Mac McCaughan’s sunny professionalism brightened the overcast main stage at The UMS at 7 p.m. on Friday night as a criminally sparse crowd watched him and multi-instrumentalist John McEntire tear through a strong, short set that drew from material new and old.
Superchunk favorites “Driveway to Driveway” and the Denver-referencing “Detroit Has a Skyline” sounded gentler with just Mac on his worn electric guitar, which sported the best overall tone of any show this reporter has heard so far.
Mac thanked previous main stagers In the Whale before playing “Mystery Flute,” from new solo album “Non-Believers.” Things picked up with indie rock lifer McEntire on drums on keyboard, but this was an understated set by design. The Portastatic track “Song for Clocks” got a bump from McEntire’s game but subdued snare rolls, and “Box Batteries” and “Watery Hands” brought bittersweet sentiment to the lyrics.
An early highlight of the fest with far too few attendees. Your loss, people getting tacos!
