Boy at First Avenue, Minneapolis (10/15/13) concert review

Boy is all grown up now. That last time we saw them in these parts, they played mostly acoustic with only another guitarist in tow, for a charming, subdued show at the Cedar Cultural Center in March. Now and seven months later, the Hamburg-based German/Swiss duo returned with a full four-piece backing band, a more rounded and refined sound, and added confidence for a warm set at First Avenue’s Mainroom.

GREG HOLDEN

The evening opened with a solid 40 minutes from Scottish folk singer-songwriter Greg Holden, who now lives in New York, with his sometimes somber, yet very self-effacing songs about life and relationships that most could relate to. Best known as the co-author of American Idol winner Phillip Phillps’ hit ‘Home’; while he didn’t play that song on this last night of his supporting Boy, did enrapture the crowd with stories and a stirring version of ‘The Lost Boy’ from his second full-length, and first on Collective Sounds, I Don’t Believe You.

BOY

Boy (singer Valeska Steiner and bassist Sonja Glass) and band opened their 70 min. performance with the poppy ‘Drive Darling’ and followed immediately with counting song, ‘Waitress’, which prompted clapping in-time from the Mainroom crowd. There was no better remedy on this night of cold, damp and rainy outside, than the deceptively simple, up-tempo songs heard inside from this rising duo. Singer Steiner in particular, was notably moved to be playing First Avenue knowing its history, “I’m kind of shaky- it’s the place that is so legendary”, she remarked, blushing.



With only one album in their cache, 2012’s Mutual Friends (Nettwerk), most of the songs were played with many in the audience knowing all of the stark beautiful lyrics and melodies. Revenge is still sweet as Steiner still has the last word, introducing ‘Boris’, about a skirt-chasing hound she encountered in Zurich, now some ten years ago. ‘Skin’ brought out a banging cowbell during the chorus and a stirring delicate ‘July’ had Steiner emoting, “now you’re in the right place, this is your party”, which seemed an appropriate lyric for the evening.

Photo of Setlist

The crowd sang “la la la” in unison for the driving ‘Silver Streets’ but saved their loudest reception for the duo’s breakthrough radio hit, ‘Little Numbers’, which closed the main set. The encore began slowly with a quiet ‘Into the Wild’ but quickly became playful with their happy cover of the Black Keys’ ‘Lonely Boy’- “we have a lot of fun playing this song”, Steiner mentioned when introducing the song.



A “farewell celebration” song off- setlist was last, in tribute to opener Greg Holden and his bass player Jay Foote leaving the tour, with both joining on-stage for a contemplatively happy/sad ‘Waltz for Pony’. All arms locked and an appreciative collective bow ended the evening for everyone on a high note. Fans of Feist, Regina Spektor and Jenny Lewis should consider giving Boy a listen now, as their next release could catapult them further into the mainstream if the strength of their performance on this night, was any indication.

john
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