JURASSIC 5
Paolo Soleri, July 29
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Some bands play at their audience, others play to them, but few play with them. Hip-hop artists seem to be the most willing to engage their audiences and play in response to the reactions they receive from the bleachers.
The call and response that Jurassic 5 incorporated at last Saturday's show at Paolo Soleri took form not only as shout-outs to New Mexico-or, oops, Arizona once-or calls to "throw your hands in the air," but extended to full-on dancing with the crowd. J5 instructed its fans to not only put their hands up, but to
really
get into it, be silly and open and close those hands, then open them again. These simple moves could easily have turned into a hip-hop hokey-pokey, except the band has so much confidence, suddenly we were all doing this together and having fun. These fellas are aware that they're known for socially conscious rhymes and want to lighten the mood, without losing the message: If it takes hip-hop hokey-pokey, so be it.
Despite a career that's lasted almost a decade and a Lollapalooza appearance a few years back, J5 didn't seem completely secure in such a large venue. Their voices carried well, harmonies perfect, but the rhymes were a touch fast and the rappers, especially Mark 7even, looked down at the stage or above the crowd rather than making eye contact.
In general, the audience seemed sold; the J5 crew, despite not knowing what town they were in, were enthusiastic; booties indeed shook. Not a whole lot changed from J5's recorded output, but the freestyles and improvisation were well executed and the energy was there. Jurassic 5 didn't put on the best live show ever, but for a hip-hop-starved town, it sufficed.
