With a total of ten musicians onstage, Seattle band Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground kicked things off with a rather infectious blend of pop, funk, and jazz. Having never listened to the band before, I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. Complete with the occasional ear-splitting guitar solo and a perfectly in-sync horn section, I often found myself wanting to dance… and I never dance.
Kay Kay and His Weathered UndergroundThe atmosphere changed considerably when
The Dear Hunter took the stage. Led by vocalist Casey Crescenzo, the band played a somewhat stripped-down set of songs, though certainly not to the disappointment of the crowd. Though the music itself was anything but dull, the band’s onstage presence left much to be desired – however, their set was rescued toward the end, when
Good Old War’s Dan Schwartz and headliner
Anthony Green walked out to contribute backing vocals.
The Dear HunterWith all three members of
Good Old War serving as his backing band,
Anthony Green took the stage just as the crowd’s anticipation was at a high. Launching into “She Loves Me So,” the opener of his of 2008 solo debut
Avalon, Green’s signature high vocals were nearly drowned by the sound of fans screaming the lyrics right back at him. Other highlights included a cover of the
Deftones’ “Diamond Eyes,”
Circa Survive’s “Get Out” (featuring Casey of
The Dear Hunter on guitar), and the much-requested “Seven Years,” which Green recorded as a part of
Saosin. The show concluded with “Devil’s Song,” which was preceded by Green dividing the crowd in two and instructing each half to sing a different part.
Anthony Green
Anthony GreenIt probably goes without saying that Anthony’s fans clearly adore him, but it’s possible he appreciates them even more: he made a point to mention what a joy it always was to play in San Francisco, which he described as a “weird, fucking magical” city. Throughout the night, Green showcased his unique ability to sound pitch-perfect while still putting on quite the show; jumping, dancing, and (at times) thrashing around like a madman, he successfully managed to reassert himself as one of the most exciting and entertaining performers in music today.
Anthony Green
Anthony Green