Thao and friends

Last night I caught Thao Nguyen at the last stop of the Hotel Cafe tour. I hadn't talked to the singer since I interviewed her way back in GR44. Back then, she was playing an acoustic gig for maybe two dozen people at Safari Sam's. Last evening, she was playing a sold-out Music Box and I got to catch up with her for a few minutes behind the venue where the tour bus was parked.

When you meet Thao, she seems like such a regular, friendly person--albeit one with a cool drawl. But onstage with the guitar, she has total star power. When amplified, her voice is a real force of nature and this time she was rocking an electric guitar--maybe she needed that to match her singing.

The format of the show was really interesting. The backing band of dudes came and went in various configurations as they were needed, but the spotlight changed from singer to singer. In addition to Thao, there was Meiko, Rachel Yamagata, Emily Wells, and a bunch of others--all female. Thao had them come out to sing and dance with her, which was cool. There was a genuine "let's put on a show" vibe to the evening.

I'd suggest you check out the tour, but it's over. Instead, click on this video of Thao with her regular band, The Get Down Stay Down ...