Ty Segall with the Bed Band at Danforth Music Hall

Photos by Matt Forsythe

Prolific Californian Ty Segall brought the Freedom Band to the Danforth Music Hall last night for a very enthusiastic and fine looking crowd plugging their Freedom’s Goblin album released at the start of the year.

I had never seen Ty Segall before and prior to me hitting the merch table on my way out of the gig I only had 2014’s Manipulator in my library. The buzz on Segall’s live show is pretty strong and after his 75 minute set that buzz is definitely warranted.

Tucked off to the side of the stage and facing the four-piece Freedom Band, Segall kicked off the set with “Alta” and “Fanny Dog” off Freedom’s Goblin. There was barely a stop for air for most of the set while the band jammed out some interludes that were as compelling as the actual songs. I could even do with a night of those interludes.

Back to reality, Segall shook his mane of blond locks while he absolutely shredded his guitar. It’s really hard to pigeonhole Segall as he thrown in garage rock, psych rock, metal, punk and even a bit of R&B into a mix that is naturally cohesive despite being a recipe for disastrous chaos. Even a saxophone made an appearance!

Blue and purple flood lights was about it for the light show but all eyes were on Segall if they weren’t dodging the many crowd surfers that took advantage of easy stage access. The sound was quieter than I expected and that would be the only slight. And that’s not really a slight – I just expected to have to peel my ears off the floor at the end of the night.

While plugging new albums most would air most of the album hogging the entire set but Segall only played over a handful out of almost 20 tracks. Highlights were an absolutely blistering and groovy cover of Hot Chocolate’s “Every 1’s A Winner” and the entire home stretch including “Feel” off of Manipulator and set closer “Wave Goodbye”. I’m sure the sweaty throng leaving the venue afterwards could have done with at least another hour to continue shaking the week’s cobwebs out but Segall’s efficiency will definitely have them anticipating his return.