LIVE: LUCERO – February 23, 2018

Venue: The Mill & Mine

City: Knoxville, TN

Date: February 23, 2018

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

Lucero and Jake La Botz continued their winter tour with a stop in Knoxville. This was a show full of blues, rock ‘n roll, and bit of country. The venue was only partially filled during Jake La Botz’ performance. His music and aesthetic reminded me a lot of the country/blues singers from the 1950s, complete with a upright bass player. I feel like the fans who waited to come in for Lucero missed out on a talented set. Suddenly the venue was packed and it was time for Lucero to perform. Lucero is from Memphis, so naturally any mention of Tennessee got plenty of love from the crowd. One thing I loved about this show is how stripped-down it felt. There weren’t any fancy backdrops or elaborate stage setups that I’m used to seeing at other rock shows. Several songs featured just two members – for example, “The War” only had frontman Ben Nichols on guitar and Rick Steff the accordion. Lucero played a very long set (I honestly lost count), featuring new and old hits like “Nights Like These,” “Drink ‘Till We’re Gone,” “My Best Girl,” and “Nobody’s Darlings.” The band also came back to play an encore of “Here at the Starlite” and “Hey Darlin’, Do You Gamble” after already playing 20+ songs. Lucero’s set was the perfect way to spend a Friday night in Knoxville’s Old City. Fans of blues, country, and rock could appreciate every song from both bands. Many of the fans celebrated the night with a beer in hand while they sang along to every word. This was definitely a show that focused on a genre that feels at home in Knoxville.

Setlist: The Last Song – Bottom of the Sea – Sweet Little Thing – Slow Dancing – Downtown (Intro) – On My Way Downtown – To My Dearest Wife – Nights Like These – Texas & Tennessee – Everything Has Changed – Raising Hell – Union Pacific Line – I Can Get Us Out Of Here – Chain Link Fence – Drink ‘Till We’re Gone – I’ll Just Fall – I Woke Up in New Orleans – Kiss the Bottle – The War – The Last Pale Light in the West – Loving – Isabelle – My Best Girl – Tears Don’t Matter Much – Nobody’s Darlings – Here at the Starlite – Hey Darlin’ Do You Gamble?

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries