Considering how much of a rough few years we’ve all had, it’s always a welcomed bright spot when you see a performance delivered with so much passion it helps you forget about the bad things for a bit. That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday evening when Jenn Wasner, better known as Flock of Dimes, took to the stage in a cramped room at Elsewhere and left everything onstage.
Joined onstage by drummer Matt McCaughan and guitarist Alan Good Parker, the trio alternated from moments of subtle artistry before the rapt audience and letting it all loose during mini-jam sessions that would get any crowd revved up. A favorite of mine, “Two” from the Head of Roses album, entered the setlist early on, and clearly it was a crowd favorite as I heard several enthusiastic yelps of “woo” drift across the venue in response. The breezy beauty of “One More Hour” also hypnotized the mass of people in the room, and we hung on every single word. “Price of Blue” almost made me feel like I was getting two shows for the price of one; just the guitar and drum work on this song was utter perfection.
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Wasner, clearly in control of the ebbs and flows of the journey she was taking us on, dazzled when she dropped to her knees several times to show off her guitar skills. Her vocals varied between the delicateness of silk to the power and strength of Teflon. McCaughan, effortlessly navigated through the tempo changes to keep the show chugging along on the perfect pace. Parker also had his time to shine, highlighted by a searing solo near the end of the show that raised my eyebrows in surprise.
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
While commenting on this performance being the last of the short but very sweet 6 date run, Wasner drank in and savored every second of being onstage playing her own music. Preceded by a string of dates with Bon Iver, and more to come, this short tour looks to have been a return to a cozy comfort that many of us recognize and need from time to time. Smiles toward the audience, and knowing looks between her bandmates signaled that the feeling and the moment was the right one, and we were all in the right place at the right time to witness it.
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Flock Of Dimes
Article/Images: Lesley Keller
