Last night J. Tillman (who many people know as a member of the super-popular Fleet Foxes, though his own solo career was already going strong before he joined that group last year) played at SPACE Gallery (pictured above, post-show). It was a seated affair, though Tillman’s set included more than a few moments of restrained onstage chaos that could have erupted into all out insanity had the rabid fans not been compelled to stay in their chairs. Local opener Micah Blue Smaldone did a stellar job as always, finger picking an acoustic 12-string guitar with thumping rhythms and great leads. Pearly Gate Music (Zach Tillman, Josh’s brother, and recent Barsuk Records signee) followed and performed his own set of solo guitar pieces, with a bit more rocking, though he politely remained seated. Later on, while accompanying his brother on bass, he was much more prone to dancing, playing percussive instruments and bells, and even, perhaps, a little feedback and thrashing.
J. Tillman’s set seemed to hold the audience’s attention absolutely, with some fun interaction – including taking requests during his solo encore. Like many bands before, he joked that he liked Portland so much that he just might move here, but then confessed to saying that in (almost) every city. That’s fine, as long as you come back again to visit us soon.
Read on for a full photo gallery from the show…
Micah Blue Smaldone
Pearly Gate Music
J. Tillman