LIVE: CLUTCH – December 30, 2017

Venue: The International

City: Knoxville, TN

Date: December 30, 2017

Review and Photographs by: Rachel Craig (http://www.rachelcraigphotos.net/)

Clutch fans in East Tennessee almost sold out the International just before the close of 2017. This was a great rock ‘n roll show. It was all kicked off by the Mike Westcott Band, a southern/bluesy rock outfit that also includes Clutch’s own drummer, Jean-Paul Gaster. The Obsessed was next, bringing a similar hard rock vibe that sounds like it belongs more in the days of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin (with an appropriate song about motorcycles and getting high). The Devin Townsend Project came next, and I was very pleasantly surprised by their sound and performance. Townsend even acknowledged that his band did not really fit into the lineup, but they ended up starting a moshpit by the end of their set. DTP is symphonic metal, prog metal, and electronic. If you’re not familiar with Townsend, he has an incredible voice that ranges from heavy growls to even operatic singing. He already has nearly 30 albums available through other projects and solo records, so his experience really shines through. Even though there are only five people in the band, they sound like they belong on a larger stage with a full orchestra and choir.

Finally, it was time for Clutch to take over and bring the room back to crunchy guitars and Neil Fallon’s unmistakable voice. Their stage setup was very simple with just a backdrop, but Clutch’s charisma was enough to get several fans to break the venue’s rule of no crowd surfing. Fans got to hear plenty of favorites dating all the way back to the 90s during the 18-song setlist, including “The Regulator” and “Spacegrass.” More recent songs included “X-Ray Visions” and “Earth Rocker.” Clutch also gave a sneak peak at a new song they’re working on for their next album called “Emily Dickinson,” which they will begin recording now that the tour is finished. Overall, this lineup was diverse, heavy, and the perfect example of a good rock ‘n roll show. Clutch’s energy puts them on the level of even heavier bands, and I walked out of the show a bigger fan than when I arrived.

Setlist: The Dragonfly – Crucial Velocity – The Soapmakers – The Mob Goes Wild – Escape From the Prison Planet – Spacegrass – Burning Beard – Immortal – SMS – Earth Rocker – The Regulator – Emily Dickinson – How to Shake Hands – The Face – Big News I – A Shogun Named Marcus – Electric Worry – X-Ray Visions

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries