Beck ProfileVaguely folkish alterna-rock luminary Beck gave punters in Detroit a hearty surprise at the weekend after his support act's no-show resulted in the esteemed troubadour and his stalwart backing band performing their own support duties.
According to Billboard, Beck was supposed to be supported at the city's Fox Theatre by The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, featuring Sean Lennon, and while it seems border issues were at the heart of the absence, neither act has at this time provided further explanation. However, it appears to be a one-off, with Billboard reporting TGOASTT is still set to round out their scheduled dates alongside the renowned performer.
Still, it was one hell of a one-off, as Beck and co. delivered their usual performance in a rejigged two-part set-up, kicking off with 10-song, 40-minute part one -- which according to reports took in more reflective, downbeat material sourced from the recent Morning Phase and Sea Change (2002), as well as the unsubmitted Johnny Cash commission Dead Melodies.
Part two upped the ante by running for twice part one's length, cramming 16 songs into an 80-minute greatest-hits retrospective of sorts that featured everything from the quirky Devil's Haircut to a beefed-up, expansive encore of Where It's At, while making use of their extended play-time to focus on oft-ignored tracks like Get Real Plaid.
"Pics or GTFO", you say? Well, how does the entire freaking main performance sound to you?
Beck's US tour continues throughout August. Morning Phase is available now.
