Show Review

It was nearly a year ago when New York native Gavin DeGraw ventured into a well-known Chicago radio station armed with a keyboard and accessorized by his signature hat. After blowing away the staff at the Zone, DeGraw carved his mark on Chicago. The rest of the world got a brief taste of DeGraw’s talent on the WB’s show One Tree Hill. Currently touring nationwide on his first headlining tour, DeGraw will be reintroduced this fall on American Dreams.

Inspired by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder, Chariot, DeGraw’s debut album with J Records, credits the above inspirations as being quoted as “…one of New York’s best kept musical secrets.” Friday night DeGraw covered Gaye’s Motown 70’s single “Let’s Get It On,” in a soulful yet charismatic manner, very much comparable to Gaye’s dreamlike, eccentric voice.

After much anticipation, DeGraw gracefully took stage with his four-piece band. Overwhelmed with a smile, caused from the cheers of a sold-out of audience, DeGraw took focus to his keyboard where he opened with “Nice To Meet You Anyway.”

DeGraw is neither bashful nor adamant to playing only his radio friendly hits; he boldly tested out a new song he wrote only the night before. He interacted well with the crowd accepting love beads of criticism from his adolescent female fans. It was these same fans whom appreciated, the pants split DeGraw encountered midway through his set.

DeGraw’s raw musical talent is extremely apparent live – switching back and forth between his choice instruments, the keyboard and electric guitar. At times, it wasn’t apparent who was louder his enamored fans belting out the lyrics to his known hits “Follow Through” and “I Don’t Wanna Be” or DeGraw himself. Either way, the crowds’ ubiquitous voice meshed well with his soulful delivery.

For many, the highlight to the night may have been DeGraw’s pant split – but his overall energy and lively interaction was dually noted. Overall show highlights included DeGraw’s wholesome covers of Johnny Rivers’ song “Tracks of my Tears” and Creedence Clearwater’s “Proud Mary.”

Photo courtesy of gavindegraw.com.