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Words by: JC McIlwaine | Images by: Rod Snyder
Grace Potter and The Nocturnals :: 11.30.07 :: Highline Ballroom :: New York, NY
 Grace Potter |
The first time I saw Grace Potter and The Nocturnals play in New York City, the band was crammed onto the tiny ground level stage at Lion's Den, where the audience's view was obstructed by thick columns. In the intervening two years, the band's exposure has grown tremendously, spurred on by the critically acclaimed new album This Is Somewhere, great word of mouth and a relentless touring schedule. The Nocturnals have opened for such esteemed acts as the Dave Matthews Band, Trey Anastasio, Taj Mahal and most recently Gov't Mule. They've become a staple of the jam band festival circuit, gracing stages at Bonnaroo, Langerado, South By Southwest and the Newport Folk Festival.
Their upward trajectory made that night in the Lion's Den seem like a distant memory as Potter and her boys waltzed out at the Highline Ballroom to kick off a Northeast run of headlining shows. Potter seemed pleased to be playing her first headlining gig in five months, commenting, "It's nice to ride on somebody else's coattails for a while, but it's really, really nice to get out from under them, too."
The band showed off their command of the limelight with new rockers like "Ah Mary" bleeding into older bluesy numbers like "Treat Me Right," the power balladry of "Big White Gate" and the funky, organ-driven crowd favorite "Stop the Bus." There was even a cover of The Beatles' "Come Together" thrown in for good measure. Drummer Matthew Burr and bassist Bryan Dondero held down a solid rhythm, while Potter and guitarist Scott Tournet took turns showing off their virtuosity. Potter jumped back and forth between guitar, piano and her calling card, the Hammond B-3 organ, even picking up the tambourine while Tournet led on guitar and adding the occasional harmonica riff.
 Grace Potter and The Nocturnals |
About halfway through the set, Burr and Dondero stepped offstage, leaving just Potter on acoustic guitar and Tournet on lap steel. "This is a song about getting drunk," explained Potter, "getting drunk and falling in love with the wrong rock star. And I'll never tell who it is." She and Tournet worked their way through a raw, hauntingly beautiful version of the lost-love song "Lose Some Time."
Another highlight came at the very end after the "Nothing But The Water" encore. Potter, Dondero and Tournet set down their instruments and joined Burr on drums for an All-Band Drum Jam. Banging on anything and everything in sight, the four left the room vibrating as they walked offstage.
The long set showed the benefits of heavy touring on their musical chops. Even more apparent was that all of that time on the road has done nothing to diminish the love they have for playing together. Potter and Tournet played face-to-face countless times like dueling rock guitar icons. Leaps led into smiles, which got lost in a blur of flying hair. This band had a blast earning their lunch money.
 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals |
It's not surprising that Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have been embraced by the jam community (the band received two Jammy Award nominations in 2006). There is a tangible sense of improvisation at every show. Not content to play carbon copy versions of the recorded material, the band makes the most of every opportunity to take the long way home, delving into deep jams that wind through uncharted territory yet never lose their sense of purpose.
Potter's off-the-cuff comments only served to heighten the feeling of spontaneity. Not one to mince words, she's always good for a laugh. Early in the set she vowed, "That'll be the last time I thank anybody tonight. I'm done being grateful. Thanksgiving is over. I've said that word too many times, dammit." At the end of the next song she caught herself saying "Thank You" again. "See, I already didn't keep my promise. I'm already saying thank you again. Alright, fuck it. I'm gonna say thank you all night long."
The Nocturnals are at an interesting point in their career. Not a starving band-in-a-van anymore but not yet a household name, they are capable of sweating through the hard work of humble musicians while exuding the stage presence of rock stars. From the energy and passion the band puts into their music it's obvious they realize that the same diligence that got them this far is what will continue to carry them forward. As Potter herself sings in "Falling Or Flying": "My friend, this too shall pass/ So play every show like it's your last." And of course it never hurts to keep saying thank you.
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