Daniel Johnston

American singer/songwriter and artist Daniel Johnston has been operating on the music circuit since the late 70s and now for those interested in lo fi pop, he is considered something of an icon. He is cited by a number of modern musicians as a large influence due to his impassioned performance style and consistently strong recorded releases. Splitting his time between performing live and fine art, Daniel often takes to the circuit as a fanbase remains ever-present for his tours.

Fans old and new huddle into the venue as the ageing musician proudly takes his seat with his trusty acoustic guitar resting on his lap. He warmly greets them before promising to share some of his favourite songs as he puts it. He begins completely unaided for a few tracks to demonstrate his technical prowess before a number of accompanying musicians are welcomed onto stage by Johnston to aid in the recreation of 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances' 'Speeding Motorcycles' and many more. It is great to see just how much Dan enjoys being onstage throughout the night and his sincere gratitude to the applause received following from 'True Love Will Find You in the End'.

If all music exists somewhere on a scale between passion and precision, with the best stuff residing somewhere in the middle, a Daniel Johnston live set leans very heavily toward the passion side of proceedings. Yet what Johnston lacks in technical ability as a musician or a singer he more than makes up for with the sheer prettiness and unique humour of his songs; the considerable aura of cult hero that he carries around the world with him; and the fact that you’re unlikely to ever see another musician who is quite so grateful to you for even coming to listen. Sets tend to take the form of either solo acoustic renditions - either with guitar or piano – of ditty-like classics from his vast back catalogue that can sound so intense one feels like you’re intruding on a private moment of a man weeping into a diary, or full band work outs in which Johnston’s vision for his songs comes to life in glorious colour. Johnston desperately wants to be in The Beatles, and even writes songs about it. Seeing him play with his band is a joy precisely because you know it’s as close as he’ll ever get.

I knew the show would be a very personal event because the size of the venue and his mental illness, but it was more real and personal than I had anticipated. When buying the tickets I knew there was a chance he wouldn't be able to perform, so the fact that he showed up was a bonus. I don't know if he was having a good or bad day as far as his condition goes, but he was able to perform two songs for us before trying to leave and one more after the rest of the band pleaded with him. 10/10, would do it again.

I saw Daniel in Austin at the city limits festival after a long hiatus and I wept. I believe I have only cried with one other musician and one time when I saw a Vermeer in person.

It is amazing to be in the presence of such beauty that it makes you cry.

I am going to see the show on Saturday in San Francisco and I am quite excited about it.