Despite a Monday night billing, Kevin Morby and Sam Cohen sold out the Sinclair in early June. Fans across generations joined in for a night of captivating music. 

Billowy cotton-made clouds and roses transformed the stage into a divine vision. Kevin Morby dressed in an embroidered suit complete with angel wings, the album title, and candlesticks on his knees. Lyrics dripped with religious nomenclature, and Morby frequently exclaimed, pleaded with, and exchanged words with a higher power. All of this fitting for a tour supporting an album titled “Oh My God.” Although a secular album, the religious motifs add to Morby’s reckoning and processing of the political events of 2016. Sonically, the album and live set echoed the spiritual themes of the lyrics. Background singers enhanced the songs with a gospel feel, and his saxophone player also doubled as the flutist. 

In contrast to the heavy content of the music, Morby and Cohen were lighthearted. During Cohen’s opening set, he asked an audience member to restring his Jazzmaster. In exchange, he offered the fan the guitar he was making due with in the meantime. By the time he returned to the stage to play in Morby’s backing band, Cohen was electric on his newly stringed guitar. Morby engaged with the crowd and during a sweet moment sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to an audience member with everyone joyously joining in. To my surprise, this was Morby’s first sold out show in Boston, and many long-term fans were present in the crowd calling out previous events where they had seen him.

Morby’s influences were clear throughout the performance, and his music feels like an ode to a previous time. Morby played across his discography and included fan favorites like ‘Beautiful Strangers’ and ‘No Halo.’ For a triumphant and satisfying close to the night, Morby baptized us in the ‘Harlem River.’

Check out photos from the night below!