Recently, The Standard got into bed with the Texas hotel group Bunkhouse, and to consummate the marriage, we're bringing a little touch of Texas to California. Bunkhouse and KCRW have partnered up on three special Texas editions of our Desert Nights music series at The Standard, Hollywood. The first installment took place on July 13, 2016 with Meshell Ndegeocello, Kat Khaleel, and special guest Doyle Bramhall II.
A performer of tremendous power, Ndegeocello is an alumni of last year's Trans-Pecos festival, Bunkhouse's far-out festival of music and love at their teepees and trailers hotel, El Cosmico, in Marfa. If you're feeling the vibes, we highly, highly recommend that you make plans to attend this year's fest—the lineup is ideal, the setting unforgettable, and the vibes unrivaled. There's even a rumor about direct flights from NYC (check back for more info on that).
And now, on to a recap of Ndegeocello's soul-stirring performance courtesy of KCRW's DJ Valida. For the upcoming Desert Nights lineup, check here.
The evening kicked off with Meshell taking the stage
early, at 8pm, which is unusual for a headlining act, but it proved to be exactly
what was needed in order to reel in the 300+ excited guests who braved the
Sunset rush-hour traffic for this very unique opportunity to see her in
such an intimate space. Quite a few people couldn't fit inside the Cactus Lounge and had to
resign themselves to standing room only, but Meshell’s opening lines made
them forget they were standing. The entire Cactus Lounge, pool deck, and lobby
were entranced for the next hour and a half.
After a few songs to kick things off, she invited her first guest, a talented singer/songwriter by the name of Kat Khaleel, to share her special strain of folk-R&B. The young singer definitely held her own in the presence of such greatness, and we'll be keeping an eye out for more from this rising star.
The highlight of the evening came at the halfway point when Meshell performed a powerful and very timely acapella rendition of “Put Down Your Guns,” which garnered a standing ovation. The sheer energy this incredible performer was able to harness was palpable. This momentum was carried through by another thrilling guest performance, this time by blues singer Doyle Bramhall II, who got everyone grooving.
For her final song, Meshell brilliantly executed Prince’s “I Will Die 4U,” for which she deservedly received another standing ovation. After her final notes, we kept the party going until midnight on the improvised lobby dance floor with more Prince, funk, soul, and house classics.
And for more with Bunkhouse, be sure not to miss...September 22-25, 2016Marfa, Texas
