Kevin Bronson on April 14th, 2012

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Who: Gary Clark Jr. in the Gobi Tent
In 3 or Fewer Words: Game changer.
Memorable Because: Like a lot of blues greats, Austin’s Gary Clark Jr. testifies that he “ain’t got no money / ain’t got no fancy car.” What he has are skills sent from somewhere beyond. Playing a guitar as red as the blood he musically sheds, Clark upstaged bluesy headliners the Black Keys with 45 minutes that touched on Hendrix, Robert Johnson and, thanks to his serene voice, a bit of Motown. He roared through “Don’t Owe You A Thang,” “Things Are Changin'” and “When My Train Pulls In,” earning big cheers from the packed tent, and at one point he tickled his guitar to make it sound like a DJ scratching a turntable. Clark’s guitar theatrics borrow a little, but give back a lot more. In the gathering storm of the early evening, the 28-year-old – who has music en route on Warner – was the lightning.
What I’d Tell My Friends Who Were at Neon Indian: Come back next week and make a better choice.
– K.B. (Photo by Bronson)