This is a short post because I actually went to this show to enjoy it, and not as much to take pictures. Of course, I brought along my camera – but only one camera. I didn’t fight to get front and center either.
There are few performers that are more entertaining than Butch Walker. Not only is he funny and engaging to the crowd, but he’s just good. Naturally good. Everything he does is good. He can do a random cover on the fly, not know half the words or all the chords, and it’s still much better than many other bands that rehearse their hearts out. I’ve been going to Butch Walker shows for about 8 years now, and I never tire of them. I’ve seen him solo and with supporting bands – and I must say, he’s much better without the distraction of backing bands. That’s one of the reasons I was so excited about this show; despite a new band and a new CD being released, it was a solo gig (kind of)!
Butch did four shows at Schubas (which is a tiny, intimate venue), and they all sold out very quickly. The first three nights, he performed three of his albums in their entirety, and the last night (the one I went to) was just a hodgepodge. I’m so glad we went to the last night. He tried to avoid songs that were on the three albums he performed from, so the hour and half that he played was filled with random covers, old songs, songs that have never seen the light of day, and all sorts of tidbits. It was very laid back and casual – “Suspicious Minds” was even sung since it was Elvis’ birthday. It was okay that Butch didn’t know all the words.
Set list:
Wreck Me
Let Me Go
Last Flight
All Falls Apart
Vampires In Love
Every Monday
Mrs. Jackson
Always Something There To Remind Me
Cigarette Lighter Love Song
The Good In Everyone
Canadian Ten
Suspicious Minds
Grant Park
Is She Really Going Out With Him
Steady As She Goes
She Likes Hair Bands
Valium
I’m A Believer
El Scorcho
Laid (James cover)
Beautiful
Suburbia
Take Tomorrow
Shooting Notes
As mentioned, I didn’t focus on shooting that much, just grabbed a few shots here and there. The lighting was very typical for Schubas (for more on that, check out this post). I was a few rows back and off to the left, so I was shooting through people, and therefore used my 135mm f/2 for most of the show. Since Butch sat most of the time, I didn’t have a hard time following him or framing the shot, even with the obstructions.
