The Kiwi Returns: Gin Wigmore Invades Cambridge

When it comes to music, it doesn't get much better than when you see one of your favorite performers live and they totally blow you away. I've been lucky enough to see the blonde-haired Kiwi Gin Wigmore in concert three times so far. The first time I saw Gin Wigmore was January 2013 at the now defunct Cambridge, MA rock club T.T. The Bear's Place, then later on that same year at the Vans Warped Tour in Hartford, CT, and now most recently this past Tuesday, September 8th at The Sinclair in Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA. All three performances were outstanding and it appears that she and her excellent band are only getting better.

There are many things you'll notice when you see Gin and her band perform live...one of those things which was very clearly visible at their most recent show at The Sinclair, the first night of a short 10 city US tour to support her new album 'Blood To Bone', is all the smiling. Gin and her band genuinely look like they're having the best time ever on stage and that energy and excitement crashes into the crowd like a tidal wave and makes for an electric show. From the tribal drums of show opener "New Rush", the first single off of the new album, to the final 3 song encore that included her hit "Man Like That", the Johnny & June inspired duet "Sweet Hell", and album closer epic love ballad "I Will Love You", Gin and the band smiled and rocked their way through an amazing night of music.

For the first night of the tour, one might expect some rust. Gin's vocals were spot on amazing. Amazing. I can't stress that enough. From screams to growls to sweet serenades her sometimes gravelly sometimes lilting voice commanded the room. To each side of her, two amazing guitarists, Dave Goodison and Johnny Schreffler, played the part of rock guitar gods perfectly. I'm pretty sure if you look up the word "cool" in the dictionary, there's a picture of Dave Goodison playing his Gretsch guitar with a note that reads "see also 'super cool'". The "dueling" guitars on the song "One Last Look" is a show stopper, each guitarist trading licks, and one of the many highlights of each Gin Wigmore show I've had the chance to see. Equally impressive is her drummer, who pounded the kit like a man possessed all the while providing background vocals and head bobs in sync with Gin's drumming on "Man Like That". It's official, I have a man crush on him and want to hang out with him.

As impressed as the crowd was with Gin and her band, the feeling appeared mutual, as Gin thanked the crowd often and seemed honestly humbled by the fan support and enthusiasm for both old and new songs. The approximate hour and twenty minute set encompassed hit songs from her albums 'Holy Smoke', 'Gravel & Wine', and 'Blood To Bone'. The set list was as follows: "New Rush", "Kill Of The Night", "Black Parade, "Hey Ho", "24", "If Only", "Don't Stop", "Nothing To No One", "Dirty Love", "Black Sheep", "One Last Look", "Written In The Water", "Man Like That", "Sweet Hell", "I Will Love You". If you get the chance to see Gin Wigmore live...don't miss her. Check out some photos from that night...

show closer "I Will Love You"...just Gin, the keyboardist, and her band providing sweet background vocals. She dedicated the song to her fans...well Gin, we love you too! Photo credit: Hilario Coimbra