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Music motivates at the most primal level.
You instinctually hum a tune in order to get pumped up in the morning, for fuel on the treadmill, to soundtrack your commute, or as the pre-game to a big night out. As much as he treasures his roles as a guitarist, composer, and producer, Cory Wong fashions himself "a hype man," first and foremost. Living up to this classification, he slings a Stratocaster and hurls "dad jokes" from the stage with the same panache, poise, and power.
"For me, it's all about the listener's experience," he explains. "I want them to have a visceral response like: 'I feel better,' 'That was really fun,' or 'I got to escape for an hour.' You'll hear my voice through the guitar, but I'm just a hype man. To uplift audiences with instrumental music that has no singing or lyrics is a fun challenge. I'm trying to solve the riddle. If I can get one person to feel good this way, it's a success.
Straight out of Minneapolis, Cory positioned himself as music's answer to motivational speakers like Tony Robbins since emerging in 2011. Head-spinning rhythm guitar wizardry, technical ebullience, laugh-out-loud jokes, and radiance on stage established him as both a sought-after collaborator and celebrated solo artist alike. He lent his talents to television programs such as The Voice at the dawn of his career. After an impromptu meeting at the weekly jam hosted by Prince's rhythm section (where the Purple One often either performed or watched), he crossed paths with Vulfpeck who welcomed him as a frequent collaborator and member of the band. Solidifying a fruitful partnership, the group named their most popular instrumental track "Cory Wong," in tribute. Lighting up the stage in the band everywhere from Red Rocks Amphitheatre to Madison Square Garden, he remains a cornerstone of Vulfpeck's storied gigs.
"I try to feature the guitar, but I don't force myself into being the star of every song," he says. "The instrument plays an appropriate role. It's not all flash. I'm bringing rhythm to the forefront where it's not so shreddy. I refer to it as 'Covert chops.' I'm doing things that are sneakily hard, but they lay in the cut. I allow the song to breathe and present myself as more of a composer rather than a guitar player."
In the end, Cory transmits joy in its purest form through the guitar.
"The guiding light is to impart a feeling of joy," he leaves off. "I want people to experience instrumental music in a different way. This is hype. It's more than just guitar."
Encore
Encore
So much talent within Cory Wong and his band. They made the show insanely exciting and every musician got to shine with their instrument. Crowd was dancing and vibing and it was just overall an amazing time. I recommend literally anyone of any age and music taste to go see Cory Wong 🤘.
I went to this show to see Sierra Hull and she was fantastic (hope she records with this band) but the big surprise was Cory Wong and The Wongnotes. This is one of the best bands I've seen live. I was expecting sort of smooth jazz and what I got was a rockin, funky horn band on par with Tower of Power. Excellent musicians, the band was so tight it hurt and when Sierra played and sang with them, it was incredible. Put both of these artists on your list to see!
Delmar Hall is a good intimate place to watch a concert. Cory Wong and the group behind him were fantastic!
I really didn't know what to expect with this show - the tickets were a gift to my husband. But I was pleasantly surprised.....more than that, I loved it! I was on my feet the entire time (and I had one of the few available chairs to sit in). The music was awesome, and it was also my first time at Delmar Hall, and the sound quality was superb!!
Could feel each note in my bones, immaculately clean. Set list had less Vulf than I hoped but it was amazing
We had so much fun! This was our first indoor concert for MANY months. I have really missed experiencing live music with others and sharing the energy that everyone brings. We watched UVA mens basketball beat Duke in the bar of The Jefferson Theater then partied with the crowd in celebration! Wahoowa! The band was amazing. They sounded great and truly looked like they were having fun. My only criticism is that the balance on Antwuan Stanley was not good and we couldn’t hear him very well.
Sierra Hull opened the show by herself. You could hear a pin drop in there as she crushed it!! Absolutely beautiful… She brought out musicians throughout her set and it kept getting better. Cory Wong and the Wongnotes hit the stage after Sierra and absolutely crushed it from start to finish! Next level musicianship, entertaining, exciting music. The energy in the Jefferson Theater was off the hook!! BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE I’VE SEEN IN YEARS!!
Cory and his band threw a great show. The only thing I'd improve from this experience is that we didn't know where the parking was when we arrived, and we had paid for it in advance. It'd had been good to have these directions beforehand.
Cory’s energy is unmatched. It was a great show. His band is super talented. 10/10 would see him live again.
Selina Hull set the bar high before Cory came out. Being able to share the joy of the musicians focusing on the music is such a treat. I enjoy concerts where it is about the art of the music, not dancers or lights. Wow great stuff.
Cory Wong is a great showman, and a pretty darn good guitar player. His Wong Notes were on point as well. For only being their fourth outing of the new tour, they were already in a groove. The Roxian is a great theatre to see a show, the renovation is great, it's clean, the sound and light systems are good. I actually drive two hours to see a show there, and will continue to do so. If I had one ding on the show it would be on the sound and lighting operators. Sierra Hull was the opening act playing an electric mandolin, when she was playing without the band you could hear her. When the band joined her, the sound of the mandolin was lost, almost completely. Some of the mic volumes were also off, even for Cory Wong. Some of the horn section was not mixed in well either. The spotlight occasionally missed the person performing the solo, more than once. When Ms. Hull came back out to join Cory Wong in a couple of songs, once again the sound of her mandolin was very hard to pick up in the mix. Don't get me wrong, it was a great show, and I would highly recommend seeing Cory Wong and the Wongnotes, as I am sure the mix will get better as the tour moves on.
Cory and his band of all-stars does not disappoint. Antwaun Stanley is a pure delight. Everyone on the stage brought their A-Game. Thank you for a wonderful evening!
Way TOO MUCH kick drum..! Overpowering band, disappointing really
My friends and I went to the Cory Wong concert and absolutely loved it. Each instrumentalist was fenomonal and any features were super cool to listen to.
I can’t wait for Cory to come to Kansas City again!!
Too much cracking from the speakers, not mixed well. Bummer because this group is SUPER talented
Cory did not disappoint! The quality of all the musicians in one building should be illegal. Who ever was on the mixing boards did a stellar job. No matter where I stood, it sounded great. The venue on the other hand left much to be desired. There were two giant poles that obstructed my view no matter where I tried to stand.
Cory puts on a great show. I saw him last year at the Brighton Music Hall and this year at the Paradise, and this year’s show was even better than last year’s, which itself was phenomenal. Cory’s band is exceptionally tight right now. The interplay and rapport between Cory and the drummer (Petar Janjic) is especially impressive. Not a note out of place, and some very technically aggressive/syncopated playing. Amazing.
Cory Wong was amazing! We were downstairs and really appreciated the smaller venue room. My fiance had not been to a show in that room and he loved it. Parking was easy. I love seeing shows at Old National Centre.
As always, it was great to see Cory Wong and his crew live. Wonderful music and incredible energy! The venue was very nice! Very clean, safe, and friendly staff.
