01.12.2013 - Grace Potter and The Nocturnals @ Old National Center Egyptian Room
January 19, 2013
Old National Center
Indianapolis, IN
There are not many vocalists and bands that have the ability to kick off a show with a soulful ballad, but Grace Potter and her infamous band The Nocturnals did it perfectly with "Nothing But The Water." I am personally always taken aback by the sheer power and clarity in Potter's voice, and I always find myself saying that her band is one of the best bands in the business, and this show did not disappoint. Potter and the Nocturnals have been steadily climbing in popularity, and you can tell that all of their hard work is paying off.
The band played staples such as "Hot Summer Night," "Apologies," and "Tiny Light." It was interesting to overhear people in the crowd referencing the use of Potter's songs on the reality talent hit, "The Voice," and how many folks in Indy were new fans because of that interaction with her music. No matter the distance between fans who have been following Potter's career and those new to her soulful sounds, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals had the crowd in the palm of their hands the entire night. And from those unmistakeable guitar notes that kick off "Paris," the crowd nearly exploded with expectant energy. After a short break, the band came back out and played the emotionally charged "Stars," and ended the evening with the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black." My favorite part of seeing Grace Potter and the Nocturnals live is that I feel like I'm seeing history in the making. They are by far and away one of the best live bands to see. And in pure, classic rock and roll form, they always leave me in anticipation of seeing them again live, so much that for the following week after a show, their entire catalog remains playing on my iPhone as often as possible. I'm positive that I'm not the only one who left the Egyptian Room that night with the feeling of anticipation for the next time the great Grace Potter and the Nocturnals return to our city, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will be talking about this show for the following weeks and months to come.
Langhorne Slim started off the evening with a raucous set of songs about traveling, finding love, losing love, and life. The band got the crowd into a near frenzy with songs from their June 2012 release, "The Way We Move." With the title track, the band had the diverse audience clapping their hands and shaking their hips, and it was nearly impossible to not be caught up in the energy of banjo and upright bass and it was easy to forget your 9 to 5 problems and get swept away in the honest soul of this band. Keep your eye on these guys...they are on par with an early version of Mumford and Sons. I guarantee you'll be hearing more from them in the future.
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