Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real at Webster Hall

Born in Austin, Texas, and raised in Maui, Hawaii, Lukas Nelson began playing guitar as a youth in an attempt to better connect with his hard-touring father, country music legend Willie Nelson. By age 13, the younger Nelson had joined his father's band, touring as his rhythm guitarist. In 2007, Nelson enrolled in university and relocated to Los Angeles, California. There, he met some of the musicians with whom in 2008 he would form his own band. A year later, Nelson rejoined his father on tour, this time as the support act, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. In 2015, Nelson and the band also became Neil Young's band. Nelson highest profile gig, however, was as co-writer with Lady Gaga for the 2018 film remake of A Star Is Born, with Nelson and his band doubling on screen as Bradley Cooper's band. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, based in Seal Beach, California, presently consists of Lukas Nelson (lead vocals, guitar), Anthony LoGerfo (drums, percussion, vocals), Corey McCormick (bass guitar, vocals), Logan Metz (keyboards, lap steel, guitar, harmonica, vocals), and Tato Melgar (percussion). Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real will release its fifth and most recent studio album, Turn Off the News (Build a Garden), on June 14, 2019.

At Webster Hall tonight, Lukas Nelson's younger brother, vocalist/guitarist Micah Nelson, opened the night with his own band, Particle Kid, then joined his brother's band for the rest of the night. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real launched its set with a familiar song, "Something Real," and immediately locked into a simmering groove. Lukas Nelson's soulful vocals sometimes channeled his dad, but much of the younger Nelson's material hinged on blues-based boogie more than on country swing. Nelson's ample guitar leads energized each song, with fretwork that often was rooted in heartland rock until he blazed into hard riffs and extended jams that rocked with fierce bravado. The other musicians kept up with him well, but Nelson was by far the drive of the band.

Setlist:

1. Something Real
2. Four Letter Word
3. Bad Case
4. Fool Me Once
5. Die Alone
6. Set Me Down on a Cloud
7. Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)
8. Carry On (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover)
9. Where Does Love Go
10. Save a Little Heartache
11. Simple Life
12. (Forget About) Georgia
13. Find Yourself
14. Out in L.A.
15. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Paul Simon cover)
16. American Girl (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover)
17. Powderfinger (Neil Young & Crazy Horse cover)