Alexz Johnson @ Bluesfest – InDiscover Article
Nat_T_ wrote an article about Alexz at the Ottawa Bluesfest for InDiscover.
A Hot, Hot Day and A Little Bit of Boogie Love.
Yesterday Alexz Johnson played Bluesfest in Ottawa, Ontario. Nat Tomazsewski recalls the day from beginning to end below. Did you see the show? Let us know your thoughts through Twitter @inDiscover or on our Facebook Fan Page.
Tuesday July 6th, 2010. The time read 4.30pm. Ady, who had arrived from New York a few hours prior, and I stood in the brooding heat. We were waiting for the line of people ahead of us to move to the entrance of the Ottawa Blues-festival so we could watch none other than singer/songwriter Alexz Johnson perform. One hour later and about 100g of water lighter, thanks to all the sweating, we finally made it inside.
Johnson’s stage was a little bit offside from all the other stages, which made it seem like she was the only performer around; without the distraction of all the concerts going on from bands such as Iron Maiden. People were anxiously waiting for the show to start, while trying to ignore the insane heat and wiping the sweat out of their eyes ever so often. In all honesty I have no idea how all the artist survived it, it must have been at least 6 degrees hotter on stage with all the lights.
Johnson kicked the show off with L.A. Made Me warming the crowd up to her and her sound. She then moved on to Gonna Get It. After that song to me, and I have no doubt, many others delight; she surprised us with a kick ass performance of an Instant Star classic and old favorite of mine Just wanted your love. It definitely brought back many happy memories. Next on the list was A Little Bit, followed by Voodoo and to Ady’s pleasure she even performed Taker, which by the way, sounded absolutely amazing live.
I was in high spirits and stunned when I heard the opening notes of Running With The Devil and Chicago, which for those of you who don’t know, were shelved by Epic Records due to Alexz Johnson’s release from her contract in 2009. With Boogie Love she took the crowed completely in, she started dancing and clapping and engaging her audience, it was a pleasure to see how much fun she had performing this song, looking around you could see the crowd absolutely loved it. It think hearing that song live was one of the best moments, it showed that she was born to perform, it was just captivating. Boogie Love was a good choice to put on the set list, fit the weather and the season, it helped you forget the heat for a while. I would say this could be the next summer hit.
Johnson and her band closed the set with her newest song Mary. Before she started playing, she talked a little bit about the song and you could just tell by the way she sung it that this song means a lot to her. Although the set list was quite long, the show seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. After Johnson’s set, Lights was supposed to come on. In all honesty my friend and I did not stay for any other performance or artist, yes she was on a train 15 hours just to see Alexz Johnson perform, and that is what I call love and dedicationJ. We made our way through the crowd and towards a little tent where Alexz was signing autographs.
I was standing on the site watching her interact with the fans while my friend was standing in line nervously waiting for her turn. It was great to see her talking and interacting with her fans, she was smiling the whole way through and treating everyone with such openness. She was extremely genuine and sweet and has such a big heart. She took her time with each fan speaking, taking pictures and signing autographs not just on paper and CD, no her name is now adorning the chests and arms of several young men.
It was well worth coming out to Ottawa just to see one artist perform, my friend finally got to meet her idol and talk to her. It was a pleasure to watch her face light up, and funny to see her star-struck and at a loss for words at least once. Alexz Johnson was absolutely amazing and her performance flawless, the band was great they harmonized very well together. It sounded almost better live than on CD, and as an added bonus I got to see Jessica Earnshaw an amazing photographer.
-Nat Tomazsewski
