The Revival Tour @ The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland, 17/11/12
05/12/2012 @ 13:23
I really struggle to find the words when trying to explain what music means to me. Which of its values moves me, what feelings it evokes, how I want it to be represented. However, what I do know is that the Revival Tour has now given me the opportunity to just point and say 'that, that over there is what music is all about', and they do all the hard work for me.
Put into simple terms, the Revival Tour was the realization of Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music, solo) and his wife’s initial concept that came to life in 2008. What it essentially is, is a collaborative act of touring musicians that mainly represent the modern folk movement, who more often than not have a distinct punk-rock background, that then take the stage and go crazy. Everyone plays on each other’s songs, sending out a fantastic sense of camaraderie which has unfortunately been long forgotten in most modern music scenes. The tour first passed through Europe last year, with an awe-inspiring lineup including Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones) and last but not least, the man behind the tour itself, Chuck Ragan, accompanied by Joe Ginsberg on his upright bass and Jon Gaunt on the violin. With no intention to exaggerate, that show altered the way I perceived and experienced live music. I had never seen something that honest and true -for lack of better words- on stage, and once this year’s tour was announced I knew I could be nowhere else.
Truth be told, 2012’s lineup, clearly based on popularity of the participants, was a bit poorer than last year’s, however that says nothing about the quality of the show taken place in Glasgow’s Garage. The Revival Tour has nothing to do with the name of the participants but it is all about the chemistry between them and the camaraderie. The contributing artists comprised of Cory Branan -who coincidently released one of 2012 most interesting records- Emily Barker, Jay Malinowski (Bedouin Soundclash), Rocky Votolato (Waxwing, solo) and obviously Chuck Ragan. The gang was yet again accompanied by misters Ginsberg and Gaunt, however an additional string trio (The Dead Coast) was also brought along which made a massive difference to the various soundscapes presented that evening.
The Garage is a relatively small venue, nearing a capacity of 700 people, however it was proven to be ideal for the circumstance. The show started at seven, with all ten musicians taking the stage and going through a selection of songs of all participants. The night would then go on with each artist doing their own individual set, however never alone, as the remaining musicians would rotate and accompany them, either on vocals or with one of the wide selection of instruments available.
First up was Cory Branan, who was as moving and intense as his record, "Mutt". His unique guitar playing style along with is impressive story telling abilities and soaring vocal performance set a good vibe to the venue, and after a laid back Tom Waits cover, he handed us over to Emily Barker. The young Australian is normally accompanied by a group of lovely ladies under the moniker of "Red Clay Halo", however the gentlemen of the Revival Tour did more than enough to give her songs the appropriate atmosphere they required. One of the night’s highlights was her track "Tuesday", which featured a moving harmonica and violin part that really hit home with everyone in the venue.
Emily was followed by Jay Malinowski, whose band, the Bedouin Soundclash, I regret to say, had managed to get passed my radar. His set however was more than rewarding, and definitely filed him under 'need to check out immediately'. Malinowski’s songs were mainly accompanied by him playing the piano, along with the string trio, which along with their lyrical themes gave out a certain nostalgic tone, not unfitting to the whole idea of the Revival Tour. He then handed the spotlight out to Rocky Votolato, probably the most seasoned modern folk artist out of them all, who had a fair amount of fans in the venue. Going through tracks such as "Little Spring", "Portland Is Leaving" and the always moving "Red River", Votolato took us on a journey covering a select few of his extensive back catalogue, whilst demonstrating his unmistakable songwriting skills.
Last but not least, the time was now for Ragan, Ginsberg and Gaunt to take the stage. Ragan’s deep and roaring voice resonated and echoed throughout the venue followed by cheers and sing-alongs by most of the people there. With many songs from last year’s great "Covering Ground" and a variety of older tracks, Chuck was the one to end the individual run of the participants. That was not however before we got to hear "Drag My Body" a fan-requested Hot Water Music track from this year’s "Exister" -which may I say has the same immense power in its acoustic version too- and "The Boat" in a moving and chilling performance as ever, accompanied by Rocky Votolato on guitar and backing vocals.
The night was almost over, and we could expect nothing else but everyone to get back on stage, doing what they do best. While we were getting dangerously close to three hours of non-stop live music, the people responsible did not show a single sign of fatigue, and the collaborative rendition of the tour’s 'theme song', "Revival Road", is irrefutably one of the best things I have ever seen live, as whole of the Garage was dancing around to the sounds of guitars, mandolins, banjos and violins.
Truth be told, whatever I have said above doesn’t even come close to explaining what the Revival Tour actually is, and how one experiences it. It is a simple concept, revived and realized, by Chuck and co and should be regarded as a mean of inspiration and realization. This is what music is all about. Sharing these amazing experiences with friends, playing along with other people’s songs, enjoying yourself at the fullest, regardless if you are part of the tour or the crowd. Simple camaraderie.
