Secondhand Setlists

Sometimes, when the stars are aligned and careers are coordinated, a tour will feature opening & headlining acts that compliment each other enormously, providing a more cohesive atmosphere for the evening. This particular show featured two artists who wield their distinct voices atop vibrant soundscapes, resulting in a night of audio paradiso.

Straddling the airiness of London Grammar’s Hannah Reid with the tempest impact of Florence Welch, opening act Kacy Hill delivered a vocal trapeze act, climbing the highest notes with commanding assurance. Her percussionist blasted sonic craters into the earth, and Hill filled these caverns with her lofty register. In addition to her known material, Hill debuted rather promising, upbeat cuts from her upcoming album, along with a captivating cover of Donna Lewis’ “I Love You (Always Forever).”

However, knowing her background as a Yeezus backup dancer, I did wish to see a bit more movement from her; not necessarily full-Tinashe choreo, but something along the lines of FKA Twigs’ controlled sways and undulations. That being said, Hill sounded like a seasoned vet, and this is her first tour ever. Undoubtedly, her growth will lead to some spectacular showmanship.

The phrase “one man show” fines its meaning in the form of Jack Garratt. Looping together piano, percussion and guitar all by his overall-ed self, Garratt forged entire symphonies that engulfed the theater. It didn’t hurt that God blessed Garratt with a voice that makes angels weep and undergarments wet; it would shred through the crowd with tremendous horsepower, only to fade to a cradling croon in an instant. On tracks like “Breathe Life,” it seemed rousing enough to lead a nation across a desert, while a clever mashup between Justin Timberlake’s “Senorita” and UK-based Craig David’s “7 Days” revealed a formidable pop side as well.

Though this LA showed signaled the end of his US tour, Garratt’s performance established his prowess as a musician and performer in the future. To belt for over an hour while juggling 3 instruments would take its toll on any performer, but in Garratt’s case he seemed to thrive in organizing the chaos. Both he and Hill ended a tour last night, but they are starting quite the careers.