I saw the best show I’ve seen all year last night - Langhorne Slim at Schubas. I know I’ve stroked this kid quite a bit in the recent past, but I can’t let his live show go unheralded. In 75 minutes, the 27-year-old Pennsylvania native and his absolutely crack two-piece backing band achieved something I’ve never seen from a sold out crowd at Schubas - a dance party. People were grabbing folks they didn’t know and twirling in place, unable to stand still in the wake of Slim’s infectious, stomping roots rock. Only four songs off of current (and highly lauded) release Langhorne Slim were played, but the crowd reacted to each unfamiliar tune as though it was an old favorite.

The War Eagles, a.k.a. upright bassist Paul Defiglia and drummer Malachi DeLorenzo, were as tight as it gets, allowing Slim to prowl the tiny stage with his acoustic guitar held over his head for half of the set. DeLorenzo was especially impressive, and may be the best drummer I’ve seen play live this year (that includes 5 nights of Wilco’s Glenn Kotche). Figures, as his dad Victor is a founding member of pioneering folk punkers the Violent Femmes.

The bottom line is this, friends: you Chicagoans have a second chance tonight when Slim and impressive openers The Builders & The Butchers reprise their hootenanny party at The Hideout ’round 9pm. I’ll be there and I’ve emailed everyone I know, so show up early to get a ticket. For everyone else, check out the remainder dates on Langhorne Slim’s spring tour and shine up yer dancin’ boots.

May 29 – The Hideout — Chicago, IL
May 30 – Club Café – Pittsburgh, PA
May 31 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
June 5 – W. Mount Vernon Park – Baltimore, MD
June 6 – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA
June 7 – T.T. The Bear’s — Cambridge, MA
June 17 – La Divian Orange — Montreal, QB
June 18 – The Horseshoe – Toronto, ONT
June 19 – Grog Shop – Cleveland Heights, OH
June 20 - Pike Room @ Crofoot - Pontiac, MI
June 21 - Ruby Tuesday - Columbus, OH
June 22 – Off Broadway- St. Louis, MO
June 24 – The Aquarium (Dempsey’s Upstairs) - Fargo, ND+
June 26 - Sled Island Music Festival – Calgary, AB
July 3 - High Sierra Fest - Quincy, CA
July 4 - High Sierra Fest - Quincy, CA

MP3: Langhorne Slim - She’s Gone

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