in for the kill in Washington D.C.

Photo: BreatheHeavy.com

Britney Spears arrived in Washington D.C. with a license to kill. Her opening number for her Femme Fatale tour, "Hold It Against Me," had all the makings of a lethal electric charge. Unfortunately, Britney's spark plugs aren't lighting like they used to.

Let's get this part out of the way early: Britney ain't the performer that she used to be. She's always been a lipsyncher, but she used to make up for it with sharp, snappy choreography and high energy. If you've seen any of her televised performances in the past few years, however, that's not the Britney we have on our hands now. At this point, she lazily walks through many of her dance steps and spends much of her time flipping her hair, in lieu of any sweat-breaking choreography.

And she doesn't really make up for her lack of dancing with personality either. Britney's never been a performer who engages in good stage banter, but the scripted shout outs in the show are noticeably detached. She obviously could care less and frankly, the audience is lucky if she remembers which city she's in.

But there's really no sense in bashing Britney over this because she's been this way for a while now, so anyone who buys a ticket to see her show knows what they're getting in to. And if the packed crowd at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. on July 31 is any indication, then Britney has nothing to worry about as far as drawing crowds. In fact, she should consider pulling out a sleeping bag and taking a nap on stage for her next tour. The same amount of people would still probably show up to fill the arena to see her.

Concert Review: Jason Derulo & Miguel Kick Off AT&T Summer Concert Series in New York

Less than a year ago Miguel released his debut album All I Want is You, and joined Mary J. Blige and Usher as a opening act on their ‘OMG’ and ‘Stronger With Each Tear’ tours.

Now, Miguel is showing that he is more than just a opening act for big named performers like Usher and Blige with a co-headlining performance along with fellow newcomer Jason Derulo for AT&T’s kickoff  for their ‘Music For You’ summer concert series at Webster Hall in New York City.

Hundreds of fans who won tickets to see Miguel and Jason Derulo perform packed into the 1,400 venue on June 17th, waiting to see what type of energy the performers would bring. And the two young men didn't disappoint, because by the end of the show the floor was literally rocking.

Before Miguel even hit the stage, fans were drawn to the guitar riffs from the singer’s band. Making his grand entrance to the beat of "Pay Me," Miguel ran out on stage with James Brown-infused energy, sliding back and forth smoothly before launching into the song completely. From Miguel’s set it was very evident that he was channeling elements of artists who have inspired him such as Prince, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Freddie Mercury and David Bowie.

Concert Review: Rihanna gets LOUD in Baltimore

Photo: Via RihannaDaily

Though Rihanna calls her fans the Navy, judging by the packed arena she had on her hands in Baltimore on Saturday night, she might have to expand to all three branches of the military to accomodate her growing fan base.

Rihanna packed a powerful punch for her nearly two-hour concert in which she played nearly all the hits and still had plenty left over to go on if she felt like it.

Concert Review: Bruno Mars jams at the Preakness

Bruno Mars got to ride with the horses for the 136th Preakness at the Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore. Bruno played an hour-long set to an enthusiastic and sweaty crowd at the InFieldFest portion of the Preakness. Although Bruno is in the middle of his Hooligans In Wandaland tour, his performance at the Preakness felt more like a festival performance as he and his band played loose and fast with the tunes, making it feel like a jam session.

One of the highlights of Bruno's set included his cover of Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." Michael seemed to figure quite a bit into Bruno's concert as one of his band member's was also wearing an MJ t-shirt. Bruno obviously respects the king.

Bruno's own hits went over swimmingly with the crowd. All the broken hearts cried along to "Grenade" and all the slackers crooned along with Bruno as he proclaimed his lackadaisical nature. As Bruno wrapped up his show, he closed with his heavenly single "Just The Way You Are," which he sang, at one point, to a single girl in the crowd making her feel like the only girl in the world.

When Bruno's set came to a close, he announced that though this was his first time in Baltimore, that he'd definitely be back. And the crowd roared in approval, proving that Bruno had successfully made hooligans of them all.

Watch a video and check out pictures from the show below

Concert Review: Janet Jackson is restored to her pop throne in Washington DC

Fiercely clawing her way back to musical relevance, Janet Jackson performed to a sold out (Yes, sold out) crowd in Washington, DC on March 22nd & 24th at D.A.R. Constitution Hall.

Ever since her accidental “wardrobe malfunction” at the Super Bowl, Janet Jackson's brand as a recording artist has taken a freefall straight to rock bottom.  Flop album after flop album, a dry spell on the singles charts for almost seven years, followed by a universally panned and subsequently canceled arena tour with disappointing ticket sales and lackluster critical reviews, citing Janet’s weight gain and lethargic performances...let's just say that Janet's comeback was a bit overdue.