Finneas
Showbox Sodo, Seattle, WA
11.04.2021
I think this current decade we’ll see more and more producers for some of the largest musicians will make just as big a name for themselves as the artists produce music. We’ve seen Taylor Swifts producer, Jack Antonoffs and band Bleacher do amazing. Now we have been so fortunate to see Billie Ellish’s producer, and brother, Finneas, release his first full length album, Optimist. It’s as beautiful an album as you’ll ever see from any highly rated musician.
Finneas rolled into Seattle on November 4th 2021 on his Optimist Tour. Ready to play to a sold out crowd at the Showbox Sodo. Between opening acts there was no club music. Just crickets. Literally, just the sound of crickets, like a white noise sound. There was the occasional owl hoot and crow caw. Finneas was clearly trying to set the mood for the show.
Finneas opened up the show with the same first two songs off the Optimist album. Finneas came on stage with just an acoustic guitar and began the soft opening for, ‘A Concert Six Months From Now’. One of those beautiful songs that starts slow and soft and builds up to hit you with a loud finish. The perfect way to transition into the bold song ‘The Kids are All Dying’.
Within the first three songs you could see Finneas full range as a musican and performer. On ‘The Kids Are All Dying’ he ditched all instruments to freely move and dance about the stage. And for the next song ‘Angels’ he sat down at the piano for a slower song showing his full range.
The first half of the set would alternate from slow song to upbeat songs similarly to his album. Everyone had their phone lights on and waving as they danced to ‘Happy Now?’ and then the next song would be a slow piano song ‘Only A Lifetime’. A song he dedicated to his mom and dad. It’s one of those songs that makes you feel inspired to write music. The loudest of applause from the crowd came after the quietists of songs.
Finneas interjected between songs about how sentimental it is to play the showbox because when he grew up, he loved watching KEXP Youtube videos Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkey’s. Finneas would always remember him saying they were going to play the Showbox. Dreams finally realized in Seattle for Finneas that night getting to play the Showbox.
The second half of the set would alternate between two new songs and two songs from his previously released EP. Including the Shelter, Partners In Crime, and Let’s Fall in Love For the Night at the end of the night.
The lighting for each song was very beautiful done but none could compare to the light from within his piano. The exterior of the piano had holes of various sizes cut out, like Swiss cheese, but more elegant and artistic. The light coming out of the holes gave off the most beautiful light that complimented Finneas soft and power voice.
A voice that sounds both totally unique and nostalgic. Each song you could hear familiar sounds similar to Barry Manilow then it sounded more modern like John Legend, then it’s has vibes of Elton John while also feeling like a possible Billie Ellish. All in one song. Finneas has truly harnessed the sounds of both modern and nostalgic sounds creating something unique. Which is why I believe well know producers like Finneas will be able to make a huge name for themselves this decade as solo artist themselves.
Photos & Review by Logan Westom
