Rodriguez and LP on stage together could very well be the best matched tour of the year. One artist is celebrating the twilight of his career after a much deserved resurgence. The other at the beginning of what is sure to be one of the most celebrated new artists on the planet.
If you haven’t seen the 2012 Academy Award-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man, then you are missing out on a remarkable story. Sixto Diaz Rodriguez (also known as just Rodriguez) is an American folk musician from Detroit, Michigan. His career initially proved to be short lived with two little-sold albums in the early 1970s. Unknown to him, however, his work became extremely successful and influential in South Africa and at one time he was more famous than Elvis Presley, although he was mistakenly rumored there to have committed suicide.
If you have listened to pop music over the last several years, you have likely heard LP’s stellar songwriting talents being performed by some of the biggest names in music. The Los Angeles by way of New York City singer/ songwriter has been bouncing around from major label to major label lending her songwriting efforts to others for close to a decade—all the while leading up to her magnum opus, Forever For Now which hits stores this week. And by no surprise it’s one of the best records you will hear this year.
Rodriguez’s fame in South Africa had remained completely unknown to him until 1997, when his eldest daughter came across a website dedicated to him. After contacting the website and learning of his fame in the country, Rodriguez went onto his first South African tour, playing six concerts before thousands of fans. He would continue building upon his belated success in 2012 when the film Searching for Sugar Man took on a life of its own here in the US. Rodriquez would soon begin a media frenzy appearing on 60 Minutes, The Late Show, The Tonight Show, and CNN just to name a few. Fast forward to 2014…
Rodriquez brought his live show to San Francisco’s Warfield Theater for two sold out nights. I was at the first night and it was remarkable. Here’s a guy at the peak of his career which is happening 30 years later than it probably should have. His stage presence was magical and his wit came across as if you had known the guy your whole life.
With his edgy folk sound, hints of psychedelic rock, and bluesy overtones, his storytelling came across as very Dylanesque and his delivery falls somewhere between Dylan, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen, but with his own unique twist. After witnessing Rodriguez perform live, there’s certainly no denying that his music would have likely paved a similar road to legacy status if the stars had properly aligned.
LP opened up the show and pretty much blew everyone’s mind in the theater within the first three minutes of her performance. Having heard a song here and a song there over the past year I was eager to see her perform live. She took to the stage, very modestly announced herself and said “This one’s called “Into the Wild.” What happened next was stunning.
LP took showed the capacity crowd a whole new level of live performance. The very second she opened up into one of the most powerful choruses I have ever heard, it was easily understood that this was indeed a very special artist. Flawlessly and effortlessly she would hit notes sending chills down your arms in which your musical senses wanted nothing more but for her to continue.
Besides the stellar standout track “Into the Wild,” LP really turns on her charm with the absolutely stunning “Levitator” where she again showcases her remarkable range. And my personal favorite song “Tokyo Sunrise” could be the best song I have heard this year.
It pulls the listener into an emotional rollercoaster ride with LP that will literally bring tears to your eyes as you can feel every single emotion that is coming through her voice. This is the type of song that you don’t listen to as much as you actually experience it.
After listening to LP’s debut, it reminds me of the first time I heard Adele. Not that she sounds anything like Adele, but the fact that you can sense when a record is going to go on to become one of the biggest records of the year. This is something very special folks, don’t miss out. Forever For Now hits online and stores this week. This is a clear frontrunner for the best debut album of 2014.
More shots from Rodriguez:
And more shots from the incredible performance by LP.
Have you seen the show? I would love to hear your thoughts around both of these artists. Please join the conversation in the comment section below. Also, check out hi res photos from both shows in the gallery here.
