ZZ Ward

Lincoln Hall - Chicago
ZZ Ward. 5/31/17

The 1st stop on the 2017 tour for ZZ Ward and her band

ZZ Ward is quite simply a modern day anomaly. She cannot be categorized as pop, blues, hip hop, jazz, folk or rock. Her music includes influences from all of the aforementioned genre. She sings, plays guitar, harmonica and piano. She is a fantastic lyricist and songwriter and combines these talents with vocals that stir the soul. If you are uniformed, please dial her up and take a listen at zzward.com. ZZ is an empowering figure to women in the modern music scene. She speaks as a sexy powerful woman and is at once likeable and understated. Her words from Charlie Ain`t Home and Lil Darlin` are howled with the audience and the room is shaken. The men check their stuff and the women growl. Her new songs of note include Cannonball featuring ZZ with some nice Mississippi saxophone work, the Deep which includes a hypnotic chorus and should find an audience as it relates to a woman’s feeling of being trapped in a relationship. Another new song is the upbeat rockabilly influenced Help Me Mama that was played as an encore. These three songs along with Ride from the Cars 3 soundtrack are surely keepers. Her set included a generous mix of old including Blue Eyes Blind, Move it Like You Stole it, Put the Gun Down, The Casket Drops, 365 days and Love 3x. It was great to see the show in a small and intimate venue that was full but not uncomfortable. The band is tight and the backbone is top tier. The music includes heavy drumlines from Steve Stewart Jr. Including generous bass and tom work while bassist Shadarius Shields compliments the vibe without reservation. The lead is crisp as Eric Walls on guitar is a wizard that has been tuned to ZZ for some time. He may have another gig as ZZ has said he may be leaving the tour soon as his talents are of the highest order. To be sure, he will be missed and one feels blessed to have witnessed the show with him shredding it. His blues work on both acoustical and electric are enough to move the room around. Advice to all that can see ZZ in any of her upcoming shows?
The show is a must see.
TMG

Keep a watch out for this up and coming singer, guitarist songwriter. Hollywood recording artist ZZ Ward (Zsuzsanna Eva Ward) is a young and very talented blues singer with a great spirit and a huge voice. Some have described her as ‘back porch blues meets hip hop.' You might have heard her first hit 'Put the Gun Down' from her debut release ‘Until the Casket Drops’; This top 10 breaking single is a great in-yer-face, four-on-the-floor rockin blues stomp. Her performance is the same, a full court press of driving blues/rock music with the backing 3 super-talented musicians on keyboards/guitar, bass and drums. Rooted in a modern blues sound all roads point to her place amonst the pantheon of rock and blues greats.
The 28 years old’s roots go back to Etta James, Muddy Waters, Neil Young and David Bowie, in no part due to her father’s musical influence, a blues musician in his own right. Specifically harmonica. Earlier this year she toured with Eric Clapton winning new audiences one opening set at a time on pure adrenaline and smartly crafted melodies. Her latest release ‘Last Love Song’ keeps the same intensity as a ballad. Don’t miss seeing her now.

Love, love, love ZZ Ward. She puts on a great show. She makes sure to give both oldies and some from her new release. That being said, did not appreciate buying tickets for 6:00 and then being told that the concert starts at 6:30. No mention of the meet and greet.Standing an extra half hour in 100% weather is not o.k. Opening band,Marc Sgbilia, great as well.Way to much standing around waiting for such a short set. I don't think ZZ came on till 10:00.A lot of people in line were not thrilled about the wait , but all acted like devoted fans , none the less.But ZZ Ward does think about her fans when it comes to pricing her tickets. So thank to her. I will attend every show that I possibly can.Not trying to be negative ,just honest. Thanks, Miranda

Always enjoy seeing ZZ Ward in concert. This performance had the added attraction of being my first trip to The Anthem, the new venue in Washington DC. She was one of the openers for Kaleo. She performed for 40 minutes and although I loved every song I was a bit surprised that a number of newer songs were not included in the set: "Hey Mama", "Ride", "If You Stayed" and "Love 3X". I suspect she opted to focus on her most popular material and newest single since she was given limited time. She had the audience on their feet and I heard positive feedback from people who were hearing her for the first time. Overall I had a great time. The new venue is amazing!

A live performance just doesn't get any better! ZZ is not only a fabulous singer/musician/songwriter but has fantastic charisma on stage with fun audience interaction. She truly loves performing and it shows. I've seen her twice in the last 12 months and she continues to grow as a performer. He recent show in Fort Collins was one not to miss. I grew up in San Francisco during the '60's & '70's and have seen many legendary performers and to be truthful, ZZ stands right up there with the best. Add a top notch backing band and she's powerhouse of great music and fun! Go see her and support her music!

This was a fantastic evening of music! I splurged and purchased the VIP/Meet and Greet package so I could meet her before the show. She's great! Spent time with everyone. The two opening acts were excellent. Enjoyed discovering the The Young Wild and look forward to their future music. ZZ was fantastic from start to finish and the crowd loved every moment. She ended off the show by getting on to the floor in the middle of the crowd and got everyone to sing "Love 3X" with her. Overall a very memorable evening of music!!

ZZ Ward is a must-see artist. She's very unique, energetic, and genuinely cares for the fans. Awesome experience.

It was very powerful when ZZ came into the crowd during her curtain call, singing "Love 3X". When 2000+ people are chanting "LOVE" in unison, it makes for an unforgettable moment; Especially when one of your favorite artists is belting out the chorus about four feet from you on the floor.

Magical.

First time seeing her. The show was amazing and the chick that opened for her was a pleasant surprise. I will definitely buy tickets again. As for the venue, first time at the Underground as well. Drove three hours to make the show. Enjoyed the club. Had great sound. Great dance floor. Clean bathroom as well as easy to get to and park. Jager, however was extremely overpriced so I bought one water.

ZZ Ward absolutely crushed it at paradise rock, hammering harmonica to pair with an upbeat, sassy, and sultry sound. Her stage presence is on point, and her love for her fans very apparent. Her voice, which is impressive in studio tracks is even better live! Side note: opener acts 'Black pistol fire' and 'Billy Roffoul' are definitely worth looking into.

This was my first ZZ Ward experience. I took my husband and 3 kids. We all have very different taste in music, so I wasn't sure how this was going to go. We ALL had the best time!! What a great performer she is!! She rocked the H E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS out of Higher Ground! So much punch in that tiny little human. We will most definitely see her again.