A sold out show at The Loft last night proved Jay Brannan has some major drawing power. Save for a Britney concert, it seemed kind of rare in Dallas to see that many gay men (and a healthy smattering of women) convened for a night of live music. But there they were filling the tables and then some in the small venue last night. And by the rounds of applause, Brannan gave them what they were looking for.
Which was really hard to say what that might have been.
Is Brannan something to just look at or is he someone to actually listen to? Often I overheard, “He’s so adorable,” or “How cute is he?” Brannan knows he’s cute and he uses that to his advantage during banter in between songs. Anecdotal tales about car wrecks and an obsession with Pancho’s had many giggling like teenage schoolgirls. People gazed at him lovingly during the ballads and clapped like the end of a really good sermon. Beyond that, there wasn’t much more substance to be had.
During “Soda Shop,” he called for the disco ball. The light shone and rotating specks danced around the audience as he sang the tune. After he finished he uttered, “That’s about as upbeat as it’s gonna get.” He wasn’t lying. Emo tunes and stripped down covers filled the rest of the night.
Brannan gave as good a show as he could. He sang, he strummed, he spoke, people applauded and um, that was about it. Favorites like “Housewife” and “Ever After Happily” went over well, as did the covers from his latest release. But with a bare naked show as this, there wasn’t much more he could give. It wasn’t staid necessarily, it was merely a show. Calling it good (or bad) would be enough. Last night, it was good.
Whether they just liked to look at him or truly appreciated the music, the audience ate him up. People welled during “Beautifully” and laughed when he cursed abundantly during an added stanza in “La La La.” Perhaps the real magic behind Brannan is the way he sings the words of a gay man to and for gay men. It’s almost weird to hear the words that a guy might want to say to their boyfriend or to that man across the bar. In the same note, it’s almost a relief. As if every gay man has been waiting to exhale until that voice came along which, for the audience, was last night.
Props to the sound man. Whoever did sound should win an award because Brannan’s voice was pristine as was the guitar. Also, kudos to local roots artist Katsuk who filled in at the last minute according to Brannan. He drummed and strummed a decent set but his final flute number drove the audience into a frenzy.
Thanks, Rich, for separating the good stuff from the fluff. Pretty is for CD covers, but doesn’t make for great live music.
based on how nasty you and your boss have been to me, i regret giving you an interview at all, especially when i really didn’t have the time, went out of my way to speak with you, and i only do a limited amount of gay press (b/c they are always so entitled and bitchy and critical as you both have been in your writing)
i assure you i will never do anything with the dallas voice again!
and i can’t believe i even gave you free tickets to the show!
jay
whatever mary! no true artist would get up in here and comment on a revue, not a good look.
saying that gays are entintled and bitchy is just a reflection of how u feel about yo’ damn self. take a word from michael and check out da’ man in the mirror (in your case, the pretentious lady)
Perhaps jay is sad rich didn’t sing the national anthem.
i don’t consider myself an artist
i consider myself a human being
something a lot of people seem to forget
DAMN!!!! Jay, you are” breakin’ some dishes up in here” watch out Rich, she ain’t gonna stop until she sees police lights…
if being a human being means being a vengeful queen I’ll pass…stop whining and focus on the positive, i read plenty of that in the article. what’s wrong with gays these days? any criticism and their Andrew Christian panties are in a wad. be more gracious. gay = happy
Jay,
You need to learn to take criticism. Thanks Rich for writing a REAL review. I would know. I was there.
If you’re not an artist then what are you doing? Also, if you’re not an artist, then why am I paying $10+ for your album on itunes? I’d proceed with caution Jay. I’m a fan, but you’re kinda making an ass of your self. Sir-ster, you need to channel Janet Jackson and take some Feedback, Feedback, Ohhh…
And stop burning bridges.
Just sayin’…
Um. Do we know if that’s really Jay Brannan making these comments? If so, I don’t get it. This wasn’t a bad review, rather just based on Rich’s experience last night. Plus, Rich is the least bitchy, least entitled and least critical person I know.
I haven’t read the interview yet, and unless it’s really filled with spite and hate towards Jay, me thinks he needs to take a deep breath and take the good with the bad. That’s what happens when you put your art (or humanity) out there – and also the chance you take when you give music critics free tickets.
On another note, I’m a pretty big Jay Brannan fan and don’t have a clue how his show last night slipped under my radar.
Hey Rich! I love you!
Don’t get me wrong I love Jay but I don’t see what the problem is. The review was mostly positive but gave a balanced perspective. If that is considered “nasty” then I guess Jay is a little too sensitive. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything nasty in any of rich’s writing.
Uh, not a good look indeed, Jay (if is actually you). Tsk, tsk.
“Didn’t have time” to give an interview to local press? Nice. Boo hoo to whomever wrote those comments – I certainly hope they weren’t made by the real Jay Brannan. I was on the verge of becoming a fan, but there are enough pretentious musicians/artsists (oh, sorry, he’s not an artist even though he’s creating art and selling it and sharing it). He’s a human, okay I get that – so is Rich, so get over it. GRANTED, I haven’t read the interview, so I guess I should reserve true & final judgement until I have.
if you or someone else dont enjoy the show than why dont they just leave….I just dont understand that. oh….I get it, you have to keep up your job as a writer, but your job suck! as much as what you write, so why bother? nest time LEAVE.
“Beyond that, there wasn’t much more substance to be had.Brannan gave as good a show as he could.” and “He sang, he strummed, he spoke, people applauded and um, that was about it.”
Comments like the above from Lopez make feel as though he is just being dismissive of Jay and the show. His comment insinuating that people are there because Jay is so “adorable” etc is also revealing. I hate reviews as they are the reflection of the viewer and Lopez seems maybe a little envious?
No matter to all this really. I know a true talent and an original when I see it and Jay is that and a mesmerizing hottie. I do believe even in our youth/image obsessed culture Jay’s voice and songwriting are more than enough to carry him wherever his heart desires.
If it is Jay that made the response, I love that he has the balls to speak up for himself and remind us all that he is human not some pretty pinata.