Recap: Strange Arrangement & Keller Williams

What’s up music fans!? I have much to share about the past couple of shows at Canopy Club, as well as some insight into some upcoming shows.

Thursday night saw three bands grace the Canopy’s Void Room stage: The Right Now, Daphne Willis & Co., and Strange Arrangement. I showed up in time for the second act, Daphne Willis & Co. Her soulful backing band started the night off right. The highlight was a cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Gimme One Reason” with Ms. Willis belting it out to perfection.

Strange Arrangement then took to the stage. Their high energy set took the show into a different direction, replacing Daphne Willis’ soulful, acoustic set with an in-your-face jam set. Often changing direction with instrumental interludes, the Chicago-based jamband kept the audience on the balls of their feet with tight grooves and group cohesion.

Here’s a taste of some extended instrumental music from Strange Arrangement:

But it wasn’t all about playing outside the box on Thursday night. Those in attendance were treated to an interesting take on MGMT’s hit “Electric Feel.” That’s right: a jamband covering an indie band. Take a look:

Friday night, Canopy Club hosted the venerable Keller Williams. Though he seems like a whirlwind on stage, the show was actually quite subdued last night, compared to his previous visit to Central Illinois’ finest music venue. With a minimalist stage setup, Keller worked his way between his acoustic, a sunburst Fender Jazz, and a vast array of knobs and switches to control his loop machine. The venue was swarming with people old and young to catch the amazing one-man-jamband.

Because of the capacity crowd, I wasn’t able to grab more than one video. Here it is, a nice cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Scarlet Begonias.” Enjoy:

Keller’s second set actually closed with a large medley of Phish’s “Birds of a Feather” into “Begonias” into another Dead tune, “Fire on the Mountain.” Keller’s encore took the audience into a sonic jungle, complete with Williams wailing on a djembe and making noises fit for wildlife into his looping machine. The soundscape reverberating through the great hall fit perfectly with the jungle-themed walls of the Canopy.

If you missed out on all the fun last week, don’t miss out on all the great shows coming the first week of February!

Wednesday night will feature ZOSO: The Ultimate Tribute to Led Zeppelin.

Thursday will feature Gov’t Mule.

Friday will feature Lucky Boys Confusion.

And Saturday will feature my personal favorite ZMICK!! I can’t effin’ wait!

I’ll be jammin’ with ya!