Concert Review: Jay-Z at the Wolstein Center

By Candis_Hecking. Published on 10/23/2009 - 12:49pm

Last night fans nearly sold out the Wolsein Center in Cleveland for the Jay-Z concert.

One of the opening bands, N*E*R*D put on an amazing performance. Their new female vocalist, Rhea was on stage for the entire performance. During "Spaz" Pharrell Williams invited a female fan on stage with him. She was obviously very excited as she danced and sang along to every word. About 15 women joined N*E*R*D on stage during "Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line For The Bathroom)".

The count down to Jay-Z began and with ten minutes before show time the screens on each side of the stage started counting down. Jay-Z made a dramatic entrance rising from below the stage as "Run This Town" started. The crowd went crazy and the stage came to life. Without a doubt I can say that this was the best and most elaborate back drop display I've ever seen at a concert. The images changed from city buildings, fancy speakers, and live footage.

Many songs played throughout the night were from "The Blueprint 3" album. However we also got to hear "Jigga", "99 Problems", and Izzo (H.O.V.A.). About half way through the show Pharell took the stage again this time with Jay-Z to sing "So Ambitious".

LeBron James made an unsurprising appearance on stage during a few songs. He sort of bounced behind Jay-Z while singing along. It looked like LeBron and some friends had seats on stage off to the right.

The encore was long and included some of my favorite songs such as "Can I Get A....", "Big Pimpin", and "Hard Knock Life". I think I would of refused to leave the venue if I didn't hear these songs. After talking to the crowd and addressing specific fans he ended the show with "Young Forever"

Photos by: Laura Strother

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Comments

Submitted by Dave Sideserf on October 23, 2009 - 1:32pm

#1

Member since:
23 June 2009

Last activity:
40 weeks 5 days

How was Wale?? This guy is on pace to be huge (Subject of BET's Rising Icons premiere, house MC for the VMAs with UCB, debut album dropping in a couple weeks), and no mention? N.E.R.D. hasn't released anything in a year and they got more hype -- that's a legit swing and miss.

Submitted by AsiuL (not verified) on October 23, 2009 - 8:07pm

#2

He did a Great Job.. I personaly didn't know who he was but after his preformance i was wondering "who's Wale"?

Submitted by Candis_Hecking on October 23, 2009 - 2:38pm

#3

Member since:
16 April 2009

Last activity:
15 weeks 1 day

N*E*R*D got the hype because first of all they added a new female singer and because a lot of the songs they sang were new. Which would lead anyone to believe they will have a new album out soon. There last album was released last June and that's not really that long ago.

Not a fan of Wale and these reviews are based on my opinion of the shows I attend. He was barely promoted as being an opening band.

Submitted by Eugene McCormick on October 23, 2009 - 5:32pm

#4

Member since:
15 July 2006

Last activity:
24 min 44 sec

Dave has a Man-Crush on Wale and his buddies with him @wale

Submitted by Dave Sideserf on October 26, 2009 - 11:00am

#5

Member since:
23 June 2009

Last activity:
40 weeks 5 days

Young up-and-coming artists on the brink of stardom due to their immense talent and unique sound give me a rager.

Submitted by noah (not verified) on October 23, 2009 - 3:01pm