Kelsey Heng on May 9th, 2013

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Kurt Vile took the stage Tuesday night at the jam-packed Echoplex looking as if he just walked out of his “Never Run Away” video – maybe his all-white persona is here to stay. As he did at Coachella, Vile delivered his songs from beneath his voluminous hair, keeping it low-key and letting the music, rather than the guitarist himself, connect with the audience. His backing band the Violators ebbed on and off the stage throughout the night, giving Vile a chance to also show off some of his acoustic versions of his hits. When left alone onstage. he seems to recall the mystique of Dylan, in the acoustic rendition of “Peeping Tomboy.” The Fresh & Onlys preceded Vile with a set that included material from last year’s “Long Slow Dance.” And New York-based singer-songwriter Steve Gunn opened, featuring dazzling guitar work to go along with the compelling songs on his forthcoming release “Time Off” (due June 18).

Photos and recap by Kelsey Heng