Slaid Cleaves, who crosses Folk, Americana, and Singer-Songwriter genres, played a fantastic set at Off Broadway on Sunday, July 22 (2018). I have been a fan of Cleaves for some time, but this was the first opportunity to see him live. While he played only with a mandolin/fiddle accompanist to his vocals and guitar, and kept the fairly full house mesmerized with his songs that tell strong stories and evoke deep emotions.
I mentioned to an acquaintance recently that I haven’t not been to a big arena concert in at least 20 years, maybe 30. “What’s the problem,” she asked. “It’s not a problem,” I replied, “it’s a preference.” Slaid Cleaves’ performance at Off Broadway is the perfect example why I prefer to see great artists at small venues. There is no way I would have enjoyed Pink or Imagine Dragons or anyone else at the St. Louis Civic Center (whatever name they have tacked on it these days) anymore than I would have enjoyed seeing Slaid Cleaves in a small venue on a Sunday evening.
A few of my favorite Slaid Cleaves songs:
Next up – Old 97s at Off Broadway.