By: Shayna Hodkin

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals :: 08.19.10 :: Bryant Park :: New York, NY

Grace Potter by Dino Perrucci

“Where else would we rather be? Nowhere.” Grace Potter wasn’t the only one who felt this way last Thursday night. The audience was full of fortunate people, feeling like winners, who were all incredibly lucky to be where they were.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals‘ last-minute Thursday night show, hosted by The Artist’s Den, was packed. An announcement about ticketing for the secret show was released Tuesday by Relix Magazine, where fans were able to submit their names all day Tuesday and Wednesday to a free ticket raffle and the winners were emailed the event details on Wednesday night. The announcement soon ended up all over Twitter and music blogs, and by Wednesday’s end, hundreds of names had been submitted for a tight guest list. Showtime Thursday proved Potter’s popularity in New York with a line that stretched for three blocks, moving into the rest of the park and its surrounding area.

The show kicked off with the fitting “Hot Summer Night.” Bassist Catherine Popper and drummer Matt Burr threw down a funky rhythm section until Potter, looking like a goddess with her white dress and long hair, jumped on stage with her hands in the air and her voice bringing everyone all over the park to their feet. The band then moved into some older material, with a kickin’ “Ah, Mary” that set the tone for what Potter described as “the saddest happy breakup song,” “Goodbye Kiss,” from the band’s self-titled album released this past June on Hollywood Records.

The selection of old and new material, along with some narration by Potter, established a pretty clear theme for the setlist, namely heartbreak that is always followed by a strong return. “That Phone”, “Apologies” and “Low Road” highlighted not only Potter’s incredibly soulful chops but also her ability to engage a crowd; Potter’s banter with the band is always witty, and her choice of stories is always relatable. New Yorkers can be a tough crowd, but you would never guess Potter was from anywhere else. She loves New York, even though sometimes there’s dog poop on stage, a problem the band faced Thursday night with good humor. Only in New York, Popper lamented, will you get dog poo on your shoes when you’re onstage at your own concert.

Nocturnals by Dino Perrucci

The enthusiasm of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is undeniable. Though the show was scheduled from 7:30-8:45, the music didn’t stop until closer to 9:30. The band was having a great time, and the audience was sucked in; the venue stayed full from long before the band took the stage until the end of the encore’s fourth and final song. The eagerness and love of everyone onstage was contagious, and there was no way to avoid catching some of their energy.

“Sexy” is the word that most accurately describes everything about Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Even when she isn’t making out with Catherine Popper onstage – although it’s definitely a plus when she is – she and the band pour a passion into the show that leaves the audience a sweaty, exhausted, fulfilled mess. Songs like “Paris,” “Oasis,” “Medicine” and “Nothing But The Water” highlight Potter’s unapologetic confidence, while also spurs the rest of the band to showcase their own talents and extremely good looks. When it came time for the drum jam, the whole band intertwined over the drum kit, and the sheer amount of physical attractiveness onstage was slightly overwhelming. Somehow all six band members won the genetic lottery, so their live show is a pleasure even for the deaf.

The spirit of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals brought a breath of country air to a stagnant New York City summer. The surprise, secret nature of the show lent a VIP feel to a great venue and consistently incredible live act. If summer has to end, this is a great way to blow it out.

Setlist:
Hot Summer Night, Ah, Mary, Goobye Kiss, Only Love, Tiny Light, Apologies, One Short Thing, Low Road, That Phone, Oasis, White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane cover),
Paris (Ooh La La), Medicine > Drum Jam. E: Heart of Glass (Blondie cover), Stop the Bus, Big White Gate, Nothing But the Water Part I > Nothing But the Water Part II > Drum Jam

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