Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013
The Band, immortalized in Martin Scorsese’s film The Last Waltz, not only backed Bob Dylan, they were also one of the most influential groups of the 1960s, and without them alt-country wouldn’t have existed. With fellow members Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Levon Helm now departed this earthly domain and Robbie Robertson mostly doing film work, Canadian keyboardist and composer Garth Hudson remains the only one to carry the torch for The Band’s psychedelicized vision of roots Americana. Hudson (and his wife, the vocalist Sister Maud Hudson) will be up at Fuji Rock, but for those not headed to Naeba the chance presents itself to catch him in town.
Billboard Live, Aug 2, ¥7,500-9,500. Billboard Live. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.billboard-live.com