I received the email on January 31 that Steve Martin was coming to the Hopkins Center in May. It was an unexpected show opportunity and tickets were expensive. However, I did buy tickets that day, which was a good thing because it sold out right away. As it is, ours seats were near the back.
Although I remember back to some of his shows where he played banjo, I didn’t really know what to expect. Indeed, Steve said during the show, its a bit like Jerry Seinfeld having a concert of his bassoon music: you don’t know what to expect.
But it was a great show, of rollicking bluegrass with a great band, and Steve’s very dry and self-deprecating wit. Hard to believe he’s 67! He wrote most of the music (“to avoid paying royalties”), and he played one of 5 multiple banjos, alon with some singing, in particular the “Atheists have no songs”. He is clearly an accomplished player, and so were the other musicians.
The band was great, both vocals and instrumentals, and the finale featured some funny violin riffs (Flintstones!) during a very fast song.
All in all a fun performance!