The band led by Jakob Dylan made an impressive tour stop at Meijer Gardens on Thursday amid brilliant sunshine in front of a full house. The Local Spins review by Nicholas James Thomasma.
‘Feels Like Summer Again’: The crowd at Thursday’s Wallflowers concert. (Fan Photo)
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Wallflowers denied professional media photography requests for Thursday’s concert. This is the Local Spins review of the show by Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma.
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As is typically the case, Thursday’s Wallflowers concert at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was sold out.
I don’t go to a lot of shows at Meijer Gardens for that reason. Most of the shows are sold out and for good reason, considering the beautiful setting and exceptional experience for performers (many of whom return year after year).
The Wallflowers’ show — unfurling under perfectly clear blue skies — was no exception.
On Stage in a Beautiful Place: The Wallflowers (Fan Photo)
Acoustic opening act William Matheny, a self-described, late-blooming artist from West Virginia, added flair to his excellent songwriting and wizardry on the acoustic guitar by bringing along accompaniment on piano and organ. Metheny, who’s opening four shows for the Wallflowers, commanded the stage while also gushing to the audience that this was the most beautiful sculpture garden that he’d ever played. (I caught up with him after his set at the merch table and chatted with him for a little bit. Nice guy. Great songwriter.)
Propelled by frontman Jakob Dylan, the Wallflowers launched their set by powering through four songs from their latest release (“Exit Wounds”), before diving directly into 1996’s “6th Avenue Heartache,” the band’s first big hit.
What followed was a career-spanning set with songs from nearly every album along with a few very tasty covers. Although it did seem at times as though Dylan was somewhat annoyed with the fact that he has to play his greatest hits, unlike his father, he actually plays his greatest hits and plays them in a recognizable fashion.
At one point, I overheard someone in the crowd say, “The older he gets, the more he sounds like his dad.” I would agree that the grit in his voice has more depth in it than it did back in 1996 when I first discovered the Wallflowers.
Also Dylan’s phrasing seems to move around the melody more these days, much in the same way that his dad chooses to rephrase his songs. Furthermore, that nasally Dylan vocal tone comes through from time to time.
AN EXCEPTIONAL BAND PERFORMING SOME DELIGHTFUL COVERS, TOO
But make no mistake: Jakob Dylan is very much his own performer. He was playful and humorous and talked to fans like they were his friends. His comfort level on stage is astounding. At one point, he enthusiastically taught a young audience member how to clap onto two and four, telling him, “Don’t listen to the band, listen to me.”
Though Dylan was the star of the show, his band was exceptional, playing as a tight unit and always up to the challenge of anything the frontman might throw their way — including paying tribute to some of their favorite artists during the encore.
Nicholas Thomasma and Alex Austin
“I hope you got to hear some of your favorite songs. Now we’re gonna play some of our favorite songs,” Dylan announced, before launching into “Wild World” by Cat Stevens, followed by Tom Petty’s “Refugee” and “The Waiting.” (Earlier in the show they played “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison, a delightful surprise.)
The band closed it all out with “The Difference,” another monster hit from their second album, “Bringing Down the Horse,” and indeed, the only difference that I saw is that they are exactly the same as they used to be.
Afterward, I sat in the parking lot waiting for traffic to clear as it got dark. I started my vehicle only to find out — really — that I have a headlight out.
I thought to myself: “That’s OK.. Nothing is forever. We can drive it home … with one headlight.”
Fan Photos
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