9 posts tagged “malibu performing arts center”

With k.d. lang, every song is moving. Every moment just hangs in the air as you wait for her next, undoubtedly perfect note. It’s like she controls the entire atmosphere, not just her incredible voice. Our KCRW Sessions show with k.d. lang at the Malibu Performing Arts Center spotlighted the remarkable singer who has conquered pop, country, jazz and some of the most inspiring collaborations imaginable. She is one of few people who can cover “Hallelujah” and not make you yearn for the original. She owns it.

When asked about her backing band during the interview, she told Chris jokingly that she “likes to surround herself with handsome young men”  Young they were, and talented too. She also proclaimed it is “time to take back country” now that we’ve "survived the last eight years." The Grammy winner reflected on the life changing experience of discovering KCRW in 1995 and Chris said, on her visit to the station, she rode in on a Harley. He asked if it was still her bike of choice. It turns out she’s moved on to a ‘67 Tiger Triumph.

Here the full interview and two sets of music HERE

Photos by Salvador Farfan below!

RR

k.d. lang stopped into our studio for a live Morning Becomes Eclectic performance this morning before our KCRW Sessions show this weekend. The Grammy winner will be performing with a full band in front of a crowd of 500 at the Malibu Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm PST and we are broadcasting the show LIVE on KCRW.com HERE . Host Chris Douridas will also join her on stage for an interview between sets.

k.d. told Nic she was really excited for the show because she loves small venues and that she is performing as a listener to help out a station she loves. (All of our KCRW concerts are benefits for the station.)

k.d. even called KCRW the “world’s greatest station.” There was a LOT of love here this morning and it got us all REALLY excited for Sunday.

Here’s a little preview

And check it out live at 7:30pm PST on Sunday OR in our archives next week.

RR

 
 

Our KCRW Sessions show with Moby couldn't have been more different than the first (with Sia). There were moments when the Malibu Performing Arts center was an all-out rave – definitely something this pristine venue/recording studio by the sea has never seen before.

For the first two tracks, opener "Lift Me Up" and "Go," one of his first hits, the audience tapped toes, bobbed heads and threw a few fists, all while seated. When "bodyrock" started it took about 3 seconds for everyone to get on their feet. I've never seen anything like it. A handful made the move and the rest followed so quickly it was like a wave.

At the end of the first set, it seemed no one wanted to stop the dance party for the interview, hosted by Nic. But as soon as they started chatting, everyone realized what a special experience it was. They were essentially seeing what happens on Morning Becomes Eclectic live before their very eyes.

Moby is incredibly candid – we learned the album he was listening to when he got to "second base" (the first Aerosmith record), his first musical moment (listening to “Proud Mary” in the car at age 3), and his awkward teenage years that led him -- and a bunch of other guys with no friends -- to form a hard core band. That hard core side of him did come out a bit tonight in a cover of Joy Division's “New Dawn Fades.”

At the beginning of the second set he warned things would get experimental. He did a reworked version of "Porcelain" and his incredible singer Laura sang a gospel tune. Harmonica is not something you expect to hear at a Moby show but deep into the second set, he started messing around with some blues guitar licks and daring his harmonica player (and guitarist) to match the riffs. It was pretty awesome.

That’s what is so great about these Sessions shows – you are fully aware that you are witnessing something truly unique that won't be repeated. Moby seemed to be having as much fun as the audience and didn’t hold back – as a singer, performer, bass player, drummer OR playing bongos. He put on a SHOW, with an incredible band behind him of course. They seemed just as excited as the audience to be there.

"We Are All Made of Stars" and the sing along to "Natural Blues" were big second set highlights.  For the encore he went straight up raver with "Next is the E," and closing with “Honey.” On one side of the venue, people were just going insane – dancing wildly, all with huge smiles on their faces. Not a soul left that venue unsatisfied.

The first set and interview are already available for viewing HERE and will be followed by the second set this afternoon.  Set list is below.

RR  

KCRW Sessions with MOBY
At the Malibu Performing Arts Center

SET LIST
(electronic)
lift me up
go
bodyrock
disco lies
the stars

interview

(band set)
great escape
porcelain
extreme ways
i like it
we are all made of stars
run on
when it’s cold
natural blues
new dawn fades

(encore)
next is the e
honey

KCRW Sessions is an intimate concert series featuring a live session and interview with KCRW Music Director Nic Harcourt held in front of an audience of 500. Our latest show features Moby, who will be bringing a full band for an unforgettable performance. The show at the Malibu Performing Arts Center is sold out BUT you can watch the session online live from the comfort of your home Thursday evening beginning at 8:30p PST. Go here for more info

The performance will also be archived before the weekend so keep an eye out for that if you miss it live.

RR

We told you we would be back with another great KCRW Sessions show!  

