Neko Case w/ Destroyer @ Paramount Theatre – 11/29/2018
Show Review & Photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Memory Lane Series, part 78

Singer–songwriter Neko Case received an (almost-)hometown welcome with a sold-out show at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre on November 29, 2018. The Tacoma native belted out a terrific 22-song set that included most of her latest album, Hell-On, along with several older favorites.

Case was joined onstage by six long-time colleagues from her other bands—which she admitted was “nepotistic as fuck.” Together they kept a guitar tech constantly busy, and rotated through an alt-country assortment of pedal steel, banjo, keys, drums, bass, auxiliary percussion, and vocals.

The group shared some hilarious banter, including an extended discussion of whether Knickers the giant “cow” is real or software-manipulated, a tutorial on bulls versus steers, and an R-rated bit about razor-sharp octopus beaks. For the final encore tune, “This Tornado Loves You,” Case thanked the crowd and invited them to stand and sing along.

Opening was solo singer–guitarist Destroyer, AKA Dan Bejar.

Set List:

Pitch or Honey
Last Lion of Albion
Deep Red Bells
Winnie
Maybe Sparrow
Margaret vs. Pauline
Calling Cards
Bad Luck
Curse of the I-5 Corridor
Gumball Blue
Oracle of the Maritimes
Hex
Look for Me (I’ll Be Around)
Halls of Sarah
Dirty Diamond
Hold On, Hold On
Man
——
Hell-On
The Pharaohs
Lorretta
Ragtime
This Tornado Loves You

Maybe Sparrow