Shakey Graves

This was my fourth time seeing Shakey, and second time seeing him at the State Theater. I think, sadly, due to his growing popularity (good for him, bad for us) he will need a bigger venue for his shows soon. Or, state theater could sell fewer tickets so that we aren't so sardined in there. However, the staff was excellent this time in keeping drunk people under control. I don't mind if people drink at a show, but the last time I was at the State (for the decemberist) a group of drunk girls behind me completely ruined my experience, they were loud and extremely shovy, and paid little to no attention to the show. So kudos to the staff this time for keeping this one under control, as I had no drunk people aggravating me this time. On to the actual performance: Dawes. Was. INCREDIBLE. I had always wanted to see them and they were mind blowing. 100% recommend seeing them again as a main act. They were humble, kind, and truly enjoying playing their music for us. Shakey was fantastic, as always, he has changed a lot since I first saw him in 2013 and has a bigger sound for a lot of songs, I am a fan of this but if you are expecting the calm, quiet serenade of shakey's older music, you will get that for some songs but not all. I love the members of his band though and think they work great together at harmonizing and creating a lush sound that is surprisingly not so loud that it hurts my ears. Perfect volume for inside or out.

Shakey Graves performance was one of the best live shows I've seen. He gives his all for every song, and his band mates did the same. The two guitarists were AMAZING and the drummer brought so much energy to the stage. Shakey Graves is an amazing singer, songwriter, guitarist, and an awesome storyteller! This is a group of very humble, talented and friendly musicians.I can't wait to see them again!

WOW! He was so entertaining and insanely talented. I had so much fun at this concert I want to see him again and again!

Shakey Graves presence on stage is relaxed. He is a talented, accomplished entertainer.

Shakey is the definition of a great live artist - he is so amazing and charming - he puts 120% into his performance and its felt by the audience. Really really awesome!

Even after an encore, the audience was loving the show so much that they didn't want Shakey to get off the stage. Incredible show.

Clearly you cannot go wrong with Shakey and David and the State Theater is a fantastic venue!!

Huge fan of the And The War Came album...this concert didn't do it justice. Music was far too loud compared to vocals and after a few songs they all just started to sound the same. The crowd was awful and talked throughout his entire performance so it was even harder to hear him. This concert had a female opener, I actually enjoyed her session more. When it came time to play Dearly Departed I was hoping the opening act would come out to sing Esme Patterson's part...but no. Instead the crowd was encouraged to sing along to the track of Esme singing it. It was a complete nightmare with the majority of the crowd not knowing the words or still carrying on their conversations. I don't think I would give this another go around, the cd is much better in comparison. The Deluxe Room has huge pillars throughout the space and creates blind spots everywhere unless you are front and center.

Shouldn't have worn socks...cause they were rocked right off of my feet! Boy was this show neat!

opening act was good .Shakey came out and killed it .he is for sure a live artist.vocals and instruments were really good .

Amazing variety of sound. Whether singing an older song solo or joined by his band, Shakey Graves was raw, alive, engaged in the music and great with the crowd.

I love going to shows at the Port City Music Hall but this one was exceptional! Shakey Graves and Esme Patterson rocked! Even better in person, I cannot wait for Shakey to come back to New England!!!!!

Wow! I had heard great things about a Shakey Graves show from some friends, and I was in town to see The Avett Brothers anyway.. so I figured, why not go to the official after show? Best. Decision. Ever. He put so much energy into every song, and was so into the performance! It was really an amazing concert! And people were super into the Willie Watson portion as well.

Amazing concert, amazing artist! Hopefully he comes to NYC again soon.

Shakey Graves is a great performer with an easy, charming stage presence. I appreciated that he showcased his rock and roll side, his Texan acoustic side, and his two-part harmony side (with the wonderful Esme Patterson). Openers Esme Patterson and Joe Sundell were terrific. Joe Sundell was a one-man band and played the acoustic guitar, harmonica, drum, and tambourine...all at the same time! Yet the attendees at The Sinclair were not to be entertained and talked through the whole thing. It was hard to concentrate on the music. Would see these artists again in a heartbeat but have my reservations about The Sinclair.

Shakey Graves is going to be big, and I mean big. The man has an incredible amount of raw talent combined with an inventive mind and has created a unique sound that is entirely his own. He has quite the stage presence as well, always joking around and having fun. This is my third time seeing Shakey in concert and he just keeps getting better, he is not one to miss.

