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Review by: Janel Spiegel / Photos by: Kimberly Kanuck
Musikfest Review
Black Violin (The Impossible Tour)
August 15, 2021
Wind Creek Steel Stage
PNC Plaza
711 E. First Street
Opening Act: The Contact Collective
“Here’s to the dreamers.” “Dreamer” by Black Violin
WHEW! Musikfest saved the best for the last night, and somehow it felt like the first night. Musikfest 2021 is back. Black Violin performed on the last night of Musikfest 2021 with a sold-out show, a standing ovation, and fireworks. (If you checked social media Nat Stokes watched the fireworks with us.)
Today was a beautiful day as people walked around Musikfest. There was a crowd in front of the Musikfest Café watching a band.
I arrived and headed to the Media Center, and as usual everyone was so helpful and kind. Thank you to the Musikfest Media Center.
The energy was alive and vibrant as people started to head towards the Wind Creek Steel Stage for the Black Violin show.
Everybody was settling in, getting drinks, food, and snacks from the vendors. The people in my section were awesome. The Contact Collective opened for Black Violin; they must have been rehearsing before the show because you could hear their INCREDIBLE singer singing Radiohead’s “Creep”. I have goosebumps thinking about it. The Contact Collective was AMAZING.
They performed a few of their original songs including “Sugar Rush” and “Purple Circles.” They were full of energy and had the crowd going and the singer’s mom was in the audience. (Follow them @thecontactcollective on Instagram).
They also sang a few covers including Radiohead’s “Creep”, “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. The band is: Vocals: Elonda Vibez, Guitar: Nicholas DeSouza, Keys: Gregg Hedrengton, Drums: Jon Lindsay, and Bass: John Valinote
They are so talented. It was so incredible to be back at a concert for the first time in a while. The Contact Collective brought heart and soul, love, happiness, and everything in between to Musikfest 2021. I hope they come back as headliners one day. It will happen.
The Contact Collective had the entire crowd hyped for Black Violin.
Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste came out onstage and the crowd was so excited. The show was so good. You have the beauty of Classical music like Beethoven, Mozart interwoven with Hip-Hop, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Pop, Jazz, Soul, Funk, and LIFE! I don’t think there are two more talented artists around.
They played everything from “A Flat” from the album Classically Trained. They did an amazing mix of “Believer” by Imagine Dragons. They mixed “Let’s Get It On/Thinking Out Loud” by Marvin Gaye and Ed Sheeran
They performed “Dreamer” from the Take the Stairs album. “Dreamer” is such an inspiring song. They took some time to talk to the crowd and hype up Bethlehem even more. Kev Marcus told the crowd that “you always work harder than everyone else.” He encouraged the kids to play the violin and practice.
They also performed “Showoff” and if you need gym music, happy music, hype music, you should listen to Black Violin.
Every single person at this show was happy, excited, having a blast.
Kev Marcus and Wil B. had everyone on their feet. They did an incredible mix with DJ SPS, he mashed a collection of Classical music with Hip Hop. It was the GREATEST mix ever. It was everything from Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5” mixed with Bell Biv DeVoe, DJ Kool’s “Let Me Clear My Throat” (in which THAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER. GO LISTEN TO DJ KOOL!), and Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”. It was an incredible combination. There isn’t just one genre, it’s amazing music. The drummer Nathaniel Stokes was AMAZING.
Black Violin also performed an Ode to Bethlehem in a moment they called, “Get Loose.” They take a moment to improvise a song for whatever city they are in. It’s for Bethlehem, PA and will never be repeated except maybe if someone caught it for YouTube. I think the only other artist/songwriter that has wrote or created a new song during a concert has been Mariah Carey, and I’m pretty sure Mike Patton may have done it. There may be others but this was an effervescent moment of musical perfection by Black Violin.
Black Violin talked about performing for the troops in Iraq and coming to Bethlehem a few times before. Kev assured the crowd that “dreams do come true” because they are headlining Musikfest 2021. They saved the best for last. This show was out of this galaxy. The talent Black Violin has is unmatched.
The people were having fun, dancing and the energy from Black Violin was just contagious. No matter where you are, if you get a chance to see Black Violin live, go see them. The show was incredible. They thanked everyone and even came back out for an encore.
The grand finale fireworks went off for the 38th Musikfest 2021. Be safe out there and thank you Musikfest 2021. We can’t wait for next year, and we hope Black Violin comes back soon.
Stay up to date with Black Violin, DJ SPS, & The Contact Collective.
https://thecontactcollective.net/
https://www.facebook.com/worldlove369
