Grace Potter and the Nocturnals ~ January 21, 2010 ~ Westcott Theatre ~ Syracuse, NY

Words and Photos by Joe Koch

As Hawaiian music played through the house system, the packed room waited for Grace Potter to take the stage. But surprisingly, as everyone’s eyes were glued to the stage, she was found parading through the on-lookers from the back of the venue leading the Nocturnal to the stage.

This was my first time seeing the new revamped version of the Nocturnals, featuring Scott Tournet on guitars, Matt Burr on drums and the newest members Catherine Popper on bass and Benny Yurco on guitars.

This line-up seemed to boasts a new rejuvenated energy that the previous seemed to be lacking the last time that I saw them.

From the moment they came out, there was an excitement that came over me that made me think of how I felt the first time that I saw them perform in a small club in Rochester, NY. I remember thinking to myself “I was witnessing a band on the ground level and based on the whole package — the songs, the energy and their live show these guys are primed for bigger and better things.

Now, three years later I think how much that GPN has accomplished, tonight they are playing in a room that’s four times the size as the club in Rochester and the room is nearly sold-out — a sign that they are doing all the right things.

The first song, a lively upbeat version of “Some Kinda Ride” a track from their second album Nothing But the Water, defined the evening — they almost blew the roof off.

The band gave off a 70’s super-group vibe as Grace strutted her stuff with a tambourine in one hand and legs that would make Tina Turner say Damn! Sometimes her dancing was borderline burlesque. But either way, it never outshined her vocals. Having Benny as a second guitarist and Ms. Popper contributing on the back-up vocals, allowed Grace to command the stage proving she is going to be the next queen of pop/rock/soul.

Early in the set the band tested out some new material from their forth coming album tentatively titled Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Some titles that were heard were “Medicine,” “Money” and “One More Goodbye Kiss.” The new stuff definitely had a different feel to it. I’m still not sure where to place it? They have left the folk sound behind them. The classic rock sound is evident, but with a relevance that doesn’t make them seem outdated. I’m curious to see how these songs will transcend to the final recorded product.

After performing the new stuff, they blasted through some crowd favorites — “Apologies,” “Ah, Mary,” “Big White Gate” and my favorite “If I was from Paris.”

The bands energy never diminished through the entire two hour set. They closed the evening with three songs that are staples in their encore — “Watching You,” Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” and “Nothing But the Water.”

I’ve seen GPN more than 10 times in the past three years and there were some memorable moments, but this was one of the best performances that I’ve seen by this band. If you have the chance to see them in a small venue, do it now. You will be thankful.

For more info go to: http://www.gracepotter.com/