Concert review – Fashawn, Evidence & Curt@!n$ on the Higher Learning Tour in Seattle

Posted at March 4, 2011 by Julie J Comments Off

The Higher Learning Tour rolled through Seattle, and you can bet your girl was there to check it out. In fact, it turned out to be one of the more fun concerts that I have ever been to. While Nectar Lounge wasn’t anywhere near capacity, that meant that I wasn’t getting my ass beat by aggressive concert goers! I was able to just chill out and dance around (despite being hit on frequently by questionable characters, but to be fair that happens very frequently). I was impressed with the live show of each artist, and just had an overall fun time. Keep in mind, I say that as one of the few people who wasn’t high and I still had a fabulous time!

Before the show started, Evidence and Curt@!n$ were just hanging out by the merchandise table before they went on (yes, I still feel special about getting to meet them). I decided to wear my grey leather jacket after reading Curt@!n$’ Complex Magazine style section contribution (which you can read on his blog), and the “fashion genius” himself told me that he had noticed my jacket, and that he liked it (!!!!!!!!!). I must be doing something right (*brushes off shoulder*).

Keep reading my review and see some pictures (most of my pictures sucked, but it’s the memories that are more important anyway)

Fellow Ballard resident Grynch kicked the show off with lots of energy, and it basically just snowballed from there. He performed his new-ish song “Mr. Rogers,” produced by Jake One, which is inspired by Ballard. He closed with “My Volvo,” which was fitting because I’ve been driving my mom’s Volvo lately.

Curt@!n$ jumped on stage (literally, I saw him jumping up and down before running up) and put on a very energetic and engaging set. At one point, he told the audience that because he was a little under the weather, he wrote himself a new song about himself for him to sing to himself to make him feel better. As you can imagine, his energy and personality made for an entertaining set and I was dancing around.

And before I knew it, Fashawn was up on stage! Even though Grynch, Grafik and Curt@!n$ were dope, the audience definitely got louder for Fashawn, as they should have. He also did a great job of involving the audience in his set, explaining and dedicating “Life As A Shorty” to everyone who had it tough. Grafik was his hypeman, and that worked out well when they performed “For the G’s.”

After a couple more songs that I don’t remember the name of, Fashawn took a step back and acted as hypeman for Evidence. That worked out well, with Fashawn being on hand for his verse from “Our Way.” I was really surprised at Evidence’s intensity! He was very captivating, like he was in a zone or something, and had lots of energy. He said that he’ll be back in June, and no doubt about it, I will be there.

Fashawn returned to center stage with “Weed Nap,” my favorite cut off Higher Learning 2, so at this point I was especially feeling it and dancing around. I was so excited that I turned to my new friend and told her that this was my favorite off HL2! He also performed “Papers,” which is over the Usher song “Papers,” and I felt like the audience kind of missed the significance of that, or at the very least didn’t act as excited as I felt. He also rapped “Manny Pacquiao” a cappella for an impressive length of time, demonstrating his comfort and ease on stage. ”Samsonite Man” was the finale, and everyone (Grafik, Evidence, and Curt@!n$) came back on stage for what felt like a jubilant celebration. Their enthusiasm and energy was contagious, and the show ended up that high note.