JAYPLAY LIVE
After seven bands, over fours hours of music and countless ringing ears and inebriated music lovers, the first Jayplay Live concert at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., on Nov. 20 was a success.
The show started a tad early as Kozmo kicked off the show at 8:50 p.m. The early start left Kozmo with a sparse crowd, but by the time the second band, Sweet Sassy Molassy, started, The Bottleneck was near its 400-person capacity. Each band brought along its own fans and friends creating a multicultural feel to the multi-genre gig. Jayplay staffers Eric Braem and Brandi Garvin filled the dead air between sets with their promotional pitches for T-shirts, prize giveaways and Garvin's desperate attempt to bring someone onstage to sing.
The audience responded to most bands' pseudo-rock style with the indie-rock head nod and spattered handclapping, but once Mr. Bilistic hit the stage the dancing really began. Although the hip-hop music was pre-recorded, Mr. Bilistic's lyrical flow, with the
help of fellow Lawrence hip-hoppers 3 A.M., gave the audience that dash of booty-shakin' too often taken for granted. Each band played original music, ranging from the girl-next-door rockabilly of Sweet Sassy Molassy to the electronic hyper-rock of Captain Overreact.
The battle-of-the-bands-style competition served the differing musical sounds well, as the winner was judged based on applause. Tri Point Paradox won the crowd over with its technical skill and Dave Matthews Band-inspired ditties.
It was great to see your peers performing live. To see an event like this pulled off for the first time with no apparent flaws, flowing smoothly from set to set, was a joy in itself. Most of the crowd stayed until the end of the show at 1:15 a.m. with the final head count at more than 300 ticket-purchasing patrons.
—Kim Elsham
To relive, or simply remember, that awesome night, check out streaming audio clips from the entire show by clicking on the Jayplay Live image on Kansan.com's main page.
1. Chris Tackett, Kansan advertising staff
2. Riva
3. Tri Point Paradox
4. Sweet Sassy Molassy
5. Kozino
6. Mark Lyda Combo
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