Kevin Devine & the Goddamn Band Bring Their Goddamn Charm to Allston (BMH 11/24)

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Whether you enjoy Kevin Devine’s music or not, vcialis 40mg there are a few things you can’t deny: he’s adorable, viagra buy has endless amounts of energy, and has the most passionate fan base. The best of his fans came out to Brighton Music Hall Sunday the 24th to Pants Off Dance Off for the “best Kevin Devine tour ever” as quoted by Devine himself. With heavy-hitting dream boats Now, Now and Harrison Hudson opening, it was an evening straight out of a dreamscape.

Harrison Hudson plays a mix of old-school rockabilly with modern indie pop sensibilities. His recorded material has fuzzed out vocals, but I much preferred the dry qualities of his live vocals. Hudson also learned all of Kevin Devine’s own material to play bass in his live band. During Harrison Hudson’s set, Kevin Devine and his band started a dance party, and the crowd started gearing up for the rest of the night’s festivities.

Kevin Devine invited Now, Now to tour with him this year, because he’s a huge fan. That makes two of us. Now, Now writes some of the best pop songs that not enough people listen to that leave you in a dream-like state. They always put on a powerful performance, and they were allotted a longer opening set of about 45 minutes, allowing them to play a lot of material from their various releases. It seemed a lot of the audience was there just to watch Brad Hale, Cacie Dalager, and Jess Abbott do their thing, because they do their thing so well. The best moment was when Dalager blew her nose into a coffee filter, because no one could find her a tissue. Kevin Devine and his Goddamn Band also joined them on stage wearing masks, scaring the shit out of Jess Abbot in the most adorable way. I left their set wondering when their follow up to 2012’s perfect album Threads would be coming out.

“His stage personality is unearthly charming, and I wish he were my best friend.”

To be honest, I’ve never understood the appeal of Kevin Devine’s music, but after this night, I think I might be converted (even if just a little bit). Devine is reminiscent of early Brand New, and I noticed a lot of Brand New shirts in the packed crowd so I was in my element. For someone just off a long tour, Kevin Devine has so. Much. Energy. Any moment he wasn’t singing into his microphone, he was jumping around stage with his guitar, shredding solos with a big, goofy smile. His stage personality is unearthly charming, and I wish he were my best friend.

Devine’s fans are the most passionate fan base hands down. No one has them beat. I saw a dude rocking out with fists in the air, feet stomping, and possible streaming tears from his face. Everyone knew all the words to all of his songs, and I felt extremely awkward as the only person not singing along. Whoops. The crowd was also very respectful. If there was a quiet song, the crowd would stay quiet and listen along with every chord like it was their last breath. Devine mentioned that this was his favorite show in Boston ever, and I can see why with a crowd like this.

But wait… there’s more! Devine and his Goddamn Band came back for the encore, and I was expecting more unrecognizable tunes to only me. Boy was I wrong. Devine hit hard with an eclectic medley of covers that ranged from AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” to a very well-performed cover of Eminem’s “Stan,” Devine donning a white towel over his head like a boxer ready to throw some ‘bows. My favorite of the covers was R. Kelly’s “Ignition (Remix)” for obvious reasons: it’s the greatest song ever written. Devine was geeking out through the whole medley, and the crowd was eating it up. I don’t remember the last time I saw such an interactive and fun show like this. Devine ended the encore with two of his own songs, just solo on his guitar and often singing to the audience with no microphone at all. I got goose bumps, and I hope Kevin reads this review as a plea. Kevin, please be my best friend. I dream of Kevin Devine, Jesse Lacey (of Brand New, also his bestie), and I taking long strolls on a beach somewhere, feeding each other’s grapes, but that’s a story for another day.

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