Brenn! in Concert at Old Rock House in St. Louis
— by Carrie Zukoski
It might’ve been a gloomy, chilly, rainy evening outside, but it was warm and cozy inside Old Rock House in St. Louis on this Tuesday night in May when Brenn!’s “Amateur At Best World Tour” stopped in.
But before Brenn! and his backing band took to the stage, newcomer Hudson Ingram opened the night. The now Nashville-based, almost 20-year-old Texan kicked the concert off with 35 minutes of his classic, yet modern, indie singer/songwriter style. Armed with just a guitar and a midi player, the theme of longing was prominent in many of his songs, including “Linger,” “Baby Just Be,” and the newly released “Holy Ghost.”
See all photos from the night here https://bit.ly/Brenn26cz
He interjected stories of song origins in between, gave shout-outs to Brenn! for including him on the almost-finished tour, mentioned it was his first time in St. Louis, and shared that he’d be performing at the same festival as Noah Kahan this summer before covering “Everywhere, Everything.” The crowd of mostly teens and 20-somethings paid rapt attention during Ingram’s set and even knew the correct place to clap during his closing ditty, “Do You Remember?” which is now available on his just-released debut EP, The Long Way Home (Vol. 1).
After a brief interlude, the now Nashville-based Brenn! and his backing tour band, consisting of Hunter Strasser (guitar), Baily Johnstone (bass), and Estevan Barrientez (drums), strolled onto stage to the delight of every fan in the room. The next 90 minutes entailed Brenn! sharing stories about the songs he wrote, asking fans questions such as if they pronounce the “s” in Louis for St. Louis or St. Louie, if they like the Midwest, what kind of sports they like, and the list goes on. Of course, his power-pop, indie, folk-tinged music was the main highlight of the night. Some of his songs are reminiscent of a stripped-down Lumineers, such as the opening number, the catchy, raw “Looking For.” After joking about being from Alabama, Brenn! (aka Brennan Keller) shared that the next song was one of his favorites, before launching into “Footing”— one of many featured during the night that will be available on his forthcoming debut album, Amateur at Best.
A brief drum solo led into the heavier, darker “Water” that could easily be an anthemic song on many a teen dramas. The light, aching “Brand New Car” and the gentle, melodic “Somehow Made it Out” were among several songs that should further establish Brenn! as a contender for space on your playlist.
Touted as one to watch by many music outlets, the early 20-something, Brenn! proved his chops as a musician, singer-songwriter, and performer at Old Rock House in front of a few hundred adoring fans.
See all photos from the night here https://bit.ly/Brenn26cz
