by Brittney Corridean
Thursday night at the North Star bar, a legendary venue that speaks for itself in West Philadelphia, I was sitting across the table from Gina and RJ (a couple who traveled from DC to catch Lane’s show) and we were discussing their trip to Philadelphia. After some time of the people settling in their seats, Max Gomez took the stage. His soft guitar and sultry lyrics echo in the modest music venue.
Gomez told the audience how he wrote a song about a teacher who got him in trouble as a kid because all he cared about was cars, girls and music. The audience listened with attentive stares, some kept their heads a little titled in admiration, but the room was quiet and calm. It was hard not to feel relaxed and thoughtful when listening to Gomez’s words and flowing guitar. Among his songs he played “Run From You”, which anyone who has ever found themselves in a toxic relationship can relate to. A little more than half way through the set, Lane’s band (who refer to themselves as The Thunder) got up on stage to play for the remainder of Gomez’s performance. Once that happened, the audience moved to the dance floor.
Max Gomez (photo credit, Brittney Corridean)
Throughout the night, I caught Lane walking around the venue talking to everyone and making friends with her vivacious personality. Since Lane is a stylish, antique southern gal, she wore a blue-gray velvet dress with metallic studded booties. Her hair was short and curly like a 50’s pin up model and she looked fantastic. Upstairs at the venue, they were setting up a tin photo booth so the guests could get a vintage black and white photo of themselves as a souvenir of this unique, rustic night. One thing I noticed about Lane’s fans is that they are definitely devoted. She has a magnetic personalities that is so open and free and is completely reflected in her music.
Nikki Lane (photo credit, Brittney Corridean)
Once on stage, Lane demanded that everyone get up onto the dance floor and move in so she could sing to us. Her voice live was phenomenal; it filled the room and lingered in your ears. The band was in tune with every second and they had this in sync sway to them that made you think, man these guys are cool. Lane played some songs off her new album, All Or Nothin’, including my personal favorite “Wild One” and “You Can’t Talk to Me Like That”. She also mentioned that she was even writing while on the road so we got a sneak peak of what is possibly in the works for her in the future.
The entire show was filled with composed energy. Everyone was friendly and in a good mood. I felt like everyone knew each other which was interesting to see. At the end of the night, they closed up and said their goodbyes. Of course the audience roared and yelled for an encore, so out came Lane with The Thunder to play us one more.
“Do you think we will ever out live the encore,” Lane asked. The answer is no and when you go to a show like the one that happened Thursday night, you wouldn’t want to.
