Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

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With a string of highly publicized and extremely successful performances (SXSW, David Letterman, The Monique Show and The Colbert Report, to name a few), Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings have become leading figures in the soul-revival movement. Many loyal fans have been captivated by Sharon's magnetic stage presence since day one, and it's been no surprise that media outlets like NPR and Soul Sides have fully endorsed the Dap-Kings. The group's newest effort, I Learned the Hard Way, is in many ways similar to past albums, with Sharon evoking raw, emotional tales of love and hardship, but instead of it being a one-sided affair, the Dap Kings' match Sharon's intensity, creating a subtle yet disciplined musical dialogue. But despite what you get from the album, the live show is Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings' real bread and butter. The last time they came to the Vic, they ignited the crowd with a smoldering blend of funk and soul, and by the time it was all said and done, at least three people found themselves on stage dancing with Ms. Sharon herself. That chance alone is enough to make this show a must-see. (J. Min)