A Beck show can be an eruption of soul-funk fun, or a cathartically emotive downtempo experience. And while we enjoy a serene and thoughtful Mr. Hansen from time to time, we were thrilled to find last night’s pre-Austin City Limits show at Stubb’s was an electrifying blast of groove-rich goodness.
Armed with a hearty dose of Cheeba Chews and an eye to the electrified sky overhead (storms surrounded the entire city of Austin Thursday night), we edged our way to solid crowd positioning just as the bass buzz of a supercharged “Devil’s Haircut” kicked off the night. Following with a hip-thrusting run of goodness through the following three songs – “Black Tambourine,” a revitalized “Loser” and ethereally upbeat “Gamma Ray,” Beck’s backing band was a sight of choreographed showmanship and clearly having a blast in the process.
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Following a passively received cover of George Harrison’s “Wah-Wah,” the skies began to threaten what appeared to be an inevitable downpour. And just as the night’s first (and only) real heartstrummer “Lost Cause” begins (and a damned gorgeous version at that), large drops started to fall on the outdoor crowd. No protests were heard, though some anxious skyward eyes may have been distracted during a maniacally buoyant, sped-up “Timebomb,” when the lightning began matching the beats. It didn’t stop Beck from bouncing all over the stage, however – an energy that remained through the set’s final song “E Pro,” after which Beck grabbed a roll of yellow crime-scene tape and roped off the stage.
Moments later he’d return with band for a hypersensual and screamingly hilarious “Debra” encore, by which point the lightning had gotten downright insane:
After a “Where It’s At / One Foot In the Grave / Miss You” medley to end the night, we walked our elated and inebriated asses down to Scotty’s BBQ and celebrated accordingly. Waking up in a pile of bones and BBQ sauce never felt so good. And hell, the rain never even bothered to show.
Beck setlist: Stubb’s in Austin, Oct. 2 2014
1.Devil’s Haircut
2.Black Tambourine
3.Loser
4.Gamma Ray
5.Think I’m in Love
6.Wah-Wah (George Harrison cover)
7.Soul of a Man
8.Blue Moon
9.Lost Cause
10.Heart Is a Drum
11.Blackbird Chain
12.Waking Light
13.Girl
14.Timebomb
15.E-Pro
16.Encore:
17.Debra
18.Where It’s At / One Foot in the Grave / Miss You
