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San Fermin Setlist
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Esmé Patterson |
Patterson was quite talkative, and almost described what the song “Francine” was about. However, she said it was too early and she wasn’t drunk enough to go into details about the song.
Not all the songs were new, about half her set was taken from her concept album Woman to Woman, which was about her response to famous women in songs. For example, the song “Never Chase a Man” is about her response to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and “Bluebird” was her response to The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby”.
Brooklyn’s San Fermin is in a unique place. The rather large group (singer Allen Tate, singer Charlene Kaye, violinist Rebekah Durham, trumpeter John Brandon, saxophonist Stephen Chen, keys Ellis Ludwig-Leone, guitarist Tyler McDiarmid, and drummer Michael Hanf) is currently between their latest Jackrabbit (which came out in 2015) and working on new materials for a forthcoming album. The tour served as a preview for new songs, testing out arrangements and performances. It seemed like the band really worked hard on these new songs, as it sounded really well rehearsed.
Since was last saw San Fermin in in 2014, their co-lead singer Rae Cassidy left the group to focus on her solo career. Charlene Kaye stepped in to replace Cassidy. Kaye’s singing style is a lot more pop vs her male counterpart Allen Tate, who sounded moodier and dark. Tate has a low baritone sound, so fans of the Divine Comedy and The National will want to hear more.
Personal highlight of their set was for “Sonsick” when I heard the dedicated audience singing back and finishing its chorus. This was followed by some great trumpet solo from John Brandon.
The next time San Fermin tour, it will be in support of their forthcoming 2016 album. Based on hearing it live, it sounded like they’ve been living with these new songs for a long time now. The same for Esmé Patterson, who we are expecting to do a proper tour in support of her We Were Wild album, once it’s released, later this year.
San Fermin’s remaining tour dates:  
4/13/16 Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt *
4/14/16 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
4/15/16 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar *
4/17/16 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom *
* with Esmé Patterson
San Fermin at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (07 April 2016) |
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