Photos: Megafaun, Joel P West and the Tree Ring @ Casbah

Most of the crowd at the Casbah this night was there for the Bowerbirds, and I don’t blame them. However, they were also treated to two stunning opening acts – Joel P West and the Tree Ring, and Megafaun.

I haven’t seen Joel play live since an amazing experience at the Luce Loft in March. That was where I picked up a copy of his CD Dust Jacket (and you can do the same here, for the small price of a piece of creative work). Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to the CD and soaking it in. So I was anxious to see him again live.

Unfortunately, that was a feeling that was not shared with the majority of people in attendance. A sold out show at the Casbah is normally a chatty affair, but this night seemed more so than usual. Or maybe it was just more noticeable in contrast to Joel’s delicate song arrangements.

And maybe Megafaun learned something from this, because they sure knew how to grab the audience’s attention – by charging through the crowd to the back patio and then back to the stage again during the first song. Their live show is rowdy and their music definitely rings of their roots in North Carolina, paired alongside echoes of CSNY.

They pulled out various instruments during their set, like a banjo and accordion. The drummer was front and center and made very creative use of his kit. The show was incredibly entertaining for me (despite almost getting bowled over by a guitarist), even though I had no knowledge of their music beforehand. I love when that happens.

And once again, a show where I didn’t manage to shoot the headliners. Bowerbirds sounded amazing, but the show was packed, and after Megafaun, I gave up my front row spot to take a breather on the patio (which is actually where Megafaun ended their set).