Last night’s show was at Musica down in Akron. It’s really a great venue, lots of seats, great sound… if only you know when to actually show up for a show! So many times I’ve missed openers because this place starts so EARLY - but for a “road trip” show, I don’t actually mind it. We were prepared this time and got there around 7:45, and the show promptly started shortly after that. I’m SO glad it worked out because we caught local performer Austin Craig who was ah-mazing. Folky singer-songwriter, with an old-soul feel about his music. He reminds me a lot of Tom Evanchuck, and like Tom, I’d love to see if I can get Austin to do a house concert.
When I first checked this show out, I immediately looked up opener Sera Cahoone and she sold me on this show right away. Her new album on Sub Pop records is really amazing, extremely well produced. Live, she was a little simpler with just her and a pedal steel guitar with her - but her songs still shined through. Good stuff.
The last time I saw Joe, I couldn’t say enough good things about him. This time, he was definitely high energy and fun on stage, but I can’t say that I was all that enthralled. In fact, I hadn’t really been spending much time with his latest album all that much. He’s a mighty-fine performer, but I can say for this show that it was the openers who made it for me.