Gary Clark Jr. at the Anthem

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Gary Clark Jr. @ the Anthem

The Anthem, Washington, DC, USA, March 30, 2019

by Doug Hardesty

Gary Clark Jr., accompanied by the Peterson Brothers, recently played the Anthem in Washington, DC in support of his new studio album, This Land.

The Peterson Brothers, from Austin, Texas opened the evening with a 40-minute set. The talented, ever smiling brothers did a superb job warming up the audience, even entering the main floor to play a portion of their collection. The Brothers performance provided a terrific transition to the main show.

Clark makes quite the appearance. He is tall, thin, and imposing. His face in the shadow from the brim of his brown fedora. His dark sunglasses and red Epiphone guitar work together to create a dramatic old school blues-man image. Add a confident attitude and world-class musical skill, and you have the makings of a legendary guitarist.

Gary Clark Jr. (Credit: Hardesty Imaging)

Clark’s band is solid. Of particular note is the recent addition of keyboardist John Deas, also from Austin. Deas added depth to an already accomplished group of seasoned musicians which includes Johnny Radelat (drums), Johnny Bradley (bass), and King Zapata (guitar).

Clark immediately energized the crowd with a magnificent version of “Bright Lights” followed by “Ain’t Messin ‘Round,” both off of the (2012) Blak And Blu album. Clark showcased his world-class guitar skills in a series of thirteen songs, the majority off the new album, This Land.

By mid-show Clark was on fire. Soaring guitar solos by Clark punctuated with keyboard mash-ups by Deas, and standout guitar riffs by King Zapata all worked to perfection. Clark and his band nailed song after song. Of particular note was a pummeling version of “Got to Get Up,” and a stellar rendition of “When My Train Pulls In” that drove the sold-out Anthem crowd crazy.

Clark followed the main set with four encore tunes, including an extended version of “Catfish Blues.” The Peterson Brothers joined in to perform “Don’t Owe You a Thang.” He closed the evening with an epic cover of the Beatles 1969 hit “Come Together,” featured on the Justice League movie soundtrack.

Gary Clark Jr. is a magician with a guitar, and he made it look easy on Saturday night. The Studio version of the album This Land is exceptional. Hearing Clark and the band perform it live is unforgettable.

Setlist:

Bright Lights; Ain’t Messin ‘Round; When I’m Gone; Low Down Rolling Stone; What About Us; Our Love; Feed the Babies; Feelin’ Like a Million; Got to Get Up; I Got My Eyes on You (Locked & Loaded); Gotta Get Into Something; I Walk Alone; When My Train Pulls In; This Land; Pearl Cadillac.

Encore: The Guitar Man; Catfish Blues (Robert Petway cover); Don’t Owe You a Thang (with Peterson Brothers Band); Come Together (The Beatles cover).

Gary Clark, Career

Thirty-five-year-old Gary Clark Jr. has produced three studio albums and one EP: This Land (2019); The Story of Sonny Boy Slim (2015); Blak and Blu (2012); The Bright Lights EP (2011). Of particular note are his two live collections – Gary Clark Jr. – Live (2014) and Live / North America 2016.

The Anthem:

The Anthem is a state of the art concert venue located on the banks of the Potomac River, in the newly developed Wharf District of Washington, DC.

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