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