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Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings in De Oosterpoort

by Klaas

De Oosterpoort has done it once again. For the past few years they’ve always managed to get one of the top acts from Pinkpop to appear here up north for an extra show. Most recently Queens of the Stone Age and Wolfmother and this year they hauled in Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.

After two festival filled days you’d guess I’d take it easy for a bit and that would have been the smart thing to do, but I could not let this opportunity pass me by. The shows of Sharon Jones are all reviewed very positively and I had to go and see her for myself (also I can’t let a soul/funk legend of legend-in-the-making skip ever since I decided to see James Brown a year later back in 2006).

So tired and a bit weary after a long and busy day at work I headed to Groningen, where Kris Berry opened for Sharon Jones. That was one mighty piece of luck, as I’ve missed Kris Berry a few times already and I really like her EP. Kris Berry is backed by Paul Willemsen on guitar. Paul also plays guitar in Beans&Fatback and Lefties Soul Connection so the funky sound and a double bass and trumped complete the band. A jazzy, soul driven set with latin influences, perfect for the warm weather we were having. Will absolutely go and see her again!

(click image for slideshow)

Shortly after the Dap-Kings came on and played two instrumentals setting the pace and mood: hot, steamy funky soul you had to dance to. After the instrumentals the two backing vocal singers were introduced with a song each and then finally the grand dame of soul and funk: Sharon Jones came on. The band was blasting ahead and Sharon dove right in. I was amazed at her energy, it seemed there was no end to it. Only a few songs into the gig and she already had about 8 girls from the audience on stage dancing and Sharon was all over the stage all the time. A fantastic gig with a band that was on a roll and Sharon leading the way. Amazing!

(click image for slideshow)