Grace Potter w/ Eliza Jones Hardy
Showbox, Seattle, WA
02.13.16
The last stop of Grace Potter’s Magical Midnight Roadshow Tour wouldn’t be complete without Seattle’s wet, chilly, PNW weather. Fortunately, the downpour didn’t deter any fans from the sold out show Saturday night, and Grace felt it was a proper Seattle welcome – “beautiful, rainy and dreary”, in her words. “Seattle, the city for dreamers.”
Eliza Hardy Jones opened for Potter – a very unexpectedly crisp and commanding voice from such a small frame. Her vocals, combined with the keyboard, delivered an upbeat and catchy performance. Within one song she dabbled among different genres and melodies.
Opening the show with “Hot to the Touch,” Potter’s raspy voice belted across the Showbox. It was a killer solo performance away from The Nocturnals, her usual bandmates. The remainder of the show would follow suit: Potter’s high energy hair whipping and dancing left the crowd hanging onto each note, captivated by her every move. There was nothing short of badass from this talented and confident artist.
Supporting guitarist and backup vocalist Benny Yurco joined Potter for the full tour. Potter took a moment between songs to thank him for being alongside her from beginning to end, totaling 23 performances. She also advocated on his behalf, sharing of his outstanding character, and tried to get him laid, “or at least, ladies, someone make out with this fine gentleman tonight.” A true heartfelt southern moment from the Vermont native.
On this special night of the tour, being the last performance, the fortunate 30-something crowd heard Potter’s new song, “You Love Another,” for the very first time. Listening to it in an unrefined state, it seemed to take a slightly different step instrumentally, but with her same lyrical and vocal ferocity. Along with brand new songs off her solo album Midnight, Potter sprinkled in old hits from The Nocturnals. It was a seamlessly blended set list for one hell of a show, for both old and new fans alike.
Hitting musical ranges from screaming heavy rock to tiny hints of blues and country to psychedelic interludes, the performance was diverse, well-rounded, and intriguing. Adding up the stage energy, surreal dancing breaks, and Potter’s heartfelt and revealing lyrics, it was the type of show that you just didn’t want to end. In so few words – pure entertainment. Keep on rocking out, Grace.
Review by Allie Leaf
Photos by Logan Westom
Grace Potter
Eliza Hardy Jones
