What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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W hen I started thinking about end-of-the-year music coverage, I realized my listening habits in 2017 haven't been quite as varied as usual. There was a lot of '80s-inspired pop (very big right now), a solid amount of "Hamilton" (for the third year), and lots of time spent listening to Taylor Swift (I'm not sorry). But thinking back on my musical experiences of 2017, it was the live shows I attended that stood out. Some big names, some nostalgic moments and some new encounters culminated in a concert palette I'm pretty proud to have experienced these last 300-plus days. So instead of my opinion on the best albums I listened to this year, I'm sharing with you the best concerts I attended in 2017. All these shows happened in Northwest Arkansas, so many of you may have attended one or more. And if not, you now know these artists will travel to our corner of the state and can keep your eye on future tour schedules. The shows listed are ordered chronologically only because each experience was so different, it would be nearly impossible for me to choose the "best" musical performance I saw in 2017. Feb. 11 JUSTIN PETER KINKEL-SCHUSTER Stage Eighteen in Fayetteville With Adam Torres JPKS had one of my favorite albums of 2016 with the release of his first solo venture, "Constant Stranger." Lucky for us, the musician that is half of Mississippi folk/rock band Water Liars has transplanted to Northwest Arkansas, so hopefully we'll get to experience his poignant performances a little more often. The haunting twang of Kinkel- Schuster's voice wraps around images of family and lovers while grasping at both unrest and romance in his poetic writing. Paired with the beautiful, delicate music of Adam Torres in early February, the two put on an intimate and moving, acoustic-driven show to some 100 people at Stage Eighteen that made for an affecting night of music. March 11 AMERICAN AUTHORS ADA's Kiss a Pig Gala in Rogers The Northwest Arkansas chapter hosts the largest charity gala nationwide for the American Diabetes Association and the largest charity gala of any in the state of Arkansas. The event — held at the John Q. Hammons Center — welcomes special guests, holds immense silent and live auctions and hosts a musical performer as part of the evening's entertainment. Though supporting the local chapter of the ADA is the focus, the chance to see exciting performers at a comparatively intimate venue is a particular treat. Alternative pop-rockers American Authors performed at this year's gala with a dynamic set of their biggest hits. The group's energetic and anthemic songs provided one of the most joyful performances I saw this year. May 22 TRAIN, O.A.R. and NATASHA BEDINGFIELD Walmart AMP in Rogers On a mellow and breezy early summer night, iconic pop/rock group Train made its debut at the Walmart AMP with a cheerful and fan-pleasing romp through the band's biggest hits, and new songs from the 10th album and January release, "a girl a bottle a boat." Sure, it wasn't the most earth-shattering performance I've ever seen or the most impactful lyrics I've ever heard, but Train and lead singer Pat Monahan have been catering to their audience for more than two decades and know how to put on a show that is exactly what their fans want. The concert was the radio-friendly production with generous interaction that the multi-generational crowd came for and was a spirited kickoff for summer. The show was also my first time seeing Ohio rock/jam band O.A.R. and the bubbly Natasha Bedingfield in person. The two acts rounded out the concert nicely with Bedingfield's impressive vocals as she bounced through her well-known hits of the early 2000s, and O.A.R. amazed the crowd with their musicianship and contagious energy. DELICIOUS SANDWICHES, PIZZA, FLATBREADS, SOUPS, SALADS & MORE! @schlotzkys BBQ Chicken & Jalapeño Pizza and Turkey Avocado Cobb Salad LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED 2548 N College • Fayetteville • 479-443-5000 2709 W Walnut • Rogers • 479-636-9900 1919 W Sunset • Springdale • 479-751-9800 Good thru 1-14-18. Not valid with any other discounts. $ 3 OFF * ANY PURCHASE OF $10 OR MORE DECEMBER 31, 2017-JANUARY 6, 2018 WHAT'S UP! 7 COMING SOON Some of the shows I'm most looking forward to in 2018 include: • Judah & the Lion — George's Majestic Lounge, Jan. 31 • Donny McCaslin — Walton Arts Center, Feb. 10 • Moon Taxi — George's Majestic Lounge, Feb. 14 • Jason Mraz — Walton Arts Center, March 30 • Kesha and Macklemore — Walmart AMP, June 25 • Niall Horan — with Maren Morris, Walmart AMP, July 21 TOP TUNES Because I can't resist picking out a few, here were some of my favorite songs released this year: • "Vacation" — on Super- fruit's "Future Friends," Sept. 15 • "Feel It Still" — on Portugal. The Man's "Woodstock," June 16 • "Broken Halos" — on Chris Stapleton's "From A Room: Volume 1," May 5 • "Up All Night" — on Beck's "Colors," Oct. 12 • "Great Divide" — on Ira Wolf's "The Closest Thing to Home," Sept. 9 • "Yours If You Want It" — Rascal Flatts' "Back To Us," May 19 • "If We Were Vampires" — on Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's "The Nashville Sound," June 16 • "Woman" — on Kesha's "Rainbow," Aug. 11 • "You're Drunk" — Brandy Clark • "Gorgeous" — on Taylor Swift's "Reputation," Oct. 10 2017 See Concerts Page 41 The Revue Review Music writer looks back at favorite shows of the year LISTEN HERE! Jocelyn Murphy jmurphy@nwadg.com