Photos by Andy Argyrakis

A blizzard may have derailed Gavin DeGraw from making it to the Genesee Theatre sooner, but fans held onto their tickets and there still wasn’t even one available when he finally made it to Waukegan.

It was certainly an impressive score for the relatively intimate venue considering he normally plays much larger places, although it sure was an ideal room to experience the singer/songwriter/piano player and seemed to contribute to the spontaneous nature of the 80-minute night.

The Grammy nominee greeted everyone with the soulful rock of “Sweeter” and began riding the “Chariot” towards many others that could very well be the “Best I Ever Had,” which bearing in mind its been two decades since getting started, shaped up to be quite a few.

“Soldier” was one honoring his late parents, who besides being members of the military, went to Woodstock together and had quite an assortment of tales to tell, some so wild they had to be abridged for an all ages audience.

“Chemical Party” was also cleverly combined with The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” and found the headliner taking a lap around the audience, while the energizing moment only amplified “You Make My Heart Sing Louder” a little later back on the stage.

After taking another seat behind the keyboard, DeGraw busted into a bit of country superstar Morgan Waller’s “Whiskey Glasses” and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers To Cross,” prompting the original “Face The River” from an overlooked but excellent COVID-era album of the same name.

The smash singles “I’m In Love With A Girl,” “Not Over You” and “I Don’t Want To Be” sparked a string of sing-a-longs, and though they more or less singled the end, the latter will be one of many about to be reinterpreted for the “Chariot 20” collection (out September 27).

In the meantime, DeGraw encored with an exceptional edition of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” and following the final bow, made a point to mingle with as many as possible to match the down to earth personality he presented.

For additional information on Gavin DeGraw, visit GavinDeGraw.com.

Upcoming concerts at the Genesee Theatre include Under The Streetlamp (Sept. 19); Eaglemania (Sept. 20); Home Free (Sept. 26); Terri Clark (Oct. 4); Los Ángeles Azules (Oct. 9); Mania: The ABBA Tribute (Oct. 10); Alan Parsons Live Project (Oct. 11); Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth” In Concert (Oct. 17); Hollywood Nights: The Bob Seger Experience (Oct. 18); Richard Marx (Oct. 19); Bethel Music (Oct. 27); “Shrek”: The Musical (Nov. 2); The Piano Guys (Nov. 7); Night Ranger (Nov. 8); It Was 50 Years Ago Today: A Tribute To The Beatles (Nov. 10); Morrissey (Nov. 23); Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey (Dec. 12); “Dear Evan Hansen” (Dec. 14); “Home For The Holidays” featuring Peabo Bryson (Dec. 21) and “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”: The Musical (Dec. 22). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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