It was hot in Nashville on Sept. 17, and The Basement East was absolutely packed. As in, shoulder-to-shoulder packed. But when Shakey Graves took the stage during Dualtone Records’ 25th-anniversary showcase at AmericanaFest, it was pretty easy to forget about how little personal space there was.
He was, as always, completely charming and completely in it. He played music from his new album, worked the crowd, and gave the kind of performance that makes a packed room feel like exactly where you want to be.
Hearing favorites like “Time Flies” and “Dearly Departed” was a particular highlight. “Dearly Departed” especially felt like one of those songs that immediately pulls everyone in, even in a room this crowded.
And honestly, that was probably my biggest takeaway from the set: the room was packed, it was hot, and nobody seemed to care.
That says a lot about Shakey Graves as a live performer. By the time he wrapped up his set, I was sweaty, probably a little dehydrated and very glad I stayed for it. This was another AmericanaFest set that reminded me why I love live music in Nashville.
