Concert Review: Shakey Graves (Ritz Raleigh)

BY MAUI CABRAL

Man… this was just what we needed. Shakey Graves at The Ritz? Yes, please!

Let me get the fangirl moment out of the way: I freaking LOVE Shakey Graves. That much is obvious. If you don’t know, Shakey Graves is the stage name of Alejandro Rose Garcia, an Austin, Texas native who started as a one-man band, literally playing guitar and stomping on a suitcase. Over the years, he’s evolved from gritty backroom folk into a beautifully layered blend of Americana, blues, and rock. And when he performs, he doesn’t just play, he transports.

This show had such a warm, homey vibe. Only one opener: Whitney and wow, they were beautiful. Their melodies were euphoric and dreamlike, playing about 40 minutes of back-to-back sonic bliss that completely set the tone.

Then... the man in black stepped out. No, I’m not talking about Johnny Cash.I’m talking about Shakey. Freaking. Graves.

The band hit the stage and brought more than just music. They brought soul. It’s rare to witness a group give a performance that doesn’t just feel like “another night on tour.” Alejandro gave everything,he sang his heart out. You could feel it in your chest. At one point, it felt like getting lost in the middle of nowhere, in the best way possible. Like standing on Dead Horse Point in Utah, whiskey in hand, your person beside you, and the perfect sunset ahead. Just you, the music, and that moment. Poetic, I know. But that’s the vibe.

They absolutely killed it. And Raleigh? We felt every second of it.

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JOSH "MAUI" CABRAL

Hey! I'm Maui. Originally from Queens, New York, now making Raleigh, NC my new home. I'm a touring photographer and Nomadic Motorcycle Rider, obsessed with seeing the world through different lenses!

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