6 Must-See Honolulu Concerts to Catch in June 2018
From EDM to jazz to British reggae fusion, there is quite a mix of artists to check out this month.
Maxi Priest
June 14–16
PHOTO: COURTESY OF MAXI PRIEST
Get a taste of British reggae fusion from Maxi Priest, one of the only reggae artists to have a song reach No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (“Close to You”). This success is partially due to the fact that Maxi Priest draws on both his Jamaican ethnicity and his British upbringing to influence his music, while adding a touch of R&B vibes.
$45 to $75, 6:30 and 9 p.m., Blue Note Hawaiʻi, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotehawaii.com
Sofi Tukker
June 16
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SOFI TUKKER
Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern are the two musical minds behind the electronic dance music duo Sofi Tukker. After meeting at Brown University, the two artists composed their first song together, “Drinkee,” which was nominated for a Grammy in 2017. With their strong percussive beats, deep synth bass lines and vocal accompaniments, Sofi Tukker established themselves as part the EDM scene. Recently, their song “Best Friend” was featured in the commercial used to unveil Apple’s iPhone X.
$30, 8 p.m., The Republik, 1349 Kapiʻolani Blvd., #30, (808) 941-7469, jointherepublik.com
Christian McBride
June 21–22
Photo: Courtesy of Christian McBride
This six-time Grammy Award winner is known throughout the jazz community for his jazz bass skills. After studying at Juilliard, McBride went on to play bass on more than 300 recordings, including some for Sting, Freddie Hubbard, Celine Dion and Paul McCartney. He is currently a contemporary jazz bass player and maintains a career as a record producer while working as the artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival.
$25 to $45, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Blue Note Hawaiʻi, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotehawaii.com
Chris Lake
June 23
Photo: Courtesy of Chris Lake
With nearly 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Chris Lake is rising to the top of the EDM scene with his quick beats and deep bass lines. This grammy-nominated artist has produced a few Billboard-topping tracks, including “Changes,” “Carry Me Away” and “HOWSLA.”
$20 to $25, 10 p.m. The Republik, 1349 Kapiʻolani Blvd., #30, (808) 941-7469, jointherepublik.com
Anuhea
June 23–24
Photo: Courtesy of Anuhea
With her smooth voice and effortless ‘ukulele playing, this local Maui musician has gained more than 100,000 listeners across the nation. Ever since 2010, when she won the the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for most promising artist, Anuhea’s following has continued to grow. Within the past year, she has released her fifth album, “Follow Me,” and started her own nonprofit organization, Anuhea’s Aloha Always Foundation.
$25 to $35, 7 p.m., Blue Note Hawaiʻi, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotehawaii.com
Jaden Smith
June 26
Photo: Courtesy of Jaden Smith
Famously known as the son of Jada and Will Smith, Jaden Smith is forging his own path, not only as an actor, but also as a rapper. His music career began in 2010 when he rapped along with Justin Bieber on the track “Never Say Never.” Since then, he has released three albums of his own: The Cool Café: Cool Tape Vol. 1, Cool Tape Vol. 2 and Syre. Smith cites many artists, including Kid Cudi, Kanye West and Tycho, as his musical influences, which can be heard through the subtle hip-hop and chill wave elements of his music.
$35, 8 p.m. The Republik, 1349 Kapiʻolani Blvd., #30, (808) 941-7469, jointherepublik.com
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