Rhiannon Giddens

From the moment Rhiannon stepped onto the stage, the house was hers. Graceful and gorgeous in a black and white petticoated dress and barefoot she dominated the stage. Two hours of masterful signing and banjo playing and story telling past by in what seemed like a few minutes.

Ms Giddens is absolute sublime perfection! On sheer physical personal beauty alone she would be easy to watch for nearly 2 hours, but then we factor in her amazing voice, and overall musical talent (she flows smoothly from voice, to violin, fiddle, banjo - with a bit of bare footed step dancing thrown in for good measure), coupled with a truly lovely stage presence and one leaves the concert feeling truly enthralled knowing that it is possible to witness a radiant new super star.

What a great show at the Carolina Theatre in Durham with upcoming star Rhiannon Giddens, a multi-talented singer with a vocal performance ranging from Patsy Cline to the Broadway musical Odetta and songs from "She's Got You" to "Waterboy." Rhiannon also plays the banjo and classical violin. And the band members accompanying her are super. A recent performance on Letterman had him saying "Wow!" five times. After seeing her, I couldn't agree more.

Do not miss this performer. She is the real deal. Amazing.

One of the most amazing concerts I have seen in years. Rhiannon has a command of the stage that holds you spellbound and her band is in perfect sync. She doesn't just cover the music of some great artists, she transforms it into her own with the voice of an angel. The artists that are still alive must be truly honored that Rhiannon has chosen to sing their music and the artists that are no longer with us must be smiling down from heaven. I want to thank the Carolina Theater for bringing Rhiannon to their stage and I want to thank Rhiannon for introducing us to the music of some talented artists from the past in a way that leaves your heart dancing, your feet moving and your eyes riveted to the stage... AMAZING!!!

This was one the best shows I have ever seen. Ms. Giddens voice is truly amazing. Her range is incredible, yet she never "over sang" any song. I hate it when a singer tries to include as many notes as possible when singing a word. She includes the Carolina Choc- olate Drops in her touring band, which was very wonderful. She did Country, Spiritual,Gaelic, and Country blues. If you are a fan of any live music at all, you should make the effort to see Ms. Giddens and her band. I really believe she is headed for superstardom. She is also very beautiful to watch. She is a trained opera singer, so you will rarely see a woman with her gift, singing outside an opera environment. She has so much more talent than Madonna, Taylor Swift, or Miley Cyrus. Please support this great American Treasure and see her and her great band perform.

Really enjoyed her and the band totally. The Bass and Cello really added to it as well as the "Bones". Drummer and guitarist as well as one harmony singer ( Lauren ?) were also outstanding. Rhiannon has a unique, and soulful voice that I can listen to for hours.

An unforgettable performance. Rhiannon is a wonderful talent. She and her musicians were full of energy and musicality and the harmony of Laurelyn Dossett was a beautiful addition. We just might have to go see her again in Cincinnati in June.

Rhiannon has been blessed with a strong and beautiful voice and used it well throughout a very energetic performance. Her backup was equally talented and dynamic. Her repertoire was eclectic from Dylan to Dolly Parton, from Odetta and traditional folk to hip-hop. All the better to show off the range of her vocal skills and the depth of her musical knowledge. From seeing her on the media , I had thought her to be aloof and a bit of a diva. This first impression was totally dispelled at the concert. She was self-effacing and gave ample credit to the band as well as the Chocolate Drops. I not only would recommend that my friends go to her performance, I beg that they come to find out more about her. However, I was greatly disappointed in the Lexington Opera House. The show was poorly advertised and the initial ticket prices were way too high. As a result, the event was sparsely attended. All the better

Incredible voice, stage presence. Even the lighting coordinated beautifully with the music. She appears very down to earth. Sincere, warm

Rhiannon Giddens dazzled her audience at the Lexington Opera House on March 31, 2015. Her voice is knock-your-socks-off amazing. I cannot recall any concert where one artist performed such a wide variety of styles-- blues, rock, country, bluegrass, folk, celtic, soul, Bob Dylan lyrics set to her music, etc. And Rhiannon explained her connection to each song/genre in a way that made the concert even more interesting and meaningful. I was delighted to see that her mega-talented Carolina Chocolate Drops bandmates are with her on this tour. Every musician on the stage was absolutely brilliant-- lots of virtuoso instrumental solos. I was especially delighted when Rhiannon and her bandmates launched into "Hit'em Up Style" as an encore-- one of my favorite CCD songs.

