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Words by Brian Heisler :: Images by Brett Saul
Alan Vasquez :: 06.24.06 :: The Store :: Chicago, IL
Alan Vasquez :: 06.24 :: Chicago |
Whenever one musician can create enough sound to captivate an entire audience it's cause to stop and listen. Artists like Joseph Arthur and Keller Williams have utilized technology in a manner that has forced folks to pay attention. Midwest looping-sensation Alan Vasquez hopes to be the next in this list of one-man shows.
From opening for Keller to performing at Summer Camp to playing after moe., Vasquez has been in the middle of the action around his homebase of Chicago. Announcing in late January that he would be moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, Vasquez booked his final Midwest tour, with Saturday June 24th at The Store in Chicago being the final gig.
Alan Vasquez :: 06.24 :: Chicago |
Through the famous red and white awning of The Store can be found the stomping ground of many acts, including Chicago's favorite sons, Umphrey's McGee (several members of which were on hand this evening). The red velvet curtains and sparkling white lights made for a great atmosphere on Vasquez's farewell. Alan opened the night with blistering finger work on an instrumental jam that flowed into "Roots." The speed, intensity, and overall mood of the guitar work seemed to bring on an even more convincing sound than usual. As he looped the acoustic guitar and moved on to the bass for another loop, the crowd that had filled the intimate venue was enjoying the sound that had brought them to Vasquez in the first place. Adding mandolin and electric guitar expanded the song into an electric jam complete with beat-boxing and synthesizer. With his eyes closed, head tilted back to face the sky, and shaking to the rhythm, Vasquez was in his zone right from the start; prepared like an athlete at a championship match.
Alan Vasquez :: 06.24 :: Chicago |
Vasquez segued from song to song, going through instruments like a kid in a toy store. "Open your world to me," he pleaded on "Destiny," streaming through the chords and pumping the bass. His heart and sweat both poured out beneath his new, knit hat, and his emotions were met by the crowd as he stood at eye-level with the audience. On "New Terrain" he added a snare drum synth with ghost notes and more electric guitar, segueing into the fan favorite instrumental, "Illusions," featuring a piano chorus via effects on his electric guitar. Vasquez called out to the crowd before the set break, "You all still out there? It means a lot to see your faces out here."
Whatever space was left in the room before set break was definitely filled with more
dancing fans after the break. Picking up his acoustic guitar, Vasquez turned to his table of electronic magic and added his synthetic touch. "I feel like I can change the world, or maybe just your night," he sang on "Open Up," as if speaking to his friends and longtime followers. "The Crave" brought out castanets and synthetic congas to provoke more grooving among the crowd.
Alan Vasquez :: 06.24 :: Chicago |
As the night grew late, the crowd and Vasquez alike began to realize this was the end of an era. The Midwest looper they preached about was moving on, and for Vasquez, the friendly faces he had grown to recognize at shows would no longer greet him at his microphone night in and night out. Raising a glass to the air, Vasquez said to the crowd, "Thank you guys so much for coming out to my last show in Chicago. I'll be back, but it might not be for a long time. Raise your glass! I'm Alan Vasquez, thank you guys! And for anybody who knows Colorado, Fort Collins, that's where I'm headed." As the crowd screamed in approval, Vasquez spun off into one last electric guitar jam that made the room smile for their friend, Alan. Upon the last note, he made one more public goodbye, "Take care everybody! I love you, Chicago!" Hugs were handed out to every last familiar face in sight, and the Alan Vasquez road show was officially on its way to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
ALAN VASQUEZ TOUR DATES
07.28 | The Brick Oven | Crested Butte, CO
07.29 | Princess Wine Bar | Crested Butte, CO
08.03 | Old Town Pub | Steamboat Springs, CO
08.04 | Black Nugget | Carbondale, CO
08.05 | The Goat Tavern | Keystone, CO
08.08 | Front Range BBQ | Colorado Springs, CO
08.09 | The Adobe Bar @ The Taos Inn | Taos, NM
08.10 | Bristol Brewing Co. | Colorado Springs, CO
08.11 | Whitewater Bar & Grill | Canon City, CO
08.13 | Cactus Jack's Saloon | Evergreen, CO
09.16 | Cactus Jack's Saloon | Evergreen, CO
JamBase | Chicago
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