Sound Scene Express

Jake Bugg Closes Out Arts Festival

soundsceneexpress June 16, 2014 No Comments on Jake Bugg Closes Out Arts Festival

Photos and review by Randy Jarosz

Jake Bugg
June 15, 2014
Three Rivers Arts Festival

There aren’t many bands around that can attract screaming teenage girls, and at the same time be cool enough to be liked by grown men. UK singer/songwriter, Jake Bugg is that guy. His unique vocal style, polished guitar work and catchy lyrics make him a favorite among young and old alike.

Bugg closed out the 55th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, Sunday, June 15th. He ripped through a 20 song set rarely addressing the large crowd. There are two thoughts on this. Some fans don’t want musicians wasting their time talking throughout their set, but others want more from a performance than a band sounding exactly like a pre-recorded album. Either way, it never hurt Eric Clapton, letting his music do the talking, while performing live.

Bugg was joined by drummer Jack Atherton and Bassist Tom ‘Robbo’ Robertson while opening with “There’s a Beast and We All Feed It.” He makes smoking seem cool on hit single “Two Fingers,” and his voice is haunting on “Ballad of Mr. Jones,” The band shows off their blues chops on the Howlin’ Wolf cover “Killing Floor.” Not missing a beat Bugg plays the grinding “What Doesn’t Kill You,” from the album Shangri LA. Bugg goes on to sing a killer version of Neil Young’s “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue),” he closed the evening with hit song “Lightning Bolt.”

Compared to the likes of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and even Buddy Holly, Bugg has large shoes to fill. The biggest discussion about Bugg is weather or not he can live up to the hype. If I could give any advise to the 20 year old, is don’t listen to the critics and keep doing what you are doing. Just be Jake Bugg.

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