Devendra Banhart crafted a warm atmosphere at Observatory North Park
The soothing and charming Devendra Banhart gave fans a discography-ranging set full of uplifting moments and incredible displays of musicianship.
Banhart is a pioneer in the bilingual indie-folk genre. Raised in Venezuela, he has the innate ability to connect with audiences no matter what tongue he is beautifully singing in. “I Love You!” and “Te Amo!” were equally as present in shouts of admiration from crowd members.
Banhart’s stage presence is like a Latin, less cynical version of Father John Misty. He pounces around the stage, interacts with the crowd, and makes jabs about the nature of the performance art. Touring on his newest album Ma, the summer folk record took center stage in the set. The highlight of the show was his hit song “Carmensita” which had everyone in the audience dancing.
Banhart quipped with the audience the whole show, lightheartedly joking about the railing dividing the audience from the stage. “I love your metal pants” he raved to a fan in the front while exclaiming that he wishes that they were not “wearing” them so there could be more intimacy between the crowd and the artist. That intimacy, which is where the concert truly shone, is something that is most present when it is just him and his guitar on stage finger picking.
