Just Loud with Dirty Heads 9/27/2018 @ The Fox Theater in Oakland

For his first time ever being on tour, funk and soul rocker JUST LOUD hit the road with Dirty Heads. This unlikely pairing of a fusion band and a reggae band played at the picturesque Fox Theater in uptown Oakland on September 27th. 

Dirty Heads at The Fox Theater in Oakland 9/27/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

JUST LOUD  at The Fox Theater in Oakland 9/27/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

 I was surprised to see that Thursday night show didn't sell very well since Dirty Heads are pretty popular in the Bay Area but never the less there were some people there early for the electrifying opening act. The show even started a little behind schedule to allow more ticket holders to arrive. 

Dimly lit with midnight blue hues, the stage was like an under the sea scene when the eclectic Virginia born musician emerged. Mirroring every  press photo I've seen of him with a full afro-puff, bug-eye shade and a stylish scarf  JUST LOUD is reminiscent of lo-key Lenny Kravitz. Backed by a full band, of which I am not sure is "his" band or a touring band, they opened with a slowed down version of the Radiohead hit Creep. I think it's excellent for a budding artist, whom many aren't familiar with at all, to start their set with a very familiar song. 

JUST LOUD at The Fox Theater in Oakland 9/27/2018
photo by Marc Fong 

He brings his “bring back the funk” motto to life with an invigorating spunky flare and a zest for life attitude at his live show. People around me at his show in Oakland who were obviously there to see Dirty Heads asked friends “who is this” as they got their groove on. There’s something to say about
witnessing strangers being open to new and different things right before your eyes and JUST LOUD definitely brought that out in people at the Dirty Head show that night.

JUST LOUD at The Fox Theater in Oakland 9/27/2018

photo by Marc Fong 

His electrifying demeanor was very gracious on stage as he continually thanked the crowd and commented how much he loved Oakland and everyone who made it out to see him on his first ever tour. You could hear the love in his voice when he talked and the deep passion in  his vocals when he sang. And whether or not the band that backed him is his backing band or his touring band, you could tell by watching them they were all having having a great time performing together. From vibrant falsettos to soulful modal, his vocal range adjusted within the R&B, funkadelic, rock blend that all of his songs possess. JUST LOUD’s debut self-titled album drops next month on November 16th so of course his set consisted of songs off of it including his latest single “Soul Train” which features the ever iconic Debbie Harry (Blondie) and the afore mentioned cover. 

JUST LOUD at The Fox Theater in Oakland 9/27/2018

photo by Marc Fong 

He closed out his set with his single that’s been getting some serious air play “Electrifying” which left the crowd buzzing with good vibes that carried on to Dirty Head’s set. Fans of MGMT, Prince, Janelle Monae and the like will rejoice when introduced to this genre bending new comer. I can’t wait to see where JUST LOUD’s debut album brings him, hopefully back to The Bay to blow the roof off somewhere  like POPSCENE at Rickshaw Stop.