Real Estate seem like the guys down the cul-de-sac you’d have a beer and talk about Star Wars with on the front lawn. “Public Space One!” He took the role of band spokesman throughout the night, exuding calm, every-man demeanor. “We played in a basement last time we were here too,” bassist Alex Bleeker quipped. Fans quickly filled the space between the stage and the front row, trailing back into the center aisle and forcing the second and third rows to stand and peek over the newly-sprouted crop of heads. The theater’s began to pulse with energy as the five men of Real Estate took over, following a brief interlude and equipment check. Walker closed out his set with a fitting cover of Van Morrison’s “Fair Play,” to applause. It was surprising to hear that he grew up in Chicago. Listening to Walker in the damp, machine-exhaled fog was like taking a morning cruise down the Mississippi with an eccentric local guide seated at the head of the boat. Occasionally, he yelps like a coyote in the sheer joy of playing a good tune. The young songwriter’s oft-cited ‘70s folk-rock influences, (Van Morrison and Tim Buckley, among others) are certainly audible in his delicate finger-picking and drowsy vocals but Walker truly comes into his own during live performance. His voice climbs and soars with an abrasive edge not heard in his recorded music. The majority of Walker’s performance was comprised of songs from Primrose Green, his album released earlier this week on Tuesday, March 31 st. The audience cracked, and quickly died down again as Walker and Hatwich eased into their set. Last time we were here we played in a basement venue, I think it was called, uh” – Walker trailed off momentarily as he finished tuning. A lot of damn people here” he said, looking up from the strings to peer into the crowd. His frazzled hair mirrored the instrument’s uncut strings. Walker took a seat before the monitor speakers, and began tuning his guitar. Ryley Walker sauntered out just after 8:00 PM, cutting a shaggy figure through blue stage light and the damp breath of fog machines. Anton Hatwich followed, a tall, bespectacled man, predestined by his name alone to become a double-bass player. Teenagers and adults alike settled in comfortably, for once at peace. There was no clamor for front-row seating, no mad sprint down the aisle for the privilege of getting moshed against the stage. Enjoy the show.Ĭoncertgoers trickled in lazily throughout the 7:00 hour, drifting between seats and conversations about how long to sell house. Drink responsibly and be on your way, music fan. The beers are a little expensive, but you know that you want one. A bracelet for the wrist, a beer for the hand. Just inside, past the box office, theater staff greeted fans with warm smiles. The Englert’s Mission Creek Real Estate show on Thursday night was one of refreshingly little pretense.
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