The Death Dance Tour featuring Sage Francis, Buck 65, Alias and Buddy Wakefield has begun, and man did it have an impressive NYC debut. I had a chance to see them perform this weekend at Bowery Ballroom, and it was unlike any hip-hop show I’ve ever been to.

Buddy Wakefield was OFF THE HOOK as opener, and just might have earned himself performance of the night with a series of humorous and conscious poems that really got the crowd going. Alias did an excellent job temporarily converting himself to MC before taking his turntablist duties for Sage and crew. Buck 65 is one funny cat, rapping and dancing on stage to his country-inspired trucker beats. And as always, Sage ripped the show with an entertaining combination of hot lyrics, crowd interaction and, of course, his patented dance-off, where he showcased his hip-hop dance moves for the audience to see.

Click on the pictures below for some live shots of the performance, and scroll down to see when they’re coming to your town. Peace.

The Death Dance Tour Dates:

23-May Boston, MA Middle East
24-May Boston, MA Middle East
25-May New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
26-May New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
27-May Long Island, NY Crazy Donkey
29-May Philadelphia, PA Trocadero
30-May Baltimore, MD Ottobar
31-May Washington, DC Rock And Roll Hotel Theater
01-Jun Chapel Hill, NC Cat’s Cradle
02-Jun Atlanta, GA Masquerade
04-Jun Orlando, FL Firestone
06-Jun New Orleans, LA House Of Blues
07-Jun Houston, TX Warehouse Live
08-Jun Dallas, TX Granada
09-Jun Austin, TX Emo’s
11-Jun Albuquerque, NM Launchpad
12-Jun Phoenix, AZ Clubhouse
13-Jun Tucson, AZ Congress Hotel
15-Jun Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda
16-Jun Pomona, CA Glasshouse
17-Jun San Diego, CA Soma
19-Jun San Francisco, CA Fillmore
20-Jun San Francisco, CA Fillmore
22-Jun Portland, OR Roseland
23-Jun Seattle, WA Showbox
24-Jun Bellingham, WA Night Light Theater
25-Jun Bend, OR Pavillion
27-Jun Boise, ID The Venue
28-Jun Sal Lake City, UT In the Venue
29-Jun Denver, CO Gothic Theater
30-Jun Denver, CO Gothic Theater
02-Jul Omaha, NE Sokol Hall
03-Jul Columbia, MO The Blue Note
05-Jul Minneapolis, MN First Ave
06-Jul Chicago, IL Abbey Theater
07-Jul Chicago, IL Abbey Theater
09-Jul Grand Rapids, MI Intersection
10-Jul Detroit, MI Magic Stick
11-Jul Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
12-Jul Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls
13-Jul Providence, RI Lupos