José González’s performance at the historic Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City provided a sense of calm and clarity amongst a fast-paced world.
To celebrate the release of his newest album Local Valley, José González embarks on a tour throughout the US and Mexico, bringing along singer-songwriter Jess Williamson as direct support. As the tour nears its end, González and Williamson find themselves at Oklahoma City’s historic Tower Theatre. Opened in 1937, this historic theatre still features many of its original quirks. The tower theatre is a staple of OKC, planted directly in the middle of OKC’s iconic 23rd Street District. With marvelous red velvet curtains, stunning balcony views, and a neon marquee, the Tower Theatre looks like somewhere that one might find themselves enjoying an opera.
Jess Williamson leads the night with a stunning performance, showcasing her skillful acoustic guitar playing and strong, but vulnerable, voice. Williamson sings about love and heartbreak and connects to her audience through poetic lyrics and wit. She jokes about dating in LA and mentions that Oklahoma is very close to her neck of the woods in Texas. Throughout her performance, she can be seen with a smile on her face and a glow about her. The audience is left feeling spellbound. Williamson just released two new singles in mid-March, including “Loretta,” which is a cover of Townes Van Zandt, and “Texas River Song,” a traditional folk song with no known author. Williamson first heard the Townes Van Zandt version of the song and felt inspired by it. Jess Williamson is an artist to be on the lookout for!
As José González makes his way to his platform, there is a sense of awe that washes over the room. José takes a seat upon a chair centered on the platform and begins his performance with “With the Ink of a Ghost” from his album Vestiges & Claws. Celebrating the release of his newest album, Local Valley, José González plays “The Void,” “Horizons,” and “Head On,.” which is a trio of songs that takes the listener on a journey. “The Void” addresses loss and emptiness. “Horizons” is about when you start to look up and see that there is hope. “Head on” is a song about taking action and growing from the experience. Another notable song that he played from his newest album is “El Invento,” which is his first all-Spanish song. This speaks to his ability to write in multiple languages, which include English, Spanish, and Swedish.
Along with being multi-lingual, González also exhibits an exceptional level of musical skill. He primarily plays in the finger-picking style, which he studied extensively at the collegiate level. His guitar playing is complex and includes layering, intricate rhythms, and vast dynamic range. His classical training is evident in his ability to smoothly transition from soft, delicate playing to excited, intense playing. He does this gracefully, all while singing and operating a drum machine. The complexity and precision of his playing, coupled with his beautiful singing and ability to incorporate cultural influences make González unique. José González is a spectacle to behold.
José also performed a variety of covers during his set. His ability to play these covers in his signature style speaks to his musical craftsmanship. These covers included “Blackbird” by The Beatles, “Teardrop” by Massive Attack, “Heartbeats” by The Knife, and “Line of Fire” by Junip. Junip is a band that José González is the guitarist and vocalist for. His unique covers are a staple of his musical catalog. Today, José González is known for his signature introspective folk style, but it is interesting to note that he got his musical start at age 14 as the bassist and screamer for a hardcore punk band called Back Against the Wall.
José González’s performance at the historic Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City was impressive and left fans mesmerized and feeling at peace. He received a standing ovation for his stellar performance. Following this tour, José González will begin a headlining four-date tour in the UK starting in late April.
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