Action Bronson Rallies Oakland’s Fox Theatre (SHOW REVIEW)

It’s not often people in the Bay Area mobilize on cold Monday nights to head out in droves. The Fox Theatre in downtown Oakland, California proved worth the exception on March 11th.  The historic venue and the surrounding bars on Telegraph Ave were abuzz with folks who came out to see their favorite chef turned rapper turned TV host, Action Bronson. He arrived in Oakland fresh off his first solo art exhibition in North Beach. The Acquario Di Pesce Studio displayed a dozen new paintings by the renaissance man the evening prior.

The venue was about half full when Meyhem Lauren opened up just after 8:00pm. Lauren, a frequent collaborator of Bronson’s both on wax and on television, came strong with high energy and sharp lyrics. Next up was Roc Marciano, the veteran MC entered the stage rocking a ’93-’94 Golden State C-Webb #4 jersey and the crowd predictably went nuts. Marciano went through a lengthy catalog and closed with a few bangers from 2010 debut Marcberg.

Bam Bam (Bronson) was up next and the theatre was loud with smoke of all flavors by the time he came on. He began with a smattering of tracks from his newest LP, White Bronco. In between songs he refueled with edibles and bottled water. Bronsolino had some good banter with the crowd as well and some audience members held up copies of his F*ck That’s Delicious book, which he promised to sign for them after the show.

He proceeded to play some of his hits from prior albums, such as Baby Blue (minus the Chance verse, but with the Ronson beat). The emotional highpoint of the evening was when he brought Alchemist out (who wasn’t spinning due to a wrist injury) and proceeded to perform all of “Red Dot Music,” letting the dearly departed Mac Miller’s verses play in full. Mr. Baklava finished with a dope rendition of “Easy Rider”, with an extra long intro. When the crowd begged for an encore, he came back out with Lauren, Marciano & Alchemist and they sang a Motown song together then faded into smoke.