What a treat to see the very first night of Rhiannon Giddens first ever solo tour! Truly an unforgettable evening. She and her band were incredible. We stayed around the product table after the concert so we could meet her. Rhiannon is a class act, a compliment to every genre she performs. We have already recommended this show to all of our friends. If you appreciate music you will enjoy the fun folk, gospel, blues inspired, jazz crossovers of this event. Rhiannon's voice is awe-inspiring and her musicianship is impressive. Band includes banjos, mandolins, guitars, fiddles, bones, drum kit, percussions, cello, upright bass, etc., etc. This is a family friendly, no gemmics required, class act great show. You will not be disappointed. Opening act Bhi Bhiman was just okay.

I drove over 700 miles round trip to Ann Arbor to see the show and it was worth every minute and every penny spent!!! Rhiannon put on quite a show, was very personable, and even signed Autographs and posed for selfie pictures! Fantastic! And, I will go to another concert if she is preforming anywhere within 400 miles.

A more commanding presence I have never encountered. From beginning to end she owns the stage. Impeccable voice, and control. Wonderful content. Rhiannon Giddens is a very lovely person, and an amazing performer with a great band..

You could see the pure joy of her performing; and she brought social justice and racial issues to the forefront of her work. I was impressed.

In a day when mainstream music is dominated by hacks and frauds without a shred of musical talent or songwriting ability, Rhiannon Giddens is a breath of fresh air. In addition to having a monumental voice and the ability to play multiple instruments, she puts her heart and soul into her music. It is clear that she respects those who came before her, building on and collaborating with them to make actual music that moves people and tells a story. No autotune here. Just good, soulful music with a purpose.

What can I say? Rhiannon Giddens is one of the greatest singers and musicians I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot - from Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Janis Joplin in the '60s to Bon Jovi, Steven Stills, Judy Collins, Steve Martin, Fleetwood Mac, and Joan Baez this year. She and her four partners are one of the most talented groups ever. Blue grass, folk, country, Americana, blues, R&B, and a few others never heard it done better. She's also incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable practically a history lesson mixed in with the music. She also comes across as a very nice person, and it doesn't hurt that she's quite beautiful. Recommend her highly if you ever get a chance.

My husband first discovered Rhiannon watching the Showtime documentary "Bob Dylan: The New Basement Tapes". Her ability to create music to the lyrics of "Lost on the River" was mind boggling! She is thoughtful, she is humble ... there is no vocalist on earth who is better than Rhiannon. She can sing so many genres and do this perfectly - folk, jazz, Celtic, R&B, Broadway classics ... you name it. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed her concert. It was fantastic!

The opening act started off repetitious, then got very good as it proceeded. Loved it and bought their CD. Rhiannon is a major talent.Plays and sings beautifully, and her mission is wonderful -- keeping the old African-American music alive. Our complaint is that the music got louder (especially the percussion) as her time on stage proceeded. Our heads began to throb and our old ears hurt. Too amplified. Too "hard rock" near the end. Would love to hear her and her group "au naturalle" without the excessive amplification.

Absolutely love Rhiannon Giddens! She is one of my all time favorite vocalist and she was amazing! The Michigan Theater was such a nice venue to see Rhiannon! Can't wait to return to see another artist!

Amazing show! Rhiannon has beautiful voice and an amazing singer. We loved how she engaged the audience with humor and honesty. Both she and her band are very talented. The Michigan Theater is a great venue and we have attended many concerts at this venue.The additional charges on the ticket price is something I will consider for my next concert.

One of the best concerts I've seen at the Michigan Theater.

Rhiannon is an outstanding singer and performer! She was classical trained at Oberlin and has been publicly performing since 2005. Her back up band was excellent. Highly recommend this show.

