The Jayhawks and Wesley Stace don’t disappoint the crowd at The Queen

The Jayhawks | Photo by Joe Del Tufo | joedeltufo.com

This show became something of a double-headliner when Wesley Stace was announced as the opener. Stace, who once performed as John Wesley Harding and is now a best-selling novelist, was asked by Jayhawks vocalist Gary Louris to open the Wilmington show. Stace talked about his previous Delaware show, over 20 years ago at the Stone Balloon in Newark, opening for The Band. He played a strong 40 minute opening set, with highlights being “There’s A Starbucks (Where The Starbucks Used To Be),” “Making Love To Bob Dylan” and his old John Wesley Harding classic “Save A Little Room For Me.” Solo acoustic is a tough draw in the Queen, but Stace set the table nicely for The Jayhawks.

The Jayhawks were simply an electrifying headliner. Pulling the best from what is now over 30 year of American-tinged pop (before that was even a thing), it was one highlight after another. When the band opened with a rousing version of “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” the crowd knew they were in for the long haul. Vocalist Gary Louris sounded strong with his distinctive, often plaintive vocals. This, their third show at the Queen, was by far the best, but to their benefit it was their first full set at the venue. And a full set it was. Covering well over 25 songs, nine encores and virtually all of their crowd-pleasers, The Jayhawks left nothing on the table. “Trouble,” “Waiting,” “Smile,” “Save It For A Rainy Day,” “Blue,” were all peppered through the two-plus hour show. New tracks from their forthcoming album were performed for the first time, with “Pretty Roses” and “Comeback Kids” sounding immediately like classic Jayhawks tunes. The band wrapped the night up with rousing versions of “I’d Run Away” and “Big Star,” leaving no one in the full house disappointed.