For rock bands that have officially reached a "you've made it" level of success, there's Austin's favorite venue Stubb's. Indie singer-songwriter Pete Yorn returned this April along with Ben Kweller and The Wellspring to a legion of enthusiastic fans.

After an exuberant set from Texas native Ben Kweller, immediately followed by the dispersal of several young Kwellerites from the front rows, Yorn, 36, took the stage and opened with "Panic," a Smiths cover. Other songs included "I Am On Your Side", "The Man", "For Nancy", and "Realtor" during which Talia Osteen of The Wellspring returned to the stage to provide the ScarJo vocals. The overall tone of the show was very laid back but professional. Yorn's performance was polished and clearly that of a seasoned touring artist. On aggregate, the fans tended to be your typical older hippie type, too old to mosh but not old enough to quit sneaking pot into a show. Surprisingly though (or not?), there were a great deal of high school kid + parent combos in attendance.

The highlight of the show for me was the performance of "Rock Crowd" during which Ben Kweller returned to the stage to play electric guitar and provide backup vocals. The song has a steady buildup and a warm, metatextual commentary on the experience of playing a rock show. The enthusiasm from the crowd was palpable, and the gratitude in the lyrics was not lost on the audience.

I'm not a Pete Yorn fanatic so I can't speak for the nuance of this performance versus previous expectations, but on the whole it was an extremely pleasant experience. Nothing to get one particularly riled up, but plenty of head-nodding and swaying to be had. Even if Stubb's sometimes seems like a place more suitable for those bands that get the crowd jumping and drinking, Yorn has a soulful sincerity that you can't help appreciate.

-Kelsey Rodgers

Pete Yorn
April 16, 2011
Stubb's, Austin, TX
www.peteyorn.com

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