Showing up early to this packed MFNW 2009 lineup had its benefits. First, a great spot (if you like being right up in the artist's grills). Second, the wonderful performance of Austin Lucas, who first provided some lovely harmonies with Mike Hale, and then energized the audience with an impressive solo set of down-home finger-pickin' punky folk. Great stuff.
The highlight of the evening, though, was clearly Langhorne Slim. Treating the Crystal Ballroom crowd to a taste of his new material from Be Set Free, Slim kicked up the energy in his bluesy folk music through a torrid performance, running around the stage, jumping off drum sets, and generally working the crowd into a frenzy.
The Builders and the Butchers kept the energy high, as they treated the hometown crowd to an inspired set of "southern gothic" folk rock, as well as a variety of toys from their noisemaker chest. As Carrie Johnston so aptly put it, "no other band will make you feel so blissfully compelled to make deals with the devil."
After all of this excitement, the Crystal calmed down considerably as Blind Pilot's melodic harmonies drifted over the crowd. Some audience members appeared transfixed, while others could be seen yawning and checking their watches. The music was lovely. But it just made me want to go to sleep.
