PHOTOS: KATE SCOTT DALY | Esmé Patterson made Schubas in Chicago the first stop of her winter tour.
Chicago’s own Pool Holograph kicked off the night with a ton of energy. The crowd was engaged, often talking back to the band in-between songs—their lead vocalist singing every word with a punch as he hopped around the stage. As the band closed their set, they thanked the audience for being “patient and beautiful.” Pool Holograph’s latest album Town Quarry is available for download and on limited edition cassette.
Esmé Patterson took the stage having donned an electric blue wig. It became the perfect prop throughout her set, accenting her songs with a hair flip or shaking the bob to cover her face. Between the wig and her gestures to the audience, she was serious and intentional as she revealed each intimate song. The intros of her compositions sometimes have a bluesy twang, then a racing guitar enters, and her sweet voice, filled with squeaks and vibrato, captures the space. Patterson’s lyrics embody her—mind and soul.
Esmé confessed she recently had her heart broken and that her next one was for “all the single ladies,” transitioning to a new song, “I’m No Good At Sleeping Around,” concluding that all of her songs could be dedicated to “all the single ladies.” She encouraged a sing along, teaching the audience their part and saying, “This song is called ‘Alone,’ but it’s better if we sing it together.” At the height of her last song, Patterson threw off her wig to reveal her shaved head to shouts of approval.
Esmé Patterson’s latest release, We Were Wild is available on 12″ vinyl. You can also pick up Woman to Woman on 10″ white vinyl, and All Princes, I on 12″ colored vinyl.
POOL HOLOGRAPH
Esmé Patterson is embarking on a winter tour with Lucero.
2/6 – Virginia Beach, VA – Shaka’s Live
2/7 – Wilmington, NC – The Throne Theatre
2/8 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
2/9 – Jackson, MS – Martin’s Lounge
2/10 – Little Rock, AR – The Rev Room
2/11 – Dallas, TX – The Rustic
2/12 – El Paso, Texas – Tricky Falls Theater
2/14 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
2/15 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up
2/16 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
2/17 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater
2/18 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
2/20 – Petaluma, CA – The Mystic
2/22 – Portland, Oregon – Hawthorne Theatre
2/23 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
2/24 – Missoula, MT – Top Hat Lounge
2/25 – Billings, MT – The Pub Station
2/28 – Fargo, ND – The Sanctuary
3/1 – Sioux Falls, SD – Icon Lounge
3/2 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room Lounge
3/3 – Peoria, IL – Limelight Eventplex
3/4 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
