Catching Wild Child at Great Scott for their first ever Boston appearance felt like being in on a secret. Named “Best Folk Act” at this year’s SXSW by the Austin Chronicle, it’s a wonder that the group is just now touring on a national scale.
The title is well deserved as Wild Child has a way of sticking with you. Two years ago, a friend put “The Tale of You and Me” (Pillow Talk, 2011) on a mixtape I received. To this day that track has remained on my phone, despite how many times I’ve cycled music in and out.
Barefoot and with smiles all-around, Wild Child took to the stage of a packed and foggy windowed Great Scott. Bear in mind, there was a wintery headache passing through the Hub last weekend.
Wild Child fans braved the slushy mess and delayed trains to be in attendance for the Austin natives. The band thought the storm would deter patrons, but how wrong they were. You couldn’t help but notice the wonderstruck look in their eyes walking on stage to see the house packed all the way up to the bar.
Wild Child radiates all of the best qualities of folk. They played the kind of set that makes you clap your hands, smile sheepishly while wiggling, hold your heart, and sing softly to yourself.
Fronted by Alexander Beggins and Kelsey Wilson, the two play effortlessly off one another. Supported by drummer Carey McGraw, keyboardist Evan Magers, standout cellist Sadie Wolfe, and bassist Chris D’Annunzio – the quintet makes one hell of a family on stage. Packed so tightly together on Great Scott’s limited square footage, this struck me as the perfect setting for the band. Standing right at the corner of the stage at times I felt like I was invading Magers’ space but honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Standout Tracks: “Silly Things” , “The Escape”, “Someone Else”
Quote of the Night: “This is a new song dedicated to horse people….both people who are half-horse and people who like horses.” – Kelsey Wilson
The best part of this show? A flashlight-app-lit acoustic encore of “Pillow Talk” (Pillow Talk, 2011) on the sticky Great Scott floor. “Would you guys sing with us if we played ‘Pillow Talk’ down there?”, Beggins asked. We all enthusiastically welcomed the charming duo to the floor and wished that the song would never end.
With two albums under their belt, I cannot wait to see what’s next for this band. When you find something that you’re so smitten with, you face a choice. Do you keep it to yourself or let everyone else in on the secret? While I selfishly want nothing more than to see Wild Child in a fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand type of venue like Great Scott for years to come….these guys deserve to be heard. They deserve a much bigger stage.
I could not stop smiling while walking home after the show. Please come back to Boston, Wild Child, we are not nearly done with you yet.
*Stay tuned! Wild Child stopped by the Allston Pudding headquarters for a special live set. Keep your eyes on Allston Pudding for details.