With more than 200 live music venues packed into 280 square miles and internationally acclaimed events such as South by Southwest and the Austin City Limits Music Festivals, it’s easy to see why the capital of Texas is known as the Live Music Capital of the World.
Iconic artists such as Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan put Austin on the map musically, and a new generation of performers carries the torch today. One of the most prominent faces of Austin’s vibrant music scene today is Gary Clark Jr.
Influenced by rock and roll pioneers like Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix as well as soul artists such as Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, Clark Jr.’s music defies categorization. The 40-year-old’s rock influences are prominent during collaborations with the Foo Fighters and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. Additional high-profile collaborations with The Roots, Childish Gambino, John Legend and Alicia Keys, as well as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow and John Mayer prove that Clark Jr. can seamlessly fit into practically any genre and/or style of music.
For this reason, Clark Jr.’s performance at Wolf Trap, in Vienna, Virginia, was nothing short of mesmerizing. The evening — part of a massive 25-date North American tour — was a perfect blend of raw blues, soulful ballads and electrifying rock, showcasing his versatility and a deep connection with his passionate fanbase.
The four-time Grammy Award winner began the evening with “Maktub,” the lead single off of his fourth studio album, JPEG RAW. Rolling Stone has already hailed the album, which dropped in March, as one of the best releases of 2024. In Arabic, Maktub means “it is written” — a song with plenty to say about how freedom is our destiny.
You can’t stop the message, uh
Life’s for sale, pay attention
This just is so suspicious
Don’t wanna be another victim
Following the opening track, Clark Jr. launched into “When My Train Pulls In,” a beloved staple in his repertoire. The extended guitar solos and heartfelt lyrics created a palpable connection with the audience. So much so that — as the track came to an end — Clark Jr. paused for a brief moment, allowing himself to soak in all of the admiration and appreciation from the roughly 6,000 in attendance.
While Clark Jr. has a well-earned reputation placing him among the best guitarists alive today, he’s clearly not one dimensional. “This Is Who We Are” is a standout track from JPEG RAW that best illustrates takes to the stage each night with something to say.
I think I’m not who you think you thought I was
Really came up from the bottom, came up from the mud
I walk through the valley in the end
Better check your ego, come again
Before diving into “Bright Lights” near the end of his set, Clark Jr. fittingly asked for the house lights to be turned up so he could once more take in the enthusiastic audience that continued to hang on his every word and note. The hit track from his album, Blak and Blu, was easily a highlight of the night and worthy of the raucous ovation the performer received in response.
While those in attendance would have loved for the show to continue long into the night, the venue’s curfew limited Clark Jr. to just one additional song when the band returned to the stage. That said, the encore performance of “Funk Witch U” concluded the concert on an absolute high note.
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Setlist
Maktub
When My Train Pulls In
I Walk Alone
Hyperwave
This Is Who We Are
The Healing
Alone Together
Feed the Babies
What About the Children
Our Love
Bright Lights
Habits
Encore:
Funk Witch U
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Photos & Words: Brian Murphy