Orville Peck performs in Riverfront Park (photo: Skye Leppo)
Sure-footed showman and 1970s-country disciple Orville Peck gave concertgoers a night full of unbridled energy and authenticity on Sunday.
The concert, a continuation of Harrisburg University’s Summer Concert Series in Riverfront Park, included a lineup with two openers preceding Peck.
First was LA-based artist Gold Star, whose mix of time-honored country rock and fresh indie provided a solid warm-up for the crowd. For only having a bassist and drummer to back up the musician and his guitar, the sound did not lack size or enthusiasm. Gold Star’s sonic sweet spot and the set’s closer was his January single “Wild Boys,” his nostalgic ode to a rowdy childhood.
Next up, with a band donning various kinds of animal print shirts, was the effortlessly cool Jaime Wyatt. From her pastel pink get-up to her deep, warm tone that invoked artists of years gone by, she oozed star potential. I would not be surprised if Wyatt found herself back at Riverfront Park in a year or two as the headline act.
Jaime Wyatt (photo: Skye Leppo)
For the time being, though, she and her band were all smiles for what she said was their first night on Peck’s tour. They looked and sounded best when they got lost in the groove—the band tossing riffs back and forth, Wyatt strutting around the stage and belting it out to her songs like “Back To The Country” and “Love Is A Place.” If you’re a fan of earnest lyricism and smart outlaw country, I recommend you keep her on your radar.
The crowd grew bigger throughout the two opening sets, with many fans wearing replica masks like Peck’s—long, leather or rhinestone tassels hanging from the bottom—while others opted for glittery cowboy hats and boots.
Everything lent itself to an electric environment by the time Peck graced the stage. His set began with the mysterious and sultry “Big Sky,” a tale of wandering and woeful past relationships. “Turn to Hate” followed, which upped the tempo and lit a fire under Peck, who tapped a crash cymbal with the heel of his boot as he ran by the drum kit.
Hearing Peck’s rumbling, low voice in recordings does not compare to the shock of hearing it live, nor the delight each time he added grit for the dramatic effect. Between that and his infectious spirit, I was hooked in just two songs.
What really sealed the deal for me was “How Far Will We Take It?” in which he featured his background singer Emily Rose, singing in place of Noah Cyrus who sings on the recording. The country ballad was tender and warm, their tight harmonies punctuated by bending steel guitar notes and ringing toms. Whether the song is lively or soft, Peck has the chops.
His signature cowboy aesthetics were fun and flashy in performance, but they also acted as a vessel for his exploration of the queer experience. Peck is openly gay, an identity that has not historically been welcomed in country music, yet his best songs showcased why they really should go hand-in-hand.
Orville Peck (photo: Skye Leppo)
For instance, “Dead of Night,” which stretched Peck to both ends of his vocal range as he sang of longing for a lost love, or his and Willie Nelson’s cover of “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond Of Each Other.” Before doing the song solo, Peck pointed to the wings and jokingly began to introduce Nelson, one of the many crowd interactions he laced into his performance.
He also had several “rose ceremonies,” in which he gave roses to audience members, and even dedicated his song “Drive Me, Crazy” to a truck driver in the audience named Jim. In between songs, he cracked several jokes, but also opened up about his mental health as it related to his songwriting and the cancellation of his tour last year.
Most important were his three rules for those who attend his concerts: sing every song even if you don’t know the words, dance if you are able to, and cry if you need to cry. All this considered, it’s no wonder he’s developed a cult-following—and I just might be joining.
SET LIST
Big Sky
Turn to Hate
Roses Are Falling
The Hurtin’ Kind
C’mon Baby, Cry
No Glory In The West
Hexie Mountains
How Far Will We Take It?
Conquer the Heart
Drive Me, Crazy
Blush
The Curse of the Blackened Eye
Lafayette
Any Turn
Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other
Outta Time
Kalahari Down
Dead of Night
Daytona Sand
ENCORE: Bronco
For more information on Harrisburg University Presents and upcoming shows, visit their website.
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