Concert #754 - Leftover Cuties at the Levitt Pavilion (September 4, 2015)

This was my first time to see the Leftover Cuties in actions. Initially, what attracted me to their music was their occasional association with the Dustbowl Revival. The concert was attended by about four hundred people, and - by the way - it was a free event.

Appearing as a quartet, the Cuties put on a good show, with excellent vocals, lots of quality songs and good musicianship. Still, overall, in spite of all these positives, the band was a bit less exciting than the Dustbowl Revival - but then again, I could say that about most any other band.

Band line-up

Shirli McAllen (vocals, ukulele)

Mike Bolger (keyboards, trumpet, accordion, etc.)

Stuart Johnson (drums)

Ryan Feves (upright bass) (subbing for regular bassist Austin Nicholsen)

The Leftover Cuties at the Levitt Pavilion

Although there was plenty of talent everywhere on the stage, the unmistakable star of the show was Shirli McAllen, whose outstanding voice and singing technique kept me hooked throughout the evening. And she's a good songwriter as well - her composition titled "Half Gone" was, in my opinion, the highlight of the show.

Shirli McAllen

The band's set consisted of mostly songs written or co-written by Shirli, plus a few covers and they all sounded great.

 

The Set List

Smile Big

All Of Me (the well-known classic)

Clarity

You Are My Sunshine

By Morning

Everything I Got

Should've Left You

Fidelity (Regina Spektor cover)

What's The Matter

If You Want The Rainbow

Happy Song

Poker Face (Lady Gaga cover)

Movin' On

Sunnyside

Half Gone

Sweet Pea (Amos Lee cover)

Thick And Thin

One Heart

Places To Go

Once Again

When You're Smiling (Encore)

Shirli McAllen & Ryan Feves

Shirli McAllen & Mike Bolger

Mike Bolger

Stuart Johnson