Exciting, energetic and eclectic
by Great show on 4/29/24Fillmore New Orleans - New OrleansAs usual the show exhibited a panoply of musical sensibilities. Great and never got boring or repetitive.
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Ryman Auditorium
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Ryman Auditorium
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The Eastern-GA
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The National
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Kings Theatre
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Roadrunner-Boston
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College Street Music Hall
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Stage AE
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Royal Oak Music Theatre
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KEMBA Live!
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Palace Theatre-MN
Music motivates at the most primal level.
You instinctually hum a tune in order to get pumped up in the morning, for fuel on the treadmill, to soundtrack your commute, or as the pre-game to a big night out. As much as he treasures his roles as a guitarist, composer, and producer, Cory Wong fashions himself "a hype man," first and foremost. Living up to this classification, he slings a Stratocaster and hurls "dad jokes" from the stage with the same panache, poise, and power.
"For me, it's all about the listener's experience," he explains. "I want them to have a visceral response like: 'I feel better,' 'That was really fun,' or 'I got to escape for an hour.' You'll hear my voice through the guitar, but I'm just a hype man. To uplift audiences with instrumental music that has no singing or lyrics is a fun challenge. I'm trying to solve the riddle. If I can get one person to feel good this way, it's a success.?
Straight out of Minneapolis, Cory positioned himself as music's answer to motivational speakers like Tony Robbins since emerging in 2011. Head-spinning rhythm guitar wizardry, technical ebullience, laugh-out-loud jokes, and radiance on stage established him as both a sought-after collaborator and celebrated solo artist alike. He lent his talents to television programs such as The Voice at the dawn of his career. After an impromptu meeting at the weekly jam hosted by Prince's rhythm section (where the Purple One often either performed or watched), he crossed paths with Vulfpeck who welcomed him as a frequent collaborator and member of the band. Solidifying a fruitful partnership, the group named their most popular instrumental track "Cory Wong," in tribute. Lighting up the stage in the band everywhere from Red Rocks Amphitheatre to Madison Square Garden, he remains a cornerstone of Vulfpeck's storied gigs.
"I try to feature the guitar, but I don't force myself into being the star of every song," he says. "The instrument plays an appropriate role. It's not all flash. I'm bringing rhythm to the forefront where it's not so shreddy. I refer to it as 'Covert chops.' I'm doing things that are sneakily hard, but they lay in the cut. I allow the song to breathe and present myself as more of a composer rather than a guitar player."
In the end, Cory transmits joy in its purest form through the guitar.
"The guiding light is to impart a feeling of joy," he leaves off. "I want people to experience instrumental music in a different way. This is hype. It's more than just guitar."
As usual the show exhibited a panoply of musical sensibilities. Great and never got boring or repetitive.
As a long-standing follower of the Cory Wong band from back rooms of breweries in Minneapolis, to venues all over the US, I was utterly disappointed by the pure lack of space given to the band by whoever mic’s the kick drums. For each quarter note of performance, I missed at least five sixteenth notes due to the sonic assault that is the kick drum reverb/sustain. I saw a bass player on stage, but even though I moved more than 300 feet left/right/front/back, I did not hear any bass guitar playing over the sonic boom that was every trap drummer’s dream tone. It worked for La Lom, the opening band, because the kick drum and upright bass played in sync, like a classic jazz/walking bass sound where the kick drum and bass play the same rhythm. When The Wongnotes took the stage, I was horrified to hear that nothing changed, and many many notes played by professional musicians would be covered by a booming resonance that never really let the audience understand what to do with their hands while their feet shuffled side to side at a reasonable quarter note pace. I paid a lot of money for this concert ticket, and heard approximately 1/4 of the notes I intended to hear. Oh well, I’ll chock this one up as a loss, but funk bands who work hard on their Synchronicity deserve better.
Top quality musicians, top quality music. I would go to his concerts every week if possible
Last night, the Observatory in San Diego's North Park, was transformed into a pulsating hub of musical energy as Cory Wong and his band took the stage. From the moment the lights dimmed, it was clear that we were in for an unforgettable experience. 1. Entertaining Vibes: The band’s charisma was infectious. Cory Wong himself radiated joy, moving effortlessly between rhythm guitar and captivating solos. His infectious smile and playful banter with the audience set the tone for the evening. Wong’s stage presence was magnetic, drawing us all into the groove. 2. Musicianship at Its Finest: The musicianship on display was nothing short of mind-blowing. Each member of the band was a virtuoso in their own right. The tightest horn section I’ve ever witnessed added layers of soulful melodies, punctuating the rhythm with precision. The instrumentalists weaved intricate patterns, creating a sonic tapestry that left us spellbound. 3. The Animated Drummer: The drummer, oh, the drummer! His powerful groove reverberated through the venue. His sticks danced across the drum kit, and he seemed to channel the heartbeat of the music itself. His animated performance was a visual delight—I couldn’t tear my eyes away. It was like watching a master painter create a masterpiece stroke by stroke. 4. Cory Wong: The Rhythm Guitar Wizard: And then there was Cory Wong. The man is more than a rhythm guitarist; he’s a wizard. His fingers moved effortlessly across the strings, conjuring up funky rhythms that made our hips sway involuntarily. Wong’s rhythm work was the backbone of the entire performance, holding everything together with finesse. 5. Stellar Solos: But wait, there’s more! Wong’s solo moments were pure magic. His fingers danced up and down the fretboard, exploring scales and bending notes. Whether it was a soulful ballad or a high-energy funk jam, Wong’s solos were a testament to his mastery of the instrument. The crowd erupted in applause after each breathtaking run. 6. Featured Vocalist Monica Martin: Although it was a bit hard to hear her, she is a talent in her own right. Beautiful and elegant, her sweet and soulful voice added a nice dimension to the show. In summary, Cory Wong and his band delivered a night of musical ecstasy. They transported us to a place where worries melted away, and all that mattered was the rhythm, the melody, and the sheer joy of being alive. If Cory Wong is playing near you, do yourself a favor—grab a ticket and let the music take you on a journey. ?????
Cory put on a fantastic show. The entire band was amazing, particularly the horn section!
Cory Wong put on an epic show! Great tunes, world class musicians! Highly recommend seeing him and his band live!
A barrage of the highest level of musicianship and musicality possible. Every player is as good as any player I've ever seen. And all of the songs are amazing. This is a band I will see every chance I get.
Highest level of musicianship + infectious energy + incredibly tight band + masters playing freely at their craft + press conference + the EWI you didn’t know you were missing out on = wong time.
The music was awesome! But the Mezzanine level acoustics at the Paramount did not serve the tight precision provided by the band very well. Volume was higher than needed and was a bit washed out particularly with the bass and voice. Seemed like the sound for the final 2 encore sounds was improved? YouTube beat out live for this concert. Maybe ground floor sound was better?
The show was a last. Overtone on stage played together so well. The light-hearted nature and humor was delightful! I would definitely see them again!