Kurt Vile & The Violators played Bowery Ballroom with Angel Olsen and Steve Gunn (pics); playing Letterman tonight

May 17, 2013

Kurt Vile & the Violators @ Bowery Ballroom, 5/16/2013

The set was strong throughout, with certain jaw-dropping standouts. The pulsing “Shame Chamber,” arguably the bounciest and most radio-friendly track on Pretty Daze, came to a gripping crescendo of piercing howls, frantic guitar soloing and tireless percussion. It was almost as though Vile was baiting the FM dial only to forcefully back away and maintain his musical independence. “Girl Called Alex,” a heady, wafting song that grows increasingly more agitated and electrified as the measures race by, had the crowd applauding before it was even over.-[Williamette Week]

The above review comes from the Portland, OR appearance of Kurt Vile & The Violators, who headlined a sold out Bowery Ballroom last night (5/16), joined by openers Angel Olsen and Steve Gunn. Pictures from Bowery are in this post. In other Vile news, the singer recently sat in for a full acoustic performance at XPN. Stream it in full at their site.

Last night’s Bowery shows was one of many on Kurt’s tour, that will swing through NYC again next month to headline the 4Knots Fest. Tonight (5/16) Kurt will be on The Late Show with David Letterman. More pictures from Bowery Ballroom are below.

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