On a night where the company was only surpassed by the music, Vulfpeck performed their highly anticipated Brooklyn Bowl debut in New York. Following the final night of Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s three-night run, the smooth funk group from Michigan was the perfect late night show. Dancing across the lanes never felt so good.
A happy four piece with a variety of guests joining throughout the night. Vulfpeck is energetic and they lay down a sensual brand of funk, and were clearly excited to be in New York. Playing to a sold out crowd that demanded a second show be added for Monday, November 23 at Brooklyn Bowl, Vulfpeck joins The New Mastersounds, Kung Fu, Lettuce and Marco Benevento, ushering in the next era of in demand funk bands. Mister F has impressively covered them on multiple occasions, and the word is starting to get out. Guitarist and drummer Theo Katzman, nodding to the band’s late arrival to the stage, suggested starting “a movement to encourage starting on time,” but none in the audience were complaining. Katzman gave shout outs to Lenox Hill Hospital and Bellmore, Long Island, marking a homecoming performance for the multi-instrumentalist.
The attentive crowd anticipated the funk throughout the night, Charles Jones joined Vulfpeck on keys and smooth ’70s style vocals. A promising instrumental cover of Cheryl Lynn’s “To Be Real” was accented by the Bowl’s disco ball. When the band broke into “1612”, the crowd sang the “Frank Sinatra” line like they’d be seeing them for years.
Moving around on stage and switching instruments, with two keyboardists at times, added a degree of difficulty not seen by many acts. Antwaun Stanley sang at key points of the set, adding soul to “Funky Duck” and “1612” among many more. For their first Brooklyn Bowl show, the venue was full, the audience fulfilled and Vulfpeck delivered.
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With the crowd sufficiently warmed up, REO Speedwagon took the stage and for the next two hours rocking the house in true rock and roll style, showing up their signature lyrics and instrumental solos they are best loved for. Playing hits from early days such as “Golden Country,” “Keep Pushin,” and “Music Man,” together with 80’s hit’s “Time for Me to Fly,” “In Your Letter,” “Back on the Road Again,” and “Tough Guys,” audience members were up out of their seats dancing and singing along for the entire evening.
Opening the evening was newcomer Cam. Hailing from California, this dynamic young lady has made her mark in country music in a huge way. Catching the attention of this journalist with her recent release of Burning House, she has been on my radar from the moment I heard her unique sound, her deep lyrics, and melodic voice. She’s fresh and energizing and took the stage like a ball of fire bouncing around delivering a set that didn’t disappoint. I urge you to remember her name as she will soon be head lining and selling out arenas all by herself as a top entertainer in the business. No tomato here.
Darius has a way of connecting with his audience because he leaves it all out there on the stage. His comedic manner of asking people to stop taking photos of him when he comes over to sing to them, gave us a glimpse of his sense of humor. And just for the record, the man had groove. He could move it and didn’t have a problem shaking it while he sang. His no holding back continued throughout the evening as he shares intimate bits and pieces of inspirational moments that brought him to music; personal peeks into his life featuring video footage of his wife and children, and he ultimately shared moments of his true inspiration, his mother. It’s this sharing and connection that makes you feel as though you are a personal friend, and what makes Rucker a true country superstar.
Nobody could hide from the blood and spew Saturday night in Buffalo at the Town Ballroom with GWAR in town. The band brought their best show I have seen to date. Celebrating their 30th year together, the band was sans 
Battlecross, also on the bill, is a thrash band from Detroit. Their performance was hard to match. They had so much energy on stage, they kept fans entranced throughout the night. They seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves. Playing a handful of songs from their new LP Rise to Power including “Not Your Slave,” “Absence” and “Bound by Fear.” Their set really whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
