Above The Bookshelf
At 10 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 19, the eBar was filled to the brim with anticipation. The lights were dim; couples young and old occupied the booths lining the walls of the bar. The floor in front of the main stage was cleared, and the atmosphere felt thick with raw emotion.
At quarter after ten, Jim Bryson took the stage wearing a checkered shirt and baseball cap. Bryson succeeded in charming the crowd with heartfelt tunes and playful anecdotes. At one point Bryson encouraged the crowd to come closer to the stage and sit on the floor, and at another called his friend’s daughter onto the stage to help him play a song. Jim finished his set list with a stunning folk cover of Jay-Z’s song “Holy Grail.”
Jenn Grant came on stage at quarter after eleven, accompanied by her band including Jim Bryson on acoustic guitar. Grant’s sound had an extravagant mix of folk and rock sensibilities, and managed to completely and utterly energize the crowd. Grant played a few old songs and three new songs with the band before they set down their instruments and then continued the rest of the set solo.
The evening had an electric atmosphere, as anyone that attended the show could attest.