Hurricane Nikka Blows Roof Off the Roxy

[CONCERT REVIEW — Pop Levi and NIKKA COSTA @ The Roxy | January 20, 2011]

HOLLYWOOD — NIKKA COSTA took to The Roxy stage last Thursday night, delivered her heaviest dose of FUNK to date, and proceeded to blow the roof off the joint. I certainly hope it doesn't rain anytime soon.

Doors opened at 8pm, and I usually make it a point to see the opening bands. But I was carpooling with friends and they were coming from a prior event, so we were running a bit late. Blog postings and the Roxy marquee only mentioned one opening band for the evening, but there was, in fact, two. I was unable to catch the name of Band #1, but there seemed to be about a dozen band members up on stage and the only thing I could decipher as they were exiting stage right was that they were from Rancho Cucamonga. "Big Ups" to the band who made the trek from the 909 to perform in Hollywood. Wish I could have heard ya!

Band #2 --- POP LEVI

Setlist:

Wanna Mama

Blue Honey

Midnight Runaround

Dita Damone

Smack Music

Sugar, Assault Me Now

Remember, Remember

Police Sign

Motorcycle 666

Strawberry Shake

There's nothing like being introduced to a band's music through a live show. I hadn't heard of Pop Levi until that night. But I recognized the song, "Sugar, Assault...." from the movie "Get Him to the Greek." As I like to describe an artist by comparing them to those I'm more familiar with, the best way I can describe Pop Levi — "It's like Sly Stone and Jay Kay (ala Jamiroquai) had a baby." Pop Levi was FUN, FUNKY, and ENTERTAINING. His band, most notably, his female drummer, was outstanding. Every song had a groove and an addictive hook. It was impossible to stand still. The "pairing" of Pop Levi as an opener to Nikka was brilliant. His brand of funk was the perfect appetizer to Nikka's impending sizzle. I even caught a glimpse of Nikka and some of her band members dancing in the doorway backstage --- even our hostess couldn't keep from dancing. It's unanimous...Pop Levi left a lasting impression...And I'll be heading to the nearest "wrecka stow" to buy his album.

NIKKA COSTA

Set List:

Pro*Whoa (new)

Like a Feather

Keep Wanting More

Never Wanna C U Again (new)

Head First (new)

Can'tNeverDidNothin

Nylons In A Rip (new)

Push & Pull

Keep Pushin'

Can't Please Everybody

Encore:

Everybody's Got Their Somethin

Love to Love You Less

As a precursor to this part of my review, I had heard sneak preview bits of her upcoming album via her web site and they didn't really grab me like her previous albums had. I wasn't quite sold on the new sound and the pop "feel"; as it was such a huge step away from the soulful, sweet gems I'm used to from her. BUT ---- they were just snippets and I know that hearing the whole song --- especially hearing it LIVE has a way of changing my mind completely. As a fan, if Nikka's playing anywhere in LA, I make it a point to go. So dubious about the new material or not, I was going to be there.

It had been almost a year since I'd seen her play. Watching her take the stage at the Roxy was like seeing an old friend walk through the door and as always, she was dressed to the 9s. Decked out in a black, sparkly one-shoulder top with fringe down one sleeve, shiny black skin-tight pants (circa Xanadu) and "So Hot, they're Cool" Silver-strapped 5" heels --- Nikka was luminous! --- As I've said before, Nikka could wear a potato sack and still be hot.

((There was talk amongst myself and the other ladies around me about knocking her down at some point and stealing her shoes ---- or at least asking her where she got them. Yes, they were THAT awesome. LOL))

Ms. Costa and the band opened with a brand new song, Pro*Whoa --- and she had me from "Really, my name is Nikka..." For almost 2 hours, she fired missiles at us --- song after song --- and we just "kept wanting more."

She graced us with 4 new songs --- all infused into the setlist seamlessly. I had originally thought the newer material would stick out because they lacked the trademark soul and funk that Nikka usually delivers --- but I couldn't have been more wrong. The songs were definitely different, but they still FIT with her classics. The standout song of the evening was "NYLONS (in a rip)" --- with Nikka and Joshua (?) pounding out a mezmerizing tribal beat on the drums and chanting to the crowd.

Nikka was in a playful mood — flashing her gorgeous smile, talking to the audience in-between songs, and encouraging the crowd to sing along and chant back to her during the show. She seemed joyful and so "at home" --- definitely happy to be with her LA Fans again...and we were happy to have her back.

Samples from her web site be damned, I loved every new song she played...clearly the short slices don't do this new album justice. I stand corrected, Nikka...I will never doubt you again.

Until next time (which I pray is soon)...B Wyld!

CELEB SIGHTING for the evening: Adam Lambert

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!!

Nikka Sets Fire to The Roxy

Nikka Sets Fire to The Roxy

[CONCERT REVIEW — Nikka Costa @ The Roxy | April 9, 2010]

...Figuratively speaking, of course...Let's just say that the temperature SIZZLED enough to set off alarms as Nikka rocked our worlds AGAIN on Friday night.

I met up with my friend, Cheryl around 5:30p for a quick bite next door at the Rainbow Room (where the food is overpriced and the service is mediocre at best --- but you can't beat the convenient location).

We were in line in front of the Roxy by 7:30p.

Doors and box office opened at 8p.

