Kyle Emerson was the tallest thing on the stage. This is just a coincidence of nature, but it was a pretty effective way to keep eyes on him as his band rocked, rolled, and shredded around him. Theirs was a classic sound with well-crafted hooks. On “So Goddamn Low,” Mark slowed down the drums to a shuffle. The guitarist, Miles, brought in a sliding country twang. Emerson sang with a breathy edge:
If I am the better man, put me in my place.
If I am an honest man, I’d really like to know.
How come all the time I feel so goddamn low.
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite of the set, but I do love their tune, “Sun In Your Eyes,” and it was a stellar performance. They ended by bringing back the twangy guitar sound, this time for the psych tune, “In My Mind,” complete with jam session that garnered hoots from the audience.
Ages and Ages got on my radar with their stand out hit of 2014, “Divisionary (Do the right thing).” It captured my hook-loving heart. But, it is their new album, Me You They We, that brought them out on this tour. Like their back catalog, it is full of songs that lift and brighten. When they kicked off their set with some of my favorite tunes from the new album, their live energy kicked it up a notch. They brought such a groovin’ laid back party to the Schubas stage, I couldn’t help but dance and sing along.
When they kicked into “I See More,” Tim Perry didn’t just move with the music as he sang and played guitar, he was frenetic and powerful. From that, they moved into a killer percussive opening on “No Nostalgia” by drummer Evan Railton and multi-instrumentalists and one woman party, Ashley Schanely. Rounded out by amazing four part harmonies on “Divisionary,” the evening was simply pure blissful beauty.
SETLIST:
Way Back In Needle and Thread Light Goes Out No Pressure Nothing Serious Just My Luck Kick Me Out Cascadia Waving Back (all one song) Hiding Out Weight Below I See More No Nostalgia Divisionary
Kyle Emerson Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Ages and Ages Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
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