KahBang Friday: Grace Potter And The Nocturnals and Lupe Fiasco

posted in: Features • Rock • Urban

This Friday, the KahBang Music, Art & Film Festival measured up to its explosive namesake with a day of acts that pushed the energy level at the Bangor waterfront main stage up into the stratosphere. With over fifty bands playing at various bars and stages scattered around the downtown Bangor area, festival goers were never out of earshot from crashing cymbals or blaring Marshall stacks. And while talented smaller acts attracted attention across the various venues, it was no secret that the majority of listeners were there to see the artists on the main stage. Of the main stage acts, which included Atmosphere and DOM, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals and Lupe Fiasco particularly stood out for their dramatic flair and ability to latch onto the charged atmosphere of the crowd.

During an hour-long set, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals ripped through their back catalog of sultry and blistering soul-influenced rock. Clad in a white dress, Potter confidently commanded the crowd, instigating call and response sections amid some of the band’s best-known tunes. Throughout their set, Potter and her band continually proved how adept they are at building tension to an almost unbearable level before releasing it in a cathartic blast. The bluesy stomper “Paris (Ooh La La)” gave way to a guitar and bass duel that culminated in Potter’s piercing shriek over a ferocious guitar solo. Potter later traded increasingly urgent vocal riffs with guitarist Scott Tournet in a nod to “Dueling Banjos,” and the climax of their closer “Medicine” saw every band member banging furiously on a different piece of drummer Matt Burr’s kit.

When The Nocturnals’ set was over, it was hard to imagine that the energy level could rise any higher, but Lupe Fiasco proved up to the challenge with a set of past hits and tunes from his most recent March release Lasers. Though Fiasco was the nominal star of the show, his three-piece backing band showed up the DJ-only stage setup of most other hip hop artists. While some rappers have just one other hype man to interact with on stage, Fiasco had the benefit of a guitarist, keyboardist and drummer who locked in with his every word. The rapper mixed up his setlist with songs from Lasers as well as “Scream,” a cut he supposedly only plays live and fan favorites like “Kick, Push” and “Superstar.” Ever the showman, Fiasco capped off the night with a reprise of “I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now” that featured him showering the audience in blasts of bottled water. Dirty, wet and satisfied, the crowd dissolved as listeners ventured out into bars and clubs to hear smaller acts rock into the late hours of the night. Tonight, the main stage will feature My Morning Jacket, Chromeo and Surfer Blood.