Anderson East and Travis Meadows at The Space at Westbury
November 3, 2018
Westbury, NY
Photos by Christine Connallon
Anderson East is a neo-soul, rhythm and blues performer who was born Michael Cameron Anderson in Athens, AL. His major-label record debut, Delilah, was released on the Low Country Sound/Elektra imprint in 2015. His most recent release, Encore, was released to critical and popular acclaim in early 2018, also on Low Country/ Elektra. Prior to that he released two independently released albums: Flowers of the Broken Hearted (2012) and (as Mike Anderson) Closing Credits for a Fire (2009). East has also lent his songwriting talents to other artists. He co-wrote two songs ("Getaway Driver" and "Well-Rested") with Miranda Lambert, his former fiance, for her 2016 album, The Weight of These Wings (RCA Nashville).
Travis Meadows is a country music singer songwriter who hails originally from Jackson, MS. Meadows has also done double duty by releasing his own material, including three albums, as well as writing songs for other artists. Killing Uncle Buzzy was released under his contract with Universal Music Publishing in 2011. Old Ghosts & Unfinished Business was released on Kobalt Music in 2013 and last year, Meadows released First Cigarette on Blaster Records. Having gone through tough times including bouts with drug and alcohol addiction as well as losing much of his right leg to bone cancer, Meadow mines these tragedies to produce powerful and raw songs that are highly relatable.
On a lazy Saturday evening in early November, a hearty crowd filed in to The Space at Westbury, ready to be entertained and this bill certainly did not disappoint. Hitting the stage first was Travis Meadows with guitarist Bobby Junior. Junior, who now calls New Orleans home, is a master of psychedelic blues, funk, rock and soul as well as having served as a tour manager at a very young age for Devon Allman's Honeytribe. Together, Meadows and Junior made magic. Although the set was short, they gained fans that night by telling stories and playing "Travelin' Bone," "Sideways," "Guy Like Me," "Underdogs" and "Better Boat."
A quick intermission later, East and his crew bounded onto the stage for a raucous set that had the crowd dancing and singing along with abandon. East, who has been tirelessly and extensively touring in support of Encore, was fresh faced and showed no signs of road fatigue as he kicked off the night with "Sorry You're Sick." His high energy performance showcased his powerful vocals and inability to stay in one place. He doesn't perform, he simply covers every inch of that stage, interacting with all members of his talented band, engaging his fans from the edge of the stage and wielding the mic stand like an extension of his own arms. An Anderson East concert is part revival, part carnival and part family reunion. Highlights of his soulful set include "Satisfy Me," "What A Woman Wants to Hear" and a half acoustic version of "Lying in Her Arms." Covers shined, featuring Sam and Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin'" and Elvin Bishop's "Fooled Around and Fell In Love." Meadows reappeared on stage for the first encore "Sideways" and the show wrapped up with East giving his all on "This Too Shall Last." With a packed merch stand full of inspired fans and the air of a joyous catharsis permeating the lobby, Anderson can easily count this night as a huge success.