Grace Potter and Pokey LaFarge

I was thrilled at a recent chance to catch the amazing Grace Potter and her band, The Nocturnals. Accompanied by a slightly incompliant best friend, I was determined to change his mind about this amazing group. He stopped protesting quite so much when he saw her, though. She is quite the hottie. And I’d like to think he changed his mind about the music, as well.

Always and incredible evening of music, this band looks like they stepped out of another time, mainly the sixties. And in some ways, they sound like a mix of the best of the psychedelic sixties, the hard rocking seventies and a bit of the glam metal of the eighties.

However you describe it, the music sounds fresh and exciting and this was true of this show as well. Grace’s soulful voice is always compared to Janis Joplin’s and this is not untrue but there is also a sweet melody to it that Janis, legend that she is, was lacking. Barefoot and beautiful, as always, Grace is the undeniable focal point of this group. Her band is super talented but let’s be honest, they would be playing covers in a bar somewhere without Grace’s energy and talent to lead them. It was an incredible night of music, as always and I think she has a new fan!

Like a blast from the past, Pokey LaFarge’s onstage persona lives up to his southern, bluesy musical style. In a crisp, pin-striped suit and perfectly coiffed, slicked back side-part, Pokey LaFarge emanates the distinctly 1940’s feel of a truly classic performer, despite being only 31 years old. Everything from his facial inflections, to his subtle foot tapping, to his short-strapped acoustic guitar, prove LaFarge’s unfaltering commitment to the genre and obvious influences from old favourites like Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmie Rogers.

His pre-fame experiences performing on street corners inflect that genuine flair of authenticity and gratitude that someone with a belief and talent for their own creative art must commit to in order to be successful. Having finally hooked up with his band in 2009– who were originally called The South City Three– Pokey and gang caught their big break opening for Jack White on the North American leg of his tour in 2012.

Travelling with a 5-piece band that includes bass, guitar, harmonica, washboard, clarinet, cornet, trombone and saxophone, LaFarge’s efforts are not to be outshined by his equally enthusiastic and talented band, including members Joey Glynn, Adam Hoskins, Ryan Koenig, TJ Muller and Chloe Feoranzo. Hitting up anything from small, intimate venues, to taking the big stage at festivals, Pokey LaFarge’s live performances offer what is undoubtedly a trip back in time.