Justin Osborne at New Brookland Tavern

Photos and Writing by Dillon Reesor

New Brookland Tavern has seen a lot of Justin Osborne lately. January 17th marks the third show in three weeks, following a pair of reunion shows from Sequoyah Prep School to send off the iconic old New Brookland building and to christen their new location in 5 Points. This time around was a markedly different, more intimate experience featuring three musicians performing individual (mostly) acoustic sets. Opening Wednesday night’s show was local singer/songwriter Hope Overlook, followed by Hunter Park of She Returns From War.

Starting off the night was Columbia’s own Hope Overlook. While I enjoyed this set, and thought her vocal delivery on the closing song was particularly strong, it was dragged down by the constant sounds of conversation from the audience. Concert etiquette plays a huge role in the live music experience, and it’s a shame that something as basic as not talking over the performer for the whole set isn’t a given.

Hunter Park brought an immediate presence to the stage. Her performance was excellent from start to finish, and the juxtaposition between the sincerity of the musical delivery and the jokes and banter thrown out between songs made for an incredibly entertaining set. The only technical issue of the night, the battery on Park’s guitar dying, didn’t phase her in the slightest and she borrowed Justin Osborne’s guitar to play the last few songs. Unfortunately conversations from the crowd cut through for much of this set as well.

In the spirit of transparency, I went into this show totally blind. I didn’t know much of anything about anyone listed on the bill. I just saw that there was a show, and I wanted to take pictures. After having seen him perform live, I can say one thing definitively: Justin Osborne is a talented performer. I haven’t seen many musicians connect with their audience as quickly or easily as he was able to. The atmosphere shifted quickly as he came on stage, and by the end of the first song it felt like I was there to watch a friend play a gig rather than to photograph someone I’d never met.

The first half of the set was a start to finish playthrough of the 2014 album ‘Susto’, from Osborne’s band of the same name. It also featured a couple of cameo appearances from Hunter Park, who returned to the stage to provide vocal harmonies. The second half was pieced together from a variety of tracks spanning the remainder of Susto’s catalogue. The crowd seemed to have settled down for Osborne’s set, but a quick trip to back of house made it clear that was only because I had been leaning on a speaker next to the stage.

Despite the persistent crowd noise I had a great time at this show. These types of acoustic sets are quite a departure from the shows I usually find myself at, but this experience could push me towards more of them in the future.