Cat's Cradle Durham, NC
Contact: [email protected]
Web: jonathanrichman.bandcamp.com
Players: Jonathan Richman, guitars, various artifacts; Tommy Larkin, traps, various artifacts
Material: From the moment Jonathan Richman bounded on stage with Tommy Larkin taking his post behind the “traps,” it was clear: this would be no ordinary concert. Armed with a guitar, some mysterious “artifacts,” and a disregard for setlists, Richman led the audience on a raucous, rollicking romp through a medley of songs, barely pausing for breath. Fans who knew the tunes sang along; those who didn’t stood rapt, mesmerized by this cyclone of joyous unpredictability on a huge, shadowy stage.
In his trademark style, Richman transformed the space, toe-tapping into every corner and occasionally ricocheting back to the mic to deliver “Sun,” “Hungry for a Touch,” and “Summer Feel” with sudden, Zen-like calm. The crowd was hooked on every note, mumble, and half-delivered line as if entranced by some musical pied piper from a parallel universe.
Musicianship: This is Jonathan Richman, folks, unfiltered and pedal-free. He doesn’t need effects—his delightfully wonky guitar playing and refreshingly quirky originality fill the stage. Cradling his guitar between his arm and torso, he suddenly swung into a 30-second riff of Santana’s “Oye Como Va,” shaking the audience to its core. They erupted, totally absorbed by this everyman magician who seemed to conjure up musical mayhem on a whim.
Performance: Onstage together, Richman and Larkin were pure kinetic magic, covering every inch of space with sound and spark. Playing together for three decades must’ve given them some mystical ESP because they’re as loose as a five-cent cigar, but tighter than a drum when it counts. Somewhere between a madcap skit and a serious jam, they wove one tune into another, crafting a whirling sonic tapestry that seemed to defy gravity.
Summary: There’s a reason the crowd was packed in, and it’s not just for the music—it’s for the whole Jonathan-and-Tommy experience. Wild, wonderful, and wackily authentic, their show is one you can only truly appreciate in person. If you ever get the chance, grab it with both hands and hold on tight. It’s a show that hits you “like the hot kiss at the end of a wet fist.”