I loved the opened Joe Sundell. Although Shakey Graves was good, I found that he was a little too casual and unprofessional. Was he drunk? Stoned? Most likely. No matter the song, he would break down into laughter during each one. He was a little too goofy. I saw him open for Shovels and Rope last year at the Royale and he was MUCH better. I caught a bit of his set at Newport and he was MUCH better. I don't like it when artists take their music too seriously but Shakey was at the other end of the spectrum.

Willie Watson the opening act was great for about 5 songs but he played over an hour with an encore so Shakey was not onstage until almost 1 1/2 hrs in for what was a very late concert that started at 10:30. More Shakey, less Watson- no offense but he was not who I came to see.

Amazing, all around- They put on a great show! They played for well over two and a half hours combined.

Shakey Graves is one hell of a performer. He can act as a one man band or have a crew of instrumentalists but no matter what he will deliver! Willie Watson opened for Shakey Graves and performed well past what I considered a normal time frame - an hour and a half. Although his music and performance was soothing, i felt it was not the best lead into Shakey Graves. However, Shakey Graves immediately changed the tone of the crowd as he took the stage and with every note he sang and chord he struck I was taken away by his talent!

Shakey Graves is amazing. His recent album (And The War Came) is unbelievably excellent, and his live show is phenomenal. Willie Watson, while technically talented and has a lovely voice, but his songs... his stage presence... no. All no. Not interested. I'll still see SHakey any time he comes around, but I'ma be wary of his openers from now on.

Perfect end to an evening with the Avett Brothers. It was a double (triple) header worth staying out for! The music was amazing and the venue was perfect.

Holy crap! Wild Child blew me away! The female lead singer is a powerhouse with this beautifully soulful voice and the whole performance was full of so much joy! I came to see Shakey Graves (who gave a completely knockout performance as well), but I have a new favorite band in Wild Child!

Shakey Graves was unbelievable. His guitar technique is unparalleled in combination with keeping the beat with his kick drum and tambourine. The show had so much energy and the entire crowd was dancing and stomping along, I don't think I've ever been to a show like this before where everyone in the room was thoroughly enjoying the music. Wild Child was also incredible, Kelsey has the voice of an angel! Go see Shakey Graves!!

Wild Child is the new jazz/folk/Americana sound that makes you move in your seat. Shakey Graves is INCREDIBLE! Untopped talent.

Great venue, awesome bands. Perfect fit for this show

Little disappointed in the length of time (or lack thereof) of Shakey's performance. Always a good venue. Overall had a great time.

It's a very small venue. I was able to get right in close about 8 feet away from Shakey Graves. You could also easily leave your place in line for the restroom or a beer and slot back in nicely.

I have to say it sounded pretty horrible. If he comes around again I'll give him a second chance at a different venue.

Great show at the Fillmore. Shakey Graves brought it!

This is the second time my girlfriend and I got to see the band this year and I've got to say, this time was even better. Not only did we get unbelievable seats because a guy let us up the back staircase early, but the band just killed it on stage. They're definitely one of my favorite bands right now and the fact that they're all so nice and willing to chat with fans before/after the show blows me away. Mark my words, Wild Child will be a household name within 6 months.

This concert was awe-inspiring. I had never seen Shakey Graves live before, and he has such a vibrant stage presence. I loved the addition of his band which added a layer of vocal harmony & complexity to the music. If you are considering seeing Shakey Graves, I highly recommend the State Theater as a venue.

While Shakey Graves gave a decent performance and an excellent version of his one hit, the sound wasn't very good. The vocals were muffled and needed to be turned up. Dawes clearly stole the show and were very humble in choosing not to headline. Shakey Graves seemed like an afterthought, in comparison.

Great show, Dawes and Shakey Graves were total showman!

As usual Dawes was fantastic! Great set list, awesome musicianship, excellent rapport with the audience. When you listen to them on record they are great, when you see them live they are better...and as you watch the show you can't find a weakness in the band. All 5 players contribute in a manner where if one was absent it they would be missed. I don't think I have seen a better live band.

Dawes opened and really stole the show. They're in a different league than Shakey Graves. Shakey Graves basically plays a bunch of familiar sounded musical cliches that non-musicians are fooled into thinking is deep talent. It's actually a very calculated approach... almost like he's using a recipe, and adding in familiar ingredients that are commonly known. The songs have no depth, they don't go anywhere, and the entire time he's masking and hiding his vocals behind a ton of effects like reverb, compression, and delay. It's extremely thin. Not impressive, and you could not understand a single word that he was saying. I remember at one feeling as though I had been fooled because I was watching someone stand on the stage, play a bunch of musical clichés with his guitar and make noises with his mouth that sort of sounded like words, but weren't. He's not a great artist.

