Gary Clark Jr.’s no-phone Glenside show creates true connection between fans and music
The Texas bluesman is joining the growing list of artists prohibiting fans from using phones at shows in an effort to foster a deeper connection to their art.
Gary Clark Jr. in 2024| photo by John Vettese for WXPN
As the crowd spanning several generations arrived at The Keswick Theatre for a Tuesday night out, they placed their phones in sealed pouches. This will be an “unplugged” show. But only for the audience, as the musicians proved from start to finish that they were definitely “plugged-in.” Gary Clark Jr. extended the holiday weekend for fans with a powerful show at the Glenside venue. The show had strict no-phone and no-photos rules, but listening to Clark’s guitar all night made you forget you had a phone.
The night began with the nine-piece New Orleans funk and jazz band, Dumpstaphunk. The bluesy guitar riffs and a fun horn section provided an upbeat soundtrack as attendees found their seats. By their third song, the band went full instrumental and had the early audience excitedly jumping out of their seats during the lengthy horn solo. The opening set included older songs, such as “Livin Ina World Gone Mad” featuring Ivan Neville on keys and a brilliant Tony Hall bass solo that had people dancing in their seats.
The stage was redecorated with fancy lamps and a throne. The crew even gave the (stage) floor a quick vacuum to complete the transformation from theater to Glenside living room. Then, Gary Clark Jr. strolled quietly on stage. Guitar in hand, he took a seat on his throne and started playing a new song, “Snowstorm in Fiji.” After a quiet start to the set, he turned it up a notch by playing an old crowd favorite, “Ain’t Messin ‘Round” off his 2012 album.
The night (just short of two hours) was filled with his older hits, new unreleased songs being tested on the fans, and the powerful, soulful guitar melodies everyone came to hear. Without having to look past the sea of phone screens typically in the air at shows, the music hit differently. Everyone was locked in on the stage directly. There were interactions between fans and musicians—one woman even got a “Happy Birthday” from Clark himself between songs.
All the upbeat vibes, soulful guitar, and powerful lyrics built through the night as Clark and company played through a 12-song set, including his cover of Albert King’s “Oh, Pretty Woman,” and ending with the big hit “Bright Lights” from his 2011 The Bright Lights EP.