Review: Citizen Cope @ Crossroads KC 10.6.2012
*KANSAS CITY –*With no opener, Citizen Cope delivered a two-hour set at Crossroads KC. The night served as a showcase for his wide range of emotions, musical scope and songwriting skills.
Cope’s voice was strong and soulful all night, and his tight band added a heaviness to his sound. A crowd of around 1,500 showed up to groove to his message-based music.
The show started with the title track of his latest album, “Another Lovely Day.” However, Cope’s set focused on many of his classic songs. The majority of thee set list came from his second album, “The Clarence Greenwood Recordings.” “Bullet and a Target” hit hard with reggae-funk fusion. A solo, acoustic version of “Sideways” ignited a major crowd sing-a-long. “Brother Lee” was jammed out into a dense reggae haze. “If There’s Love” had a strong, almost gospel tone.
He ended the show with a reggae-infused version of Radiohead’s “Karma Police.” “Peace and love,” Cope shouted, flashing a peace sign as he left the stage.
Citizen Cope effortlessly mixes musical styles to create a sound all his own. Live, he proves why he is one of the most versatile performers touring today. His passion for crafting stories through song, endurance and dedication to his fans is unmatched.