It was like seeing an old friend.
It was like seeing an old friend who has a lot to say about his travels.
Out he came, like some old troubadour, classical guitar in hand.
“How’s it goin’?” he asked with a charming smile. Casually and calmly, he sat down and began to play. From the very first chord, we were in a trance.
Most concerts put the artist above the audience (not only physically, but conceptually as well). With José, it felt more like an intimate conversation, like we were on the same level — and oh what a level it was.
The heavy wooden beams, dark velvet curtains and rustic chandeliers of The Republic brought a cozy ambiance to the echoing acoustic rhythms of José and his opening act, the Australian indie fold duo Luluc. One could almost expect an old-timey pub brawl to break out at any second, but this was not that kind of show.
Instead, the crowd swayed and cheered harmoniously as José and his band performed the touching “Hand On Your Heart,” the tessellating “Killing For Love,” and the nostalgic “Heartbeats,” the last song in the main set.
If there is beauty in simplicity, then it is evident in the music of José González. If you ever forget your place or your purpose in this world, just listen and learn.
I leave you with a few verses from his song “Every Age”:
“We don’t choose where we’re born.
We don’t choose in what pocket or form
But we can learn to know
Ourselves on this globe in the void
Take this mind, take this pen
Take this dream of a better land
Take your time, build a home
Build a place where we all can belong.”