Better Than Ezra New braunfels Concert reviews
Matis, get some rest.
Last night, we witnessed an artist clear out a venue. The concert at the Sixth and I Synagogue, a small venue, was perhaps 300 attendees strong. It was the last night of Trevor Hall's tour with Better Than Ezra, occurring on the night before Thanksgiving. Our expectations were high, having seen Better Than Ezra at the Virgin Festival in 2007 and owning all their recorded songs, including the new material.
The band, Trevor Hall, and his band opened with a tight and enthusiastic set. Drummer Chris Steele, celebrating his birthday, delivered a stunningly energetic and precise performance. They set the stage perfectly for Better Than Ezra, as an opening band should.
Better Than Ezra's first set began with a bizarre opening sequence that quickly destroyed the momentum created by Trevor. The band's performance, initially dark and dramatic, transitioned into slow and entrancing renditions of their early songs, followed by lengthy self-indulgent interpretations. There were repetitive attempts at sequences that felt more like beat poetry than rap. The band appeared exhausted and disengaged, only becoming energetic toward the end of the set. Despite energetic and interesting moments during "Heights" and "On Nature," the performance culminated in a lackluster rendition of "King Without a Crown," devoid of any reggae influences, leaving the impression that the band was simply bored with their own work.
Our group, which included two professional musicians, had a different perspective on the show. They found the improvisations inspiring, unlike myself.
By the end of the concert, the initially full synagogue had emptied out significantly. If a dedicated Jewish artist struggles to maintain a crowd at a synagogue, it may be time to reconsider the set list. Perhaps the long Thanksgiving weekend will provide the opportunity for reflection.