There’s just something about live music that feels different than anything else. Maybe it’s the way the bass drum hits rattle through my body or the way the crowd screams when the houselights go down. I don’t really know. What I do know, however, is that a band’s stage performance is the best factor in differentiating the actual musicians from the products of extensive studio production. It separates the Britneys from the Becks.
Eric Hutchinson is no Britney. His voice, which is solid and sincere, shows no sign of force and throughout his set. Furthermore, Hutchinson understands the importance of charm. His stage persona is laced with a sense of deadpan humor that compensates for any pauses and downtime between songs. At one point in his set, he jokes, “We’re going to take a little break,� while putting his guitar down, to walk to his Kurzweil Piano, which rested not 3 feet away, before replying maybe six seconds later, �and we’re back.”
Any degree of talent Hutchinson might lack, he certainly makes up in smile.
But, the thing is, he doesn’t lack talent. Unafraid to hit the high notes, his voice carries his songwriting forward flawlessly. He’s part of dying breed of performer that focuses on the storytelling aspect, rather than distracting you from it by burying it under tricky riffs and feedback, somewhat in the vain of Bob Dylan or James Taylor. Not bad a bad list of names to be in the company of.
That company tonight however, will be of little help, since most of the crowd present has never heard of either. Bringing his show to Kansas City’s Madrid Theater, he aims to win over a tough crowd; a handful of 14 to 16 year olds who know little to nothing about his music. These are OneRepublic’s fans, a mass made up from a generation of radio friendly teens, who have been spoon fed their music preferences by disc jockeys, paid to sell records. But for now, they’re not spinning Hutchinson’s album. Because of this, his live show will have to stand on its own.
Rotating from keyboard to guitar and back again, Hutchinson’s set, consisting of 8 originals and a cover that combined “My Girl” with R. Kelly’s “Ignition,” seemed well planned and prepared. His changes were tight and the progressions seemed light-hearted and natural. It’s safe to say that his merch table T-shirts that state “Eric Hutchison is pretty good,” was a bit of an understatement. Although his movements and stage performance weren’t really a lot to look at, consisting mostly of standing in one place while playing the song’s predetermined chords, Hutchison made up for with charm and talent. His beautiful songs sell themselves without the bells and whistles of rock star kicks and extensive stage techniques. What’s more is his ability to turn a venue holding 2000 plus people into an intimate setting. To me, this seems difficult to find in a musician, and something that should be grasped onto once it’s located.
If you would like to check out Eric Hutchinson yourself, you can find him on the remainder of OneRepublic’s national tour, or the upcoming 2008 Hotel Cafe Tour.
Setlist:
Okay
It’s Alright With Me
Outside Villanova
You Don’t Have to Believe Me
All Over Now
Food Chain
Some Mistake
My Girl/Ignition
Oh!
Rock N Roll
Eric Hutchinson: myspace | website | tour dates
Hotel Cafe Tour 2008: website | myspace
