Grace Potter and Chris Jacobs @ Artpark, Lewiston, NY 9-9-23

Another summer season wrapped up at Artpark with the return of Grace Potter. This is her second appearance at the venue (first one being in 2015). She recently released her 5th studio album titled ‘Mother Road’ on Fantasy Records on August 18th. This is just the 3rd show on the tour. So far, every show she has mixed up the setlist. She is giving the fans a variety while keeping the bands chops up too. This is also my first time seeing her since her show at the 50th anniversary at Bethel. I can’t consider that much at all as her set was cut short due to the rain that day. So, it’s really been almost 8 years since I took in the diversity of one Mrs. Potter.

Opening the show was Chris Jacobs. Jacobs harbors from Baltimore, Maryland and his backbone his folk and Americana. He and his band went through a 45-minute set list that included “Jack the Whistle and the Hammer,” Be my Stars,” and the appropriate “Buffalo Girl.”

Potter was supposed to take the stage at 8:15pm but was a bit delayed and ended up taking the stage at 8:30pm. Her stage setup had western theme, with a desert and a general store with a gas pump. It was weird seeing a guy walk on stage as the band was playing holding a stop sign, after about 30 seconds he turned it around and it said go. The lead single and driving force behind her new album led off her set called ‘Ready Set Go!” Then the guy doing the sign previously made sense. Potter went back and forth singing behind the piano and singing a capella for this track. It seemed like Potter was in fine spirits. She was all smiles and going back and for the with the audience the entire show. She borrowed a cowboy hat to wear for “Vagabond.” She also wore a fans glittery coat at one point. Her piano did have painting of station wagon in front of it with the license saying ‘Mother Road’ on it. Even though a freshly new album was out, Potter still concentrated on mostly past material. Which to me was surprising since I like the new songs she did decide to do live. Maybe the reasoning was still the band were working out some kinks with them? Nevertheless, regardless of what was played there a few musicians who have the dynamic personality and the musical chops to go along with it than Potter. What’s a Potter show without her strutting around the stage and playing her flying V guitar? All the elements of a great Grace Potter show were here. She sounded terrific too!

What a fantastic way to close out another season at Artpark then to have Grace Potter and her band deliver a hell of set of music.

Setlist:

Ready Set Go

Ah Mary (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals song)

Empty Heart

Good Time

Mother Road

Your Girl

Treat Me Right (Grace Potter & The Nocturnals song)

You and Tequila (Deana Carter cover)

Lady Vagabond

Something That I Want