Rhiannon Giddens gave one of the most compelling, thought provoking, best intentions of a concert I have been to in quite some time. Every song had a story, every movement had a meaning, the band was phenomenal . I would love to see her again plus she is not bad on the eyes either

It is unlikely one will ever encounter a talent greater than that of Rhiannan Giddens. To see one woman bring so many musical genres to life during one show is a mind blowing experience. To put it simply, she knows her stuff and she brings it every time. It was wonderful to see her in the Attucks Theater which provides a sense of intimacy and wonderful acoustics. (If they could just figure out a way to cover that one door so it isn't so distracting when people come and go). Hard work, dedication, and talent, talent, talent. These are reasons this was a sold out show.

I just want to post my thoughts about this concert. It was fantastic, Rhiannon and band purred musical virtuosity on to the audience with songs about human experiences, struggle and alternately of hope. Rhiannon has assembles a great band of multi instrumentalist players for her talents that goes beyond the limits of great. They even performed an Aretha Franklin spired R&B piece so for a time the gears were switch with Rhiannon tearing it up on vocals proving she is as much a great a soul singer as she is a folk singer. While I have seen many You Tube videos of her performances, this show was like going to the Grand Canyon instead of just looking a photos of it. Much of Rhiannon music are about a people enslaved and their difficult struggle for freedom and equality with details narratives to achieve those goals that can be summed up in the title of her last album Freedom Highway. Her traditional base music is not so much of an exercise showcasing a nostalgia musical past but moving it forward with new ideas to focus on current day issues as an outlet to foster needed societal changes. Lets face it while we have come a long ways as a society, there is always room for improvement. Another feature of the night was Amythyst Kiah who opened the show. Her music is described as Southern Gothic Folk. She was absolutely magnificent, an excellent guitarist with a very deep and expressive voice. Amythyst did a meet and greet with fans. I purchased her album which she signed and I had a chance to chat with her a bit. I played the album after arriving home and it was a great way to close off the night. So with Rhiannon and Amythyst, I can confirm that the genres of folk, blues, and roots country are passed on to a new generation and is in capable hands as they and others are the keeper of the flame and also moving it forward with new ideas. The Attucks Theater was perfect venue. Very intimate with great acoustics and the sound that was perfect that did not overwhelm you. I will conclude by saying with some exception, today's mainstream music is very mediocre and awful. To find the great new worthy artist of today one need to pull off the rotten boards and bricks in the back yard and under those surfaces crawling with life are artist who deserve our support. The second floor of The Attucks Theater has a glass display of the great artist who had performed at The Attucks in the past. Well Rhiannon Giddens is a Musical Superwoman who is more than worthy to be included among those great artist . I have included a photo of Amythyst and myself.

I have been wanting to see Rhiannon Giddens in person for ages, and this concert was even better than I hoped. She can sing ANYTHING! Bluegrass, gospel, soul, it all seems effortless. The a capella gospel duet with her sister left me breathless. Dirk Powell and Hubbie Jenkins showed their talents as well. I also was blown away by the young lady who opened for her, Amythyst Kiah. Spellbinding, watch for big things from her. All in all, one of the best concerts I have ever attended.

What a spectacular talent ! Not only a fabulous voice, also an accomplished instrumentalist with banjo and fiddle. Performed a wide variety of material from bluegrass to nightclub style blues. Her frontmen, in particular, were fantastic, extremely skilled with multiple instruments. This is a don't-miss event.

Rhiannon Giddens is one of North Carolina's best kept secrets, but I'll wager not for long. This concert was an amazing display of talent, not only from Ms. Giddens, but also all of the other musicians on stage with her.It seemed like all were proficient in two or more instruments! Ms. Giddens not only sang beautifully, but played fiddle and banjo as well. I have been to a fair amount of concerts in my 70 years, but this was one of the all time best! I would recommend this to anyone who loves music and talented musicians.

Excellent show. Band was tight, Sound was good. Overall a very good concert.

Rhiannon Giddens' voice is so multifacted and expressive that it scared me a little. In a good way. Can't wait for the opportunity to see her and her band again.

I knew I liked Rhiannon Giddens music a lot, but until I attended this concert I had no idea how great a performer she is. Absolutely amazing arrangements of a wide variety of music and styles (not just her core of traditional roots), with a really talented and tight band. Best of all is her focus on the history and realities of the African-American struggle.

I've followed Rhiannon Giddens from the early days of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. She is incredibly talented - beautiful voice and commands the stage. She is charming, engaging and her repertoire entertaining and challenging. I try to see her whenever she is in the area and I am always blown away. She is a gift to us all!!

