Macklemore Rocks a Sold Out Showbox

Seattle came out strong last Friday night to support Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's first of three so-very-sold-out shows at the the sizable Showbox Market. The demand for these tickets was unprecedented, and it caused a buzz around the city that only confirms what everyone knows--Macklemore is a hip hop star ready for launch.

For this night, he was preceded by some great performances from the Physics, Sol, and Grieves and Budo, setting the stage and getting the crowd plenty hyped. These are acts I'll definitely be following over the next year. Several times it was mentioned that this outpouring of support for Seattle hip hop was a major accomplishment for the Seattle scene and its fans.

From the moment Macklemore and his cohort Ryan Lewis took the stage, it was obvious the Seattle crowd was bursting with pride for their hometown hip hop phenom. It was the first time I had a chance to see Macklemore work his trade, and the man is a ferocious talent--his passion and emotion was jaw-dropping. Equally impressive was the music; Ryan Lewis is a stunning producer on every level, and the live Trumpet, Violin, and backup singers and dancers really took it to another level. But man, most moving of all was the crowd response. I don't know if it was the Redhook talking, but it felt like the whole city was gathering to rally for Macklemore to give him a strong push on his way to show the rest of the world what Seattle's all about.

You don't want to miss this show if it's rolling into your town. Word is getting out.

MAR 01 – EUGENE, OR – WOW HALL
MAR 03 – PORTLAND, OR – HAWTHORNE THEATRE
MAR 04 – BELLINGHAM, WA – WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MAR 05 – SEATTLE, WA – SHOWBOX MARKET SOLD OUT
MAR 07 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – CAFE DU NORD SOLD OUT
MAR 08 – LOS ANGELES, CA – VIPER ROOM
MAR 10 – SAN DIEGO, CA – BRICK BY BRICK
MAR 11 – TEMPE, AZ – CLUB RED
MAR 12 – ALBUQUERQUE, NM – LAUNCHPAD
MAR 15 – MISSION, TX – NEVER SAY NEVER FESTIVAL
MAR 23 – GAMBIER, OH – KENYON COLLEGE FREE SHOW
MAR 24 – PEORIA, IL – SOP’S ON MAIN
MAR 25 – IOWA CITY, IA – GABE’S
MAR 26 – CHICAGO, IL – SCHUBAS
MAR 27 – MINNEAPOLIS, MN – 7TH ST ENTRY
MAR 29 – ANN ARBOR, MI – BLIND PIG
MAR 30 – MADISON, WI – FREQUENCY
MAR 31 – OMAHA, NE – WAITING ROOM
APR 01 – GOLDEN, CO – SCHOOL OF MINES
APR 02 – CO. SPRINGS, CO – BLACK SHEEP
APR 03 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – KILBY COURT
APR 13 – BOSTON, MA – BRIGHTON HALL
APR 14 – BURLINGTON, VT – HIGHER GROUND
APR 16 – NEW YORK, NY – WEBSTER HALL
APR 17 – PHILLY, PA – KUNG FU NECKTIE
APR 28 – FORT COLLINS, CO – AGGIE
APR 29 – DENVER, CO – BLUEBIRD THEATER
APR 30 – BOULDER, CO – FOX THEATER
MAY 31 – THE GORGE, WA – SASQUATCH FESTIVAL