St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Moore Theatre, Seattle, WA
11.15.23

“All right, folks, we’re gonna have a good time tonight. We wanted to celebrate 11 years of being a band.” This declaration from the frontman of St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Paul Janeway, couldn’t have been more prescient or accurate. This concert was a party, through and through, put on by a band whose unity and cohesion is made possible only by the many years and countless hours of performing together. And from the moment Paul belted out the opening notes, it was clear that the audience was in for an unforgettable experience.

Fresh off the release of their gorgeous, folk-inspired 2023 album, “Angels in Science Fiction”, Alabama’s own St. Paul & The Broken Bones played to a sold-out, raucous Moore Theater audience. While their fusion of classic soul and modern rock were well on display and brought all in attendance to their feet, many of the acoustic, stripped down moments like, “Lonely Love Song” and a poignant cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” really made an emotional impact. 

It’s difficult to overstate how astounding and effortless Janeway’s stage presence is. The fact he can dance well while displaying his dynamic vocal range is beyond impressive. He effortlessly navigates between gritty, raw emotion and silky smooth crooning, and a soulful scream that pays homage to the legendary Charles Bradley. His passion has a way of making every person in the room feel like they were a part of something special, because they were.

Likewise, the tight-knit chemistry among band members was impressive, with each musician complementing the others to create a cohesive and powerful performance. Between the horn section (trumpet, sax, and trombone), to the keys, drums, guitar, and bass, these are masters of their respective instruments. At times, Janeway would exit the stage and an instrumental medley would take place, highlighting each of the band members. The fact that this didn’t result in any drop of energy is impressive, and speaks to how talented they all are.

Perhaps there’s no better encapsulation of the night’s energy than Janeway emerging onstage for the encore in a sequined, holographic cape, finding his way through the crowd while belting out pitch-perfect notes across myriad octaves, only to find his way to the balcony, his legs dangling above the audience below as he didn’t miss a beat. Incredible.

Photos by Sattva Photo
Review by Katie Davis