A powerful performance by Rhiannon Giddens and her band. Captivating vocals that left us in awe. The narratives by Giddens and her bandmates were also entertaining. An amazing evening of raw talent.

Rhiannon Giddens and her band are incredible talents and put on one of the best concerts we have ever attended. She is a musical force of nature, who poured her heart and soul into every performance.

She blew us out of the water and we were already expecting her to be spectacular! An incredible performance and what a smart, thought provoking message she brought along with the music.

Rhiannon Giddens is an amazing artist. If you get the chance to go see her, don't let it pass you by. You absolutely will not regret it. She is truly a genius. Fabulous evening!

Rhiannon is truly special. Her voice has amazing range and clarity. Packed house and everyone loved it.

This was the second time I was able to witness the phenomena that is Rhiannon Giddens. I was fortunate enough to be centered mid-venue at Duke Energy Center, and the sound and sightlines were perfect. Rhiannon has one of the most spectacular voices I have ever heard, and her talents with the banjo and the fiddle continue to amaze and delight us all. To be so versatile, at such a high level of expertise, is truly a gift. And with that, she is funny, she is relaxed and playful, and, she is deeply serious and committed to the knowledge and history that she presents to us so that we may learn, understand, and integrate that knowledge deep within us - through the powerful, wise, and beautiful medium of music. I so enjoyed myself - every single moment - and can't wait for the opportunity to experience her and her music again. Thanks for an unforgettable evening!

Talented, energetic, eclectic and engaging. Need I say more

Rhiannon Giddens has to be one of the finest perfomers around. She is so talented as was her band.

Great show. She has one of the best voices in music today. Look forward to seeing her again in the future

Relaxing evening. Very talented musicians that play multiple instruments. Rhiannon Giddens voice is unforgettable. At the end of the show you felt like you had known her forever.

Best concert we've been to - ever! The venue was great, Rhiannon has such a powerful voice, the band is excellent & so talented, music selections were varied & captivating. Loved every minute of the show.

Right now I am undergoing medical treatments and it was hard to get up the steps to the balcony. Once there, the seats were perfect. I was more than amply rewarded by the performance. Rhiannon Giddens is a powerhouse of a singer--what a set of lungs--though of course not all songs require that. (Listen to her perform a delicate song like La Rose en Vie.) She led a 4-piece main band of highly experienced, high energy, multitalented players. Plus she is such a sweet and spicy, yet natural, little imp on the stage. Really delightful as the band leader. If you want to know what makes a singer great--something Rhiannon is, listen to the enunciations, the accentuation, the little touches that make each song unique. Listen for the control of breath. Listen for the creativity in the overall approach to the song. Listen to the diversity in styles this young woman can perform. She is such a vocal actress, I believe she could sing opera if set her mind to it. (Maybe she does already?) And of course she also plays fiddle wonderfully and banjo well. The Bijou was sold out. And the crowd was enthusiastic all throughout. For her sake, I look forward to the day when she comes to play in a larger venue, and it is sold out. Her talent deserves it. Tell more people about her.

I thought she was amazing. She has a spectacular voice. Whoever she covered (which, by the way, she didn't do enough of) she sounded better than the original - whether it was Aretha or Patsy Cline or whoever!! She is a natural born entertainer and seems to be enjoying every minute of her performance. In this particular concert, she got better and better as it went on.

This was the best concert I 've been to in a long time!! The Bijou Theatre is a must to go to, Rihannon was absolutely superb, versital in every song! Hope to see her again real soon!!

Rhiannon Giddens is an incredible talent. This concert though was really one to remember. The sound was great, her band was great, and the emotion she exudes in person draws the concert-goer into the music. A truly exceptional experience.

My first time to see RG. She was spectacular. Her band is phenomenal!!

After seeing so many rock / alternative, Americana artists, I've honestly never heard such an amazing vocal. Rhiannon Giddens has force, elegance and total control of her vocals which not many have. The whole band was an amazing compliment. Wonderful entertaining show that went beyond just music and teaches a lesson in civil rights in an intuitive way.

Rhiannon Giddons has an amazing voice and important stories to tell.

Great musicianship!!! Excellent blend of musical styles. Though one does not go to a concert to learn, Ms Giddens infused a few history lessons with her music which made the show even more special.

