The Doheny Blues Festival in May heralded a new look for the band. Gone were the days of “well, jeans and t-shirts” and in was a new look of dress pants and shirts, sometimes accented with a sport coat or vest, for the guys. Grace and Cat entered a new era that I think I’ll be calling “short and slinky”.
And sometimes in your face sexy.
While many accepted the new look as a step up in the showmanship area there were a few grumblings of those who wanted the band to stay true to their “jeans and a flannel shirt” Vermont roots. Either way you look at it the new vision certainly generated extra chatter on the interwebs which was, from my own reading, overwhelmingly positive. I’ve seen lots of bands who have a great “look” but simply can’t play. On the same note, quite a few excellent musicians can’t project the image that can help them take it to the next level. The next level is clearly where Grace Potter and the Nocturnals want to be and “The Look” is simply one piece of the puzzle to help them get there.
If I had to describe the new look I would call it “Tina Turner fronting The Band during the Last Waltz”. Check out the video examples below.
The Band – “Up On Cripple Creek”
Tina Turner
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Nothing wrong with jeans and T’s , and nothing wrong with ” dressing up to go to work ” either. Great music should be enough . . but agree with KC’s thought . . having a good signature look that separates you from the pack sure doesn’t hurt in what is also a highly visual market.
Tina Turner fronting The Band is perfect btw . . . probably just a coincidence that her fringe dress is very similar to the black one Grace wore in Boston huh ?
BTW in case someone hasn’t seen it yet . . Come Together GPN style is in KC’s player on the right
I like the new dress-up look with one, very minor exception:
Matt just doesn’t look right in a 3-piece suit behind the drums.
Nice dress shirt and a snappy vest – great-looking, but suitcoat?
nope, doesn’t work. just my 2 pesos.
the shorts skirts and slinky outfits on the ladies are perfect!
sexy, yet still classy.
have a Happy and Merry week!
I see London I see France!!
Lol, PQ. When I was waitressing at a very young age, I shortened my already short uniform to better show off my fine (can’t lie) legs. While washing glasses in the sink behind the counter, an older male customer spoke up: “You know, when you bend over that sink I can see your underwear.” Hem came back down that night. But, then, I wasn’t a rock star.
I think shedding the t-shirts and jeans image (which I loved, too) is very much in keeping with the maturation of the band.
Kenny – I agree with your assessment regarding the new look and how you often need to up the ante as you progress. I love flannel but the sequins and vests are a nice change.
I think the look is great. I definitely liked the early looks as well, but the attire suits the theme Grace was going for. At the concert at the Waterfront in BTV, I asked about all the flowers on stage etc., and I was told by one of the photographers that Grace wanted the stage and band to look like her senior prom. Thus the fine dressing and the doing up of the stage in flowers!
Maybe we’ll see something new in 2010 and if we do I am willing to bet that they will all look and sound just as good regardless of what they where. I think their sound and stage presence are excellent and if they showed up in their pajamas, they’d still be phenomenal!
Oh did I mention that Grace and Cat are….well….um…..beautiful!!!!
Merry Christmas, happy holidays to all us fans and to the band that causes us to feel the need to post here! We love you GPN and I can’t wait to see you all again! Oh and one last thing, my wife and I are expecting a new GPN fan in April! He will know the GPN music!
I vote Don’s comment #1.
I love Don’s comment. I never considered procreation as a strategy for increasing the fan base, but now I’m intrigued.
Absolutely! Don’t know how I missed it the first time around!?! Well spoke sir. As to procreation Nate … When people leave the “not a dry thigh in the house” shows … And go home and make babies?!? THAT’s how ya make new fans! The new look definitely helps in that regard!
And Joe I got your answer too (I’m on a roll)! Matt starts out in the monkey suit … And every few songs has to shed a layer! He’s too damn Hot! Last layer is the wife beater T. 8*) What y’all think? Matt? Grace? Matt doing a slow strip tease as the show goes on?!? Hell … Scott & Benny could do it too! “We’re just too damn hot!” Not a dry thigh in the house! 8*D