Amy Ray (10/21/05)



Amy Ray. 1 part Indigo Girl and 1 part punk rocker. What a great combination, and what an exciting night to finally get to see her solo on tour. Her performing at the Grog Shop only made the night that much better. Opening was 8 Inch Betsy & Burning Sage. Unfortunately I didn't pay much attention to their sets because just about every lesbian I know was there and I was too busy being social (something I rarely get to do at shows because I so often attend them alone).

Amy gets on stage and she proves she's as good as a front-woman as she is part of a duo... wait, dare I say seeing her is better than seeing the divine Indigo Girls?? She and her band performed a refreshing, driving folk-punk show. However she barely spoke on stage... a bit disappointing and even a bit awkward. Regardless, I have to say it's a better show than the last time I saw Indigo Girls.

At one point someone yelled out for her to perform Romeo & Juliet (a Mark Knopfler cover performed by IG). She told the audience how she and Emily have a pact to not perform IG songs during solo sets, which I feel is quite respectable. However she did say that Emily is working on her own solo project - though she wasn't supposed to be talking about it. The show continued and I was so impressed by the serious, intentional and intellectual jam sessions they belted out on stage... which my friend Penny described as "fresh." :)

Her only encore was a cover of a Johnny Rotten song (Sex Pistols) performed on an 85 year old mandolin. It doesn't get much cooler than that.

After the show we stuck around and we got to chat with her for a minute. I even got her to sign my little notebook, which is something I rarely ever go for, but Leo basically forced me to go up and talk to her. I'm so glad i did.

There are some unreleased tracks on her website you should check out... and I apologize for the sucky picture. It was particularly dark at the Grog Shop that night.

Posted: Wed - March 8, 2006 at 07:24 PM           |

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