Access Atlanta > Arts > Our Reviews > Archives > 2006 > October > 07 > Entry
Friday night at Atlantis Music Conference & Festival
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s the second night of performances at the Atlantis Music Conference & Festival. Also known as dues-paying time. If the 300-plus bands playing at 16 metro area venues make it to major hitmaker status - with No. 1 records, million-selling albums and so on - the kind of work they put it in events like Atlantis will be considered a learning experience. Proof that they had stamina to make it. But if they don’t, it could very well serve the same purpose: A learning experience. Proof that they didn’t have the stamina to make it. Take Friday night at Apache Cafe. At 8:59 p.m., the first act took the stage. Since SB is from Chicago, he may not have known that this was where local talents like Grammy winner India Arie honed their craft. May not have even noticed that one of those talents, R&B singer Donnie, was in the audience. However, what the promising rapper did seem to figure out, really quickly, is that when you’re an unknown artist, performing songs people don’t know — soulful and uplifting, or not — you have to really, really work to draw those listeners in. “I know y’all don’t get real hip-hop every day,” SB said during his five-song set, seemingly puzzled by the mostly respectful response. “I can guarantee that!” Then he started resorting to the almost fool-proof way of getting a crowd reaction: “Y’all give yourselves a big round of applause!” “The revolution is coming,” SB said as he wrapped up. “You may not be ready, but it’s coming.” Meanwhile over at Vinyl, what seemed to be an even more gifted talent was wrapping up her set. Unlike SB, Co Co Jones was accompanied by a live band. And unlike SB, instead of using a familiar track, the vocalist covered a familiar song, reworking Janet Jackson’s “Anytime, Anyplace” into a way more forceful tune with smooth jazz accents. Next up was rapper Malachi. And the new member of Atlanta’s reknowned Dungeon Family (OutKast, Goodie Mob) had an instant hometown advantage. First original tune: “Livin In Da A.” (A nickname for Atlanta.) And it wan’t long before he had the decent-sized crowd - including T.I.’s producer DJ Toomp, and Purple Ribbon’s Dee Dee Murray - leaning, rocking, snapping and enjoying. Steps away at Center Stage, however, not so much. With a hot pink ponytail hanging down to her black short shorts, a performer named Spring was working hard to enthuse the seated audience. Her two back-up dancers were in equally revealing ensembles, often gyrating with their backs to the attendees. But when she went into a tune that borrowed from the “Sanford and Son” theme song - as well as the sass of recent hits “London Bridge” and “Hollaback Girl” - it was again met with only respectful applause. “Y’all tired?” hostess CJ of Hot-107.9 asked. “I mean, [expletive].”
Permalink | | Categories: Pop Music
