Beck- Riverside Theater 8/16/17

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

There are few artists who have covered more ground in music than Beck.  From grungy folk to hip hop to disco to funk to Americana to rock, Beck has established himself as the resident musical chameleon genius of our generation. The man born in 1970 as Bek David Campbell, and known simply as Beck as an artist, is the prime example of a musical innovator.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloc

Backed by a seven piece band, Beck delivered a career-spanning retrospective of material in front of one of the most amped-up crowds I've ever seen at the Riverside Theater.  The crowd's enthusiasm was greatly justified.  I have had the pleasure of attending Beck's other two performances in Milwaukee proper... and they were in 1995, when he played at the Rave with the Melvins right after his record Mellow Gold was released, and in 1997 when he played at New Rock 102.1 Fest in a mid afternoon set.  It's been a long time coming for Beck to return to the good land of Milwaukee, and his audience was at a fever pitch for his entire ninety minute performance.

With a new record Colors set for release this October, Beck played some new compositions, but kept to a very well-produced set of career spanning material, highlighting hits from many earlier albums, and performing a set that engaged the audience every step of the way.  Beck is an unlikely front man... his short thin stature and trademark hat do not scream, "rock star."  However, with his constant dancing, wailing on guitar, audience interaction and unique sense of style, Beck had the crowd won over from the opening licks of set opener, "Devil's Haircut" (off of 1997's Odelay).  "If this is how you guys are on a Tuesday (Beck had his days of the week jumbled- as the show was on a Wednesday), we'll need to come back here and play on a Friday," he quipped part way through the set, remarking about the insane amount of energy in the crowd.  The capacity crowd certainly will hold Beck to that promise after 20 years away from Milwaukee!

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloc

Beck's ability to create a concert experience showcasing his different styles was innovative and well-done, with each song getting a unique visual treatment.  Black pixel silhouettes danced behind the band during "Black Tambourine," (off of 2005's Guero), explosions of color like one would see in the Indian celebration of Holi burst behind Beck during "Think I'm In Love" (off of 2006's The Information) and a wacky kaleidoscope of colors and images emerged during show closer "E-Pro" (off of 2005's Guero).

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloc

Before Beck's latest single, "Wow," he talked about the need to be present in the moment.  "Never again will all of us be assembled in this place at this time enjoying each other," Beck remarked.  The slinky beats that propel "Wow" were greeted with a myriad of funky visuals with the word "WOW" being showcased whenever the singer sang the refrain.  This wild display played very differently than the equally powerful portion of the set where Beck slowed things down mid set to perform several tracks from his more acoustic and soulful records, 2002's Sea Change and 2014's Morning Phase. The tender "Say Goodbye" (off of 2014's Morning Phase) and heart aching "Lost Cause" (off of 2002's Sea Change) were equally as engaging and powerful as Beck's more upbeat tracks.

For an artist as prolific as Beck, the only challenge with the concert is that after 90 minutes, the crowd was still clamoring for more... a nod to the musical dexterity and prowess Beck possesses.

setlist 8/16/17- thanks to Tara Beyer

Banditos and Blank Range- The Back Room at Collectivo, 8/11/17

Two of Nashville's brightest younger acts took the stage in the cozy Back Room at Collectivo for a night of Amerciana foot-stomping action.  Blank Range and Banditos shared a double-bill, and for the hundred or so fans that were in attendance, there was a palpable sense of energy and excitement that grew throughout the night.  When shows are smaller, acts can chose to play their set and call it a night or give you their very best, recruiting devoted fans in the process.  In the case of both Blank Range and Banditos, the rousing reaction they received converted the fans in attendance to faithful listeners who would likely recommend both bands to friends and spread the word next time they came to town.  These two bands, featuring musicians in their twenties, brought their A game to the Back Room at Collectivo.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Starting the show was Blank Range a quartet that focused on swampy guitar licks, vibrant vocal harmonies, and tremendous interplay between its four players. Fronted by Jonathan Childers (guitar, vocals), and Grant Gustafson (barritone guitar, vocals) with Taylor Zachry (bass) and Matt Novotny (drums) rounding out the group, Blank Range performed a solid set featuring many cuts from their soon to be released debut LP, "Marooned With The Treasure."  Blank Range has the ability to draw the crowd in on more intimate numbers like "Ember in the Ash," as well as rockers like "Seemed Like Word Got Around," a track that made me think of a combination of what music would sound like if Blitzen Trapper joined forces with Neil Young and Crazy Horse in a super group. "Circumstances" off of their 2016 EP "Vista Bent" was another highlight that showed off Childers and Gustafson seamlessly trading off guitar licks.  For a final number, Blank Range invited their long-time friends Banditos to the stage for a super-jam rendition of Alan Jackson's classic hit, "Gone Country."

