Gary Clark Jr., 5/5/12

Gary Clark Jr.  |  Beale Street Music Festival
Memphis, TN  |  May 5, 2012

Gary Clark Jr.’s Bright Lights EP has gotten a TON of play since it came out. I’ve listened to it countless times in the car, at work, and at home. So, I was pretty excited to see him at Beale Street Music Festival, and even more thrilled to find out that he’d be in the Blues Tent. The tent has always housed good acts, but acts that have been here time and again. It was refreshing to see something buzz-worthy on the bill.

Clark didn’t disappoint. From the opening moments of “When My Train Pulls In,” an electrified version as opposed to the acoustic offering on the EP, he had the packed tent eating out of the palm of his hand. “Don’t Owe You A Thing” followed and was just blistering. We stuck around for a few more songs, but it had been a long day and there was an even longer day of music ahead, so after about 30 minutes, the draw of my bed became just too much for my old bones.

Gear used: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 5D, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8, Canon 24-70 f/2.8, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS