Jamestown Revival – Biltmore Cabaret (Vancouver – February 27th, 2014)

Hailing originally from Austin, Texas the Revivalists’ took the stage as a foursome with the band’s founders Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance supplemented on bass and drums. The set that followed was an hour long ramble through a sonic mix that reflected both the band’s roots in Texas and their current home base of California and turned out to be one of the best live shows I’ve seen in a while.

The restless anticipation of the audience was quickly eased when the band kicked into an energetic set of opening songs that did a nice job of showcasing Chance’s piano playing on top of a solid driving drumbeat. As the band kicked into Revival it was pretty clear that the audience was taking it’s message of “Can’t be a slave / Losin’ my life to my work / Ain’t easy and I know it’s gonna hurt / But it keeps me alive” to heart. This was a packed rom full of music lovers, they pretty clearly weren’t too worried about the already late night: working was for tomorrow, tonight was about the music.

A couple of songs into the set the band was joined on stage by Wild Feathers guitarist Preston Wimberly, who took a seat at the pedal steel and quickly got to work showing of some serious skills. Those skills covered a full range of sounds for the three songs that Wimberly sat in on, from fast tempo twangy numbers to the kind of slower moody material the pedal steel is unequalled at for. Wimberly’s sit-in with the band proved to be a highlight of the night.

The band’s work ethic had kept the focus on the music for this first part of the set, with very little in the way of breaks between songs. It wasn’t until Wimberly left the stage and the band played their first single Fur Coat Blues that a bit of audience chatter happened with Chance telling the audience that this second visit to Vancouver for the band “…beats the shit out of playing songs in our garage.” A nice sentiment for a room which was quickly approaching being over packed. Memo to those in attendance: make sure to tell people you first heard the band playing in their garage–it’ll give your credibility a huge boost.

Heavy Heart gave the band a moment to relax a bit and demonstrate some solid vocal chops with a quieter tune before wrapping up their set with a new song Trouble Is and what’s quickly becoming the band’s biggest hit California (Cast Iron Soul) which closed out the band’s set. The former isn’t featured on the band’s debut release Utah, so holds the promise of some active songwriting which may lead to a second album soon.

Jamestown Revival were followed by the night’s headliners The Wild Feathers, whose three guitar, bass and drum combo played a more straightforward rock and roll sound with less of a bluegrass foundation than the Revival did. With the three leads trading off vocals it wasn’t long before I described what I felt as a bit of a Rick Danko vibe during one song. Comparisons to The Band were obvious, and when the Wild Feathers shut down their show with a cover of The Weight it made for a nice end to the night. Wimberly’s guitar work with the band was a highlight of the set again.

Clay’s described Jamestown Revival as not just a band but as a grass roots movement. It seems like an accurate description: the band captures the intersection of bluegrass, country and rock and pretty much defines the “anything with a twang” aesthetic of alt-country fans (whoever they are.) The closest contemporary sound I’d compare them to would be Shovels & Rope—both bands play with an authenticity and a passion for the music that’s even more infectious live than it is on record. There’s a pleasant touch of twang to Clay’s vocals—just enough so that you never forget where the band is from home and to be charming. Despite the Wild Feathers more similar configuration I suspect that fans of The Band are going to find the Jamestown Revival a better fit for their taste.

If this band’s a movement, here’s hoping that restlessness keeps them moving along because there’s a fantastic live show and a next album to be recorded and I, for one, can’t wait.