Two for the price of one. And actually, there was no price at all. Today’s FAN was a double-header, and both artists were incredible. This is stuff I’m adding to my new favorites play list on iTunes when I get home tonight, for sure. Barnes and his virtuosic banjo picking, Freelance Whales with their dreamy pop and five-part vocals–almost exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thank you, XPN, for dropping it in my lap, free of charge and in the fabulous 45 minutes of my lunch break.

First off was the one and only Danny Barnes, a genre-bending banjo-plucker who mixes heavy rock, jazz, and fusion samples with his bluegrass style. The hybrid works surprisingly well, and when Barnes adds his carefully penned ballads, the audience is easily captivated; some form of foot-tapping in most audience members seemed irresistible at this afternoon’s performance. Barnes played a number of songs from his new release, “Pizza Box”, pausing in between each to tell amusing back stories of that particular selection.

The second act on stage was the up-and-coming Freelance Whales, a quintet from Queens that many critics (not to mention fans) have an eye on. With their array of instruments (at this performance, the glockenspiel, acoustic and electric guitars, drums, a battered harmonium, and a banjo with a strap made of duct tape and rope), the Freelance Whales produce some wonderful neo-pop. Think Ra Ra Riot or Sufjan Stevens with a dreamier take on their sentimentality. Special shout-out to the bow-wielding guitarist. Great stuff.

Rebekah Larsen
UPenn Intern

DANNY BARNES Set List:

1. Overdue
2. Misty Swan
3. Caveman
4. Pizza Box
5. Sleep
6. Road

FREELANCE WHALES Set List:

1. Generator 1st Floor
2. Hannah
3. Location
4. Ghosting
5. Starring
6. Generator 2nd Floor