Powerful and thought-provoking performances with the theme of inclusivity churned throughout The Factory in the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield Friday night.
While grandson headlined this I Love You I’m Trying tour in support of his newly dropped album of the same name, a large number of fans were there equally to see K.Flay.
The night began with a half-hour set from relative newcomer Jack Kays who made inroads by posting his music on social media. The 24-year-old mullet-wearing musician and vocalist brings hints of emo, alt/indie, rap, and folk to his well-articulated songs that speak to alcoholism such as, “MORBID MIND,” and realizing that maybe, just maybe you’re your own worst enemy in, “JUST SUCKS!” Kays did share his St. Louis story saying he came here as a kid and went up in The Arch but the elevator got stuck because his dad decided to rock it, despite being told not to. “That was not fun,” Keys recalled, “this is much better.” Quirky and catchy, the growing crowd appeared well-versed in all things Jack Kays.
LA-based (but Midwest-raised), Grammy-nominated K.Flay flourished during her energetic, light-infused hour set. You’d never know that late last summer Flay lost the hearing in her right ear due to a rare condition, SSNH, and according to a press release “was forced to cancel her fall tour and contemplated not making music anymore.” Flay persevered and worked diligently and the result is a new album, MONO, set to be released in September 2023. Flay spent time introducing many of her songs sharing personal stories and positive messaging. “I was raised not too far from here [Wilmette, IL], and I was raised with a shyness/politeness inside of me. You can probably relate,” she told the crowd. “But up here I can be something else. And so can you.” She then launched into the newest single from MONO, the electrifying, “Shy.”
She also talked about conformity, feeling boxed in but that it’s important to be true to yourself. “How many weirdos are in the crowd tonight?,” Flay asked before launching into “Weirdo.” Commanding the stage, bounding from side to side, twirling and whirling, bouncing on and off the risers amid explosions of lights, K.Flay sings, raps, and croons as if her life depended on it Flay showcased that obstacles can become opportunities — it just comes down to how one approaches life.
Grammy-nominated grandson, who’s performed in St. Louis numerous times by this point, kicked off his 24-song set with “Two Along Their Way” on a darkened stage sitting to the side on a raised park bench amid two street lamps. A mock street sign read “I Love You I’m Trying.” He then bounded to the microphone and his unwavering energy exploded — jumping, twisting, and surging to and fro. The camo-clad singer/rapper/songwriter is not one to shy away from controversial topics all while wanting everyone to feel secure. “This is not a place for homophobes or transphobes,” grandson, aka Jordan Edward Benjamin, said early on.
With a gleam in his eye and a wide smile, grandson asked everyone to take 20-30 seconds to introduce themselves to the person next to them, “You’ve been standing by each other this whole time.” His banter between many songs fluctuated between joking and self-care.
On tour to support the May 5 released album, I Love You I’m Trying, the newer, more intimate songs easily weaved well into the more well-known songs. The night ended with the hypnotic, dynamic, poignant “Blood // Water.”
More photos https://bit.ly/grandson23cz
grandson setlist https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/grandson/2023/the-factory-chesterfield-mo-23a634fb.html
K.Flay setlist https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/kflay/2023/the-factory-chesterfield-mo-2ba634fa.html
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In my work life, I help nonprofits and small businesses with media and public relations. In my what I love to do life, you can typically find me photographing either wild horses or concerts.
