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A subtle, but noticeable, change in style and attitude marked the evening's events as rapper Snoop Dogg and reggae rap-metal quintet 311 took the stage at Usana Amphitheatre Monday.
As the years of performing, recording and touring catch up with musical acts, some maintain the kinetic spark that put them where they are, and some are showing signs of burning out. Unfortunately for Snoop, the latter applies.
Snoop Dogg's routine has always been that of the laid-back pothead, but there was a lot more smoke than fire on stage, unfortunately. Drifting around in pajamas, Snoop Dogg phoned in a passable performance. Any signs of freshness were extinguished almost immediately. By the time he trotted a group of dancers on stage, to boozily gyrate and wiggle around, I was beginning to feel like the old dog didn't know any new tricks. It was great to hear him dip into a few old-school tunes like the toe-tapping "F--- The Police," but momentum picked up only occasionally for Snoop to sample and critique some of the . . . um . . . smoking material, tossed on stage. Overall, I was bored.
On the flip side were Salt Lake City summer reliables 311, who, through the years, have managed to define themselves as both radio mainstays and live performance aficionados.
But the question for me, a newcomer to their live shows was, "Could these guys cut it live?" I was cautioned beforehand that sitting in my seat was going to be difficult.
And it was. With "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" overture playing, the group leapt onto the stage with a tight, infectious groove that kicked things into high gear. At one point, drummer Chad Sexton was joined by the rest of his band mates in a drum circle that added a light moment without seeming like filler.
311 has set itself apart from their rap-metal counterparts over the years by injecting their songs (and shows) with infectious reggae-inspired hooks, eschewing tedious middle-class angst in exchange for cosmic, zen-like chill. It works. Gracefully and skillfully the boys from Omaha moved through favorites like "Creatures," "Amber," and "Down," and at one point pulled out "Who's Got The Herb," by request.
Storm clouds loomed overhead, but never dampened the spirits of the performers on stage, nor of the appreciative audience in attendance. 311 proved that they can still Come Original.
Darren Ewing can be reached at dewing@sltrib.com or 801-257-8801. Send comments about this story to livingeditor@sltrib.com