Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Concert Review

[jrnyman28]

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals

The Ogden Denver, Co.

Sunday July 10, 2011

 

After a weekend of moving I had earned myself the treat of seeing Grace Potter & The Nocturnals play their 3rd consecutive show in the Denver area. After two opening gigs at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Co. GPN took the stage for their first headlining show at the Ogden Theater in Denver. Up to this point, my only "live" experience with GPN came from YouTube and the PBS show "Soundstage". I was still not sufficiently prepared for the show I was about to witness. The band hit the stage with an immediate intensity. That kind of energy from the beginning usual causes problems later in the set due to the altitude here in Denver. There were no such problems this night. Being a band that fills many songs with extended jams and a few well-placed ballads or acoustic numbers may have helped maintain the overall energy. Still, oftentimes ballads and acoustic songs suffer vocally from the lack of oxygen. Grace showed no signs of struggle singing any note of the set. Backed by The Nocturnals, this is an amazing, cohesive unit consisting of Catherine Popper on Bass, Matt Burr on Drums, Scott Tournet on Lead Guitar and Benny Yurco on Rhythm Guitar. Personally, the Bass guitar has always been the most difficult instrument for me to appreciate. I don't know much about the skill and purpose of the bass, therefore, Catherine feels the least obvious player in the band. But what I do know of the bass is that it works with the drums to anchor the bottom end of the song. So for Catherine to be able to keep up with Matt illustrates a serious talent because Matt is an incredible drummer. Matt sits behind the band with a smile that never seems to leave his face. He plays with finesse, he plays with power, he plays fills and space and he puts on a show. Matt is a true joy to watch, as is Benny. Benny Yurco spends most of his time off to the side of the stage out of the lights and you still can't take your eyes off of him. His guitar is constantly chugging while he dances, jumps, bounces, thrusts and flails his hair. Occasionally Benny will join Scott, trading licks and feeding off each other only to return to his dark side of the stage immersed in the music. Scott is a true lead guitarist. He plays lead behind, over and under everything. He guitar tones are warm and his playing is clean. He can speak with his strings and also bring the heat during the crescendos of many a jam. In years past, a lead guitarist like this would seem to fight for the spotlight. Many a band have initially benefitted but ultimately suffered from the tensions of the lead guitarist with the lead singer. Not this band. Scott maintains a humbleness on stage. Grace Potter's name may be out front, but this is a true band of musical spirits. In fact, other than when Grace is singing, the stage is equally lit for all members. Everyone, except for the aforementioned Benny, is softly lit and visible. Of course it stands to reason that Grace gets the spotlight. She is out front and it is her voice that tops these outstanding musicians. No slouch on the Hammond B3 organ, the Flying V electric or the acoustic guitars, it is her voice and her charisma that bring it all together. I overheard one concert-goer mention that the first question of the night is "What will Grace wear". While it is true she is a beautiful woman, that will likely be the last thing you remember about the night. Once Grace starts singing and working the stage you forget all about her clothes. If this band wasn"t so mesmerizing on stage you would find yourself just closing your eyes and soaking the music all in. Finally, this band has managed to form a true bond with their audience. At one point Grace mentioned that she intended to make eye-contact with every person in the building and it certainly felt like she may have succeeded. You get that same feeling off the stage with social media. On Twitter (@gracepotter) and Facebook you know that most times it is really Grace communicating. This is a band forming a relationship with their audience. This is a band that uses todays technology while feeling like a classic road band of the 70's. This is a band that plays music for the sheer love of playing music. They play for themselves. They play to express themselves. They are not pandering to an audience. They are not playing "what will sell". Grace Potter & The Nocturnals are pouring their soul out on the stage and their audience is helpless to look away. This is not a regurgitation of "hits", this is an entire experience much like the great southern Baptist chuches. Grace Potter is the Reverend preaching the music supported by the gospel choir of the Nocturnals. And I am a believer. Tina Turner meets the Allman Brothers band meets Janis Joplin might sum up Grace Potter & the Nocturnals to the uninitiated. Better to just get them to a show.