This is our brand-new live concert series that we kicked off with Sia in April. As anyone who was at the Malibu Performing Arts Center that night can attest, it was a magical performance (and hilarious interview with Nic Harcourt). Tickets to the first show sold out almost immediately to members only so make sure your membership is active and mark your calendar for the July 1 on sale date.

Moby has a long history with KCRW. The station embraced his first single “Go” and his catalogue in our music library dates back to 1992. His 1999 album “Play” is among the top 15 most played albums of all time at the station and he is one of few artists that virtually every DJ here has played. He first appeared on KCRW’s airwaves in 1995 with Chris Douridas and has returned a handful of times for live performances and guest DJ sets.

The artist recently stopped in for a fantastic live set on Morning Becomes Eclectic and will be performing at MPAC with a full band.

For More Information: http://www.kcrw.com/events/kcrw-sessions-moby

RR

Video of Sia’s performance at the Malibu Performing Arts Center is now online. Watch the hilarious, quirky and heartbreaking performance and interview of KCRW's first KCRW Sessions show.

Watch the Full performance of KCRW Sessions with Sia

RR

When you walked into the Malibu Performing Arts Center last night you knew something special was about to happen. For one thing, tickets sold out almost immediately to KCRW members so the audience of 500 was filled with huge fans of Sia AND the station. A special crowd to be sure.
 
The intimacy of the venue led to a lot of jokes throughout the night, with Sia encouraging hecklers and asking the front row if they needed anything. But the most intimate moment of all was not about distance (or lack there of) between the artist and the crowd, it was through her soul-bearing songs. Sia does not hold anything back when she sings and there were numerous moments where I literally got chills -- “Breathe Me” being just one of them.  
 
Sia was also hilarious, breaking the ice after heartbreaking songs with a huge smile, a quick jig and a joke or two. Her interview with Nic gave some true insight into her quirky character and was a real treat to witness.
 
The entire show will be archived online at http://www.kcrw.com/events/kcrw-sessions
by Tuesday. Enjoy a preview of "Days Too Soon" above and photos below.
 
Thanks to everyone who came out last night. Please comment if you were there!

Tickets to the first show in our new live music series KCRW Sessions sold out in just 7 minutes BUT the good news is we are also trying out our first ever webcast from the Malibu Performing Arts Center so you can watch it from the comfort of your own home here!

This is not your average show – it’s an intimate sit-down venue with the sound quality of a recording studio so this will be a very special night. There will be a live set with Sia, who is quite famous for her onstage antics as well as her soul shaking singing, and an interview with Nic Harcourt.  

If you miss it the night of the show, check KCRW.com for photos and video excerpts on Friday The full performance will be posted to the site by Tuesday at http://www.kcrw.com/events/kcrw-sessions

RR

 
 

Exciting news – we are launching a new live music series at the Malibu Performing Arts Center and SIA will be our special guest kicking it off on April 24. The “formal” details are below!! RR

On April 24, 2008, KCRW (89.9 FM and KCRW.com) will launch the first of a series of three intimate musical evenings at the Malibu Performing Arts Center, a stunning, state-of-the-art recording studio and venue. Station favorite Sia will be the inaugural KCRWSessions artist and proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the Santa Monica public radio station’s acclaimed music programming.

These live shows will be stripped down to the essence of what we at KCRW see when an artist comes to perform in our studios, providing a unique behind-the-scenes perspective with a Morning Becomes Eclectic-style interview and a live session held in front of an audience of 500.    

“Sia is a unique, funny and creative personality. I can’t think of a better artist to present in this setting and kick off the series. It is sure to be entertaining, that’s a fact,” said KCRW Music Director and Host of Morning Becomes Eclectic Nic Harcourt.

On the heels of her critically-acclaimed fourth solo album, “Some People Have Real Problems,“ the Zero 7 singer will bring a full band for an unforgettable performance. She will also be performing at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The Malibu Performing Arts Center is the ultimate setting to enjoy the station’s signature music programming. Located just five minutes south of Moonshadows and blocks from the beach, the venue was built as a recording environment first and foremost, with incredible acoustics.

“The first time I was there, I spotted the potential straight away. Every seat is the best seat in the house. It’s been built for something like this,” said Harcourt.

MPAC has a history of community-oriented events, most recently having sheltered firefighters during the October blazes that destroyed much of the area around the center and then hosting benefit concerts for victims of the fire.
KCRW’s flagship show Morning Becomes Eclectic continually captures some of music's most talented voices early on and nurtures those artists throughout their careers. More established artists regularly return to the beloved station that gave them their first airplay and live performance broadcast.

Tickets for the April 24 event – price between $75 and $150 -- will go on sale to KCRW members only on Tuesday, March 18. They will be on sale to the public Thursday, March 20. The $150 ticket will include a pre-party before the performance.