Photos by Chris Besaw
Review by Kelly Besaw
The Violent Femmes on tour celebrating the fortieth anniversaries of both their debut album, simply titled, Violent Femmes, and Hallowed Ground, made a stop at Beak & Skiff apple orchard as part of their summer concert series on Saturday August 17.
I was super excited as they would be playing both albums in their entirety. There was no opener for this show and the show began around 7pm with a public service announcement notifying attendees that they would first play Hallowed Ground, followed by a short intermission and then would return to play Violent Femmes, would exit the stage and that, “we would love it so much that we would beg them to return for an encore.” They would then return to the stage to play a few more songs. Pretty straightforward and they did exactly what they said.
Their setup included a giant saxophone, xylophone, accordion, a small drum set and a barbeque grill, the small round charcoal type. Gordon Gano (lead vocals, guitar, violin, banjo), Brian Ritchie (bass, backup vocals, guitars, xylophone), and John Sparrow (drums, percussion, backup vocals) took the stage and the Femmes kicked off their set with “Country Death Song.” The crowd enjoyed singing along to “Jesus Walking on The Water” and everyone was hoping it was not an omen when they finished the first set with “It’s Gonna Rain.” I was a beautiful night for an outdoor concert, unseasonably cool, but not cold, overcast but with just enough of a threat of rain to keep you on your toes. Thankfully, the rain held off.
The band took a short reprieve before returning to the stage to play their debut album. It was clear that this was the album that the crowd was waiting for. The area in front of the stage filled in with eager fans. The fans erupted when the band returned to the stage to play “Blister in the Sun” arguably one of their most famous songs. John Sparrow ran around the stage playing various percussion instruments throughout their set. Brian Ritchie didn’t stop smiling the entire time and Gordon Gano showcased his unique vocal range and musical abilities playing both guitar and violin. They are all incredibly talented musicians.
I enjoyed their live version of “Add it Up,” “Promise” and “Gone Daddy Gone.” They ended this set with the final song off their debut album, “Good Feeling.” It felt appropriate because I feel like everyone in attendance wanted to, “hold onto the good feeling just a little longer.” We had our chance when the band returned for the encore and played fan favorites “I Held Her in My Arms” and closed out the evening with “American Music.” The combination of perfect weather, a gorgeous venue, a fun crowd, and incredible music made the Violent Femmes one of my favorite shows of the summer.
Set list:
Set 1: Hallowed Ground
Country Death Song
I Hear the Rain
Never Tell
Jesus Walking on the Water
I Know It’s True but I’m Sorry to Say
Hallowed Ground
Sweet Misery Blues
Black Girls
It’s Gonna Rain
Set 2: Violent Femmes
Blister in the Sun
Kiss Off
Please Do Not Go
Add It Up
Confessions
Prove My Love
Promise
To the Kill
Gone Daddy Gone
Good Feeling
Encore:
I Held Her in My Arms
American Music
