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Snarky Puppy on Tour
With a jazz-minded head and a jam-band heart, Snarky Puppy are the ultimate live act. A collective of 40-odd rotating members who typically play shows in groups of 10 to 20, they frequently play with guests ranging from David Crosby to Charlie Hunter to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Led by bassist and composer Michael League, this rogues' gallery of instrumental misfits stir up all sorts of styles — rock, jazz, funk, R&B, Afrobeat, fusion and various world strains — into one big roiling pot of groove. Snarky Puppy have been playing together in various iterations since 2004, and live recordings of their countless club shows, festival stops and concert hall gigs are feverishly collected by fans with good reason. No two concerts are alike, thanks not only to an ever-shifting lineup but also to a healthy dose of improvisation. When they have the space to stretch out, Snarky Puppy can easily go a couple of hours onstage, playing songs from their 10-plus official albums plus plenty of imagination-infused, on-the-spot riffing.
Snarky Puppy in Concert
Though Snarky Puppy are based in Brooklyn, Michael League founded the group in Denton, Texas, under ironic circumstances considering the group's runaway success. As a freshman jazz major at the University of North Texas in 2004, he wasn't good enough to place in any school ensembles. Starting his own band was a way to play the music he'd loved since his teenage years. And since then, Snarky Puppy have not only become a legendary live band, but won three Grammys: Best R&B Performance for their Lalah Hathaway–sung cover of "Something" (on 2013's Family Dinner, Vol. 1), and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for both 2015's Sylva (with the Dutch Metropole Orkest) and 2016's Culcha Vulcha. The group's unwieldy roster happened by accident. In Snarky Puppy's early days, members couldn't afford to turn down gigs with bigger touring artists, so League would bring in pinch players, train them and put them on the road. But between the bonds formed and knowledge acquired, it seemed a waste to kick them out afterward. Hence, "The Fam," as they're called, grew and grew, from Snarky Puppy's self-released debut, 2005's Live at Uncommon Ground, through League's move to New York, and on to albums like 2019's Immigrance, which leans deeply into the members' multicultural backgrounds to arrive at a sound that's continually new and evolving.
Over the course of their career, Snarky Puppy have brought many venues to capacity, like Warner Theatre (Washington, D.C.) and the Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles).
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Snarky Puppy's never a letdown. Mastery of dynamics, indefatigable in pursuit of the groove, endlessly creative in their aural palette.
If you're not familiar with Snarky Puppy, you really need to catch up quickly. Imagine an ensemble of the best musicians playing some very creative/high energy music that showcases the talent of each individual talent. To me, the best way to describe one of their shows is to say "when they were done I felt like I needed a cigarette, if you know what I mean."
Mahalia Jackson theater was awesome . The acoustics were outstanding , and of course the music was too. Just started fallowing Snarky about 3 years ago. Love the music . Had a chance to meet Michael League after the show and he was just a pleasure . Overall was just an outstanding evening and experience. I was sad when it ended. The band put on a great performance with so much energy. Looking forward to more concerts down the road .
Snarky Puppy is the only band I can think of with a rabid fan base that has the cojones to play an entire set of new material and have their audience react wildly positive. I wish I could make it to their GroundUp festival in February but I still can't get myself to spend money in Florida. I will see them whenever they come back to L.A...or anywhere in California! Love these guys. Oh...and their new drummer KILLS IT!!!
Snarky's music is creative. The arrangements are unusual, as is the variety of sounds they are able to make, including the use of vintage instruments. Their timing is impeccable. The performance at The Orpheum in Los Angeles focused mainly on their newest album, "Empire Central". Exploring their body of work will give the listener an appreciation of how varied their music is.
the venue is tops, the sound was great. we loved it!!
It was very, very, very, very, awesome in a very cool venue.
Absolutely top notch. Blown away. Excellent performance
I was so eager to see them. But the new stuff doesn't have the inventiveness I remember. That SEEMS to be what happens to musicians - me included? I wish it wasn't true. There were a few moments of glory but I didn't feel it was worth it ultimately. I miss the wildness and them feeding on each other... There were a few great solos... moments of glory...
Seats in upper balcony ridiculously narrow and uncomfortable! Luckily moved down to more comfortable seats that were empty. GREAT SHOW. Video production could be improved.
Too loud and they have gone much more electronic then when I saw them before.
SP are a great group of sub-culture musicians. They have zero stage presence, no 'show', and should stick to smaller venues where musos can enjoy each other. Lighting design at Fox in Oakland was a total joke. I could have done better with a flashlight! Players often dark. Intense white lights shone into the audience were blinding. Did like the screen at back of stage and cute superimposing of players within instrument graphics, but the screen seemed like a discount version (too small) and graphics were just too same-y. All in all, no desire to see them again.
I am a devotee of Snarky Puppy and have every CD they have produced. This was my 4th in person concert and it was spectacular. All have been fantastic, but this was over the top. Musically and visually.
This was my fourth time seeing Snarky Puppy. In every way, this was the best. The band itself is at the height of their power. The sound was pristine. The theatre resonated with the bass, but no hint of distortion. It was wonderful. The light and multimedia show was also good.
You can expect top flight musicianship from the puppy and they deliver. Great light show too.
I have performed in jazz/rock bands, and was completely blown away by the performance I experienced. The musicianship was absolutely top-notch. Every artist gave stunning solo performances, and meshed so well with the others producing an incredible "alloy"of music. That the group has roots in North Texas State is no surprise to me - I have long held that institution in the highest regard for their music. Seeing them perform in person was an absolute auditory and visual feast. (I had watched a YouTube video and was entranced; seeing them live upped the experience many levels!)
They came,They slayed,looking forward to seeing them again!
As always Snarky Puppy was amazing. There are two areas that kept me from giving the concert 5 stars. First, a little too much electronica in some tines, and secondly, it was too loud for the venue.
Snarky Puppy rocked the Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. An intimate venue with that old theater charm. The band even hung out after the show to meet & greet the fans. All-n-all a great time was had.
Judging from their YouTube videos they display a high level of sophistication but the show was repetitive and generally uninspiring. Even the tribute to one of their idols failed. The keyboardist played 2 identical notes for 4 bars . Is that all you have to say or add? However now I know to avoid them next time and save my money and time.
