My review originally ran on The Orange County Register's Web site on Sunday, June 21. You can find the review in today's Life section of the print edition of the newspaper. A special "thank you" to Kelly A. Swift for permission to run her photos with my review.

Roland Orzabal, left, and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears on June 20, 2015. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Jack's 10th Show

Who: Tears for Fears, Bush, Cake, Everclear, Lit, Richard Blade

Where: Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

When: June 20

ENTERTAINMENT

Jack's 10th Show gives fans plenty to love

A. Jay and Jeremy Popoff of Lit
at Jack's 10th Show on June 20.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Five artists performing over the course of five hours – Lit kicked things off at 5:50 p.m. and Tears for Fears finished its set at about 10:45 p.m. – produced a fast-paced and eclectic mix of ’80s and ’90s hits at Jack’s 10th Show at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on Saturday night (June 20, 2015).

Like many of Jack FM’s previous multi-artist mini festivals, this was a party-minded affair that allowed fans to make the day their own. Many of the seats around me were empty until evening, with many fans opting to eat, drink, check out merchandise and entertain themselves in the expansive grassy area outside. There was a long line of people trying to win prizes at the Totally ’80s Bar booth (who wouldn’t want their own Rubik’s Cube?), and many concertgoers were busy checking out the drums and guitars at the Yamaha Music Experience booth.

After radio personality Richard Blade kicked things off on the main stage, taking requests and hosting a kind of name-that-tune game, it was time for the real action. Orange County’s Lit played 40 minutes of rock that included its best-known hits and enticing new material. A new reggae-tinged melodic rocker likely titled “Make Love Easy” that is part of a new crop of songs the band has been working on in Nashville was particularly effective, while fans got to their feet and sang along to the group’s biggest hit, “My Own Worst Enemy.”

Everclear was a good choice to include in the day’s lineup, but lead singer Art Alexakis’ hoarse vocals detracted from the power of “Heroin Girl,” “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine.” An acoustic-style version of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” also failed to excite.

Cake performing at Jack's 10th Show in Irvine on
June 20, 2015. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Cake’s 40-minute outing was a bona fide joy, highlighted by singer-guitarist John McCrea’s offbeat personality, consistently impressive harmonies and trumpeter Vince DiFiore’s stellar work. The keyboard-anchored “Long Time” and psychobilly burner “Stick Shifts and Safety Belts” were early highlights, while the cool rocker “Sick of You” and a reworked version of Black Sabbath’s 1970 classic “War Pigs” delighted fans later. When the band realized it only had a few minutes left, Cake quickly kicked it up with a buoyant version of “The Distance.”

Gavin Rossdale of Bush performing at Jack's 10th Show.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

British rockers Bush had the prime slot, performing as the night grew dark and temps had dropped dramatically. The Gavin Rossdale and his group’s post-grunge sound had the near-capacity audience on its feet for more than an hour. Hits aplenty were unleashed with power, including “Machinehead,” “Everything Zen,” “Glycerine” and others, allowing the band to rock relentlessly. Toward the end of the set, Rossdale left the stage and ventured far into the audience, providing a dramatic element to the band’s set.

Tears for Fears’ intoxicating and nuanced rock was the perfect follow-up to the hard edge of Bush. More than 30 years after the release of seminal studio discs “The Hurting” (1983) and “Songs From the Big Chair” (1985), the duo of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith continue to champion songcraft like few others. Tears for Fear’s 70-minute set was heavy on hits, but thankfully, that wasn’t a bad thing.

Curt Smith of Tears for Fears on June 20, 2015.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

The dramatic opener “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” the Beatle-esque “Sowing the Seeds of Love,” the haunting “Pale Shelter” and the swirling “Head Over Heels” have lost none of their luster over the years and were performed with perfection. Lesser-known songs (“Secret World” and “Closest Thing to Heaven” from the band’s outstanding 2004 release Everybody Loves a Happy Ending) were equally stirring. An interactive six-minute version of “Shout” closed out the night, the crowd on its feet and happily singing along.

Review: Robert Kinsler

Media Preview Day recap offers preview of 2014 NAMM

Daytime temps might have visitors from around the globe swearing it's summertime, but the kickoff of the 2014 NAMM Show can only mean one thing; January has arrived and so has the world's largest gathering of the music products industry. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) kicked off their annual winter show held at the Anaheim Convention Center earlier today with Media Preview Day.

The OM-ECHF Navy Blues guitar at its debut.

With more than 100,000 attendees from 90 different nations expected to attend the NAMM Show (Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 23-26), the Media Preview Day held earlier today (Wednesday, Jan. 22) afforded a nice chance to get an intimate leap on this year's trade show with about 20 companies showcasing their products for a swarm of reporters, bloggers, photographers and new media insiders.

It is always the blend of cutting-edge technology and time-honored craftsmanship of acoustic instruments that makes checking out NAMM pretty special. I couldn't take my eyes off the beautiful OM-ECHF Navy Blues Limited Edition guitar, the third in a series of collaborations between C.F. Martin & Co., Eric Clapton, and Hiroshi Fujiwara. With fewer than 200 of these guitars set to be made (and each signed by Clapton, Fujiwara, Dick Boak and C.F. Martin IV), it's easy to see why the suggested retail price is $6,999. Visit Martin Guitar's Web site at www.MartinGuitar.com.

Dion Dublin playing The Dube.

While acoustic guitars (especially great ones!) will never go out of style, innovation is another big part of NAMM. Dion Dublin, a former English footballer, brought his new creation known as The Dube to showcase how it offers a full percussion drum sound in a futuristic package. He explained that he developed the instrument about eight years ago while he was still playing professional football. Not only did The Dube sound great during a demonstration, but there is little doubt that the instrument is easier to transport than a full drum kit and likely perfect for many live settings.

And of course NAMM wouldn't be complete without live performances by top players. Art Alexakis, lead singer of the alternative rock outfit Everclear, came in support of Los Angeles College of Music, where he was recently selected to be chair of songwriting department. He performed a powerful acoustic version of "Santa Monica" and stressed the importance of providing young people with the chance to perform and write music. 

Art Alexakis of Everclear performing "Santa Monica" at NAMM.

The rocker recalled that when he was asked about teaching at the school, he was both honored and excited by the challenge.

"I want to inspire like I was inspired," Alexakis said.

He noted that while at NAMM he is working with several students from the school at the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus which is parked in front of the Anaheim Convention Center throughout the NAMM Show. Click here to watch Alexakis perform "Santa Monica" courtesy of the NAMM site.

While at Media Preview Day, I also got a look at some amazing Deering Banjos that I hope to check out in more detail this weekend; I also spent a good amount of time at the IK Multimedia display where I got a look at some amazing gadgets and gizmos including the iRig Mic HD, the first handheld universal digital microphone for use by owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac/PC and Android devices. I also was treated to a demonstration of iRing, the first wearable, touch-less ring controller for music apps that was so impressive it needs to be seen to be believed. Whew!

For more information on all things NAMM, visit www.namm.org.