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Banditos were up next, and delivered a raucous set, featuring a boon of material from their recently released acclaimed record 2017's Visionland.  The Birmingham Alabama via Nashville sextet combines elements of blues, gospel, soul, bluegrass, folk and rock 'n roll, to deliver a force of sound.  Mary Beth Richardson, is front and center as the front woman for Banditos, but vocal duties are shared by many in the band with Stephen Pierce II playing banjo and taking lead vocal duties on several numbers along with Timothy Stephen Corey Parsons playing acoustic guitar and also singing lead.  Banditos's recent single, "Fine, Fine Day," was played early in the set getting the crowd riled up with its thumping bass and guitar lines.  "Lonely Boy" showcased the band's classic rock tinged sound and the title track "Visionland," had a slinky, trippy vibe that drew comparisons to late 60's bands like Jefferson Airplane.  The honky-tonk groove of "Still Sober After All These Beers" was a juke-joint toe-tapper, played later on in the set, and was recognizable by most in the crowd.  By the time the band closed with a cover of Lead Belly's "Midnight Special," which featured Blank Range joining Banditos on stage for the final number, the crowd was fully engaged in the set and greeted Banditos and Blank Range with a thunderous round of applause and long line at the merchandise stand.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Rock tinged Americana doesn't get much better than the combination of Blank Range and Banditos.  I look forward to seeing where these two young groups go in the future.

Ryan Adams- Riverside Theater, 7/30/17

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

It is easy to forget what a prolific songwriter Ryan Adams is.  Over the past twenty or so years since the break up of Whiskeytown, the alternative country outfit that first got Ryan Adams's songwriting on the map, Ryan Adams has released a whopping sixteen full-length original albums.  Add to that collaborations, singles and even a cover record of Taylor Swift's 1989, and you have yourself a man who is not afraid of the studio to say the least.

In 2017, Adams has emerged as an artist at the top of his game both as a songwriter and performer. In the four times I've seen Ryan Adams live (including shows at the Riverside Theater in 2007, 2014, and Summerfest 2016), last Sunday's show at the Riverside Theater was his finest performance to date.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Touring in support of 2017's critically acclaimed, stellar record, Prisoner, Adams delivered a robust twenty-three song set that spanned over two hours, showcasing the dexterity of Adams's solo career. With a heavy cloud of incense rolling over the stage, Adams opened the evening masterfully juxtaposing newer compositions with older hits.  Adams opened  his concert with "Do You Still Love Me," the first track off of Prisoner, and promptly following it up with  "To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)," the first number of his 2000 debut solo release Heartbreaker.  Music from every era of Adams's career was showcased.  Adams played well-known cuts like, "When The Stars Go Blue" and "New York" from the more pop-infused and accessible Gold record from 2002, alongside the jam-band inspired compositions of "Magnolia Mountain" and "Cold Roses" from 2005's Cold Roses release with the his band Cardinals.  In fact this portion of the concert was reminiscent of a Jerry Garcia "Bird Song" jam and eclipsed the twenty minute mark with exceptional guitar and keyboard interplay.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Some of the more magical moments of the set came in the form of deeper cuts from Adams's back-catalogue including "Everybody Knows" and "Two," two of the most personal and moving tracks off of 2007's Easy Tiger.   "Invisible Riverside," a sweeping melodic guitar driven number was perfectly placed in the set and perhaps played homage to the beautiful Riverside Theater that Adams was playing in.   All in all, it is great to see how Ryan Adams has grown from being a stalwart songwriter to becoming an energetic and confident live performer.  He was as dialed in as I've ever seen him, and is breathing fresh life into his vast catalogue of great lyrics and songs.

Setlist:
Do You Still Love Me?
To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)
Gimme Something Good
Stay With Me
Dirty Rain
Outbound Train
Everybody Knows
Prisoner
Doomsday
When the Stars Go Blue
I Just Might
Two
Magnolia Mountain ->
Cold Roses
Invisible Riverside
Let It Ride
Juli
Do I Wait
Halloweenhead
To Be Without You
New York, New York
Come Pick Me Up
Shakedown on 9th Street