A bit of a belated blog entry about the Sean Hayes show last thursday. I’ve been digging the Sean Hayes tracks my girlfriend plays (at a volume that is usually preferred by dogs) in the background at home, and so I figured $15 was a small price to see him before he explodes into American conciousness (which he will).
We arrived at The Independent early, and got in with relatively little hassle (I suppose two ID checks were neccessary). The place was empty. Two hipsters and three old folk (35) sat around the large space, bathed in red light. We got some drinks (excellently mixed by the friendly bartender) and sat down to wait. Hipster by hippie, the place filled. By the time the fun, bouncy country-rock openers Sensations finished, the place was packed. I guess fashionably late is still in style.
Sean Hayes took the stage after his band, bright eyed and booze-hoisting. He looked typically indie: old fashioned hat, rolled up shirt sleeves, tight jeans. His small guitar looked like the type that parents give their 8-year-old when they expect him to give up lessons after a week. I was beginning to lower my expectations.
He began to strum a single chord slowly and powerfully, in a method that seemed like absentminded tuning. Gradually, as would become a theme throughout the night, the chord transformed into a song. Hayes’ voice, the true star of the evening, suddenly lit up the room with it’s wavering sustains and folky tones. I brightened up; this was what I had caught a glimpse of on his record. It was even more powerful in person.
Hayes ran through many of his album tracks as well as a bevy of new songs (indistinguishable in quality), dancing, muttering, and gesturing at the audience like a bunch of old friends. Like his music, The Independent became a weird combination of Mass and a dance club. Compelling rhythms (“All Things”) and morose blues/worship/folk songs (“Fucked Me Right Up”) somehow fit together, pushing the audience to dance, bounce, cuddle and grind. Somewhat bizarre but fun and different that most concert experiences .
Much credit should go to Hayes’ band, who propelled his songs into the air and often kept them going with surprise reprises that Sean would ruefully smile at. The drummer, tremendously, actually played for the opener, Sensations, as well as filling in for Hayes’ 2+ hours of music. Yes, 2+ hours. We arrived in SF at 7:30 and left at midnight. And it was totally worth it. If you get a chance, scope out Sean Hayes while you can still afford to. He’ll soon be more than a Little Baby Star.
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Tags: SeanHayes, concert, The Independent, Independent, Hayes, Sensations, Evan Hamilton