“This is the start of something good, don’t you agree,” crooned chariot-ridding Gavin DeGraw as he and an audience of several hundred belted note-for-note in complete harmony. And it was good. Really good, actually.
A seemingly rare musician to find, DeGraw’s vocal and song writing abilities make him a record exec’s dream come true. (For validation, check out his YouTube covers of Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke – after reading this article, of course.) On stage, Gavin’s gregarious celebrity personality shines the way a superstar-in-the-making should: with playful charisma and melodic precision.
Although, his lyrics, especially on his newer album, teeter on cheese and lay the clichés on as thick as an eighteen-year-old wears Abercrombie Fierce.
Monday night’s 16-song set was heavy on new album, and current reason of touring, Sweeter and his introspective debut Chariot. The conscious choice was made to give all songs played at the Newport Music Hall 500 CCs of amp, which overall made standouts like “Chariot,” “I Don’t Want to Be,” and “Sweeter” ring through the crowd with oomph. However, the overdose of wattage also drowned out one of DeGraw’s most sincere songs “Overrated.”
Known for incorporating snippets of covers into his live act, The Script’s “Breakeven” gave way to “Follow Through,” and Bruno Mars’ “Grenade” also made an eight-bar cameo.
Not to be outdone, American Idol winner David Cook shared the bill and kicked the night off. Cook’s on-stage persona was a bit disconcerting as he seemed to be constantly searching for any iPhone camera waiting to strike the same pose that made America fall in love with him before the wheels came off of American Idol. Nonetheless, “Rapid Eye Movement,” “Fade into Me,” and an apt Billy Joel cover of “Movin’ Out” had the crowd throwing up the universal hand gesture for “rock on.”
All-in-all, it was a great night for contemporary pop with DeGraw leading the way. There is something to be said about a musician who can melodically have his way with you via voice, piano, or guitar. Gavin DeGraw is the real deal and the kind of musician that doesn’t need a backing band. When the time comes where he comes into town with just his voice and a piano, make sure you’re there.
This review was written by Josh Fitzwater and brought to you by the Franklin University Plaza at the LC Pavilion. For more information about shows that Josh and the Franklin crew will be attending and for chances to win tickets to concerts all year long, visit us on Facebook. Photography was provided by Matt Ellis at Three-Songs Photography.