Allen Stones’ Sideshow
The 27th Annual Bluesfest is set to be the best one yet, with an eclectic line-up bringing good vibes. Music lovers travel to Byron Bay to catch a glimpse of some of their favourite blues, jazz, contemporary and soul artists. Bluesfest Touring continue to announce sideshows for those who can’t make the trip and love their music.
Allen Stone is part of these sideshows, exhibiting his soulful music in Marrickville, NSW, at The Factory Theatre on Wednesday 30 March 2016.
Stone playing his guitar
Stone immersed himself in the music world from a young age, working on his vocals, mainly as a result of his parents’ influence. “My father was a minister so I spent about half my childhood in church, watching my mum and dad sing together and lead the congregation in song, ” he recalls. By the time he was 11, he’d picked up a guitar and written his first song, and soon began self-recording demo tapes to share among classmates. After school, Stone decided to kickstart his music career, “I had an ’87 Buick and I’d drive up and down the west coast (of America), playing any gig I could get just to try to put my music out there, ” he says.
At age 22, Stone self-released his debut album, 2010’s Last to Speak but it was his self-titled follow-up (in which he joined forces with former Miles Davis keyboardist Deron Johnson) that ended up earning him serious recognition. Along with entering the top five on iTunes’ R&B/Soul chart after its digital release, Allen Stone prompted him to score appearances on such late-night talk shows like Conan and grace the pages of publications like the New York Times (whose chief popular-music critic Jon Pareles praised Stone for possessing “a tenor voice with the eagerness and frisky syncopations of [Stevie] Wonder”. Upon partnering with ATO Records for a physical release of his self-titled album in 2012, Stone soon turned up on the likes of the Late Show with David Letterman and landed a gig as the opening act for soul legend Al Green. In the midst of all the buzz, he also took up a gruelling touring schedule, tearing through nearly 600 shows in just two years. He continues to be a work hard and is determined to share his music with the world.
Stone’s soul music is truthful, illustrating the highs and lows experienced in his life. He presents raw passion and drive in his voice, often giving goose bumps to listeners. He is referred to by fans as “a musical genius” and others’ state, “he has it”. His sideshow is not one to miss, so if you or your friends have a free night on the 30 March, go to Stone’s concert and enjoy losing yourself in his mesmorising voice.
Unsure as to whether you should go? Watch Stone singing “Freedom”, which is on his new album, “Radius” and you’ll get a feel for the charisma-filled and talented performance you would see at his concert.
Who: Allen Stone
Where: Factory Theatre
When: 30 March 2016
For More Information Visit the Bluesfest Touring Website