Galactic recently came to St. Pete in support of their From The Corner To The Block album and brought a couple of rappers in tow. The opening act (whose name I never caught) had the misfortune of being on stage in the middle of an NFL playoff game and, judging from the density of the crowd around the televisions in the Tamiami, they were playing to an all female audience. Fortunately, the game was pretty much decided by the time Galactic took to the stage. Galactic, kicking out their signature funk-inspired sound and bringing in their own lights/light, show made Jannus a stoner’s mecca for this particular evening and, judging by the smell, they were well represented.

They brought two rappers with them; Mr. Lif and Boots Riley. I was already familiar with the works of Mr. Lif, but had never heard of Boots Riley who, it turns out, fronts the hip-hop crew The Coup. The two could not have been any different. Mr. Lif was basically a crowd killer. Nobody was feeling him and my complaints about his recorded material mirrored my complaints about his live show…too wordy. Boots was the polar opposite and easily the highlight of the show. In both his delivery and his performance, he had the crowd’s undivided attention any time he hit the stage and made a fan out of me.

Galactic - Never Called You Crazy
Galactic - Bittersweet

Galactic w/Mr. Lif - And I’m Out

Galactic w/Boot Riley - Hustle Up

Galactic, Mr. Lif, The Coup, Buy From the Corner to the Block