Review: Adam Green, Thekla

Thekla is out of dry dock and its floors are stickier than ever but they put up little resistance to Adam Green and his mates, who promptly got the crowd moving their feet.

Ryder The Eagle, photo by Phil Riley

First to take to the stage was Ryder The Eagle in support of the main act and looking like a Matt Berry character, until he stripped off. He single handedly got the party started, singing with only a backing track. He was strangely captivating. Ryder The Eagle had a few songs and he was determined that everyone would hear them. He left the stage to walk amongst the crowd, singing at individuals before climbing up the rafters to ensure that people on the balcony got a show they wouldn’t forget. It was a daring stunt and he upped the ante when he jumped back down.

Ryder The Eagle, photo by Phil Riley

The main man, Mr Green has created his own surreal world and populated it with interesting characters and a backdrop cityscape made of poster paint. In an act of postmodern iconoclasm, musical instruments were rebadged Zintendo referencing his 2016 movie Aladdin, or perhaps the joke goes back further.

Adam Green at Thekla, photo by Phil Riley

Looking like a dapper hipster with that New York cool, Adam soaked up the limelight. Complete with a Wrangler jean jacket over a Grace Jones t-shirt and Casio digital watch. He dished out high-fives like they’re going out of fashion to all the people in the front row. He made personal connections with everyone and joked around. There was good-hearted banter between the band and the heckler in the Thekla.

Adam Green at Thekla, photo by Phil Riley

He moved around throwing shapes of his own making as if he was personally chucking good vibes over the anointed crowd. As he began to sing, the crowd sang along too. There is a cultish following that surrounds everything the pop-culture polymath does. Be it his songs, writing, movies… the list goes on. He’d just written a comic book. So keen, he was, that everyone should read it he’d made it free to download from the internet; but everybody knows a printed copy would more special than a PDF file.

Adam Green at Thekla, photo by Phil Riley

If you only know Adam Green from his early, 2000s-era work as one half of Moldy Peaches you would discover a sound that is distinctly less lo-fi but with all the quirk and charm. In fact the sound engineer in the back did a fantastic job, lyrics were clear, legible and all instruments in perfect balance. I should imagine not an easy task in a venue with the acoustic properties of a boat.

Adam Green at Thekla, photo by Phil Riley

Everything was great about the night from the music to the setting, the offerings at the bar and the atmosphere in the room. I’m sure a good time was had by all in attendance. Adam Green’s songs are amusingly funny, poetic and heartfelt. They tell stories of relationships, people and society. Sometimes hopeful, often jaded. Delivered with immense understatement at times and high energy at others. I guess Adam Green either speaks to you or over your head.

All photos by Phil Riley

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