Kevin Bronson on January 18th, 2017

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Ex-Walkmen frontman Hamilton Leithauser gave a rewarding performance — and shared stories — on Monday night, the first of his two headlining gigs at the Teragram Ballroom. Joined in his band by by Rostam Batmanglij (ex-Vampire Weekend), the collaborator on 2016’s Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam “I Had a Dream That You Were Mine,” Leihauser mixed songs from the new release with tunes from his 2014 debut “Black Hours.” Before Leithauser began “A 1000 Times,” Batmanglij paused to share the story of how they wrote it, explaining that the pair were in the studio and he played out the beat of the song. He added that Leithauser very hung over that day and said that it was a great beat but he couldn’t write anything over it at the moment. Leithauser then chimed in and explained that he went home that day and had more drinks and finally wrote the song. He added that “A 1000 Times” is his two daughters’ favorite song.

Portland songstress Alexander Savior, backed by a full band, opened the night with songs from her forthcoming debut, the Alex Turner-produced “Belladonna of Sadness.” Included in her evocative set: her latest single “Mystery Girl.”

Hamilton Leithauser setlist: You Ain’t That Young Kid, Sick As a Dog, Morning Stars, When the Truth Is…, Alexandra, I Retired, In a Black Out, Peaceful Morning, A 1000 Times, 11 O’clock Friday Night, The Bride’s Dad, Rough Going. Encore: 1959

Photos by Jessica Hanley