Living Colour: We need these guys now more than ever.
Video and Article by Nikki Forte
Living Colour put on one of the best shows I have seen all summer last night at Bogart’s in Cincinnati, OH. Their mix of funk, soul, punk, metal and pure rock n’ roll radiated from that stage and swept over a crowd of loyal and elated fans. Everyone sang along to every song word for word, including “Who Shot Ya” (a cover originally performed by the late great Notorious B.I.G).
It was in this moment I thought about what was going on in my city (Dayton, OH) earlier in the day. A “die in” at the Walmart where John Crawford had been shot as well as a memorial service at the Courthouse Square marking the one year anniversary of his death. As this was all running through my mind I looked up to see Corey Glover with hands raised saying “hands up, don’t shoot”. That hit me pretty hard. In a good way. It made me think.
We need more music like this…more bands like this. Bands that have something to say. Bands that break music and cultural stereotypes. Especially with all we have going on today.
I know, I know…rock shows are for partying, drinking and having fun. Trust me there was plenty of that as well. There was not a sad face in that crowd. But why not take home something meaningful from the experience? Music to me has always been about raw emotion, politics and the human experience. Music (of every genre) is not what it used to be. We seem to lack “struggle”. Without struggle there’s no soul, without soul there’s no song.
It’s hard to find a performer or band that is incredibly talented, stays relevant for decades, makes you think (while not coming off preachy), delivers killer performances (with some playful sarcasm thrown in), and genuinely enjoys themselves and engaging their fans these days.
Living Colour does that and has been since 1984. If you have not seen them live, I highly recommend it. They give 100% to a handful of people or a crowd of thousands. You’ll have fun, you’ll think, you’ll feel, and it will make you want to find every song they’ve ever recorded when you get home.
Cult of Personality live at Bogart’s in Cincinnati, OH
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