NonCOMM Recap: Philly’s resident outlaw Kurt Vile closes out day one

Kurt Vile and the Violators | photo by Jeremy Zimmerman for WXPN | jeremy-zim.com

Day one of NonCOMM is over, but it didn’t get there before one last knockout performance from Philly’s own Kurt Vile and his band, The Violators. Vile jumped on stage right after Bonnie Raitt finished up, and he made a point to tell the crowd that he is a fan of the legendary singer-songwriter, just like us. “We haven’t played together in a while,” remarked Vile, “but I just saw Bonnie Raitt so we should pretty much just give up now.”

Vile’s set played into mostly his new album, b’lieve i’m goin down, with one exception from Wakin On A Pretty Daze (“KV Crimes”). He opened with the pounding “Dust Bunnies,” and in between each song the Violators would take turn changing instruments, Vile included. After the banjo-thumping “I’m An Outlaw,” he toned it down with the daunting yet inspiring “Wheelhouse.”

Now, Vile will be playing again in Philly this summer at XPoNential Festival, but his performance tonight at NonCOMM offered some great up-close-and-personal shredding, especially on electric guitar jams “Pretty Pimpin'” and “KV Crimes.” He closed out his set with the acoustic catharsis of “Wild Imagination,” which not only ended the night, but also opened up something more with two days of NonComm remaining.

Setlist
Dust Bunnies
I’m An Outlaw
Wheelhouse
Pretty Pimpin’
KV Crimes
Wild Imagination