Pokey LaFarge brought his protracted platter of hits to Knuckleheads last Friday

Pokey LaFarge at Knuckleheads on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. // Photo by Joe Ellett

On Friday, Nov. 8, Pokey LaFarge brought his slicked-back hair and polished guitar skills to Knuckleheads. 

Salt Lake City-based The Tailspins opened the night with their ‘50s style ragtime. The husband and wife duo of Oskar and Julia Buie filled Knuckleheads Garage with ancient-esque air, as they fused ‘50s rock with pre-war jazz, swing, and blues.

Finding an opener that matches the audience that LaFarge draws in must be a challenge due to his varying sounds over the years, but The Tailspins seemed like a suitable fit for the occasion. 

While their sound is consistent with some of LaFarge’s releases, at times, their songs almost seem as if they are one ongoing tune with no definite ending. Nonetheless, they strung away steady at each song and got the rather sheepish crowd ready for a night mixed with a variety of sounds.

LaFarge opened his set with “So Long Chicago” off of his most recent 2024 album, Rhumba Country, highlighted by Erik Miron’s extended trumpet solo, which was absolutely the right call. Jumping into this funky track about ditching home for fine sand and whimsical waves got the somewhat elderly crowd ready to move and groove.

This song set the tone for a night mixed with unique sounds from the six-man band, as they would hopscotch between Americana, gospel, ragtime, country blues, swing, early jazz, and so much more.

Pokey LaFarge at Knuckleheads on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. // Photo by Joe Ellett

The band consists of Miron on trumpet and guitar, Hank Mehren on keys and organ, Kevin Carducci on bass and vocals, Andrew Guterman on drums and vocals, and, of course, Pokey LaFarge on guitar and vocals.

Some of the most notable moments of the night came during extended cuts of songs where solos from Miron and Mehren dominated the Knuckleheads Garage’s soundwaves.

Funny enough, it was Mehren’s two-year anniversary playing with LaFarge and the group, which began in Knuckleheads in 2022. 

Throughout the set, LaFarge touched on his gratitude for his long-standing Kansas City fanbase, even tossing flowers out to the crowd at one point before digging into a story about a girl he was seeing in California. 

She told him that the only way that they would work out was if they could live in Maine. “What am I gonna do in Maine? Lobster fish?” LaFarge recalls asking. Now, the Bloomington, IL native has set up shop in Maine with his now wife, singer Addie Hamilton.

The Midwest musician strongly held attendee’s capacities with his back-and-forth banter and pure showmanship. Having been involved in the music scene since his first release in 2010, it is easy to recognize the stage presence skills that LaFarge has grown into—His deft movements and charismatic appeal drew the Knuckleheads crowd out of their seats and into the slim standing section in front of the stage, which was packed throughout the performance.

Pokey LaFarge at Knuckleheads on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. // Photo by Joe Ellett

As the night grew closer to closing, LaFarge took time to use his mic to discuss the recent election results.

“You see and experience a lot of things down the road, especially during an election season,” LaFarge said. “You feel the tension, as you all have felt the tension. Some of you still feel it, some of you are relieved, some of you are elated… I feel like the Lord has called me to be a bridge and, as it says in the word, go out and make peace. We don’t have to agree with each other, but we do have to love each other.”

While the relatively small musician didn’t necessarily create any true change with his comments, starting the conversation is incredibly important, and considering many individuals look at musicians, athletes, and celebrities as idols, hearing these statements come from them is crucial for our society.

Regardless of what bubble was filled in on Nov. 5, we were there to get downright funky together on Nov. 8.

Pokey LaFarge at Knuckleheads on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. // Photo by Joe Ellett

Pokey LaFarge Setlist
So Long Chicago
Get It ‘Fore It’s Gone
The Devil Ain’t Lazy, new guitar after
Goodbye, Barcelona
Mr. Nobody
End Of My Rope
For A Night
Fine to Me
Killing Time
What The Rain Will Bring
It’s Not Over
Central Time
Don’t Let It Go
Break for LaFarge
Band Jam
Break for Band
Arkansas
Ain’t No Grave
La La Blues
Something in the Water
Goodnight, Goodbye (Hope Not Forever)