KEITH HARKIN Kicks Off "In The Round" Tour In Seattle! 3/2/18
Keith Harkin
Taproot
Theater
(Isaac Studio)
Seattle, WA
3/2/18
Greetings,
Eclectic Arts has been extremely busy with concert coverage
this week. Five shows in six days
starting last Sunday. This is not the
norm for what I do but when I was invited to check out Keith Harkin at a venue
I had not been to previously, I gladly accepted.
I wasn't the only person that walked into the coffee shop
area of the Taproot Theater with a somewhat confused look on their face. You see the theater is split into two distinct
rooms - the Jewel Box Theater (where a performance was starting at 8pm) and the
Isaac Theater, which is where Keith was performing. They must be used to this by now as they had
signs in the windows of the main lobby pointing toward the Isaac Studio side of
things. Ditto when I left - there were
Keith Harkin and arrows pointing east signs.
There was also a mix up about the doors/start time. I believe tickets said 7pm and I messaged the
theater and was told 6:30 doors approximately and 7pm show. Things didn't get rolling until past 7:30pm.
I arrived plenty early so I could figure out parking and
such (but I do know that area due to Naked City Brewing - hi Don!). As I entered the coffee shop area, merch was
being set up with only a few fans waiting nearby. Eventually more fans showed up - some of
which knew each other (probably from going to other Keith Harkin shows and/or
fan groups online). The VIP folks went
in first as they had first pick of the general admission seats. Then everyone else was let in to snag a
spot. Keith mentioned during his show
there were just over 80 people at the show on Friday night.
Performing solo, with acoustic guitar, and pedal station
(including a looper that he used effectively during much of his set), Keith
came out and welcomed the crowd as he sat down and got situated. Direct, funny, and good naturedly snarky,
Keith performed a set of songs that he felt like playing that night. Even though he had a set list in front of
him, it sounded like he only uses that as a guide for the set, changing things
as he sees fit.
He performed a few songs that were aired for the first time
Friday night. He also has some songs
that he is ready to record for his next album - whenever he finds the time as
he is on the road for most of the year he said.
A cover of Van Morrison's, "Moondance" was played
as well as a cover of Fleetwood Mac's, "Dreams" at the end of the
set. "Last Man Standing" was a
standout track to these ears.
Keith talked in-between songs and consistently re-tuned his
guitar (either the cold weather was messing with his strings or possibly he had
just re-strung the guitar before the gig as the guitar wasn't staying in tune
for more than a song at a time it seemed).
He's a storyteller songwriter. He
sings with passion and has quite the vocal range, too. His guitar skills are not simply three or
four chord accompaniment but a more well rounded approach, which I really
appreciated. His use of a looping
station enhanced his songs when needed, as did a percussion kick drum pad he
would step on to keep time and add emphasis.
I was very impressed with Keith. He is out on the road playing to his fans and
making new ones along the way. The month
of March he is out on the road in the U.S. with other tours already booked to
keep him busy until the end of the year.
Check him out when he comes to your town - and bring a
friend or three. You'll be glad you did!
Cheers!
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
Special Thanks:
Melissa for the invite - I really appreciate it! Thank you!
(click on any photo for a better quality image)
Keith Harkin
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