Until next time friends, fare thee well.
Report / photos: Jason Tsimplakos
Put into simple terms, the Revival Tour was the realization of Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music, solo) and his wife’s initial concept that came to life in 2008. What it essentially is, is a collaborative act of touring musicians that mainly represent the modern folk movement, who more often than not have a distinct punk-rock background, that then take the stage and go crazy. Everyone plays on each other’s songs, sending out a fantastic sense of camaraderie which has unfortunately been long forgotten in most modern music scenes. The tour first passed through Europe last year, with an awe-inspiring lineup including Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones) and last but not least, the man behind the tour itself, Chuck Ragan, accompanied by Joe Ginsberg on his upright bass and Jon Gaunt on the violin. With no intention to exaggerate, that show altered the way I perceived and experienced live music. I had never seen something that honest and true -for lack of better words- on stage, and once this year’s tour was announced I knew I could be nowhere else.
Truth be told, 2012’s lineup, clearly based on popularity of the participants, was a bit poorer than last year’s, however that says nothing about the quality of the show taken place in Glasgow’s Garage. The Revival Tour has nothing to do with the name of the participants but it is all about the chemistry between them and the camaraderie. The contributing artists comprised of Cory Branan -who coincidently released one of 2012 most interesting records- Emily Barker, Jay Malinowski (Bedouin Soundclash), Rocky Votolato (Waxwing, solo) and obviously Chuck Ragan. The gang was yet again accompanied by misters Ginsberg and Gaunt, however an additional string trio (The Dead Coast) was also brought along which made a massive difference to the various soundscapes presented that evening.
The Garage is a relatively small venue, nearing a capacity of 700 people, however it was proven to be ideal for the circumstance. The show started at seven, with all ten musicians taking the stage and going through a selection of songs of all participants. The night would then go on with each artist doing their own individual set, however never alone, as the remaining musicians would rotate and accompany them, either on vocals or with one of the wide selection of instruments available.
First up was Cory Branan, who was as moving and intense as his record, "Mutt". His unique guitar playing style along with is impressive story telling abilities and soaring vocal performance set a good vibe to the venue, and after a laid back Tom Waits cover, he handed us over to Emily Barker. The young Australian is normally accompanied by a group of lovely ladies under the moniker of "Red Clay Halo", however the gentlemen of the Revival Tour did more than enough to give her songs the appropriate atmosphere they required. One of the night’s highlights was her track "Tuesday", which featured a moving harmonica and violin part that really hit home with everyone in the venue.
Emily was followed by Jay Malinowski, whose band, the Bedouin Soundclash, I regret to say, had managed to get passed my radar. His set however was more than rewarding, and definitely filed him under 'need to check out immediately'. Malinowski’s songs were mainly accompanied by him playing the piano, along with the string trio, which along with their lyrical themes gave out a certain nostalgic tone, not unfitting to the whole idea of the Revival Tour. He then handed the spotlight out to Rocky Votolato, probably the most seasoned modern folk artist out of them all, who had a fair amount of fans in the venue. Going through tracks such as "Little Spring", "Portland Is Leaving" and the always moving "Red River", Votolato took us on a journey covering a select few of his extensive back catalogue, whilst demonstrating his unmistakable songwriting skills.
Last but not least, the time was now for Ragan, Ginsberg and Gaunt to take the stage. Ragan’s deep and roaring voice resonated and echoed throughout the venue followed by cheers and sing-alongs by most of the people there. With many songs from last year’s great "Covering Ground" and a variety of older tracks, Chuck was the one to end the individual run of the participants. That was not however before we got to hear "Drag My Body" a fan-requested Hot Water Music track from this year’s "Exister" -which may I say has the same immense power in its acoustic version too- and "The Boat" in a moving and chilling performance as ever, accompanied by Rocky Votolato on guitar and backing vocals.
The night was almost over, and we could expect nothing else but everyone to get back on stage, doing what they do best. While we were getting dangerously close to three hours of non-stop live music, the people responsible did not show a single sign of fatigue, and the collaborative rendition of the tour’s 'theme song', "Revival Road", is irrefutably one of the best things I have ever seen live, as whole of the Garage was dancing around to the sounds of guitars, mandolins, banjos and violins.
Truth be told, whatever I have said above doesn’t even come close to explaining what the Revival Tour actually is, and how one experiences it. It is a simple concept, revived and realized, by Chuck and co and should be regarded as a mean of inspiration and realization. This is what music is all about. Sharing these amazing experiences with friends, playing along with other people’s songs, enjoying yourself at the fullest, regardless if you are part of the tour or the crowd. Simple camaraderie.
Until next time friends, fare thee well.
Report / photos: Jason Tsimplakos
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