Parker Millsap w/ Travis Linville
Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA
07.20.16
Nose pressed against the mic, t-shirt sleeves rolled up, and white cowboy hat in place, Oklahoma’s Parker Millsap took over Seattle’s Tractor Tavern like it was home. The 23-year-old artist has quickly made a name for himself, already on his third studio album in just four short years, and garnering stellar praise from critics and fans alike.
Millsap’s live show included a four-piece band: drums, upright bass, keys, and an electric fiddle. They kicked off the set with the upbeat “Hands Up,” the crowd bouncing along to the swingy melody and fantastic low-end beats. After complementing Seattle’s summer weather, Millsap said, “We don’t wanna leave but we’re gonna sing a song about getting out of town,” and then played the slightly more somber “Disappear.” Millsap’s voice was impressively rangy, stretching from a gorgeous, throaty falsetto to a full shout, a depth of blues and rock history and study making itself apparent.
He started “I Hope I Die” with a statement that, “This is not the most morbid song in the set,” and followed it with “The Very Last Day,” saying, “This next song IS the most morbid tune in the set. I hope you enjoy it.” Clearly his sense of humor was intact. From impressively plucked guitar to a killer fiddle solo, and a surprisingly appropriate accordion layer, Millsap’s tunes resonated with the full room, people singing along, cheering, grooving like a down-home crowd should.
Opener Travis Linville certainly knew how to set a good tone as well. The folk singer/guitarist, complete with Canadian tuxedo and Adidas hi-tops took to the stage solo, custom name-bearing guitar strap in tow, harmonica ready around his neck. He framed his posi-vibed tracks with quippy banter like, “I’m not only making up some of these songs. But I’m also making up these dance moves,” engaging the crowd while he maneuvered from plucky bluegrass through alt-rock chords. His set was incredibly well-received, including when he sat down to handle his acoustic like a slide guitar.
Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Phillip Johnson
Parker Millsap
Travis Linville
