I was privileged to join a small band of fans to see Patrick Watson play in Los Angeles this weekend. Patrick is a Canadian musician who fuses complicated percussion, looping, and a feeling of improvisation with heartfelt melodies and earnest vocals. His music is lovely to listen to, but it is entirely different to see it performed. Patrick and the members of his band seemed to approach each song like a new creative endeavor as they built the sounds up using trickery and technique that you can't fully appreciate unless you see it being done. At any given moment, someone on stage was banging pots and pans, using a bow on a guitar, stomping their feet, or playing the saw. Patrick occasionally sang into a megaphone, and then mute it like a jazz trumpet player.
The show was lively and fun because it was clear that Patrick and the band were genuinely enjoying playing together. It felt like we were looking in on a practice rather than a performance at times--which is not to say say that they were lazy performers. It would be impossible to say that as Patrick even came out into the audience to sing one song, but I did feel like they didn't care whether or not an audience was there at all to see them play. There was just some serious love of music and each other going on that night.
If you haven't heard this talented and unique musician yet, here are a couple of songs by Patrick Watson for you to check out. Also, the set list from the show is posted below--except for one song I can't remember because my pen died and I couldn't write it down.
Set List:
Tracy's Waters
Beijing
Wooden Arms
Big Bird in a Small Cage
Traveling Salesman
The Storm
Man Like You
Where the Wild Things Are
Hearts in the Park
Luscious Life
Encore:
To Build A Home
Bright Shiny Lights
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