Vance Joy’s worldwide tour Nation of Two kicked off in Berkeley at The Greek Theater to the largest headlining audience the singer-songwriter had yet encountered. This tour marks Vance Joy’s (born James Keogh) first large-scale headlining production, complete with a towering concert rig and elaborate accompanying lights. Despite obvious nerves (there were several instances when Keogh restarted songs due to forgetting lyrics), Keogh and his band delivered a standout performance.
Vance Joy’s signature style is one of evocative, poetic lyrics and despite the spectacular light show accompanying the singer-songwriter, Keogh impressed most with his heartfelt, emotional delivery. Songs like “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Like Gold” painted vivid lyrical images of bittersweet nostalgia. Keogh rarely moved from in front of the mic, rhythmically tapping his foot along with the beat; such minimalism worked well, as his songs demand no additional performative flair. Beyond all else, Vance Joy’s performance was sincerely joyful. In the middle of the set was a cover of Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” mixed with Justin Bieber’s “Sorry”; the unexpected pairing had the audience on their feet, heartily singing along to every word. When Keogh brought out his ukulele for his breakout single “Riptide”, the crowd roared in recognition, clear echoes of every line filling the amphitheater. Vance Joy’s heartfelt sincerity imbued the set with a unabashed delight, making for a performance that was as breathtaking as the vibrant lights that illuminated him onstage.
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By: Dana Jacobs| Exclusively for @Music, Why Not! | All Rights Reserved |
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