DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 1/14/2016

There was little the rain could do a couple weeks ago to cause anyone to miss the little bit of sunshine that is DeVotchKa. 

Though it hasn't been that long since SF last saw the Denver based, genre blending band*, fans packed into the sold-out show at The Great American Music Hall, eager to see DeVotchKa at a far more intimate show on January 14th. 

DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 1/14/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

SF faves, Barrio Manouche, brought their upbeat and unique gypsy jazz to the stage as they opened for DeVotchKa. They had a fun, swing sound reminiscent of a great trip to Europe: sitting around a plaza, sun on your face, music drifting through a buzzed haze with a bouncy melody progressing quicker and quicker. 

A little while later, under a wash of dismal red light, DeVotchKa drifted on to the stage. Front-man, Nick Urata, could barely be seen in the crimson shadows but his somber voice reassured the crowd that DeVotchKa had indeed arrived. Though the audience could only see the band through quick slivers of light, DeVotchKa's signature dark cabaret style gypsy-indie-punk sounded fantastic. Nick's delivered a great performance, highlighted by his distinctive voice which swam through the air mesmerizing the crowd. The usual din during live shows can be distracting, particularly when the band is a bit on the mellow side, however; all attention was focused on this ghostly band. 

The combination of Nick's haunting vocals, the sad slide of Tom Hagerman's bow across his violin and Jeanie Schoders' longing wails from her sousaphone, all topped off with talented percussion from Shawn King pleasantly hypnotized the audience into an enchanted lull. While the highs were high and the lows low, DeVotchKa sounded flawless through out the set. A Jackson Pollock light show floated above them as they played, added the surrealness of their modest performance. 

DeVotchKa is a great band and should not be missed next time they are in the Bay Area because they put on an equally great show. 

DeVotchKa @ Great American Music Hall 1/14/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

*DeVotchKa played the Swan Stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park last October. 

Review and photos courtesy of Marc Fong