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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).
This was the first time I saw Snarky Puppy but it sure isn’t the last. I will see them again most likely next time they tour in this area. impressive band. Everyone should see them at least once. They didn’t disappoint.
Truly an amazing show. There’s nobody out there like Snarky Puppy. Totally progressive and interesting music, but also just funky and catchy. Excellent musicians. Lots of “wows” between me and my friends.
Fantastic musicians - all 13 of them and worth every penny we spent on the tickets. We had great seats in the loge. Fantastic sound stage. HOWEVER, the lighting concept, however well intended, detracted from the experience. The biggest issue was how DARK the stage was. Other reviews have mentioned the spot lights that shined out into the audience as particularly annoying, as well. The entire band was cloaked in lighting better suited for a film noir. Even the amazing soloists were essentially in shadow. The roving cameras displayed on a screen behind the band was a distraction, and in any event often showed the musician from behind or above. So the cameras didn't make up for the poor lighting on the musicians. Snarky Puppy gave us a fantastic night of music, but it would have been nice to have been able to see the musicians.
Snarky Puppy is such a great group of musicians! They performed their new Grammy award winning album for our listening pleasure. It was a real treat, especially since I saw them at the Beacon Theatre in NYC. The sound was so good and every seat in the Beacon is great!
Fantastic show by Snarky Puppy. First time seeing them live, and their performance and stage energy was terrific. However, the acoustics at Cleveland Masonic are dreadful. Think high school gymnasium-bad, and you're close. Nothing but hard surfaces everywhere. The opening act, while probably talented, was unlistenable, especially when the bass started and all you heard was a booming mess. The situation improved slightly when Snarky Puppy took the stage, probably because the room was nearly full of people (who make halfway-decent sound dampeners). I can understand Masonic not wanting to cover up the ceiling, but they could improve matters significantly with a set of wall-mounted acoustic panels.
My first time seeing them I'm glad I got the opportunity to see them.
Snarky Puppy, Masonic Hall Cleveland. I have seen many concerts in my 76 years but I must say that this show was at the top of the energy list. The C4 warm up was just that and by warm up I mean hot Venezuelan guitar Jazz. Snarky Puppy came on for about a 2 hour performance that was beyond the pale. I have waited years to see the group in person since first seeing them on a PBS special. I would hope they would come back locally again. The show was well planned and well played. The musicians were comfortable with the crowd and the hall was perfect for the musical intensity. The group in Snarky Puppy played exuberantly, having fun and talking to the audience. I would have liked to hear more from the first CD but the chosen pieces were a knockout. I would urge anyone who wants to hear Funk, Hispanic, African, Fusion Jazz and probably some other tags you could imagine played live to see this band. Great band with Great music. Congratulations, S.P. you made my night,
Great show great performance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An amazing and unique performance!!! I cant believe their American audience isn't 10 times greater than it is. They consistently sell out around the world.
Transformative, incredible show we will all remember for years to come.
I wrote a review but typed a name wrong. I typed Rodney when I meant to type Rodner. So it was either auto-corrected or I typed it wrong, since my best friend in high school was Rod. I don't know the answer, but I could not find a way to edit once it posted.
Opening up was super-talented C4 Trio, although this night it turned into C4 Quartet when they were joined by Michael League himself filling in on bass for Rodney Padilla who had an unfortunate accident resulting in a broken arm or something...sorry for Rodney but, once in a lifetime man! So starts off awesome and then proceeds to get even better. Such great performances by each and every one of these virtuoso players. Just amazing. Then after the encore, they are joined by two incredible percussionists , Weedie Braimah and Jamie Haddad, (who lives around here, close to my drummer, Jeff Denney I think, out toward Sandusky), anyway, then the finale was really invigorating to say the least! Thunderworks on stun! Also shout out to the sound-crew who did an awesome job wrestling (victoriously) with the stubborn low-mids of the 100 yr. old auditorium which could benefit from some analysis and subsequent bass traps, just sayin'... a little high-pass please! :) But that wouldn't keep me from seeing another show here. Every seat has a great view, Ambience is good, service was great and the show....I will remember for a long time. So good. Even got an autographed hat from one of my favorite bass players! and the rain stopped by the time we got out for the walk back to the car... et voila!
Great concert. Chill vibe. Everyone was there to enjoy the music. The group gave a great performance.
I am certain this was the best concert I've ever been to. Their musicianship is phenomenal
The venue was terrific, efficient and friendly. The band was outstanding! Great time!
Venue.....Excellent......Sound......Excellent......Performance.....Outstanding!!! Great show!
Snarky puppy is a different breed of musicians! Super vibing, talented and gifted and top quality music and showmanship! They selected a top rate opening act also
Opening act C4 Trio was an unexpected and pleasant surprise. I was blown away by the talented trio of cuatro guitar players as well as their bass player. Their obvious joy of performing earned them a new fan in me. I already knew Snarky Puppy wouldn’t disappoint and they did not. From the opening notes to the final one their groove never let up. As a musician myself, I am jealous of the outstanding abilities of these young players. I can’t imagine how much hard work and practice goes into being such a tight-knit band but still loose and funky all at the same time. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I see either of these two groups. What an awesome show!
Great show we had a great time and the opening act was equally great
This was one of the most exciting events I have ever been too. Music was spectacular. The opening band knocked it out. Two fabulous bands at one event. It just cannot get any better than this. I will cherish and remember this moment for all time. Thank you