Shakey Graves is a phenomenal performer. His music is addicting and his story telling is nearly as entertaining!! He has really created his own genre of music and I hope to see big things from him in the future.

Great show! Shakey graves sounded amazing and put on such a great show! Son little was even better then I had heard prior. The atmosphere was wonderful and couldn't have asked for a better venue.

Shakey's was OK... I think. It was hard to tell since the sound was so bad that Shakey's lyrics were unintelligible. I like bass as much as the next guy but when it turns the rest of the music to mush something needs to be done about it. I don't know if the problem was with the sound guy or the venue (it was our first time there). If it is a problem with the sound guy then he needs to be replaced. If it is a problem with the venue then I wouldn't play there again. We walked out in the middle of the show, as did quite a few other people that we encountered on the sidewalk outside.

Shakey puts out an amazing energetic show and fully engages the audience. He is sooo talented and his band adds to the full throttle sound. I would see him anywhere anytime again and again.

A do not miss concert. Universal appeal for music lovers. Incredibly charismatic performer---he'll have you wrapped around his little finger. Broad range of music; "full band" to "solo acoustic" performances. It's obvious he loves what he's doing and he'll seduce you with his energy and piquant deliverance.

Great venue for the artist. Shakes Graves have fun and it showed.

Interactive, charismatic, funny and w great performer.

Shakey Graves is good on recorded videos and audio but 10 billion times better live. Could have listened to him for 5 more hours!

The best concert I have ever been to at an amazing venue!

Shakey Graves put on an amazing performance and I love Variety Playhouse!!!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Saw Shakey Graves last year and again this year. It seems impossible to find a musician or band who are incredible to begin with but then sound even better live! But that's what I've found in seeing Shakey Graves live. He has so much personality and connects and interacts with the crowd on a meaningful level. I will always go see him play whenever I get the chance.

This was some of the best live music I've heard in years. Highly recommend.

Venue was wonderful, show was perfect! Shakey Graves was so much fun! I want to go to every concert now! Love, love, love! Highly recommend!

Fantastic show by one of the best soloists in music today. Amazing venue, too!

Shakey ,went too hard rock for my taste. Expected more like his latest CD so I was disappointed. Liked Wild Child better.

The venue was great and the artist was AMAZING!! Such a talented musician and funny too.

He will not let you down, he has an incredible sound and is a beast musician.

Third time seeing Shakey, and let me say, he gets better and better. Each time I see him he appears to be having more and more fun on stage and his music just becomes more powerful. He split the show up really nicely with doing Solo, One Man Band, and Full band songs. All were spectacular and his use of effects with the guitar led to some very awesome jams and intros to his songs. The crazy stutter effect before Roll The Bones blew my mind. Terminal 5 was a good venue, despite all the bad reviews. If you make it to the balcony right over the stage your night will be great. Amazing view, sound was good even though the speakers were right next to my ear. Overall no complaints about T5. Also, the second opening act called The Oh Hellos, was one of the best bands i think i have ever heard. Amazing talent, extreme energy, incredible sound and vibes, great personalities. Would see them on their own in a heart beat. Definitely check out The Oh Hellos, incredible.

If you've heard one of his albums you haven't heard anything. One of the best live shows, impeccable. The oh hellos are damn amazing as well, the energy is palpable.

I've seen Shakey before but this is by far the best concert I've been to in a long while. The Oh Hellos were incredible as well. Shakey's star power is definitely growing but this venue was perfect for him. He's not the kind of performer you see in a stadium. Shakey makes all his shows personal and intimate. To see him in a small bar and then a few months later see him at Terminal 5 was awesome. I absolutely love Shakey Graves more and more every day.

Amazing set! He played for almost two hours and was so energetic and inventive. Definitely would see again and recommend to others.

Such an amazing performance live, very enthusiastic with the audience. changes his sound up for some of the songs which is great for variety, just like Bob Dylan ;) you'll never hear two recordings of the same song sounding the same but any version of any song he does is always great

Not only did Shakey have an incredible opening musician, David Ramirez, but he himself played an awesome set that ACTUALLY started ON time. Never ever ever before has state theater started a show on time. I was really disappointed to see him coming there instead of Port City which I prefer, but was genuinely surprised at what a good time I had at the state. People got a little pushy towards the end, but, it's bound to happen. Overall, excellent performance and a great venue for once.