Two blocks down from New York City’s Terminal Five, a little old woman stood on the corner handing out pamphlets praising “The Messiah is coming.” Despite her Victorian-era appearance, she obviously was not out of the loop. Perhaps she realized that the pilgrimage of paisley-clad, hippie children journeying past her could not be a coincidence. They were, after all, going to see him; Devendra Banhart, savior of the new-weird-folk movement. Who else?

Adam Green

Opening act Adam Green came packing his usual insanity dressed like Captain Hook from the childhood story whose title character he so emulates. Partaking in general shenanigans, it’s hard to believe Green was old enough in 1994 to form the quintessential anti-folk band, The Moldy Peaches. He howled about Jessica Simpson. He moaned about tassels, castles and…backsides. He tried to prove that the fourth-times-a-charm with his stage-diving antics. No matter, it’s all in a day’s work for Green. A persona in his own right, Green provides, for better or for worse, opposition against the current movement of bearded musicians armed with kooky instruments, thesauruses and eclectic tastes in plaids. Enter one of said bearded musicians. While he abstained from his predecessor’s costume choice, headliner Devendra Banhart’s close-cut crop and fitted suit proved even more shocking. Departing from his long locks and layered scarves, Banhart was almost unrecognizable as the once barefooted, flower child who at times played shows with a pair of underwear atop his head. As if to assure he was not an impostor, Banhart opened with the appropriately titled, “Long Haired Child.” The familiarity continued throughout the night with Banhart playing many of his hits such as “Shabop Shalom” and “Little Yellow Spider.” While the show seemed to drag in the beginning, one could say it’s merely his nature. His 16-track album Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon ran a mere 66 minutes. However, to categorize Banhart’s performance in that way, or in any single way, would be a mistake. He jumps across genres, styles and tempos and as quickly as you might think he’s crooning out a lullaby, he’s on stage shaking his hips and doing the chicken dance.

Devendra Banhart

Antics aside, Banhart’s voice is simply his most powerful instrument. Utilizing a full range from yodels to yells, each tonal rise and fall crafted beautiful arrangements. Second to that instrument, however, was the Grogs, the band mates whose refined rock melodies and demeanor seemed to personify the hippie-love so closely associated with the frontman. Collected from established groups such as Preistbird and Little Joy, each member added their own touch to the show, literally. Banhart, ever the gentleman, gladly took a backseat, along with a fan’s pair of sunglasses, and allowed his friends each a turn at the mic. When he returned to the front, together they performed a rousing cover of Dana Taylor’s “Tell It To My Heart” as well as an epic jam of his own song, “Seahorse”, proving that whatever Banhart’s latest reincarnation, it was certainly a success.

With the bass blaring and the drums a-flame, perhaps the sound traveled two blocks down to that little old lady who heard it…and smiled.

Devendra Banhart Set List
Long Haired Child
Baby
Shabop Shalom
Angelika
The Body Breaks
Little Yellow Spider
A Sight to Behold
I Remember
First Song for B
The Charles C. Leary
You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory (Johnny Thunders cover song)
Hows About Tellin A Story
Seahorse
To Be Alone
16th & Valencia Roxy Music
Tell It To My Heart
Lover
Diamond Eyes
Carmensita

Encore
This Beard is For Siobhun
Noah
Rats