Kevin Long and Hockey at the Empyrean on Saturday, May 8ath
Spokane LOVES Hockey, really what’s not to love about their dance tunes and rockstar stage presence?
Before Hockey took the stage the super talented Kevin Long played a few songs for us solo style. We love catching Kevin play alone or with a band; he has a wonderful chemistry with his guitar plus tonight he even broke out a harmonica! Kevin planned on playing a quieter set because he thought people would be sitting down, which is normally the case at the Empyrean. However for the Hockey show they cleared out the floor for dancing and the crowd was getting rowdy. So with Kevin on the spot a bit he decided to play more upbeat songs (and scratch his set list) but even then he still had the crowd’s attention during his mellow tunes.
“Dance” is by far one of my favorite songs, it hooks me in like a trophy bass. Kevin also played “Broken Record” which he hadn’t played in over a year and he ended his set with “Don’t want you anymore.” It was great to see Kevin play and even Hockey took the time to say thanks and how it was a treat for him to open!
Out of all the chatter you hear at concerts, I never thought I would hear this one “…I think I want to get a Hockey Tattoo…I mean they’re my Rolling Stones.”
Hockey took the stage with the energy and presence of 80′s Rock Stars. The disco ball was spinning and the floor was moving for over an hour of Hockey tunes. Opening up with “Work,” and from there on out it was hits and catchy fun songs. Not only did we get to hear the jams like “Song Away,” “Too Fake,” and “Wanna Be Black;” but we also get to hear new songs from the boys of Hockey. It was great to watch couples and kids flock back to the floor for one more dance when the hits were played. It was like a high school dance, which is a bit ironic since I believe it was Prom Night for some Highschools.
That was the biggest dance party I have seen at the new Empyrean. The band sounded great, minus the itty bitty feedback problem. Ben has such energy and great microphone / hand movements that he is so entertaining to watch. Not to mention he has a hot single feather earring! I was kind of in a grumpy mood because we were charged and extra $2 bucks at the door since all of the flyers said $12 (nothing about advance or door prices) and we had to pay $14. However by the end of the night Hockey put a smile on my face with their music and it was a good time and worth it. I could tell that the crowd had a great time because everyone was super sweaty from all the dancing as they were leaving.
It is cool to see a Spokane band take off like Hockey and I am glad they still managed to drop by town for a killer night of music!
Photos courtesy of Matt Auclair.
