[DID NOT ATTEND: May 19, 2023] Kevin Devine / The New Amsterdams featuring Matt Pryor / Brother Bird
I’ve been a fan of Kevin Devine for a few years. I feel like I’ve seen him a bunch because he so often plays around here. And yet I have only seen him three time (twice solo and once with his Goddamn Band). I would love to see him again especially with his band.
This show was intriguing–he was playing his album Make the Clocks Move (recently re-released) plus more. The posters made it unclear whether he would be playing with the New Amsterdams or not.
From what I can gather, Kevin was solo, with an occasional guest.
But this show was the First Unitarian Church, a venue that I will not go to again. So I missed out on this night. This night was also my son’s prom night so I didn’t make any other plans.
I had never heard of The New Amsterdams. They are a project of Matt Pryor, the lead singer of The Get Up Kids. This is his more folkie/mellow side. But as soon as he started singing, I recognized his voice right away.
The New Amsterdams were Matt Pryor and (according to Country Standard Time) “a few backing musicians.” He/they were playing the album Worse for the Wear (plus more).
Opening for them was Brother Bird (Caroline Swon, who was a The Voice Season 4 contender). She played solo acoustic. She has a very pleasant voice, although the above review says “the songs ended up being a bit too similar … more variety would have suited Brother Bird.”
The review also noted that Brother Bird was a utility player throughout the night, showing up during the sets of both Devine and The New Amsterdams.
Here’s a Kevin Devine song from Country Standard Time filmed at Brighton Music Hall with a hilarious introduction about Boise Bob, Elliot Smith, Kurt Cobain and COVID.
