Brightest Young Things

Photos/words by Paul D Goodman.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (GPN) returned to D.C. on Tuesday night for the fourth stop of a tour they're co-headlining with singer-songwriter Brett Dennen. With two new bandmembers (Cat Popper on bass and Benny Yurco on guitar) and an unfinished album of new material, the Nocturnals sounded energized and cohesive at the 9:30 Club. Looking more relaxed than during their August performance at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the band seemed to genuinely enjoy playing what Potter referred to as one of their favorite venues. Potter's trademark monster voice, wild hair, and outspoken style ("are those stripper shoes?", said the girl behind me) were all in fine form on Tuesday, and a handful of special moments -- Yurco on guitar & harmonica, Potter belting out "Nothing But the Water", and a few solos from the rest of the band -- had the crowd bursting into applause.

Brett Dennen -- named one of Rolling Stone's "ten artists to watch" in 2007 -- followed GPN. After a slow start he and his band captured the crowd's attention, playing many of their more well-known tunes, beginning with "She's Mine" and closing the night out with an uplifting, bursting-at-the-seams rendition of "Someday". Dennen also spoke about his affection for the 9:30 Club, saying that he thinks it's the best venue on the East Coast.

PS: The man dances like a highly evolved caterpillar.

Previously in Live DC:

• 2/3: Live DC: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour @ RnR Hotel
• 2/3: LiveDC: Smith Westerns @ Black Cat
• 2/2: PHOTOS: Elizaveta @ Jammin' Java
• 2/1: PHOTOS: H Street Karaoke Championship
• 1/31: LiveDC: Carsie Blanton @ Black Cat
• 1/31: LiveDC: Loose Lips/ Lightfoot/ Paperhaus/ Ugly Purple Sweater @ Black Cat
• 1/30: LiveDC: Jeff Mangum @ Lincoln Theatre
• 1/30: LiveDC: Coeur de Pirate @ 930 Club
• 1/26: LiveDC: Ryan Adams @ Strathmore
• 1/25: LiveDC: GHOST @ RNR Hotel