Shakey Graves is a natural. I can only imagine a number of artists that have outdone the reported 1300 shows he has performed in his career. His genre-blending, foot-stomping Americana music has been honed to perfection and on display in all its glory for the Coronado Theater.
Supporting the tour as opener was Richmond native Wes Parker, whose 3-piece ensemble quickly captivated the audience with their warmth and full stage presence. Crisp, clear vocals paired with the simple-yet-complete setup of two guitars and a drum set brought louder applause with each passing song as the theater continued to fill. Whispers in the crowd confirmed what I believed, with a trio in front of me whispering excitedly, "He's really good, right?!"
Parker, who recently celebrated the release of his indie rock album Super Rare, used his set to showcase his diverse Americana rock brand of music to its fullest while performing both newer and older songs alike; grungier sounds intermixed with indie rock bops across EPs and their latest album had the audience eager for more.
Wes Parker and his ensemble.
After a brief intermission, Shakey strolled onto stage, singing along to Mr. Rogers' "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" to uproarious applause from the crowd. He greeted Rockford with the warmest smile and a "cheers" with a red plastic cup in hand. Opening the show one-man-band style, Shakey sailed his way through the track, "Nobody's Fool," while effortlessly managing both guitar and a drum. It's safe to say that Rockford completely and politely lost their minds throughout the entire evening.
After the first two songs of the evening, an attentive crowd member shouted "happy birthday!", alerting everyone that it was Shakey's birthday weekend. The crowd erupted into a loud, affectionately sloppy rendition of "Happy Birthday." Shakey placed a gentle hand on his heart, soaking in the love before rousing the crowd to sing with even more might.
Joined shortly thereafter by his 4-piece ensemble, Shakey swiftly resumed playing his foot-thumping, hand-clapping music. The crowd shook the floor to the beat of his songs with their feet stomping as I crouched in the pit.
Shakey's music evokes a nostalgia for a road trip on a warm summer's day. This longing for good times was only amplified by the sense of communal glee among the audience as everyone exchanged excited looks and swayed along to each passing track.
The show was best enjoyed from the back of the room, where I could witness a truly adoring crowd experiencing their favorite songs live. I witnessed core memories being formed, singalongs to fan favorites, and a mom and daughter passionately singing and dancing along as if this song meant absolutely everything to them.
Thankfully, I caught this performance right towards the start of a very long tour through North America and the UK, with shows running every month from now until December. This show was an engaging and heartwarming introduction to Shakey's live performance style. It was a show that did not require you to know every tune to enjoy to the fullest.
Dare I say this was one of the best live performances I've seen this year? Don't miss out on this one.
Catch up with Shakey Graves and Wes Parker on social media:
Shakey Graves: Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok
Wes Parker: Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | Discord
Apple Music Rock
Shakey Graves on Apple Music.
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