Macy Gray returned to Portland on Sunday night for a performance at Revolution Hall, her second visit this year after headlining the Waterfront Blues Festival with Galactic this past July. Supporting her current release, The Way, Gray gave her Portland fans a fresh set list that featured a great mix of songs from her catalog, including several from her 1999 debut On How Life Is, a stellar performance of The Pretenders' classic “Brass In Pocket,” an impromptu “Happy Birthday” with a dozen or more fans on stage, and the show-closing “The Way.”
Warming up the evening were indie rock quartet Valise from Dallas, Tex., supporting their new release Young Bloomer, featuring members Vince Penick (vocals, guitar), Jared Travis (guitar, keys), Casey Newton (bass) and Ricky Johnson (drums).
On this night, the intimate setting of Rev Hall really brought out the best in Gray and her band. Her phenomenal and unique vocal style combined with her honesty, vulnerability and presence immediately had the audience engaged and on their feet moments after the first song started, and kept them there throughout her entire performance. Let there be no doubt: Gray’s sound is unlike any other and she gave a remarkable performance in a great venue for her great fans. She's truly a genuine and soulful artist!
Set List:
Ghetto Love
Caligula
Me With You
Why Didn't You Call Me
Do Something
Stoned
A Moment To Myself
Brass In Pocket (The Pretenders cover)
Life
Relating To A Psychopath
Sweet Baby
The Letter
I Try
The Way