Opening Band #1: Jason Diaz (and the Original Series)

I didn't catch the first part of this band's set as I was unavoidably and happily occupied* elsewhere in the club. But what I did see & hear was pretty awesome. Watching Jason on stage, I saw bits and pieces of a young Michael Jackson circa 1971, a young Prince circa 1978, and a young Lenny Kravitz circa whenever he hit puberty — all rolled into a soulful, young package. Listening to the last part of his set, I could almost hear the different flavors of rock, blues and soul influence in his voice and in the music. I look forward to searching out his album and delving deeper to find out what I missed in the first part of his set.

Having been fortunate enough to secure a spot at the front of the stage, I was able to catch a glimpse of the set list:

Unholiest War

Hey Girl

Come Together

Stomp Out the Sun

Take Me or Leave Me

Welcome to the Bloody Future

Pleasure in Pain

Opening Band #2: New Kingdom

For me, this band gets a C+ for music and an A- for effort and enthusiasm. I couldn't quite concentrate on the music because the lead singer was a distracting blur...running and jumping around the stage like a psychotic aerobics instructor on speed. He worked himself into such a frenzy that with every shake of his locks, he sprayed the audience with sweat. It was almost like being in church and having the priest splash holy water on the congregation—only without the prayers and not as sanitary. I started to think that maybe the Roxy should paint the floor surrounding the stage and label it "SPLASH ZONE" like they do at Sea World for those who don't want to get doused with Whale Water during the show. But I digress. Perhaps it was the anticipation of Nikka's set immediately after, but I could hardly wait for this band to finish.

Nikka took the stage at 10:50p, sporting red skin-tight pants, sexy white high-heeled knee-high boots, and a sequined red and gold poncho over a red mesh spaghetti-strap tank. Shimmering in the spotlight, she was reminiscent of a hot little firecracker ready to explode...and explode she did as she opened with a brand new, never-before-heard song --- PRO --- from her soon-to-be-completed ("about 80% done") album.

SETLIST:

Pro

Can'tNeverDidNothin

Keep Pushin'

Fooled Ya Baby

Like a Feather

Hope it Felt Good

Tug of War

Keep Wanting More

Everybody's Got Their Something

Can't Please Everybody

ENCORE:

Happy In the Morning

Love to Love You Less

True to form, Nikka rocked the house off the Richter scale....as if we would expect anything less. Her mood was playful and fun as she connected with the audience in-between songs, asking if anyone had any jokes, and cracking a few of her own. During "Everybody's Got Their Something," I could only bust out laughing as I saw a pair of red & white boxers flying through the air onto the stage followed by someone else's unfortunate pair of tidy whities. Nikka just laughed as she flung them back into the audience without missing a beat.

And as side note for all you band geeks out there, Nikka's trombone player (who's name escapes me for the moment) KILLED IT in her solo during KEEP PUSHIN'...Jumping all around, dancing, and smiling at the audience between the notes...She made it FUNKY. Which just goes to show you...Nikka's music can make even playing the trombone a hot commodity. So don't pack away the band uniform just yet. Keep those dreams alive!

The show wrapped at 12:12am...a little less than an hour and a half. And as with her previous shows, I found myself "wanting more". She's certainly got enough material for at least another hour. But then, even after another hour, the audience would still be panting for more. It seems impossible to get enough of Ms. Costa.

That's all I gotta say....Until her next LA appearance....

*CHECK OUT THE EXCLUSIVE PRE-SHOW INTERVIEW WITH NIKKA COSTA AT WWW.DRFUNKENBERRY.COM

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Nikka Costa Arrested for Excessive Funkiness

Nikka Costa Arrested for Excessive Funkiness

[CONCERT REVIEW — Nikka Costa @ El Rey | October 3, 2008]

...Okay no...not really. But her personal brand of Funk oughta be ILLEGAL!!!

Nikka rocked our worlds AGAIN on Friday night.

I'm still feeling the aftershocks...(SHOCKA-LOCKA BOOM...What was that???)

Doors opened at 8.

Got there close to 9.

Didn't think I'd get a chance to get up to the front as people were milling around, sipping cocktails...and it looked like all the primo spots were already snagged by the stage. Did a few laps and found Cody & Miss Marcie holding up the stage. I went up to say "hi" and I asked if they were cool if I just kind of hung with them. Eventually everyone we knew at the show —who didn't have the VIP hook-up—had a secure spot up in front. --- THANK YOU, CODY & MARCIE!!

Nikka actually had a band open for her this time — MUSIC and SOUND. They weren't great, but they weren't terrible. It seemed they were a typical band trying to hit the right chord and make it in the industry. The drummer and the bassist were really 'INTO' their songs— making "sex faces" as they were playing. If they're not careful, that could become their signature action.

Nikka took the stage about 10 after 10 and proceeded to play for a little over an hour.

The setlist:

Keep Wanting More

Like A Feather (New York & Toronto, better get your SOUL CLAP ready!!!)

Denial Twist

Push and Pull

Cry Baby

Keep Pushin'

Stuck To You

Happy in the Morning

Everybody's Got Their Somethin

Can't Please Everybody

ENCORE - Love to Love You Less

True to form, Nikka rocked the house. (As IF we would expect anything less) 5 songs from the new album --- not too shabby. But as Clint and I discussed over pancakes & coffee after the show, she has enough material to do AT LEAST another 1/2 hour. But then for $25, it's still a DEAL. No costume malfunctions this time...and the ass-cleavage was modestly hidden. But let's be honest. Nikka can rock any outfit she wants. No one would be mad at her.

That's all I gotta say. She kicked off her tour and now LA's gotta share her with the rest of the world.

PEBBLE TO A PEARL ----- IN STORES OCTOBER 14TH

CHECK OUT THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NIKKA COSTA

AT WWW.DRFUNKENBERRY.COM

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!!