Show Review & Photos: Kevin Morby w/Coco @ the Showbox

Kevin Morby w/Coco @ the Showbox – 11/11/22
Show Review & Photos by John Rudolph
Memory Lane Series, part 136

Kevin Morby – photo by John Rudolph

I love when I cover a band that I’m not very familiar with and my mind is blown.  Kevin Morby and his opener, Coco did that to me and I’m so thankful for the journey.

The show started with Coco, led by Maia Friedman of the Dirty Projectors, playing with such passion and a sense of self.  Her voice is soft but with plenty of depth and enough power and sensitivity to compliment the band.  Coco played for nearly an hour and I could have enjoyed her melodies all night long.

It must be said, when I photographed Coco from the photo pit, I fell in the dark cramped space and hurt my shin.  Maia stopped the show to see if I was okay.  It was clear that she is fully aware and that comes through in her music.

Coco – photo by John Rudolph

Somewhere around 9 pm, Kevin Morby and the other 7 members of his band took the stage and the fans were ready. . . ready to dance like nobody was watching. Like I said earlier, I wasn’t that familiar with Morby and now after the show, I haven’t stopped listening.   

Kevin’s tour was in support of his new record, This Is a Photography.  His first five songs were from that album.  There’s a of course an indie sound with a heavy dose of the blues/R&B.  His back up singer was heavily used to create that soulful sound.  

For the next set, he told us that he was going to play his older portfolio. It must be said that I stayed as late as I could so I could take in as much of his rich sound as possible.  

I started the night not knowing much about Kansas City’s, Kevin Morby.  He has at least one more fan now.

Kevin Morby – photos by John Rudolph

Coco – photos by John Rudolph

Show Review & Photos: Crowded House (w/Liam Finn) @ the Paramount Theatre

Show Review & Photos: Crowded House (w/Liam Finn) @ the Paramount Theatre – 5/3/23
By Lisa Hagen Glynn

Crowded House – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

New Zealand–Australian rock group Crowded House performed at the Paramount on May 3, 2023. The six-piece group included Neil Finn (lead vocals, guitar), Nick Seymour (bass), Liam Finn (guitar, vocals), Elroy Finn (drums), Mitchell Froom (keys), and Paul Taylor (percussion). 

They performed a mix of Crowded House and Split Enz tunes. Between songs there was hilarious banter and joyful affection between Neil Finn and co-founder Nick Seymour—who Finn said really knew how to rock a kilt. The audience participated enthusiastically in sing-alongs throughout the evening. After a nearly two-hour set, the evening ended with a standing ovation and a two-song encore.

Crowded House guitarist Liam Finn opened the evening with an entertaining multi-instrumental performance. After a costume change, he joined Crowded House for the second set.

Liam Finn – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Crowded House – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Photos: Bludnymph @ Madame Lou’s

Bludnymph @ Madame Lou’s – 12/1/2023
Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Bludnymph (aka Kya Hansen) opened for KiNG MALA at Madame Lou’s last week.  The enthusiastic audience threw stuffed animals and lingerie to Bludnymph while she performed her newest single, “Lights Out.”  The Vancouver-based indie pop artist had a short trip over the border to join the tour.

Bludnymph – Photos by Kirk Stauffer