I live in Music City and have seen so many performances from bands and musicians of all genres. But Rhiannon Giddens was by far my favorite! Her song writing is sincere and heartfelt, making you pause to think deeply. Her instrumentation is unique but historical. And her voice...oh that lovely voice! I highly recommend seeing this show!

Sound was perfect even with horns, rap, AND a banjo or two. Staff was great as usual. A truly unforgettable show. I have read other reviews of poor sound quality but I have never had a bad experience at this venue. Thank you!!

Fabulous talent, fabulous venue. Doesnt get any better.

I realized I exhaling after every song, as if I were holding my breath. Best show ever!

Do NOT miss Rhiannon if she is anywhere near you! Such an incredible singer and musician! Great Band! WOW!

I went to see Rhiannon on the recommendation of a friend and was blown away by this lady's talent. I honestly had planned to leave early because I drove from another town to attend the show but I stayed to the very end and would gladly have driven back the next night for a second show if there had been one. Rhiannon is truly amazing and does such a variety of styles from jazz to country that I can't imagine anyone not being thrilled to see her show.

A remarkable woman, she is so talented and so involved in the issues. She brings musical history to her audiences so that all can benefit and enjoy it.

I haven't heard a voice like Rhiannon Giddens in a very long time. Her range is amazing, dynamics are spot on and she knows how to interpret a song and dazzle an audience with her exuberance and style. Add her extraordinary back up band and they bring the house down and create musical magic!

She shifts effortlessly between country and classical with a pure voice that is mesmerizing. This is my third time enjoying her and i will sign up again whenever possible.

Really good show can't understand why she isn't drawing more people to her shows

Intimate powerful performance! Rihannon made the audience feel like she was a friend. She has a beautiful soulful voice and a warm southern charming personality. Her band was talented and fun. A great performance!

I've seen hundreds of concerts and this one I'd rank in the top 5. She was incredible and her band equally great. What a voice and energy.

Rhiannon Giddens is a superb artist, comfortable singing in many styles in her classically-trained voice. She did an unforgettable version of La Vie en Rose as a tribute to Paris. She has an easy manner in talking with the audience and has a great band. Just beautiful in all ways.

A powerful voice and magnificent arrangements, backed up by an engaging band, make a Rhiannon Giddens concert a MUST!

I went to see her, having heard just one song she performed on Letterman. I immediately went online to learn more about her and sure enough, she was coming to Minneapolis. A powerful and gifted voice, with a captivating presence, frankly it s hard to take your eyes off her. She also makes the violin and banjo awfully darn sexy. The band, known as The Carolina Chocolate Drops were terrific, everything made sense start to finish. My one disappointment was that her show was relatively short. I m confident with her growing popularity, there will be more music to share\u2026Bring it on Rhiannon, loved you!

After falling in love with her CD, "Tomorrow is My Turn", my expectations were pretty high. The only low spot was her opening act, sorry. Rhiannon captivated the Lawrence audience from the get/go. A polished act of solo album and Chocolate Drops, etc, had the audience mesmerized, very enthusiastic. Her voice is the whole show. Classically trained, but able to take that into Folk, Blues, Jazz. Her stage presence was awesome, the complete package. Do not miss the new "Best Female Vocalist". I love Diana Krall, Christy Baron, Patricia Barber, Joni Mitchell, Viva Rhiannon!!!!!

If you enjoy authentic American music and have a chance to see this wonderful and talented artist, just do whatever you need to get tickets. Don't delay as you might miss out on a good time.

I loved the music but wasn't happy with the politics. I wish that the Baltimore riots hadn't been brought up. I was around during Kent State, Watts, and the Detroit riots. I have mixed feelings, ie. what's happened has been an excuse for looting as opposed to the "system" that started the riots during 'Nam.

Rhiannon Giddens is a minimalist in the folk/Americana tradition. A great, clear voice with range and dramatic phrasing. Giddens also displays a nice performing persona, pleasant and informative about her songs, but not over indulgent. Her back up band consists of all strong musicians, and the addition of a stand up cello is a real treat. Those who like The Carolina Chocolate Drops (and even those who aren't familiar with that group) will really enjoy Gidddens' solo turn. Highly recommended! (The opening act is a real snooze, which Giddens would be better off without.)