Joe Bonamassa brought his fiery guitar technique Friday night to a sold-out Englert Theatre in Iowa City. His cross of British Blues and Delta Blues has made Joe a guitar icon. 
An Englert employee stated that they sold out their seats an added 50 more to try and meet the demand created by Joe Bonamssa.
After taking the stage at 8:00 PM, Joe and his band launched into Ballad of John Henry from his successful 2009 album of the same name. Joe quickly kept the groove progressing with the Last Kiss also from BOJH.
Joe demonstrated his crafty guitar techniques by changing gears with a single stroke, often catching the excited crowd off guard, promoting cheers of GO JOE ! Joe responded calmly by placing his finger to his lips, encouraging their attention.
Early in his 17 song set, Joe stated, “I have never been to Iowa City before…I was told, Joe, you have stopped in Davenport and Cedar Rapids, why don’t you stop in Iowa City.” Joe then said that it (The Englert) was such a wonderful gathering on the eve of his birthday” The crowd erupted in an impromptu Happy Birthday Joe.
A crowd favorite was Leonard Cohen’s Bird on a Wire, which Joe played as his first encore.
Friday’s intimate setting at The Englert featured a superb sound system and stage lights, making Joe Bonanassa’s performance in Iowa City , an experience usually reserved for much more populated venues.
The Set-list:
- BOJH
- Last Kiss
- So Many
- So It’s Like That
- If Heartaches were Nickels
- Further On Up The Road
- Sloe Gin
- Lonesome Road
- Happier Times
- Blue and Evil
- Three Times a Fool
- Blues Deluxe
- Young Man’s Blues
- Woke Up Dreaming
- Mountain Time
Encore
- Bird on a Wire
- Just Got Paid
