Athens, Georgia-based Kishi Bashi kicked off his Fall North American Tour on Thursday, September 26th at Variety Playhouse in Atlanta with an unforgettable performance. Kishi Bashi and his talented band are touring behind his fourth album, Omoiyari, released May 31st via Joyful Noise Recordings.
Personally, I’ve seen Kishi Bashi a number of times over the years since the release of his debut 151a in 2012. I’ve seen him in small rooms playing by himself – his violin, vocals, and looping to create full songs all on his own. I’ve seen his solo show joined by the looping light up banjo maestro Mike Savino, aka Tall Tall Trees. I’ve seen Kishi Bashi on bigger stages, joined by a full band as his music has grown album by album. Kishi Bashi has put on a stellar live show every single time, no matter the setting and who was onstage with him.
Some things never change. And on Thursday night, Kishi Bashi gave the Atlanta crowd an absolute treat with a performance that was a microcosm of his career so far. This Variety Playhouse set had everything; a show this crowd won’t soon forget.
Kishi Bashi started the show with a full band flanked by Tall Tall Trees on one side switching instruments that included everything from Upright Bass to the Banjo. Then there was Pip the Pansy on the other side manning a multitude of instruments including continuously whipping out her flute that she’s becoming so well known for on her own indie pop project. Behind them, they were joined by two more talented musicians who rounded out the band’s live sound. Kishi Bashi, known for his violin playing, also switched instruments throughout the evening.
The career spanning set included plenty from the new album including standouts such as “F Delano”, “Angeline”, and “Marigolds”. There were classics such as “Carry on Phenomenon”, “Bright Whites”, “It All Began With a Burst”, and “Atticus, In the Desert”. In the middle of the set, Kishi Bashi went old school as the band left the stage, and he created the songs on the fly through looping with his violin. Living is to experience Kishi Bashi performing “Manchester” live. What a euphoric experience. There was even an appearance by Mr. Steak, blasting soulful vocals and all while dancing around the stage. There was even a confetti explosion as the crowd danced in joy. There was Pip the Pansy and Tall Tall Trees trading jabs via their respective flute and banjo. Kishi Bashi’s most popular song on Spotify even made an appearance, his cover of the Talking Head’s “This Must Be The Place” – side note, great cover, but seeing a show like this makes you realize how many phenomenal songs Kishi Bashi has, so that’s sad in one way for an artist who’s original songs should be at the top. And then, to cap off a night that kept the crowd on it’s toes all night, the band made their way into the crowd for an unplugged sing along that closed with “Summer of ’42” from Omoiyari, a beautiful and fitting end to an absolutely perfect set. Kishi Bashi is at the beginning of their North American tour before heading into Europe, so don’t miss the opportunity to catch them this fall, it’s too good to miss.
Opening the show on this tour is the cinematic folk duo Takenobu from right here in Atlanta. Takénobu is the moniker for cellist and composer Nick Ogawa, who is joined by his finance Kathryn Koch on violin. Ogawa has previously toured in Kishi Bashi’s band, but has a host of credits on his own as the composer for NPR’s Invisibilia, Netflix’s Last Chance U, 42 Grams about michelin star chef Jake Bickelhaupt, and more. Together the duo are touring behind the sixth Takenobu album Conclusion, released May 24th. The duo created a beautiful folk sound, harmonizing and playing off one another for some gorgeous songs that were the perfect intro to the show.
Check out photos from the show by Mike Gerry below:
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UPCOMING KISHI BASHI TOUR DATES
9/29 – Houston, TX @ The Heights Theater
9/30 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
10/2 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
10/3 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
10/5 – Vancouver, BC @ Imperial Theatre
10/6 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODO
10/7 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
10/8 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
10/10 – Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall
10/11 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
10/12 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brew
10/13 – San Diego, CA @ Music Box
10/14 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater
10/24 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
10/25 – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
10/26 – St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
10/27 – Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre
10/28 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
10/29 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/30 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Rex Theater
11/1 – Norwalk, CT @ Wall Street Theater
11/2 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
11/3 – Boston, MA @ Royale
11/4 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
11/6 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
11/7 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
11/8 – Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theatre
11/9 – Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater
11/23 – Brussels, BE @ Le Botanique
11/24 Brighton – Brighton, UK @ Hope & Ruin
11/25 – London, UK @ Omeara
11/26 – Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana
11/27 – Glasgow, UK @ Nice N Sleazy
11/28 – Manchester, UK @ Yes
11/29 – Paris, FR @ 1999
12/1 – Berlin, DE @ Gretchen
12/3 – Munich, DE @ Milla
12/4 – Vienna, AT @ Chelsea
12/5 – Zürich, CH @ Bogen F
12/7 – Amsterdam, NL @ Bitterzoet
12/8 – Hamburg, DE @ YOKO Bar, Club
12/9 – Copenhagen, DK @ Xenon
