Macy Gray @ Bears Den (Inside the Seneca Niagara Casino), Niagara Falls, New York Friday, 10-3-14

The soulful and funky Macy Gray played her way through a less than enthusiastic crowd this past Friday night at the Bears Den. The crown jewel of Western New York venues housed the R&B singer and her band but unfortunately was about at half capacity. Nevertheless, Gray put on a solid performance that included songs from her upcoming album “The Way,” scheduled for release on October 7th.

Singing behind a glittered microphone stand, Gray was decked out in an elegant dress with a feather boa. She made three (3) costume changes during her set and her band was decked out with matching ties that had dots that lit up with the color blue. Gray constantly addressed the crowd by saying, “Sexy people, we came all the way from Los Angeles, California, to hear you scream.”

Gray is known for her raspy voice and her softer singing style. Her smooth delivery was pitch perfect on “Bang Bang” and “Sweet Baby.” She loved performing the new material, covering three (3) songs from “The Way.” Gray’s band members were also able to showcase their talents as a drum and bass solo accompanied the set. She even covered the Rod Stewart classic “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and the Bob Marley & the Wailers song “Rastaman Chant.”

Gray came off as funny and likeable while addressing the crowd between songs. She has a style unto her own and it really came through in the songs and flourished throughout her set. If her performance of her new songs is any indication of her upcoming CD, it should be a successful release for her! The new songs sounded fresh but definitely have that Gray-esque to them.

Setlist:

Why Didn’t You Call Me?
Do Something
Caligula
Bang Bang
Glad You’re Here
Sweet Baby
A Moment to Myself/drum solo
Ghetto Love
Rastaman Chant (Bob Marley & The Wailers cover)
Relating to a Psychopath/ bass solo
Stoned (new song)
Sexual Revolution/Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? (medley – Rod Stewart cover)
Hands (new song)
Beauty in the World