Treehouse Brewery, South Deerfield, MA July 1, 2025 by Paul Bloomfield
On a humid evening in South Deerfield, Treehouse Brewery played host to a night of emotionally resonant performances, kicked off by rising Alabama artist Lamont Landers, whose set blended soul, funk, and blues with remarkable ease. His voice—a smooth, heartfelt instrument that recalls hints of Stevie Wonder and Dave Matthews—carried the early crowd into a joyful, summery rhythm. Lamont’s agile guitar work only added to the appeal, delivering clean, expressive runs that deepened the emotional texture of his performance. His stage presence was unforced yet magnetic, drawing listeners in with authenticity and a clear love for the craft.
Light rain fell dispensing with the early evening heat. As the lights dimmed and the stage crew prepared for Gary Clark Jr., excitement rippled through the audience. Even the sound check felt intentional, with deep bass thumps foreshadowing the performance to come. Light rain fell dispensing with the early evening heat.
Clark opened with “Catfish Blues,” a tune that paid homage to the Delta roots of the genre. Originally recorded by Robert Petway in 1941, the track served as a grounding force, connecting the evening to the foundations of blues before launching forward into his own brand of electric blues.
From there, the set moved into “Maktub”, a highlight from Clark’s 2024 album and tour, JPEG RAW. Arabic for “it is written,” Maktub is emblematic of Clark’s recent creative arc—blending tight, contemporary production with lyrical urgency. Backed by a powerhouse band—King Zapata on rhythm guitar, Elijah Ford on bass synth and vocals, JJ Johnson on drums, and Dayne Reliford on keys—Clark delivered the track with controlled fire. The lyrics
Uh, they comin’ through / Uh, they gunnin’ for you / Uh, we know the truth
cut like a blade, delivering pointed social commentary without losing the groove.
The set’s emotional and musical peak came in a seamless transition from Jimi Hendrix’s “Third Stone from the Sun” into Clark’s own “What About Us”, off his 2019 record This Land. It was a masterclass in lineage and evolution—Clark acknowledging his influences while cementing his place in the present.
Of course, no Clark set would be complete without “When My Train Pulls In”, a fan favorite from 2012’s Blak and Blu. The song’s slow burn structure, grit-laced guitar solos, and deep emotional pull gave the crowd exactly what they came for. It’s in songs like these that Clark’s unique brand of electric blues-rock shines brightest—bold and unfiltered.
By the end of the night the rain was steady, and it was clear: Gary Clark Jr. doesn’t just play music—he channels it. With JPEG RAW, he’s pushing his sound into new territories without abandoning the blues roots that ground him. And at Treehouse Brewery, Clark demonstrated that blues is a vital and evolving force.
SETLIST:
Catfish Blues (Robert Petway cover)
Maktub
Ain’t Messin ‘Round
When My Train Pulls In
This Is Who We Are
Don’t Owe You a Thang
The Healing
Feed the Babies
Alone Together
Our Love
To submit an article an article or review, or to just say hello hit us at [email protected]
Also- check out the search feature in the upper right hand corner and search for your favorite artist, event, venue or genre. You’ll be surprised at what you find!
Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.
