Reviews: Bob Dylan, Katy Perry, Graham Nash & More

AP Photo – Bob Dylan
17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, Calif.

This week, for your reading enjoyment, we have compiled critical reviews of live performances from Bob Dylan in Perth, Australia; Katy Perry in Boondall, Australia; Graham Nash in Salford, England; Toots & The Maytals in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Got7 in Singapore, Singapore; Gary Clark Jr. in Bethlehem, Pa.; Jeff Lynne’s ELO in Los Angeles; and Dierks Bentley in Bethlehem, Pa.

Bob Dylan @ Perth Arena in Perth, Australia, Aug. 8 – “If you appreciate the reinventor that Bob Dylan has always been, you’ll be entranced by this show. If not, recall that it’s 52 years since an audience member at the Manchester Free Trade Hall screamed ‘Judas!’ at Dylan because he was holding an electric guitar.” – Bob Gordon / The Guardian

Katy Perry @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, Australia, Aug. 8 – “Visually, it’s something reminiscent of Miley Cyrus’ ‘Bangerz’ tour in 2014, albeit a little more well put-together: An almost cartoon, child-like aesthetic complete with vibrant costumes, giant flamingos, floating planets, a fully-functional inflatable mouth, an actual mid-show basketball 1×1 match… The list goes on. Katy makes her way around these impressive set-pieces like a pro.” – Jesse Chaffey / scenestr.

Graham Nash @ The Lowry in Salford, England, July 29 – “Playing with just a guitarist (Shane Fontayne) and a keyboard player (Todd Caldwell), there is nowhere onstage for Nash to hide, no supporting cast or laser show to paper over any cracks. Onstage, he is pretty much exposed and oddly enough, for a man used to performing in a collective (as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, one of the biggest-grossing bands in the world) he seems very much at ease baring his soul and looking into the eyes of his audience.” – Gary Jones / Express

John Davisson – Toots & The Maytals
Toots & The Maytals play the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds May 3.

Toots & The Maytals @ Hartwood Acres in Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 5 – “Vocalist Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert ruled the stage, delivering lines like a preacher on such songs as ‘Do the Reggay,’ ‘Funky Kingston,’ ‘Monkey Man’ and ‘Bam Bam.’” – Rick Nowlin / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Got7 @ Zepp @ Bigbox in Singapore, Singapore, Aug. 4 – “While Got7 is very much mainstream K-pop – from the synchronised dancing to the coordinated outfits – they also came across as genuine, just a group of boys doing what they enjoy.” – Jan Lee/ The Straits Times

Gary Clark Jr. @ Bethlehem Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pa., Aug. 1 – “But the most refreshing thing about Clark is that he plays with power — not like the multitude of guitarists these days who play all their screaming, string-bending notes high on the neck.” – John J. Moser / The Morning Call

John Shearer / Invision / AP – Jeff Lynne
Grammy Awards, Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO @ Forum in Los Angeles, Aug. 5 – “This is not a tour for anyone looking to Lynne to revive deep tracks; he didn’t wait this long to resume things not to give the (non-geek) people what they want.” – Chris Willman / Variety

Dierks Bentley @ Bethlehem Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pa., Aug. 6 – “Musikfest’s critics have sometimes slammed the diversity (or lack thereof) of the festival lineup, but what it got from Bentley on Monday night was a showcase on why some call him the ‘country chameleon.’” – Stephanie Sigafoos / The Morning Call