David Gray: Exploring the Evening

David Gray
Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA
08.25.14

On Monday, August 25^th, David Gray brought the passionate performance of a true entertainer to Marymoor Park. With more than 20 years of experience as a singer and songwriter, Gray has the ability to inspire a crowd that many can only hope to possess. His dedication to his music, combined with a seasoned style, made this concert an occasion to remember.

Gray’s musical roots lie in a folk-ish, acoustic sound. Though his approach has evolved to include rock and electronic influences, he never strays far from his origins. Increased airplay in the last 10 years has gained Gray a wide and dedicated following, and the tour Gray is currently on for his new album, Mutineers, marks his first release in four years. From his exuberant display in show, and the animated response from his audience, one could tell that neither could be happier to see him back in the mix with a fresh record.

Gray entered to standing applause from an enthusiastic crowd that ranged from young in age to young at heart. He immediately launched into a rousing piano piece with Back in the World, gripping the attention of all in assembly. From there, Gray would proceed from song to song, switching from piano to guitar and even to harmonica. Flawlessly. He never missed a step.

Accompanying Gray was a spectacular light show. Whether bathed solitarily in a beam of white during the arresting The Other Side, or surrounded by a mesmerizing flutter of light that created the effect of a thousand distorted disco balls, Gray’s performance was as energizing to the eye as it was to the ear. He left no doubt at any point that his art was the true attraction.

After delving with abandon headlong into his set, the tempo eventually shifted back to a pace more reminiscent of Gray’s earlier work. Never losing sway over the audience, an acoustic rendition of Babylon showed that Gray could just as easily move the spirit with a throwback to his cornerstones as he could with his newfound melodic sensibilities. Gray shifted the beat back up and continued into a few charged songs from Mutineers, including the title track. The concert finished with several of Gray’s tried and true ballads, leaving the collected throng spent and gratified.

Hailing from Liverpool, John Smith opened for David Gray with a gentle acoustic session. His sweet and soothing tones painted a picture of small town England in simple, undemanding verse. Smith has a unique style, rich in its depth, creating a feeling that is authentic yet surreal. Smith’s last refrain of the evening, Winter, brought his guitar to his lap, where he plucked and drummed a composition that was stark, haunting, and vividly memorable. Smith will continue to open for David Gray for part of his US tour.

David Gray’s Set List:
Back in the World
The Other Side
Last Summer
Snow in Vegas
Fugitive
Kathleen
Nemesis
Gulls
Babylon
Cake and Eat It
Mutineers
Sail Away
Silver Lining
Birds of the High Arctic
Please Forgive Me
(Encore):
This Year’s Love
The One I Love