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... by Joanne Corsano ... joanne@picturelake.com

Will Evans, The Spire, Plymouth, MA
click thumbnail to see a photo gallery
of the concert

Scroll to below videos for a review of the show.

This was our second time seeing this ambitious and unusual performer at The Spire. Why describe Will Evans that way? He employs a looping technique to lay down backing vocals and layers of instrumentation until he doesn't just sound like more than one guy, he sounds like an entire band. Apparently this has become more of a thing in live performances in recent years, but Will is the only performer we've seen who makes more than minimal use of the technique. I think the first time I ever saw looping used in a live concert was by Warren Zevon back in the year 2000, when he used it on two songs to lay down a rhythm guitar track so that he could solo over it. And I think Dave Davies used the technique on one song during the early 2000s. But that's basically it. So when it comes to looping, Will Evans is the man.

I'm not 100% sure it's always completely effective. On some of the songs I think a cleaner and simpler sound would work just as well or better. But as a piece of performance art it's unequaled. Watching Will scurrying around the stage working his microphones and pedals and hearing the sounds emerging from apparently nowhere is fascinating and entertaining to watch.

Another unusual bit in this show is the song on which Will plays his entire percussion kit. It's the most unusual kit of its type that I have ever seen. He plays the melody on a pan drum, which has the sound of a ringing bell, and depending on where he strikes the drum different tones emerge, so that the song includes a real melody; and while playing the song on this drum he accompanies himself on a pair of didgeridoos, a set of chimes, and a fairly conventional bass drum. I got a video of this so scroll up and take a look. I don't know the name of the song so maybe there'll be a Will fan out there who will write and inform me.

Will's songwriting talent is substantial, but I think it takes somewhat of a second place to the looping show. He draws from a number of musical traditions, including Native American and reggae. He addressed the audience with an upbeat sincerity. Topics included his growing family, his concern about what's going on in the world, and his excitement over a mini-tour of three shows in a row (he was sipping tea in an effort to not develop a sore throat). The fact that he started a Facebook group called Kind Folk is an indicator of his personality and his wishes for his career.

The Spire lobby was just about full, and the crowd was enthusiastic. I hear that the next time the venue books Will, he will perform in the main hall instead of the lobby, where the seating is about 200. I'm happy to see this performer gaining in popularity and look forward to seeing him again the next time he comes to Plymouth.