For the second act from the river stage during day 2 of the XPoNential Music Festival, Nicole Atkins took to the stage. The singer/songwriter has been in the music game for a long time, and has performed hundreds of times; yet, at the age of 31, Atkins is as fresh as ever.

Atkins may have have a beautiful voice, and may have great looks, but don’t confuse her for a pop princess. This girl can ROCK. She graced the crowd with her powerful, booming vocals, accompanied by distorted guitar lines and pounding drums.

Nicole immediately established a connection with the crowd, as she proved to be very personable. She frequently reached out to the audience members, asking how they felt, inviting them to participate in singing, and even told a topless male in the front row that she’s “digging” his stomach.

Atkins, either rocking out with her guitar or tambourine, and her band, “the Black Sea”, played a variety of songs. From southern marches “My Baby Don’t Lie”, to dark and melodious tunes like “The Tower”, the group kept the crowd entertained, and had a great time themselves.

James Brownstein- Intern
University of Southern California
Class of 2014

Set List:
1. Heavy Boots
2. Cry Cry Cry
3. You Come To Me
4. The Way It Is
5. Brooklyn’s On Fire
6. Vultures
7. My Baby Don’t Lie
8. Vitamin C-Can
9. The Tower
10. Civil War